Implementing Regulations of the PhD School in Materials Engineering

Transcription

1 Implementing Regulations of the PhD School in Materials Engineering Approved by the Committee of the Department of Materials and Industrial Technology Engineering on April 6, 2004 and amended on June 14, 2006

2 CONTENTS 1. Implementing Regulations of the Doctoral School in Materials Engineering 2. Specific objectives 3. Teaching Body 4. PhD School Coordinator 5. Executive Committee 6. Secretariat 7. Tutor 8. Institutional educational activities and methods of performing educational activities 9. Manifesto of Studies and Courses 10. Admission requirements 11. Selection procedure 12. Admission to the years following the first 13. Rights and duties of PhD students 14. PhD title conferral 15. Services Charter 16. Amendments to the Implementing Regulations 17. Referral rule 2

3 Art. 1 Implementing Regulations of the Doctoral School in Materials Engineering 1. In accordance with Art. 8, paragraph 3, of the University Regulations concerning PhD Programs, enacted with Rector s Decree 997 of 16 December 2003 and amended with Rector s Decree 359 of 19 April 2006 (see full text for more information) and hereinafter called "PhD Program Regulations" for the sake of brevity, and for the purposes of setting up in the Department of Materials Engineering and Industrial Technologies, hereinafter called DIMTI for the sake of brevity, a Doctoral School in Materials Engineering, hereinafter called ME Doctoral School for the sake of brevity, the Committee of DIMTI hereby adopts its Implementing Regulations for the purposes of regulating the School activities, indicating the specific objectives, the internal organization and the rules of conduct for the students who attend it. Art. 2 Specific objectives 1. In addition to the general objectives of every Doctoral School, as indicated under Art. 3 of the PhD Programme Regulations, the ME Doctoral School sets as its specific objectives the training of professionals with the knowledge and skills to undertake responsibilities in research and production in technologically advanced sectors. This is achieved through: developing innovative and technically and economically feasible solutions to problems related to production and the use of materials; assimilation of practical and theoretical knowledge to design, develop, produce, modify and apply materials that have specific qualities; evaluation and definition of the behaviour and reliability of the materials in relation to the relevant uses. Overall, the objective of the School is to train a professional figure with a comprehensive grounding in engineering, applicable to research and technology, who can work comfortably in research centres and in industry. 2. Among the objectives of the Doctoral School, achievable through the instruction and research activities, is that the PhD student attains a complete maturity and autonomy in the work of design, planning, performance, and reporting on the research activities carried out. Art. 3 The Teaching Body 1. The following have voting rights in the Teaching Body of the ME Doctoral School: a. tenured and honorary professors employed at the DIMTI; b. experienced and young researchers employed at the DIMTI; c. representatives of public and private bodies participating in the ME Doctoral School; d. Italian or foreign experts. 2. The members of the Teaching Body indicated under points c) and d) above cannot exceed 40% of the total membership in the Teaching Body, rounded up to the nearest whole number. 3. The PhD School Coordinator can also invite other persons to join the meetings of the Teaching Body or to discuss specific issues provided that they can give a useful contribution on the scientific, educational, technical and financial aspects of the work of the Doctoral School. Such guests will not hold voting rights. Guests may be:

4 a. personnel in the Secretariat (indicated under Art. 6 below), who also assist in taking the minutes; b. two representatives of the students enrolled in the ME Doctoral School, limiting their participation to issues regarding the overall progress of the School and of training courses. 4. Applications for membership to the Teaching Body, including in replacement of lapsed members, will be forwarded directly to the Teaching Body. A written and reasoned application must be addressed to the Secretariat, attaching a curriculum vitae and a declaration of commitment to provide service to the ME Doctoral School as a tutor. 5. The Teaching Body is convened by the PhD School Coordinator or on request of at least 1/3 of its members. 6. Usually (save for urgent matters), the calling is made at least seven days before the meeting, using the methods considered most suitable for ensuring its reception. For urgent matters, this time period can be reduced up to three days on the basis of the PhD School Coordinator s decision; in this case the calling is made by fax, by telegram, by or by any other mean suitable to ensure the calling is effective. The order of business is usually included with the notice of calling. 7. Meetings have a quorum and can pass valid resolutions when a majority of the members in paragraph 1, letters a) to d) are present, minus any justified absences. 8. More than three unexcused and consecutive absences at the meetings will automatically eliminate that member from the Teaching Body, while the functions of tutor, if already assigned, will be maintained. 9. Resolutions are adopted with the favourable opinion of the majority of those present. In the event of a tie, the PhD School Coordinator all have the final vote. 10. The minutes of the Teaching Body meetings are redacted by the PhD School Coordinator, assisted by the Secretariat of the ME Doctoral School. 11. The Teaching Body is responsible for approving the topics of research chosen for the Dissertation and appointing a Tutor for each student. 12. The Teaching Body performs all the functions described under Art. 13 of the University Regulations concerning PhD Programs (see full text for reference). The Teaching Body can appoint an Executive Committee to which to delegate some or all of its duties. Art. 4 PhD School Coordinator 1. The PhD School Coordinator, elected by the Teaching Body from among the 1st and 2nd level professors who are members of the Teaching Body and who work at the University of Trento performs the duties established by Art. 14 of the PhD Programme Regulations (see full text for reference) Art. 5 Executive Committee 1. The Executive Committee is composed of 8 members, appointed by single vote by the members of the Teaching Body from among its members, and of the PhD School Coordinator, who is a member by right and chairs it. 2. The Executive Committee assists the PhD School Coordinator in fulfilling his or her duties under Art. 14 of the PhD Programme Regulations and deliberates on the matters delegated to it by the Teaching Body, to which it refers in relation to the work done. 2

5 3. The PhD School Coordinator can assign individual members of the Executive Committee specific functions considered necessary for achieving the managerial and organizational objectives of the ME Doctoral School. 4. The Executive Committee remains in office for the duration of the mandate of the PhD School Coordinator. 5. In the case of resignations, termination or impediment of a member of the Executive Committee for a period of more than three months, the PhD School Coordinator calls an election for his or her replacement. The mandate of the new member expires with the mandate of the Executive Committee. Art. 6 The Secretariat 1. The Secretariat is composed of the Department Assistant and/or of a Secretary. It assists in the organizational activities of the PhD School Coordinator and the Teaching Body. Art. 7 The Tutor 1. For each of the PhD students admitted to the ME Doctoral School, the Teaching Body appoints a Tutor from among its members, selected based on his or her respective competencies in the specific topics of the Dissertation and also by designation of the research Program directors or directors of the external bodies that finance Doctoral School bursaries. 2. The Tutor is responsible for introducing the PhD students to the research activity of the ME Doctoral School and undertakes to mentor the student in the proposal and planning of the individual study Program. Each tutor can appoint one or more co-tutors as momentary surrogates or for specialized duties. The co-tutors may or may not be members of the Teaching Body. 3. The Tutor assists the PhD student, checking on his or her activities and respect for all standards including behavioural deemed essential for the value of the ME Doctoral School and for the scientific and professional growth of its PhD students. 4. The Teaching Body can revoke the appointment of any tutor who does not fulfil his/her obligations. If such person is a tutor as described in points c) and d) of Art. 3, paragraph 1, of these Implementing Regulations, such person shall automatically lose his or her status in the Teaching Body. The co-tutor holds all the rights and duties of the tutor. Art. 8 Institutional educational activities and methods of performing educational activities 1. Earning a PhD at the Doctoral School requires achieving 180 credits in classroom and research activities, of which 120 credits must be earned in research and 60 in classroom work. The credits for research activities are assigned concurrent with completion of the dissertation while the classroom credits are earned as follows: by attending the courses proposed by the Manifesto of Studies of the Doctoral School (defined under Art. 9 below); through courses taken at other universities; in schools, workshops, and seminars attended at the university and other organizations. In order for credits to be assigned in these activities, the student must submit certification attesting to attendance and achievement of specific training objectives. 3

6 It is also possible to earn credits by attending courses included in the list of teachings of the degree courses in Industrial Engineering and Materials Engineering. This can be specifically requested of students admitted to the Doctoral School with an insufficient number of credits earned in some of the main engineering studies. The objective of these activities is to provide advanced preparation in the main sectors of the science and technology of materials, which enhance the engineering skills considered essential for the title of PhD in Materials Engineering. Art. 9 Manifesto of Studies and Courses 1. Before the start of the academic year, the Teaching Body of the ME Doctoral School approves the Manifesto of Studies, which is published on the (Internet on the School) DIMTI web site. 2. The Manifesto of Studies, approved every year by the Teaching Body, lists all the courses offered by the ME Doctoral School and a standard course of study. The Manifesto can also include: admission requirements to the courses, if possible establishing the dates and methods for submission and verification of any intermediate reports; the provisions relating to educational, teaching and/or supplementary activities of the courses, such as the activities to make up any unearned required credits; methods of carrying out exams and other progress tests; the value in credits of the various courses offered in the Manifesto and the criteria for recognition of credits acquired through other activities. 3. The PhD student may also submit a personal syllabus that will be compatible with periods of research spent abroad, corporate work placements and any other endeavour pursued outside of the University. The student must be prepared to give reason for his or her personal syllabus and discuss it preliminarily with the Tutor. The Teaching Body is responsible for discussing it, making appropriate changes, if necessary, establishing the value of any activities not strictly included in the Manifesto, and approving it. Art. 10 Admission requirements 1. The admission requirements to the ME Doctoral School are as provided under Article 19 of the PhD Programme Regulations and according to the terms and expiration dates expressly indicated in the announcement for admission. Art. 11 Selection procedure 1. Admission to the School is granted by a selection aimed at ascertaining the applicant's groundwork and his or her aptitude for research. Admission is made based on a comparative evaluation of the applicant s curriculum and credentials in addition to a written test or an oral interview, depending on the requirements published in the announcement for admission. 2. The Admission Committee, designated by the Teaching Body and appointed by the Rector, compiles a general merit-based ranking for admission to the Doctoral School. 3. For foreign candidates who compete for bursaries, admission is made based on an evaluation of his or her curriculum vitae and credentials, while also considering the validity and relevance of the research topic proposed by the candidate. 4

7 4. The methods relating to notification of the applicant s position in the ranking list and to such cases as withdrawal, waiver, exclusion and incompatibility are those pursuant to Art. 22, 24 and 25 of the PhD Programme Regulations or required by the announcement in accordance with these Implementing Regulations. 5. In accordance with Art. 11 paragraph 2 of University Regulations for Doctoral Schools the Teaching Body can decide to allocate grants for specific research activities for a maximum of six months before the official beginning of the courses for a total amount which should not exceed the grant amount. The allocation is made up according to one of the Teaching Body members proposal and is based both on merit criteria and on the compliance of the proposed subject with subject already assigned to the doctoral student, according to art. 3, paragraph 11 of these Implementing Regulations. Art. 12 Admission to the years following the first 1. Admission to the second year is contingent on the student s success in leading a seminar on the topics of research object of his or her Dissertation. The seminar is open to the public and is held before a Committee composed of at least two members of the Teaching Body and the Tutor. The candidate will be evaluated based on the issues discussed, the quality and degree of progress of the research conducted, the quality of the presentation and his or her ability to argue and respond to the questions posed by the audience and the Committee. Admission is formally granted by the Teaching Body, which discusses and approves the paper and the opinion formulated by the Examination Committee. 2. For advancement to the following year, the Doctoral student must have earned at least 2/3 of the classroom credits required as part of the curriculum, unless deferrals have been granted by the Teaching Body (for example, to allow extended periods of research outside the university). 3. Denial of admission to the second or third years automatically implies forfeiture of the bursary and dismissal from the Doctoral School. To this end, the Teaching Body verifies the results foreseen for the year in progress and the research activity conducted by the PhD student. 4. At the time of admission to the second year of the course, the Teaching Body assigns the final topic for the PhD Dissertation. 5. By the end of the third year, the PhD student must pass a test similar to the one described in paragraph 1 above; a successful outcome gives him or her the right to sit the final exam referred to in Art. 14 below. 6. A positive evaluation admits the student to the final exam pursuant to Art. 14 below. If the student has a justified reason why he or she cannot submit the dissertation in the designated time, the Rector, upon reasoned proposal of the Teaching Body, is allowed to grant a maximum of two deferrals to the academic year following the term for admission to the final exam. Art. 13 Rights and duties of PhD students 1. The PhD student must submit periodic reports on the activities completed according to deadlines established by the Teaching Body. These reports must be approved by the tutor and the Teaching Body or by a special commission in charged by the Teaching Body. The evaluation criteria include: to have obtained the minimum number of credits required and foreseen in the Manifesto of Studies and Courses, the scientific activities carried on in and outside the Doctoral School and to comply with the respect of regulations and duties coming from the participation into the PhD programme. 5

8 If the PhD student doesn t submit the report within the deadlines established by the Teaching Body, or in case the report is not approved, the Teaching Body can suspend the payment of the grant and exclude the student from the School, according to art. 25, paragraph 3 of PhD Programme Regulations. 2. In addition to the rights and responsibilities of the PhD students indicated in Art. 25 of the existing PhD Programme Regulations, each PhD student is required to comply with the Honour Code of the ME Doctoral School (see Annex 1), available on the web site of the DIMTI. Art. 14 PhD title conferral 1. The Final Exam Committee for the final exam for PhD conferral is designated by the Teaching Body or, by delegation, by the Executive Committee, in compliance with the provisions under Title V of the existing PhD Programme Regulations. Art. 15 Services Charter 1. The PhD students of the ME Doctoral School are provided with the following minimum services: General aspects: Secretariat of the ME Doctoral School; Admissions procedures: Services to Teaching and to Students, PhD Programme Office; Bibliographic service: University library, seat of the Engineering Faculty, to access information about monographs and periodicals; Network services: Availability of accounts and access to the network at the Calculations Laboratory of the Engineering Faculty; Foreign students: Division of Cooperation and International Mobility, International Student Welcome Office; Logistical Services: Opera Universitaria, if the prerequisites required by the Opera Universitaria exist; All the procedures, including the Implementing Regulations, the Manifesto of Studies and the Honour Code, are published in Italian and in English and are available on the DIMTI Web site. Art. 16 Amendments to Implementing Regulations 1. According to Art. 8, paragraph 4, of the PhD Programme Regulations and successively to the first year of the School, any change to these Implementing Regulations must be approved by the DIMTI, after hearing the opinion of the Teaching Body, and enters into force from the date of publishing in the DIMTI web site. Art. 17 Referral rule 1. For all else not expressly mentioned in these Implementing Regulations, the provisions established by Italian law and the PhD Program Regulations shall apply. 6

9 Doctoral School in Materials Engineering (ME Doctoral School) The Honour Code Annex 1 7

10 Doctoral School in Materials Engineering (ME Doctoral School) The Honour Code The fundamental objective of the Doctoral School is to provide the students with a high level - high quality education while developing a sense of ethics and social and professional responsibility. We believe that any instance of dishonesty hurts the entire community. It is with this in mind that we have set forth our communities official - and practiced - ethical code as the Honour Code at ME Doctoral School. The Honour System embodies our mutual trust and respect and extends to the Doctoral School long-standing behavioural rules at the Department of Materials Engineering and Industrial Technologies (DIMTI). The Honour Code at the ME Doctoral School aims at cultivating a community based on trust, academic integrity and honour. It specifically aims at accomplishing the following: Ensure that students, faculty and administrators are aware of the responsibility for upholding academic honesty at ME Doctoral School; Prevent any students from gaining an unfair advantage over other students through academic misconduct; Ensure that students understand that academic dishonesty is a violation of the profound trust of the entire academic community; Cultivate an environment at ME Doctoral School where academic dishonesty is not tolerated among the students; 8

11 1. Honesty 1.1. Computers Usage 1.2. Library Usage 1.3. Facilities Usage 1.4. Work Space 1.5. Papers and Reports 1.6. Lying/Deception/Fraud 2. Plagiarism / Fabrication / Falsification 3. Inappropriate gender-based behaviour 4. Respect Others 5. Participation to School Activities 5.1. Courses 5.2. Seminars 5.3. Communications 6. Insurance and Liability 6.1. Insurance 6.2. Liability 7. Disciplinary Measures 8. Honour Code Agreement Student Responsibilities 1 Honesty Honesty with others and the ME Doctoral School in regard to both academic and non-academic issues is fundamental in creating and maintaining a good environment at the ME Doctoral School. 1.1 Honesty in Usage of Computers and Other Equipment Theft, damage or misuse of the equipment is forbidden as it affects property of the DIMTI and takes advantage of all the other users who will lose the use of the resources. Allowing unauthorized non-me Doctoral School people access to the equipment is strictly prohibited as it reduces the amount of equipment available for ICT users and may lead to damage or to thefts. Network usage concerning downloading of material and files and placing material in the web must be restricted to working items. 1.2 Library Usage ME Doctoral School students are urged to respect the library rules. 1.3 Facilities usage (telephone, Internet services ) The ME Doctoral School is hosted by the DIMTI that provides several facilities to the students, such as telephone, fax, photocopier, printer usage and a continuous internet access; these services must be used only for work related activities and not for personal purposes; moreover their usage is restricted to students, that cannot invite external people (e.g friends) to let them enjoy faculty services. Abuse of the above services is strictly prohibited. Students are liable for possible inconvenience caused to other users. 9

12 1.4 Work Space Students are expected to be silent because the work space can be shared by several people and it is necessary to let everybody do his/her work quietly and with the needed concentration. 1.5 Papers and Reports Students are required to produce reports and research papers during their careers at the University. In collecting data and information, students need to actively avoid plagiarizing the work of others. Proper footnoting of source material and documentation of borrowed ideas are absolutely essential. 1.6 Lying, Deception, and Fraud Any attempt to gain an advantage or to avoid a consequence by lying, deception or fraud is not acceptable behaviour at ME Doctoral School. Examples of lying, deception, and fraud include falsifying records of time and attendance at work, giving false information to an ME Doctoral School official, and failing to take responsibility for personal conduct. 2 Plagiarism / Fabrication / Falsification Plagiarism of any kind is completely contrary to the established practices of higher education, where all members of the ME Doctoral School are expected to acknowledge the original intellectual work of others that is included in one's own work. 3 Inappropriate gender-based behaviour Inappropriate gender-based behaviour is contrary to the university's Honour Code and is considered as a violation. Serious violations will be reported to the police. 4 Respect Others Every person has a fundamental right to be treated with respect. Every member of the ME Doctoral School is expected to treat others in a way that will foster to the well-being of everyone at ME Doctoral School and in the community. Students must have a correct hygienic behaviour, especially in common spaces like laboratories, library and university canteen. 5 Participation in School Activities 5.1 Courses Students are committed to attend the Program of the ME Doctoral School and to carry out research activities on a full time basis, according to the schedules and the regulations established by the Doctoral School Council and by the Executive Committee. 5.2 Thesis Student supported by grants provided by other institutions, for specific research projects, are committed to pursue the specific project assigned. 10

13 5.3 Absences The school is residential and therefore long absences are not permitted, unless previously approved by the Dean (up to six months) or by the Doctoral School Council who grant permit for absences motivated by the research activity. Absences longer than one week must be communicated to the Tutor and to the Secretariat of the ME Doctoral School. Repeated unjustified absences will cause the expulsion from the Doctoral School. 5.4 Seminars Participation in the seminars is strongly recommended in order to know the research activity of the Doctoral School. 5.5 Communications PhD students must be able to receive and answer any messages sent to their address independently of the place they are. 6 Disciplinary Measures Serious violations will be treated as follows: The students and his/her Tutor will be asked for an explanation of the events by the Dean and/or the Doctoral School Council. The Doctoral School Council decides whether to admonish the student or not. After two formal admonishments, if the student commits another serious violation, the Doctoral School Council will propose his/her expulsion from the School to the Committee on Doctoral Studies (Ufficio Dottorati) of the University of Trento. 7 Insurance and liability 7.1 Insurance The University of Trento provides an insurance for the duration of the Doctoral School Program. The insurance only concerns effects of accidents and damages to third parties that occur in circumstances pertaining to the Doctoral School Program. 7.2 Liability Students of the ME Doctoral School are liable for consequences of misconduct or improper use of computers and instruments at the DIMTI. 8 The Honour Code Agreement Having read the ME Doctoral School s Honour Code, I understand and accept my responsibility as a member of the ME Doctoral School to uphold the Honour Code at all times. Date Signature of the Doctoral Student. 11