Structure of the Doctoral Program in Biomedicine

The Doctoral Program comprises two phases of training:

• The first phase aims to consolidate and broaden the students' knowledge in an integrative manner. Students will be required to complete a minimum of 60 ECTS postgraduate credits within the Master's courses linked to the Doctoral Program in Biomedicine. The educational objectives of this phase are specified in each of the respective courses:

• Master's in Bioinformatics (in conjunction with the UPF)
• Master's in Biomedicine
• Master's in Biomedical Engineering (in conjunction with the UPC)
• Master's in Immunology (in conjunction with the UAB)
• Master's in Neuroscience (with the UdL, UPF and URV)

It will be possible to pursue the course in English in 2007-2008, on student request.

• After completing 60 credits, students will enter the second phase of training: the Doctoral Study. This will be carried out in a laboratory linked to one of the Doctoral Program Research Areas. This phase aims to develop skills and aptitudes in biomedical research, enabling the student to:

• understand the value and limitations of the scientific approach
• act in accordance with scientific methodology when defining problems, formulating hypotheses, choosing appropriate strategies and experimental methodologies, obtaining, evaluating and interpreting results, and reaching conclusions
• locate, obtain, organize and interpret biomedical information in databases and other sources
• communicate results using the various means at his/her disposal, with an awareness of the limitations of such means
• work as part of a group, and interact with scientific colleagues
• maintain an ethical approach, socially and scientifically

The Coordinating Commission of the Doctoral Study will be responsible for validating credits obtained in Master's which are not linked to the Doctoral Program in Biomedicine. In order to be admitted to the Doctoral Study, the applicant will require a thesis supervisor. The supervisor should be a program's investigator with links to one of the Doctoral Studies Research Areas: if this is not the case a tutor will be required. The director/tutor will be responsible for the academic training of the doctoral student.