Final Exam Regulations

How to Choose a Thesis Subject

At the start of the course, the Teaching Board assigns each doctoral student a supervisor and one or more co-supervisors, at least one of whom must be an academic. The supervisor may be chosen by the Board from outside the Board, provided that at least one of them meets the requirements for board members. The supervisor is responsible for following and guiding the doctoral student in their research and in developing their thesis, and for informing the Board of any problems and needs related to the research.

Procedures for Admission to the Final Examination

  1. The title of doctor of research, abbreviated to "Dott. Ric." or "Ph.D.," is awarded following successful completion of the final examination and a positive evaluation by an examining committee of a research thesis that contributes to the advancement of knowledge or methodologies in the chosen field of investigation.
  2. The doctoral thesis is written in Italian or English, or in another language, subject to the approval of the teaching staff, and is accompanied by a summary written in English.
  3. By the end of the third academic year of each cycle, the doctoral student must request admission to the final examination.
  4. The procedure for admission to the final examination is as follows:
    1. The thesis, together with the doctoral student's report on the activities carried out during the doctoral program and any publications, is reviewed by at least two evaluators, who are not members of the institution awarding the doctoral degree and possess highly qualified experience, at least one of whom is a university professor, selected by the supervisor and the teaching staff. Evaluators may be from foreign or international institutions;
    2. Within thirty days of receiving the thesis, the evaluators will express a written analytical opinion, recommending admission to the public defense or postponement of the thesis defense for a period not exceeding six months. After this period, the thesis, accompanied by a new written opinion from the reviewers, is in any case admitted to discussion.
  5. The Academic Board, based on the reviewers' proposal, decides whether the thesis is admitted to public discussion or postponed for the period proposed by the reviewers.

Extension

  • For proven reasons that prevent the doctoral thesis from being submitted within the timeframe established by the program, the Academic Board may grant, upon request of the doctoral student, an extension of up to twelve months, without further financial burden.
  • An extension of the duration of the doctoral program for a period not exceeding twelve months may also be decided by the Academic Board for justified scientific reasons, subject to a resolution by the Board of Directors and the Academic Senate authorizing the corresponding extension of the duration of the scholarship with funds from the budget. of the University.
  • Periods of extension and suspension may not exceed a total of eighteen months, except in specific cases provided by law.

Final Examination Committee

  1. The Final Examination Committee is appointed by the Rector, upon proposal by the Academic Board, and is composed of three members, respecting, where possible, gender balance. In any case, the Committee is composed of at least two-thirds of individuals not belonging to the Program's administrative headquarters and no more than one-third of members belonging to the PhD program participants pursuant to Article 3, paragraph of these Regulations. In any case, the Committee is composed of at least two-thirds of academic members chosen from among university professors and researchers in the scientific disciplinary fields covered by the Program. Two alternate members must also be appointed to ensure, if necessary, replacements, while fully respecting the prescribed composition.
  2. The chair of the Admissions Committee is held by the most senior professor in the tenure track; in the event of a tie, by the eldest.
  3. Faculty members who are supervisors, co-supervisors, or evaluators of the thesis of one or more doctoral students admitted to the final examination, who have served on the Admissions Committee for the same Doctoral Program for the previous cycle, and who have served on the Admissions Committee for the same cycle, cannot be members of the Admissions Committee for the final examination for the Doctoral degree.
  4. The Rector's Decree appointing the Admissions Committees is public.on the University website. This publication will be notified to the Coordinator, who will ensure it is communicated to the members of the Selection Committees and the doctoral students. The Selection Committees are required to complete their work within 90 days of the date of the Rector's Decree of appointment. After this deadline, the Committee that has not completed its work will cease to hold office, and the Rector will appoint a new Committee, excluding the members who have resigned.
  5. In the case of Doctoral Programs established pursuant to international agreements, the Committee is constituted according to the procedures set forth in the agreements themselves.
  6. Reimbursement of travel expenses for external Committee members will be charged to specifically allocated Doctoral Program or Department funds.

Final Exam and Award of the Degree

  1. The final exam for awarding the degree consists of a public defense of the Doctoral thesis, previously examined and evaluated as required by art. 25 of these Regulations.
  2. At the end of the discussion, the commission will express a written and reasoned opinion on the thesis and will assign an overall grade choosing from the following: 'sufficient', 'good', or 'excellent'. If unanimously recognized as having particular scientific significance, it may award honors.
  3. If the thesis is rejected, it will no longer be possible to defend it.
  4. The Admissions Committee will prepare a report, including detailed assessments of the theses submitted by the candidates and the outcome of the interviews, which must be submitted in original to the relevant University office.
  5. Within thirty days of the defense and approval, the final thesis, deposited in the University's open-access institutional archive, will be made public and available for consultation in open access mode in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 6 below. Subject to the prior authorization of the Academic Board, parts of the thesis may be made unavailable due to data protected by industrial secrecy pursuant to applicable legislation. In accordance with CRUI guidelines, an embargo may apply.
  6. The issuance of a degree certification, in compliance with current legislation, is subject to the interested party's deposit of their final thesis in the University's open-access institutional archive, which will guarantee its preservation and public consultation. The University will be responsible for depositing the thesis in accordance with the law at the National Libraries of Rome and Florence and, within 30 days of the thesis defense and approval, in electronic format in the National Register of Doctoral Students and Research Doctors in a specific open-access section.
  7. The educational activities undertaken by doctoral students at one or more locations are certified by a document attached to the final diploma (diploma supplement).