Network and Information Technologies Doctoral Programme - Open University of Catalonia (UOC)

Once doctoral students have been admitted to the research period of the doctoral programme, the UOC provides them with personalized pathways, designed taking into account their specific skills and research capabilities (particularly with regard to research methodologies), as well as their research interests. The pathway may thus include courses, seminars and other activities intended to hone their research skills. Any such activities included on the doctoral student's personalized pathway must necessarily be taken and successfully completed.

Itinerary and duration

Five types or blocks of academic activities are considered when defining the personalised academic itinerary that supports the doctoral candidate's research plan, based on the following criteria:

Methodology courses

Students must undertake and pass in the first year, if not completed previously, the advanced research methodology courses corresponding to their research activity within the programme.

Subject-specific research seminars

Students shall undertake and pass in the first year a subject-specific research seminar linked to the area or topics covered in their research plan (when applicable).

Complementary training

In addition, the students' academic itinerary may include complementary training. This is configured based on the UOC masters-level offerings and, if the candidate enrols, these must be undertaken and passed during the academic year.

Research-oriented complementary training activities

Depending on the student's previous studies, research interests and the doctoral programme mode (full-time face-to-face or distance), the student may also be required to participate in short training activities that support the research.

Doctoral research seminars

Students in the programme must participate actively throughout the research phase in the doctoral research seminar corresponding to the subject of their doctoral thesis, whether face-to-face or virtual (depending on the mode of the doctoral programme).

Activities in face-to-face teaching mode

Activities in the organized research period in face-to-face teaching mode	Completion date
Selection and admission Personal interview (in person or over the phone) Results of the admission process Acceptance	February to March - year 0
Admission Assignment of the thesis committee Assignment of a personalized pathway	June - year 0
1st year - 1st semester Completion of courses and activities included on the personalized pathway Participation in the doctoral research seminar Signing of the doctoral candidate agreement	September to February - year 1
1st year - 2nd semester Completion of courses and activities included on the personalized pathway Participation in the doctoral research seminar Drafting of the research plan Elaboration of the document for renewal of the grant by the Thesis Supervisor Assessment of the research plan by the thesis committee and the doctoral programme's Academic Committee	February to July - year 1
2nd year Elaboration the record of activities Elaboration of the document for renewal of the grant by the Thesis Supervisor Annual progress assessment by the thesis committee and the doctoral programme's Academic Committee Preparation of the doctoral thesis	September to July - year 2
3rd year Completion of the doctoral thesis Preliminary assessment of the doctoral thesis by the doctoral programme's Academic Committee Submission of the thesis and registration for the oral examination Oral examination on the doctoral thesis	September to July - year 3

Activities in distance teaching mode

Example of the structure of the organised research phase:

A proposed timeline for the organised research phase for a future student is shown below in which, having completed an accredited university masters degree, the student enrols in the doctoral programme in the face-to-face, full-time mode.

Activities in the organized research period in distance teaching mode	Completion date
Selection and admission Personal interview (in person or over the phone) Results of the admission process Acceptance	February to March - year 0
Admission Assignment of the thesis committee Assignment of a personalized pathway	June - year 0
1st year - 1st semester Completion of courses and activities included on the personalized pathway Signing of the doctoral candidate agreement	September to February - year 1
1st year - 2nd semester Completion of courses and activities included on the personalized pathway Drafting of the research plan Assessment of the research plan by the thesis committee and the doctoral programme's Academic Committee	February to July - year 1
2nd year and consecutive years Elaboration the record of activities Annual progress assessment by the thesis committee and the doctoral programme's Academic Committee Preparation of the doctoral thesis	September to July - year 2, 3 and 4rd
5rd year Completion of the doctoral thesis Preliminary assessment of the doctoral thesis by the doctoral programme's Academic Committee Submission of the thesis and registration for the oral examination Oral examination on the doctoral thesis	September to July - year 5

Continuation requirements

The maximum duration of the programme is three years if pursued full-time and five years if part-time, counting from the doctoral candidate's admission to the programme until presentation of the doctoral thesis. Calculation of this period does not include parental leave or extended sick leave the Academic Commission of the programme considers justified.

Nevertheless, the Academic Commission may authorise extension of these time limits to the maximums permitted by law and under the conditions established for the corresponding doctoral programme.

Following enrolment in the programme, a document of activities is created for each candidate. This document states all the activities assigned to the doctoral candidate by the Academic Commission.

Before the end of the first year, the doctoral candidate must prepare a research plan that includes the methodology to be used and the objectives to be achieved, in addition to the resources and timeframe for writing the thesis.

Each year, the programme's Academic Committee will assess each doctoral student's research plan and activity document, together with the reports to be submitted by their tutor, thesis supervisor and other members of their Thesis Supervisory Committee. To continue on the programme, they must receive a positive assessment.

Doctoral Programme in Network and Information Technologies

Itinerary and Duration

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