The training project, which covers topics of Pure Mathematics (mainly in the SSD of Algebra, Geometry, History and Teaching of Mathematics, Mathematical Analysis, Probability, but also theoretical aspects of the disciplines of the areas of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science), Applied Mathematics (mainly Mathematical Physics, Numerical Analysis and Operations Research, but also applicative aspects of the more theoretical disciplines as well as Computer Science) and Computational Sciences (mainly Computer Science, but also Numerical Analysis and Mathematical Physics), is divided into three levels:
- attendance of lecture courses (mainly in the first two years) both basic and on topics related to the research activities of the Teaching Staff;
- commitment to research projects and participation in Schools, Workshops and Conferences, which allow to broaden and refine the research skills of the doctoral students;
- writing of the doctoral thesis under the supervision of teachers specialized in the research areas chosen by the doctoral students (third year).
Students will participate to specialized seminars, and will have the opportunity to study at other universities, both in Italy and abroad, that have given their availability, or to do internships at companies, public bodies or research centers.
The Doctorate is an agreement between the three Sicilian Universities of Catania, Messina and Palermo. The agreement for the Doctorate among the three Universities was established starting from the XXIX Cycle (first with the Doctorate in Mathematics and Computer Science, then with the Doctorate in Mathematics and Computational Sciences). The University of Catania was the administrative headquarters for the cycles from XXIX to XXXIII, while the University of Palermo was the administrative headquarters for the cycles from XXXIV to XXXVII.
The training project provides for the acquisition of 180 CFU in the three years of the course, divided between lectures, individual study and research activities, participation in workshops and seminars or national and international schools, tutoring, supplementary teaching and third mission activities. As for the doctoral courses offered, the correspondence of 6 hours of lessons for 1 CFU is valid. The Teaching Board offers doctoral students a wide selection of doctoral courses that cover the scientific areas of reference in the three curricula; more than half of the doctoral courses include a final exam typically in the form of a seminar. The general distribution of CFU among the various activities is as follows:
I and II year of the course:
- Doctoral courses: 18 CFU;
- Seminars and participation in workshops and schools: 8 CFU;
- Tutoring, integrative teaching and third mission: 4 CFU;
- Individual study and research: 30 CFU.
III year of the course:
- Seminars and participation in workshops and schools: 8 CFU;
- Tutoring, integrative teaching and third mission: 4 CFU;
- Individual study and research: 18 CFU;
- Writing of the doctoral thesis: 30 CFU.
In the first and second year, PhD students choose their PhD courses among those offered, taking into account the curriculum and the topics of their research project; PhD students can also choose courses in national or international Schools (e.g. CIME, CISM, Summer School of Mathematical Physics, etc.).
Each PhD student has a supervisor and/or one or more co-supervisors, assigned by the Teaching Board.
The admission of PhD students to the following year will be evaluated by the Teaching Board on the basis of a detailed report, approved by the supervisor, on the set of activities, and a public seminar illustrating the study and research activity.