The Ph.D. programme in Computer and Control Engineering is offered by the Department of Control and Computer Engineering, and it is part of the third-level offer of the Doctoral School of the Politecnico di Torino. It is a training path that leads to the achievement of the title of Doctor of Research (or Philosophy Doctor, Ph.D., according to Anglo-Saxon terminology), the highest level of education which is an increasingly common requirement for senior roles in industry, research centers and other contexts of society, as well as being necessary to undertake an academic career.
Cultural context
The cultural context in which the course is situated is that of the disciplines of Computer Engineering, Automation Engineering, and their sub-disciplines, which characterize the Department’s research activities. In particular, the research topics currently being pursued are:
- Computer architectures and Computer Aided Design
- Data science, Artificial Vision and AI
- Computer graphics and Multimedia
- Software engineering and Mobile computing
- Control and system engineering
- Life sciences
- Cybersecurity
- Parallel and distributed systems, Quantum computing
Before each periodic call for applications, the Academic Board collects and evaluates, through an internal consultation process and via a dedicated platform, specific research topics proposed by faculty members and various stakeholders. These topics are published on the course website.
The research areas are consistent with the profiles that the course aims to train, are aligned with the state of the art of similar programs at both national and international levels, and are of scientific and technological interest for both industry and public institutions. They also have a significant impact on society as a whole, addressing industrial and institutional needs. These areas are essential for fostering technological development and digital transformation, as also recognized by European research funding policies.
Organization
The course lasts three years, and the Ph.D. students are encouraged to organize and spend training and research activities abroad at recognized international entities. The research activities are conducted under the guidance of a supervisor and, eventually, other co-supervisors the Academic Board may assign.
During their path, the Ph.D. students follow a dedicated training plan (managed and updated through a mutual agreement between the students and their supervisors and verified by the Academic Board) fine-tuned to enhance their technical skills within the respective research areas of interest (hard skills) and their general know-how on transversal topics (soft skills), including the ones that are relevant even in non-academic contexts.
According to the rules provided by the Doctoral School of Politecnico di Torino, the Ph.D. students must attend both courses covering hard skill topics for at least 100 hours and soft skill topics for at least 40 hours (preferably during the first two years). Concerning hard skill topics, the students will complete at least 60 hours from courses offered by the Ph.D. programme in Computer and Control Engineering and the remaining hours through courses offered by other programmes of the Doctoral School at Politecnico di Torino or even other institutions, doctoral schools, or online courses. Concerning soft skill topics instead, students may choose from the shared courses offered by the Doctoral School.
A significant part of the PhD candidates’ activities consists of carrying out a research project, the results of which may be disseminated through the publication of scientific papers in prestigious venues and through participation in public events, with attention to their applicability and impact. This is achieved through direct involvement in the research activities of the group to which the tutor belongs. The program culminates in the writing of a thesis, which is evaluated and discussed by experts in the field.
Design and review
The design and review processes are based on continuous consultation between the Board and external stakeholders, including companies, research organizations, and alumni, both in Italy and abroad, as well as on comparisons with practices adopted by other universities at national and international levels. These actions similarly concern the annual process of review, updating, and rationalization of the program’s organization, research topics, and educational offerings. A key role in this regard is played by a Consultation Committee, representative of the aforementioned stakeholders, which meets at least once a year (further information is available on the course website).
The results of a periodic questionnaire administered by the Doctoral School are analyzed together with the PhD candidates and within the Board in order to assess any corrective actions. Summary reports on indicators related to the PhD candidates’ careers are also produced periodically and discussed by the Board.
The objective of the PhD Programme in Computer and Systems Engineering is to train highly qualified researchers capable of generating scientific, technological, and societal impact, and of operating in academic, industrial, and institutional contexts, acting as a bridge between research, innovation, and society in the fields of Computer Science and Automation.
The skills in study, research, original innovation, and project management acquired by PhD graduates can be applied in both public and industrial research, as well as fostering private entrepreneurship and the creation of new high-tech companies.
Organization
The knowledge and skills are acquired through direct and proactive involvement in research activities and attending lectures and courses. The Ph.D. student and the supervisor agree upon the specific choice of the training and research activities and their planning over the three years. In this regard, the student is also asked to complete a Declaration of Intent (DoI) by which the student-supervisor cooperation is defined, shared, and agreed upon. The student will be included in internationally recognized research groups, thus having the opportunity to collaborate with professors and researchers from other universities, research centers, and public or private organizations in Italy or abroad. The research activities are conducted under the guidance of the supervisor and, eventually, the co-supervisors, and progress is verified by the Academic Board.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Knowledge and understanding skills
The Ph.D. student must show an advanced knowledge of the state of the art in the research domain. This can be achieved by attending hard skill courses and carrying out individual study and research activities under the supervision of the supervisor and other researchers. The Academic Board is in charge of the verification, which is conducted at the end of each year during the annual review, and represents one of the evaluation criteria for the final exam.
- Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The Ph.D. students will learn and acquire a rigorous methodology in carrying out their research activity and the ability to work individually and autonomously in scientific production. In addition, they will develop strong teamwork and management skills. Those skills, which are prerequisites for writing the final thesis and getting ready for the final defense, are acquired through the research activities conducted in collaboration with the supervisors and other researchers, encompassing the supervision of Master’s degree students during the thesis project. The verification is completed at the end of each year based on the report provided by the supervisor.
- Critical thinking
The Ph.D. students will develop skills to outline a research project and critically evaluate their and others’ scientific works. During the learning process, the students can take advantage of the soft skills courses and other scientific activities under the tutor’s supervision, such as the peer review of scientific articles or Master’s degree thesis works. The verification of the acquired skills passes through the examination of the courses attended by the student and, at the end of the year, through the annual review.
- Communication skills
The Ph.D. students will acquire the ability to effectively elaborate and present original contributions and the results of their research. These skills are developed through soft skills courses, participation in the writing of scientific articles, and the presentation of the research outcomes at national and international conferences. The verification of the acquired skills is done through the examinations of the courses, but also during the presentation of the research activities and the end of each year (managed by a Committee of the Academic Board), the evaluation of the doctoral thesis, and the final dissertation in front of an international Examination Committee.
- Ability to learn and trasfer knowledge
The Ph.D. students will be able to share their acquired knowledge and skills with others. This ability is achieved through various forms of active teaching, such as exercises or tutoring during Bachelor’s and Master’s degree courses. The acquired skills are verified at the end of the year during the annual review.
Following the checks carried out at the end of the year during the annual review, the Academic Board formally may eventually report on possible gaps in the Ph.D. students’ path, suggesting corrective actions (such as the inclusion of a particular course in the study plan) that can lead the student towards the achievment of the expected outcomes.