PhD
PATHS
Periodical
Reports
PhD students are required to submit two reports during the four-year program:
- Probationary Period Report
- Third-Year Report
The Probationary Period Report, together with the first thesis committee meeting, is a key milestone. It evaluates the student’s research aptitude, motivation, and determination to succeed in a demanding program. Based on this assessment, the student may be allowed to continue in the PhD program.
The Third-Year Report should be written in the format of a scientific paper. Its purpose is to summarize the data collected so far and outline the future experimental plan. This report helps determine whether the work completed and planned will be sufficient to prepare and defend a thesis by the end of the fourth year.
Thesis
Committee
Meetings
These meetings take place annually, just before the renewal of PhD program registration, and play a crucial role in deciding admission to the following year. Meetings can be held remotely or at the external advisor’s site.
Each meeting lasts approximately two hours and includes:
- A presentation by the student on project progress
- A Q&A session
- A discussion between the student and advisors
Thesis
Submission
In the final year, students must write their thesis and prepare for the defense. Theses must be submitted by the official deadline for the end of the PhD program (October 31st).
The thesis will be evaluated during the viva by a panel consisting of an internal and an external examiner (different from the advisors). Examiners will provide feedback and may request minor or major revisions. These changes must be incorporated before the thesis is submitted to the university for the final examination on graduation day.
Graduation
The Graduation process marks the final step of the PhD journey and is designed to celebrate academic achievement while ensuring the quality of research work. It consists of two main stages: the thesis viva and the final exam during the Graduation Day.
The thesis viva is students’ chance to showcase their work. They will present their research in a public seminar and discuss it with a panel of experts (one internal from SEMM faculty and one external from a foreign institution, expert in the field), who evaluate its originality and scientific value. This step ensures the thesis reflects the excellence required for a PhD degree.
Once the viva is successfully completed, students move on to the Graduation Day, a formal event that brings together all graduates of the year. On this day, candidates present a brief overview of their work to the University Assessment Board, which confirms the award of the PhD degree. The ceremony is a significant moment, as it officially recognizes years of dedication and research. The degree is conferred by the University of Milan, with the European School of Molecular Medicine acknowledged for its scientific role.