During the PhD programme in Cognitive Sciences, PhD students will:
1) acquire high-level skills through in-depth study of one of the research areas covered in the two curricula of the programme (philosophical-naturalistic and technological-social);
2) acquire and adopt methodologies, research techniques and data analysis methods, using technological tools (hardware and software) suitable for the specific applications of their field of study;
3) design and implement an original research plan, commensurate with the international standards with which they will have to compete;
4) engage in activities to communicate and disseminate their results (through presentations at seminars, conferences and conventions; the publication of scientific articles and essays; networking activities with international communities of scholars on specific topics related to their research);
5) write a thesis that comprehensively and articulately expresses the process, methodology and results of their research project and discuss it orally at the end of the three years.
To achieve these objectives, the Doctoral Programme in Cognitive Science provides specific training resources. The main ones are:
- Ad hoc courses (lectures) that provide knowledge and skills not typically acquired in previous courses of study and preparatory to all research activities carried out within the specific know-how of the Doctorate. The teaching programme is prepared annually, presented in the Study Manifesto and described in the relevant syllabuses.
- Supervision: from the beginning of the doctoral programme until the thesis defence, each student is supported by a tutor selected from among the members of the Teaching Board. The tutor is the main point of contact within the programme and their duties are described in the University Regulations for Doctoral Programmes. Doctoral students may also be assisted in their research work by co-tutors belonging to the Doctoral Board or by experts from other Italian or foreign universities, only after they have been specifically appointed by the board.
- End-of-year exam: assessment and discussion with members of the Teaching Board to receive input on one's research and better identify one's educational and career development needs and objectives.
- Seminars and interviews: organised by the doctoral programme or department, or by other structures at UNIME or other Italian or foreign universities.
- Laboratories and research equipment: during their PhD programme, PhD students have access to the laboratories and research equipment of the COSPECS Department, both in Messina and Noto, and are assisted by technical support staff.
- Internationalisation and mobility: during the PhD programme, PhD students will spend an average of four months studying and conducting research at a foreign research institution, in accordance with the University's PhD regulations.
- Mobility and research support: The University Regulations on Doctoral Programmes provide for the possibility of a 50% increase in the scholarship for the period spent abroad, to which a contribution from the doctoral programme for travel expenses may be added. In addition, each student receives a budget that can be used to present their research at conferences, conventions and small group meetings, participate in workshops, and/or purchase research materials.
- Bibliographic resources: during the doctoral programme, doctoral students have access to the University's extensive Library System and other integrated electronic resources.
- Language courses: PhD students have access to all departmental and university resources, as well as the language improvement laboratory.
- Tools for the dissemination and distribution of results (CORISCO editorial series or Fascia A (ANVUR), SCOPUS and ISI journals, specific initiatives by Unime Research Centres.