University of Minho School of Psychology Department of Basic Psychology GRADUATE HANDBOOK

Transcription

1 University of Minho School of Psychology Department of Basic Psychology GRADUATE HANDBOOK Doctoral Program in Basic Psychology 2015

2 CONTENTS Opening Message 3 Overview of the PhD Program 4 Program Management 4 Program Director 4 Directive Board (current members) 4 Lab Directors 4 PhD Supervisor 5 PhD Committee 5 Student Representatives 5 PhD Program Account 5 Curricular Structure 5 Optional Courses 7 What are they? 7 What Optional Courses should you take? 7 When and how to enroll in an Optional Course? 7 What is the Study Abroad Period? 8 How do I have access to course materials? 8 PhD Honor Lectures 8 CIPsi Lectures 9 Language 9 What you have to do and when 9 What is the Research and Career Development Plan? 10 1

3 What is the Activity Report? What is the Public Examination at the end of each year? Attendance and rules of conduct Administrative issues Registration Paying the Program Fees How to request your Student ID card? IT matters Building and spaces Issues related to the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology Mailing address Other administrative issues University resources for students University Main Library Student Ombudsman Students with disabilities Student Portal Student Union Social Services Canteens and restaurants Healthcare services Sports Life on campus and in the regions of Braga and Guimarães Foreign students Fiscal Number Social Security Number National Health Care System Residence Permit

4 OPENING MESSAGE Welcome to the University of Minho PhD Program in Basic Psychology! We are sure you are as enthusiastic as we are to start our collaborative journey. Funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the PhD Program focuses on the study of behavior and cognition, their processes and mechanisms. It has two distinctive features: early student insertion in the research activities of cutting- edge laboratories, and individually tailored course requirements. Through an adequate blend of depth and breadth of knowledge, as well as the acquisition of technical skills, the Program attempts to educate students to think independently and creatively and to prepare them for successful scientific careers. Although the Program is very demanding, it offers a supportive environment to help you succeed. The members of the Basic Psychology Department - - regular faculty, research scientists, and postdoctoral fellows - - are committed to graduate education and eager to help students in taking advantage of the rich offerings of our department and University at large. Their expertise in basic psychological processes ranges from memory, language, development, perception, evolution and decision making, to animal learning and behavior, and the neuroscience of cognitive and emotional processes. Take advantage of the rich academic environment provided by the Program! We have great expectations concerning your potential, demand high quality and quantity of work, but will also nurture and support you to maximize your chances of success. 3

5 OVERVIEW OF THE PhD PROGRAM Program Management The Program is managed by the Program Director, the Directive Board, and the directors of the three laboratories. PhD supervisors, PhD Committees, and student representatives also play active roles, maintaining and monitoring the program s quality. Program Director Armando Machado Room: 1064; Phone: ; armandom@psi.uminho.pt Directive Board (current members) Armando Machado Marco Vasconcelos Room: 1099; Phone: ; mvasconcelos@psi.uminho.pt Óscar Gonçalves Room: 1014; Phone: ; goncalves@psi.uminho.pt Pedro B. Albuquerque Room: 1066; Phone: ; pedro.b.albuquerque@psi.uminho.pt Lab Directors Armando Machado (Animal Learning and Behavior Lab) Adriana Sampaio (Neuropsychophysiology Lab) Joana Arantes (Human Cognition Lab) 4

6 PhD Supervisor The program assigns a Supervisor and a Co- supervisor (if applicable) to each student during the first semester. They are responsible for daily face- to- face mentoring and tutoring. PhD Committee The Program also assigns a PhD Committee to each student during the first semester. The Committee includes the student s supervisor and co- supervisor (if applicable), and two other researchers. All committee members play active roles in educating the student on scientific issues, advising the student about academic affairs, and monitoring the student s progress. The PhD Committee also evaluates the Research and Career Development Plan (at the end of the first year) and the Activity Reports (at the end of subsequent years). Furthermore, the Committee will provide you with a written evaluation at the end of each year. Student representatives At the beginning of each year, one Student Representative per incoming class will be elected by his/her fellow PhD students. The role lasts for one academic year. At the end of each semester, the Student Representatives will meet with the Directive Board to discuss any difficulties with the program and ways to solve them, and more generally, to provide feedback. The information will help us monitor the quality of the program and will be taken into account when considering changes or adjustments to the program. PhD Program Account The official account of the School for all issues related with the PhD Program is phd@psi.uminho.pt Curricular Structure The Program offers a comprehensive set of research initiatives and formal training in Basic Psychology. It combines required courses, in which students learn the core facts, theories, and techniques of the field, with optional courses that address each student s specific goals and formative needs. The final dissertation represents a specialized piece of research in which the student analyzes in depth a theoretical problem and attempts to solve it empirically. The duration of the program is 3 years (a 4th year is optional) and all course units (CU) are year- long. 5

7 For each year the CUs are: 1 st year Themes in Experimental Psychology 6 ECTS Basic Laboratory Research 18 ECTS Research Seminar I 12 ECTS Optional Course I 12 ECTS Practicum I 12 ECTS A survey of basic psychology through state- of- the- art seminars and lectures by internal and external speakers. Students rotate through laboratories and learn techniques of data analysis, methodology and programming from different fields. Weekly lab meetings. Two courses typically taken outside the School of Psychology. Thesis work. 2 nd year Research Seminar II 12 ECTS Optional Course II 12 ECTS Teaching 6 ECTS Practicum II 30 ECTS Weekly lab meetings. Two courses typically taken outside the School of Psychology. Students help a faculty member running an undergraduate course. Thesis work. 3 rd year Research Seminar III 12 ECTS Optional Course III 12 ECTS Practicum III 36 ECTS Weekly lab meetings. A course chosen by the student and study abroad period. Thesis work. 4 th year (optional) Continuation of thesis work. 6

8 Optional Courses What are they? Optional courses are formal classes (one semester long) that can be taken within and outside the School of Psychology (e.g., Genetics from the Bachelor in Biology Geology; Calculus from the Master s in Psychology). They make the Program responsive to the students diverse interests and formative needs, providing ample opportunities for breadth or depth, theory or technique, according to each student s choices. What Optional Courses should you take? Your supervisor and PhD committee will gladly help you find the courses that best suit your interests and needs. If you still do not have a supervisor or a PhD committee, feel free to contact any of the faculty members or the Program Director. Advanced graduate students are also a valuable resource. When and how to enroll in an Optional Course? You should enroll in the optional course(s) preferably one week before the beginning of the semester in which you plan to take them. To enroll, contact Dr. António Lourenço (Room: 0027; Phone: ; lourenco@psi.uminho.pt). You can search for courses available at other Schools here: educativa/cursos/licenciaturas- e- mestrados- integrados To know their timetables, please visit: Keep in mind that the Doctoral Program in Basic Psychology is out of phase with most other graduate and undergraduate programs at the University of Minho (i.e., our first semester corresponds to their second semester). 7

9 Student s Evaluation Presence in all evaluation modules is mandatory. Modules are defined as a group of lectures on a specific topic and a course may include a set of modules. Justified absences are limited to legally established conditions (illness, medical appointments, bereavement, and legal liabilities) and academically justified absences (e.g., classes, conferences, or study abroad periods). To pass a course, the student will need to score at least 8 out of 20 in each module. To maintain good standing in the Program, students that fail a course will need to take it again during the next academic year. Students that fail the same course twice will be asked to leave the Program. What is the Study Abroad Period? Each student will have a residence abroad for a minimum of one semester, sometime during the third or fourth year of the program. The PhD student and his/her supervisor, in consultation with the PhD Committee, will decide the specific period that best suits the student s and the outside collaborator s preferences and interests. How do I have access to course materials? The University of Minho uses an online course management system (Blackboard) to exchange information and electronic course materials. To access the platform, go to: and use your ID and password to log in (see IT matters below). PhD Honor Lectures Each year, the PhD Program in Basic Psychology organizes a series of Honor Lectures in which outstanding researchers from other institutions give workshops, seminars or 8

10 brief courses. Student participation in these lectures is mandatory. Students are also expected to read representative articles from the invited speaker in advance, as well as to spend some time with him/her before or after the lectures. The contents of these lectures will be covered in the exams of the CU Themes in Experimental Psychology. To see a list of the PhD Honor Lectures, please go to: CIPsi Lectures The Psychology Research Center (CIPsi) at the School of Psychology organizes a series of lectures, approximately one per month, typically given by one of its members. In these lectures, you will have the opportunity to know more about the research conducted by the different laboratories and research units of the School of Psychology. Student participation in these lectures is also mandatory. Language English is the official language of the program. All classes, exams, lab meetings, written reports and theses will be in English. What you have to do and when Task Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Complete your Research and Career Development Plan End of 1 st semester Optional Course I Typically 2 courses Optional Course II Typically 2 courses Teaching Assistant 1 st or 2 nd semester (equivalent to 6 ECTS) Optional Course III Typically 1 course and 1 study abroad period* 9

11 Complete your Activity Report End 2nd semester End of 2 nd semester Meet with your PhD Committee End of 1 st and 2 nd semester End of 1 st and 2 nd semester End of 1 st and 2 nd semester Public examination End of 2 nd semester End of 2 nd semester End of 2 nd semester Submit thesis End of 3 rd year or during the optional 4 th year * Study abroad periods can also occur during the optional 4 th year of study. What is the Research and Career Development Plan? The Research and Career Development Plan describes the student s research project, objectives, the steps to reach them, and a timetable. Guidelines to prepare the Research and Career Development Plan are available at: What is the Activity Report? This report describes the student s accomplishments during the year and is evaluated by the PhD committee in the light of the student s Research and Career Development Plan. In case of a negative evaluation, the committee accords with the student a set of measures to implement during the next year. A second negative evaluation is relayed to the Program Director. Guidelines to prepare the Activity Report are available at: What is the Public Examination at the end of each year? During a Departmental Meeting, the student presents and discusses his/her Research and Career Development Plan or his/her Activity Report. The student s PhD Committee evaluates the suitability and feasibility of the plan or report. To find more information about the Public Examination, please go to: 10

12 Publications Students are encouraged to publish and to disseminate their research findings. No student is admitted to the final PhD examination without at least one publication as first author in a peer- reviewed journal and one presentation at an international conference. Attendance and rules of conduct Students are expected to work fulltime in the department. No exceptions are allowed. Justified absences are limited to legally established conditions and academically justified absences. Presence in all courses, PhD Honor Lectures, and CIPsi Lectures is mandatory. Students with more than ⅓ of absences will automatically fail the course. Justified absences are limited to the ones described above. Laboratory spaces are research- intensive areas, where highly demanding intellectual work takes place on a daily basis. Furthermore, some of the experiments are sensitive to disruption from noise and vibrations. Therefore, it is expected that all personnel adhere to basic rules of social etiquette. For instance, you should avoid speaking loudly, or bring high heels to the labs and surrounding corridors. Students are not allowed to use the internet, check s, or surf the Web during classes or conferences unless permission is granted by the instructor. 11

13 ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES Registration You must register and pay the registration fee at the beginning of each year. Please contact the Academic Services if you have any questions. Gualtar Campus Braga Phone: Azurém Campus Guimarães Phone: Web: If you are a non- EU citizen, you should ask for a proof of enrollment whenever you register. You will need this proof to renew your Residence Permit. Paying the Program Fees First year: If you were awarded a fellowship from FCT, then you need to take to the Academic Services your Fellowship contract and the statement issued by FCT certifying that it will pay the fees to the University of Minho. 12

14 Subsequent years: You need to take to the Academic Services the letter or issued by FCT certifying that your fellowship was renewed and the statement certifying that FCT will pay the fees to the University of Minho. How to request your Student ID card? Student ID Cards are issued by Caixa Geral de Depósitos, a state- owned bank. To request your card, take your proof of registration and passport size photographs to the branch located within the University Campus in Braga. You may choose one of two options: request only the student ID card, or open a bank account and use the card both as a debit card and your student ID card. IT matters Upon registration, you will be assigned an account (idxxxx@alunos.uminho.pt). This will be your official account. Important information regarding internet and software can be found at: If you have a personally owned computer, you can install the SPSS software. Please, contact the School of Psychology Computer Support Services (Room 1061) to make an appointment. They can also help with many software or hardware related problems. Staff members: Dr. Fernando Macedo Phone: fborges@psi.uminho.pt Miguel Machado Phone: lmrm@psi.uminho.pt To establish a WIFI connection, connect to Eduroam and use your credentials (idxxxx and password) to sign in. To establish a VPN connection, visit PT and a. Install the Cisco software appropriate to your operating system; 13

15 b. Configure and connect following the instructions appropriate to your operating system (also available online). Building and spaces The Psychology Building is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm. Permanent permission to enter the building outside the regular working hours can be requested by your supervisor to the Program s Secretary (Dr. Lourenço). To enter the building outside regular working hours (after the permanent permission was obtained), contact Security at the main entrance or call Security Services at For any other issues related to the Psychology Building, including laboratories, classrooms and open areas, please contact the Facilities Manager, Mr. José Brandão (Room 1069; Phone: ; jbrandao@psi.uminho.pt). Issues Related to the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology For any issues related to FCT, contact CIPsi s Science Manager, Dr. Bruno Aragão (Room 0028; Phone: ; brunoaragao@psi.uminho.pt). You should register at FCT ( When you register, you will receive an association key. Please, relay the association key to CIPsi s Science Manager, Dr. Bruno Aragão. This will allow you to become a collaborator member of the research Center. For more information about FCT visit If you are a funded PhD student and would like to know more about your rights and duties please visit: and 14

16 Mailing address All letters and parcels related to your work as a graduate student can be addressed to: Your name Escola de Psicologia Universidade do Minho Campus de Gualtar Braga Once your mail arrives, you will be contacted by e- mail. Other administrative issues For any other administrative procedures, such as requests for re- admission, suspension, changing supervisor or changing the thesis title, please contact Dr. António Lourenço for advice (Room: 0027; Phone: ; lourenco@psi.uminho.pt). 15

17 UNIVERSITY RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS University Main Library To borrow any material from the library you will need either your Student ID Card or proof of registration. To familiarize yourself with the library regulations visit: US. Student Ombudsman The Student Ombudsman is a University of Minho independent body whose mission is to promote and defend the rights and interests of students in the context of the university life. The Ombudsman analyses complaints made by students and acts as a mediator of conflicts. More information at ombudsman. Students with disabilities Support measures for students with disabilities are specified on the Special Attendance Regime of Students with Physical or Sensory Disabilities, which is available at 20_2006.pdf. If you have a disability, please contact the Office for Inclusion (GPI, in Portuguese), whose mission is to provide support to students, teachers and other 16

18 employees with disabilities or special needs. The GPI also provides support to external entities, especially when it comes to printing documents in Braille, providing information and consulting services. Campus de Gualtar Complexo Pedagógico I - Piso 2 sala 219 Phones: / URL: E- mail: secretaria@gpi.uminho.pt Student Portal This portal is for the use of students of the University of Minho, providing a fast and simplified way to access information concerning fees and charges, tuition, enrollment and registration, as well as to download different kinds of forms. Here it is also possible to obtain information on the academic schedule/calendar, the diploma supplement, regulations, awards and merit scholarships (from the UM s website). To visit the portal, go to Student Union The Academic Association of the University of Minho (AAUM) [ ] consists of several different sections, among others: cultural, administrative, computer science, recreational, sports, career opportunities, all of which try to help students in different ways. AAUM organizes different events during the academic year. Apart from concerts, exhibitions, theatre trips and weekly movie screenings, there are various music, theatre and dance groups (from UM s website). To know more, go to Social Services [..] Social Services support University of Minho students in domains such as accommodation, scholarships, proctor s office, health and psychological assistance. They are also responsible for sportive and cultural areas, as well as others services (from UM s website). To know more, visit 17

19 Canteens and restaurants For information on the university canteens and restaurants please check: US Healthcare services For details on healthcare services available to students (both in Braga and in Guimarães) please check: US Sports For information on sports facilities available to students (both in Braga and in Guimarães) go to: US Life on campus and in the regions of Braga and Guimarães The University website includes a great deal of information and useful tips concerning life on campus, the cities of Braga and Guimarães, and the Minho region in general. For details, visit 18

20 Gualtar campus map Bar/restaurant Copy center Para- pharmacy 19

21 FOREIGN STUDENTS Fiscal Number You should apply for a Fiscal Number ( Número de Contribuinte ) as soon as possible. You will need this number for most administrative and legal issues, such as Social Security, National Health System, opening a bank account, water and electricity contracts, etc. To obtain the Fiscal Number, please contact the local branch and clearly specify whether you are an EU or non- EU citizen. Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira Loja do Cidadão de Braga Rua dos Granjinhos nº Braga Phone: Social Security Number You should also apply for a Social Security Number. To apply, go to: Segurança Social or Segurança Social Loja do Cidadão de Braga Praça da Justiça Rua dos Granjinhos nº , Braga Braga Phone: Phone:

22 You can schedule an appointment by calling , from 9 am to 5 pm. If you have a FCT Fellowship, you should make monthly payments to the Social Security (this is called Segurança Social Voluntária and can be made in regular ATMs). These contributions guarantee that you will receive some payments in case of justified absences from work (e.g., pregnancy, medical leave, etc.). FCT will reimburse the Segurança Social Voluntária contributions. Just send your receipts by to bolsas@fct.pt asking for reimbursement. Foreign citizens need to have all payments to Social Security up- to- date to renew the residence permit. National Health Care System You should register on the National Health Care System to have access to the public health providers (Hospitals and Health Centers). To register, visit your local Health Center with a valid Residence Permit. The nearest local Health Center is: Unidade de Saúde Familiar Gualtar (CS Braga - Unidade de Saúde Carandá), Rua João Nascimento dos Santos Gualtar, Braga. To schedule an appointment, please call Residence Permit If you are a foreign citizen, you will need a Resident Permit or Authorization. In case you are an EU citizen, this is done at City Council of the area where you plan to live. If you are a non- EU citizen, this is done at the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF). In any case, contact them before your first visit to get acquainted with the formalities. For SEF, you will need: a. To schedule an appointment online or by phone prior to your visit; b. To fill a form soliciting the renewal (available at c. To bring a copy of your passport and Residence Permit from the preceding year; d. To bring a copy of your contract with FCT and an attesting to its renewal; 21

23 e. To bring proof of registration in the PhD Program (ask for it at the Academic Services when renewing registration); f. To bring proof of your residence address; g. To bring a copy of your Social Security receipts; h. To bring a copy of your registration on the National Health Care System; i. To bring two passport- sized photos (3x4); j. To pay a fee. To schedule an appointment at SEF, call or visit: Nearest branch of Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras: Loja do Cidadão de Braga Rua dos Granjinhos, nº Braga For more information, visit: or To contact Braga City Council, visit or call: Câmara Municipal de Braga Gabinete de Apoio à Presidência Praça do Município Braga Phone: This guide is available for download at the Program s website: 22