The PhD Course in Microbiota and Health aims to train experts who can carry out research activities in the field of Microbiota and its translational applications. PhD students will develop a full-time research project, also providing critical and proactive contributions. Thus, achieving scientific and management autonomy, also thanks to the numerous international scientific collaborations in which they will be involved.
The teaching activities are defined by the Board of Teachers in the proposal of the doctorate for each cycle and it is divided into activities of disciplinary and interdisciplinary training and linguistic, computer and statistical improvement, in the field of research management and knowledge of European and international research systems, the enhancement of research results and intellectual property. The offer consists of:
1. Disciplinary training
2. Interdisciplinary training;
3. Scientific training activities (participation to conferences, workshops, internships, seminars, summer schools, etc. offered by the doctorate; study stays abroad; seminars on how to participate in funding calls for research projects (ERC, SIR, PRIN, Horizon 2020); publications;
4. Teaching support activities (integrative teaching activities, tutorials).
The teaching activity is provided during the three years of the doctorate. The courses are taught by structured lecturers, but also by other experts.
According to the University of Parma's PhD course rules published on the University's website (art. 6, paragraph 8), the student/student may carry out teaching activities (optional) up to a maximum of 40 hours per year. This activity (lessons, seminars, supplementary teaching activities) does not include participation in the examination committees and must take place on relevant topics the research project. This activity should be reported in the "other activities" item on the year-end report. The educational activity may be entrusted to the PhD student with the consent of the same.
The total number of credits to be achieved over the three-year period is 180 ECTS. Of these, 120 ECTS correspond to research work for the thesis work. During the three-year period, at least 20 ECTS must be achieved in training activities.
ECTS conversion table/corresponding tasks:
Activity | ECTS |
1 day of course/conference | 1 |
1 specific disciplinary seminar | 0.5 |
1 university course | 6 hours/ECTS |
These training activities must be divided as follows:
At least 4 ECTS in interdisciplinary training (soft skills);
At least 6 ECTS in disciplinary training;
10 ECTS at the discretion of the student.
The acquisition of credits requires participation in the training activities and by a judgment of suitability by the tutor of the PhD student.
MICROBIOTA AND HEALTH XLCYCLE – Educational offer for 3 years (01/11/2024-31/10/2027)
The interdisciplinary training activities (soft skills) offered by the University
Teaching | Lecturer | ECTS | Period |
English | nd | 4 | Every year |
Interdisciplinary training activities offered by the Doctoral School in Sciences and Technology are as follows:
Teaching | Lecturer | ECTS | Period |
Regression analysis: theoretical basis and applications | Prof. Matteo Manfredini | 3 | every year |
Specific disciplinary training activities offered by the PhD course in Microbiota and Health are as follows:
Teaching | Lecturer | ECTS | Period |
Metagenomic analyses applied to the study of the microbiota | Prof. Gabriele Andrea Lugli, Dip. SCVSA, UNIPR | 1 | 1°year |
The human virome: interactions with the host in physiological and pathological conditions | Prof. ssa Flora De Conto Dip. DIMEC, UNIPR | 1 | 1°year |
The human microbiota: structure, functionality and interaction dynamics | Prof. Leonardo Mancabelli Dip. DIMEC, UNIPR | 1 | 1°year |
Experimental microbiota medicine | Prof. Ovidio Bussolati Dip. DIMEC, UNIPR | 1 | 2°year |
The microbiota-gut-brain axis: psychobiological insights | Prof. Luca Carnevali Dip. SCVSA, UNIPR | 1 | 2°year |
Clinically relevant mono- and polymicrobial biofilm models: innovative technologies for the characterization of microbial communities, the study of the pathogenesis of biofilm-associated infections and the search for new drugs | Prof.ssa Laura Giovati Dip. DIMEC, UNIPR | 1 | 2°year |
Mass Spectrometry in Drug-Microbiota Interactions: Drug Metabolism and Metabolomics | Prof.ssa Federica Vacondio Dip. ALIFAR, UNIPR | 1 | 2°year |
Applications of the microbiota to autoimmune diseases of the gastrointestinal tract | Prof.ssa Federica Gaiani Dip. DIMEC, UNIPR | 1 | 3°year |
Oral microbiota-related diseases | Prof.ssa Maddalena Manfredi Dip. DIMEC, UNIPR | 1 | 3°year |
Microbiota and aging | Prof. Andrea Ticinesi Dip. DIMEC, UNIPR | 1 | 3°year |
It is also noted that this offer will be complemented by special disciplinary seminars, which will be communicated in advance to the PhD students. These will be added to this training offer, which will be calculated 0.5 ECTS at seminar.
