PhD School of the Politecnico di Milano

Transcription

1 PhD School of the Politecnico di Milano Regulations of the PhD Programme in Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology XXIX Cycle Campus: Milano Leonardo/Bovisa (document in English)

2 1. General Information PhD School of the Politecnico di Milano PhD Programme: Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology Official Language(s): English PhD Programme campus: Milan Bovisa PhD School Website: PhD Programme Website: 2. General presentation of the PhD Programme: With the PhD Programme in Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology, the Department of Energy offers to graduate students a research opportunity in the following areas: production, conversion and transmission of energy, rational use of energy and environmental control, thermal science, nuclear systems and nuclear fuel cycle, radioprotection and application of ionizing radiations, methods for safety and reliability analysis and development of innovative materials for energy applications. The PhD Programme has the objective of providing high quality training in scientific research and, as a consequence, preparing professional profiles capable of tackling the numerous activities involved in high level research, both in academia and in industry, which often requires a higher level of education than that offered by the Master of Science and Master study courses. The PhD graduate is specifically trained for leading, organizing, planning, managing and controlling research activities at high levels of international competitiveness in the field of Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology. The growing interconnections between research and production activities require that the educational horizon opens up to include international and industrial research. Thus, PhD training includes exchanges and internships in internationally prominent public and private companies. Study (conferences, seminars, summer schools, etc.) and research (in qualified laboratories) periods in international research institutes and/or companies (internships) are foreseen for a duration of at least three months. In some cases it might be possible to complete the PhD thesis in an international research institute. The proposed multidisciplinary approach aims at i) allowing the candidate to reach the state of art in the specific research field; ii) developing models, instrumentation and experience contributing to the growth of scientific and technological knowledge; iii) creating and verifying new technological solutions as a consequence of specific requirements and constraints offered by industrial applications.

3 3. Mission and Goals: The PhD Programme is strictly related to the research activities of the Department of Energy. These activities are characterized by the existence of fundamental research topics common to Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology and by other aspects more specific to the energy and nuclear fields. This is reflected by the structure of the PhD Programme, which includes a background common to all PhD candidates and two subsequent tracks, energy and nuclear, dealing with more specific and characterizing aspects and chosen by the PhD candidate for finalizing his/her education. Examples of fundamental, interdisciplinary research activities common to all PhD candidates are: - thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, single and multiphase thermo- hydraulic, advanced measurement methods; - advanced aspects of physical- mathematical modelling of systems, processes, machines and devices; - safety and reliability analysis of complex systems characterized by high levels of risk, both on a design and a diagnostic level, by means of innovative methods and techniques also applied to industrial and environmental problems; - development of innovative materials, with focus on renewable and nuclear energy production areas and, as a support to these subjects, research in the field of surface and plasma physics; - thermodynamic, economical and environmental optimization of energy conversion systems. Study and development of these issues is then completed by the choice of one of the two characterizing tracks. Energy track The Energy track of the PhD programme allows the PhD candidate to develop competencies in pioneering research: 1) in the set of thermo- fluid- dynamic and chemical processes involved in the production, conversion and rational and sustainable use of energy in fixed or mobile plants; 2) in the fundamental practical aspects related to energy saving for civil applications, comfort and environment quality control (internal and external). Some examples of research activities related to these topics are: 1. study of combustion and fuel utilization processes with low environmental impact; optimization of thermo- dynamic cycles for generation and co- generation of mechanical, electrical and thermal power; study of inverse cycles for cooling and conditioning; design of critical components such as gas, steam or hydraulic turbines, compressors, pumps, internal combustion engines and heat exchange devices; heat transfer enhancement; study of renewable technologies; energy from biomass and waste; fuel cells; hydrogen production; micro- co- generation, CO 2 capture and storage techniques; advanced thermal- measurement techniques; CFD; fire engineering. 2. Heat and mass transfer in building envelope and in Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Equipment and Systems; Indoor Air Quality, Air Filtration and Cleanrooms; Heat Pumps; Solar & Renewable Energy Heating and Cooling; Innovative technologies for building boundaries and bio- climatic projects, automation systems for buildings, energy efficient products and components, environmental and economic impact of energy transformation, technological aspects connected with the use of renewable energy, integration of natural and artificial illumination.

4 Nuclear track The Nuclear track of the PhD Programme allows the PhD candidate to develop competences in pioneering research necessary to build and operate a nuclear system, ranging from reactor physics to nuclear plant design, from radiochemistry to radioactive waste management, from radioprotection to decommissioning, from the development of detectors and of the related electronics to radiation measurements at low and high doses, from applications of ionizing radiations to energy- related issues in other fields. Some examples of research activities related to these topics are: 1. new generation nuclear power plants for energy conversion, from the point of view of thermo- hydraulics, thermo- mechanics, neutronics, dynamics and control, fuel and fuel- cycle, nuclear reactors for aerospace applications and nuclear fusion systems; nuclear plant decommissioning, reprocessing, conditioning and radioactive waste disposal, including the issue of radionuclide transport. 2. nuclear measurements, environmental monitoring, development of innovative nuclear detectors and of the related electronics; radioprotection and nuclear safeguard, development of advanced methods for electronic signal processing; ionizing radiation applications in the technological and energy field as well as in other areas of interest (medical, high energy particle physics, etc.). If desired and/or required, the structure of the PhD Programme allows the PhD candidate to adequately take advantage of competencies from both tracks. According to general requirements of the PhD School of the Politecnico di Milano, the PhD Programme is based on a total of 180 credits and training is divided into two areas (education and research): - Education (35 60 credits) - PhD thesis ( credits) The PhD candidate chooses the educational path and activities for each single stage, in agreement with the Tutor and the Supervisor, submitting the choice to the Academic Board for approval. 4. Professional opportunities and employment market The professional profile of the PhD graduate in Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology is that of a specialist capable of performing high level research and of managing and designing innovation in the energy and nuclear fields. In this framework, job opportunities are: leading, coordinating and managing research in public and private entities, industrial companies, universities and private research institutes; coordinating research programmes proposed by national and European legislation, with the capability of managing the required documentation and reports; coordinating research programmes in companies, industries and research institutes operating in energy production, conversion and transmission, rational use of energy, risk and reliability analysis of components and systems, production of innovative materials for applications in the energy field and innovative measurement instrumentation and devices;

5 managing energy activities in companies characterized by large energy utilization, design and development of innovative energy systems; managing and control of nuclear plants and components, design and development of innovative nuclear systems in national and international industries, companies, research and control institutes. The PhD Programme in Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology offers those already employed in a company an opportunity to increase their competencies and gain a higher level of professional expertise in the development, management and coordination of research activities, with respect to that provided by the Master of Science and Master study courses. PhD graduates will be capable of playing managerial roles, providing a strategic contribution to the growth of their companies. 5. PhD Programme Enrolment 5.1 Admission requirements Italian and foreign citizens can apply. They are required to have graduated in accordance with the pre- existing laws MD n. 509 or to have a Master of Science degree in accordance with MD n. 509 or a Master of Science in accordance with MD n. 270 or similar academic qualification obtained abroad, equivalent in duration and content to the Italian qualification and for an overall duration of university studies of at least five years. Knowledge of the English language to at least B2 level is required. Admission to the programme will be decided according to evaluation of the academic curriculum, the cover letter and to the development of possible PhD research which candidates must submit together with their application in reply to the admission call. More details will be published in the official call (deadline: 25 May 2012). 5.2 Admission deadlines and number of places available The number of places available is indicated in the call for admission to the 29th PhD Programme cycle: see the "PhD Admissions section at Scholarships both on general and on specific topics are available, in accordance with that specified in the admission call.

6 6. PhD Programme Contents Qualification attainment requirements Attainment of a PhD in Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology requires study and research activity of at least three years full- time equivalent study, research and development of the PhD thesis. Development of the PhD thesis requires at least two years of full time activity. The PhD in Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology foresees a minimum of 35 credits for the educational part. A minimum of 30 credits from PhD level courses are required as indicated in paragraph 6.3 below. 6.2 Development of research and the PhD thesis The aim of PhD programmes at the Politecnico di Milano is development in candidates of a research- oriented mind- set, with expertise and skills in a specific research topic. To develop a research- oriented mind- set, candidates must acquire problem- solving capabilities in a complex context, including in- depth analysis of the problem, identification of an original solution and the capability of evaluating a solution and its applicability in given contexts. These skills provide PhD candidates with major opportunities for development of their research both in the academic field and in public and private organisations. The main objective is the development of an original research contribution. The PhD thesis must contribute to increasing knowledge in the research field of the candidate. Besides, it has to be coherent with the research topics developed in the department, in which the PhD Programme chosen by the candidate, is carried out. The original research has to be submitted via a PhD thesis which contains and discusses the contribution, also in the field of the state of the art in the research community on the research issue. The PhD research will be developed under the guidance of a supervisor who supports the candidate in the setting- out and in the everyday activities regarding the development of the thesis. The supervisor does not have to be a member of the Academic Board and can also belong to an institution other than the Politecnico di Milano. The supervisor can be supported by one or more co- supervisors. To develop the capability of carrying out research activities, the candidate must attend courses according to the PhD programme, defined for his/her study plan and pass them with a positive evaluation. For each candidate admitted to the programme, a tutor, belonging to the Academic Board, is appointed. The tutor supervises and supports the candidate in the overall training path. The supervisor and the tutor can coincide. The choice of courses will be overseen by the tutor, and will be formalized in a study plan and approved by the Coordinator of the PhD Programme. Other activities for the development of personal skills and research expertise are encouraged during the PhD programme. The candidate must acquire the capability to present and discuss his/her work in his/her research community.

7 Consequently both participation in international conferences and publication of research results in international journals with review are encouraged. Candidates are also encouraged to carry out part of their research activities in contact with other research groups in their field of interest, preferably abroad. Research visits of at least three months are strongly encouraged to research groups through which the candidate can acquire further skills to develop his/her research work and the thesis. The duration of the programme is normally three years. 6.3 Objectives and overview of teaching activities Depending on the candidate s background and research area, the Tutor and the Supervisor can suggest attending appropriate courses from Master of Science programmes in Energy Engineering, Nuclear Engineering and possibly from other Programmes. Such courses are intended to adequately expand the candidate s knowledge. Education in Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology PhD Programme is based on a minimum of 35 credits. Courses are offered in English, unless otherwise provided for individual courses. The candidate must attend and pass exams of courses, at least 30 credits, from the PhD Programme in Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology, from other PhD Programmes at the Politecnico di Milano and/or from those offered by the PhD School and, in special cases, from PhD Programmes at other universities, according to the following rules and consistent with the chosen track: 5 credits must be obtained by passing the course on Thermodynamics (5 credits) 5 credits must be obtained by passing the exam for a track- specific course from the PhD Programme in Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology: Energy track Refrigeration and Heat pump technologies (5 credits) Combustion: theory and applications (5 credits). Nuclear track Nuclear plants and fuel cycle: modelling, design and technology (5 credits); Radiation Protection and Instrumentation in Nuclear Systems (5 credits). 5 credits must be obtained by passing exams offered by the PhD School. In addition, 5 credits must be obtained by passing exams offered by Master of Science or PhD Programmes. The study proposal must be agreed with the Tutor and Supervisor and submitted for approval to the Academic Board. Therefore, the Education part of the PhD Programme in Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology is based on the following structure:

8 First/Second Year In the first two years the candidate must acquire a minimum of 35 educational credits. Any exception must be approved in advance by the Academic Board. Courses Courses characterising the PhD Programme A) PhD School Courses B) Other PhD courses C) Other courses D) Third year Possible details or reference to following tables Table A: Number of credits (min- max) 10 min - 40 max 5 min 15 max 0 min 20 max 5 min In the third year the candidate should be devoted entirely to research and development of the PhD thesis. A) The PhD Programme in Energy and Nuclear Science and Technology organises the Characterising Courses described in table A. For admission to the final exam acquisition of at least 10 credits is mandatory. These credits must be acquired via the characterising PhD courses offered by the PhD Programme. Mandatory courses are Thermodynamics and one course from the specific track (see table A). B) The PhD School organises every year general and Interdoctoral courses and courses with foreign professors. Acquisition of at least 5 credits is mandatory from courses offered by the PhD School. C) Other PhD courses Credits can be obtained from type A or B PhD courses or from other courses provided by other PhD programmes of the Politecnico and/or external entities (in this case, prior approval of the supervisor, the tutor and the Academic Board is mandatory) D) Other courses At least 5 credits must be obtained from Master of Science or PhD Programmes. SPECIALISTIC COURSES, LONG- TRAINING SEMINARS Attendance of Specialist Courses, Workshops, Schools, Seminars cycles is strongly encouraged These courses and workshops can be inserted in the study plan, even if they are not evaluated (and therefore not qualified as credits), as optional supplementary teaching. In the following, the schedule for the and academic years is provided. It is possible that other courses are subsequently activated at the PhD School; in this case candidates

9 will be promptly informed in order to be able to insert these new courses in their study plan. Detailed information on courses offered by the PhD School of the Politecnico di Milano are available in the section Course of study - > Courses of the PhD School at Table A: PHD COURSES CHARACTERISING THE PHD PROGRAMME SDS Name of Course Professor A.Y./Semester Credits Note (coordinator) ING/IND10 Thermodynamics Niro A. 1 year, 1 sem 5 Mandatory ING/IND08 Combustion: theory and applications Onorati A. 1/2 sem 5 Energy track ING/IND11 Refrigeration and Heat pump technologies Joppolo C. 1/2 sem 5 Energy track ING/IND18 Radiation Protection and Instrumentation Agosteo S. 1/2 sem 5 Nuclear in Nuclear Systems track ING/IND18 Nuclear plants and fuel cycle: modelling, Mariani M. 1/2 sem 5 Nuclear design and technology track ING/IND19 Advanced Topics in Risk and Reliability Zio E. 1/2 sem 5 Analysis of Energy Systems ING/IND09 Direct Energy Conversion Campanari S. 1/2 sem 5 FIS/03 Material for energy Li Bassi A. 1/2 sem 5 ING/IND07 Advanced Measurement Methods Coghe A. 1/2 sem 5 ING/IND10 Two phase flow and heat transfer Niro A. 1/2 sem 5 The coordinator of each course is responsible for its organisation. Details on programmes and lecturers are available in the section Study plan on the web site: Study plan submission Each PhD candidate must electronically submit his/her study plan. Candidates will have the opportunity to review it periodically (every three months) in order to adapt it to possible changes in the training offer or to needs justified by the development of his/her study plan. The study plan is approved by the Coordinator of the PhD Programme, according to the procedures established by the Academic Board of the PhD Programme itself. 6.5 Annual exam procedures Every year the candidate is evaluated for admission to the next year. In the annual exam of the third year, admission of the candidate to the final exam (held by the external Commission) is evaluated. The candidate presents his/her work to the Academic Board at least once a year. Deadlines for submission of documentation and evaluation of eligibility of the candidate for the following year are indicatively scheduled as follows: - 15 July 2014: deadline for submission of documents related to the 1st year, with evaluation by the Academic Board in September- October Sept. 2015: deadline for submission of documents related to the 2nd year, with evaluation by the Academic Board in October 2015

10 - 15 Sept. 2016: deadline for submission of documents related to the 3rd year, with evaluation by the Academic Board in October 2016 Any changes to these deadlines will be communicated to all candidates by the Coordinator of the PhD Programme. After each annual evaluation, the candidate will receive an evaluation (A/B/C/D) or, if the candidate does not pass the exam, the candidate will be qualified as a Repeating candidate (Er) or not able to continue with the PhD (Ei). In the last year, candidates having achieved sufficient results but who need more time to write their thesis may obtain an extension up to a maximum of 12 months. 6.6 PhD thesis preparation procedures The PhD study and research work will be carried out, full time, during the three years of the PhD course. The possibility of internships or study periods in Italian or foreign companies or external entities and universities is foreseen. The main objective is the development of an original research contribution. The PhD thesis must contribute to increasing knowledge in the research field of the candidate. The thesis must also be coherent with the research issues developed in the department in which the PhD programme, chosen by the candidate is developed. The candidate must present the original thesis, discussing its contribution to the state of the art in the research field in the research community. The PhD research will be developed under the guidance of a supervisor who supports the candidate in setting out and in everyday activities regarding development of the thesis. On termination of studies, admission of the candidate to the final exam will be evaluated by the Academic Board and, subsequently a final exam is taken in order to attain the qualification, in which the research work carried out and the thesis will be evaluated by an Examination Committee composed of three members, of which at least two external examiners. 7. Laboratories, PhD Secretary Services For development of the PhD thesis the Department of Energy offers many research laboratories and infrastructures. For more information, see: PhD Secretary: Giuseppina Bresciani Department of Energy Phone: Fax: e- mail: giuseppina.bresciani@ceda.polimi.it Administrative Secretary: Giuseppe Piampiano Department of Energy Phone: e- mail: giuseppe.piampiano@polimi.it

11 8. Internationalisation and other activities Carrying out study and research at other laboratories is strongly recommended. The University also offers the possibility of PhD programmes with foreign universities as well as double and joint PhD programmes. Further information can be found on the PhD School and PhD programme websites

12 Attachment A1 PhD Advisory Board Description of the composition of the Advisory Board Surname First Name Insitute Bruna Gianni IRSN Lontano Maurizio Istituto di Fisica del Plasma - CNR Romer Arturo Nuklearforum Lombardi Carlo EnergyLab Foundation Ortis Alessandro Fondaz. Einaudi/OPEF Rosatelli Franco Chief Technological Officer Ansaldo Energia Muzzio Adriano Unione Italiana Termofluidodinamica Pastorino Giorgio Peltech srl - Lecco