PhD in Neuroscience

Academic year 2024-25

See the pre-registration, admission and registration deadlines for the 2024-25 academic year.
You may also check this information for the 2023-24 academic year.

Interdisciplinary and specific educational activities

Cross-cutting training programme for PhD students at the University of the Balearic Islands

The cross-cutting training activities proposed will have specific assessment procedures based on objective tests. As a general rule, the supervisor or tutor shall be responsible for including the assessment or successful completion in the PhD activities document.

Bibliographic Review of a Research Topic
Objective
The aim is for students to acquire the ability to perform and manage bibliographic searches on a research topic in different public and private databases.
Number of hours
30
Requirements
 -
Method
Specific. Mandatory
Schedule
 
Year
1st year
Assessment Procedure
Students shall undertake a review task on the latest research in their area. This review shall be supervised and assessed by the thesis supervisor, who shall write a report on it. At the end of the first year of the PhD programme, students must have passed the activity with a positive report from their supervisor. The positive report shall be included in the doctorand activities document as proof of the task having been performed
Mobility
Not applicable
Doctoral Seminars
Objective
The aim is for students to take part in periodic sessions with their supervisor and/or research group. They will present progress on their thesis. The sessions shall be used to resolve any doubts, review and update their methodology, where applicable, and review results. The main goal is to provide ongoing feedback on how the thesis is progressing.
Number of hours
90
Requirements
 -
Method
Specific. Mandatory
Schedule
 -
Year
2nd-3rd year (full-time students)
2nd-5th year (part-time students)
Assessment Procedure
Students must attend the sessions and prepare a report on attended sessions and the conclusions from each. This report shall be assessed by the CAD and be included in the doctorand activities document
Mobility
Not applicable
Research Seminars
Objective
The aim is for students to attend seminars given by researchers linked to the PhD programme and renowned guest researchers.
Number of hours
30 (Minimum of 8 seminars)
Requirements
 -
Method
Specific. Mandatory
Schedule
 -
Year
1st-3rd year (full-time students)
1st-5th year (part-time students)
Assessment Procedure
Doctorands must submit a critical review of each seminar to their supervisor setting out what was explained. These reports shall be included in the doctorand activities document.
Mobility
Not applicable
Preparation and Presentation of a Scientific Paper
Objective
A specific training activity that comprises the preparation of a scientific article. The activity will include writing a scientific article and/or abstracts and/or oral presentations for conferences linked to the thesis topic
Number of hours
30
Requirements
 -
Method
Specific. Mandatory
Schedule
 -
Year
2nd or 3rd year (full-time students)
2nd-5th year (part-time students)
Assessment Procedure
The work produced and the positive assessment by the thesis supervisor, as well as its bibliographic references (where applicable), shall be included in the doctorand activities document
Mobility
Not applicable
Mobility Activities and Criteria
Objective
The following activities are included in this training activity:
  • Attendance at specialised courses
  • Attendance at scientific conferences
  • A research stay at another laboratory

The Academic Committee of the PhD programme shall promote cross-cutting training activities (attending specialised courses and/or scientific conferences) at other universities/institutions within the framework of mobility activities, notifying students about any opportunities it becomes aware of. Thesis supervisors are charged with assessing the need for any research stays at other laboratories.
Funding is a critical aspect for these activities. In this sense, the University of the Balearic Islands has specific funding programmes for trips, stays and registration at conferences for doctorands, where their work is accepted. In addition, research groups have funds linked to projects that may be used for this purpose. Moreover, most PhD grants, whether national or international, include the possibility for students to travel in order to undertake research tasks at other centres. 
Nevertheless, the PhD programme cannot ensure funding, the availability of mobility for part-time students, or the need/opportunity for a specific training activity for each student. In turn, the PhD programme skills may be completed without having to undertake mobility activities. Due to these two reasons, mobility is not mandatory for PhD students, although it is deemed highly recommendable for full- and part-time students alike 

Number of hours
 -
Requirements
 -
Method
Elective
Schedule
 -
Year
3rd year (full-time students)
5th year (part-time students)
Assessment Procedure
The stay shall be authorised by the Academic Committee. After completion, a report on the stay shall be submitted by the host researcher or, failing that, by the thesis supervisor, and confirmed by the Academic Committee. The report shall include all relevant details about the stay (dates, host group, activities undertaken) and be incorporated into the doctorand activities document.
Mobility
-