Brain, Mind and Computer Science
BMCS is a three-year interdisciplinary PhD course taught in English in the field of computer science, and psychology around the unifying theme of user-centered technologies.
Deepening
The areas covered by the BMCS PhD significantly intersect central and long-term themes strongly present in international research programs, for which people capable of working in projects and teams with vision and impact are required. The degree courses are designed to create the conditions for these skills to emerge. The courses illustrate to doctoral students of the two course tracks the current advances in crucial branches of computer science and cognitive neuroscience. In addition to these, there are numerous courses (or resources to be used independently) to improve transversal, linguistic, programming, scientific writing skills and to raise awareness of the ethical, social and legal aspects of the use of technologies. The courses are all in English and are specially organized for this PhD syllabus.
Course objectives
BMCS aims to:
- introduce all enrolled students, regardless of background and course track, to key topics identified in neuroscience and computer science through compulsory courses with final exam;
- show more specific research fields through optional mini-courses with an interdisciplinary orientation;
- stimulate discussion by assigning co-supervisors who belong to a different course track from that of the PhD student and group work between students from different disciplinary backgrounds;
- encourage internationality through a mandatory period abroad of at least three months for research activities related to the PhD project.
Educational activities
The PhD student is included in one course track but also followed by a supervisor of the other course track. The research project is evaluated annually by the Research Committee.
The learning obligations include, by the 2nd year:
1. the passing of 7 compulsory exams;
2. attendance of at least 150 hours of courses activated by the PhD course, including compulsory courses or, up to 15%, of courses outside the PhD;
within the 3rd year:
3. the completion of the period of visit abroad;
4. the achievement of at least level C of the English language.
Research lines
Curriculum: Neuroscience, Technology and Society
PhD students in this course track undertake innovative research in applied cognitive science and neuroscience, especially in relation to emerging technologies that will have a strong impact on future society. The main research areas of this course track are:
- Clinical and developmental cognitive neuropsychology
- Human-computer interaction and system usability
- Assistive and rehabilitative technologies for sensory, perceptual and cognitive disorders
- Cybertherapy
- Neurotechnologies and symbiotic systems
- Neurorehabilitation
- Neurostimulation
- Topics concerning smart cities and smart communities and technologies for health
Curriculum: Computer Science for Societal Challenges and Innovation
This course track promotes and develops research on information technologies and applications that are a driving force for innovation in infrastructures, services, products of both social and industrial interest, and on the knowledge that enables them. The areas of specialization of the course track reflect the areas of research and excellence of the members of the board. They include:
- Machine learning (machine learning, big data, and applications to computer vision and natural language processing)
- Cybersecurity
- Mobile network infrastructures and their applications (ad-hoc networks, multimedia apps)
- Innovative computing infrastructures and their applications (cloud computing and derivatives, IoT)
- Critical applications and support for the corresponding verification of correctness (software verification)
Professional profile
BMCS prepares PhDs with high-level career opportunities in innovative national and international work fields. Professional figures trained by this PhD syllabus include:
- experts in human-computer interaction, ergonomics and design of user-centered applications and technologies;
- IT experts sensitive to the user's point of view in the fields of AI (machine learning, big data), recommender systems, IT security and ethical hacking (cybersecurity), mobile network infrastructures (ad-hoc networks, multimedia apps) serious games, IoT and computer vision, solutions for industry 4.0
- design of devices and software for psychological and physical well-being (e-health, virtual coaching, assistive technologies, technologies for disability, neurocognitive rehabilitation)
Curriculum
- Neuroscience,Technology, and Society
- Computer Science for Societal Challenges and Innovation
Contacts
Brain, Mind and Computer Science
Department of GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY - DPG
Via Venezia - N. 8, 35100 Padova (PD)
Anna Spagnolli (Coordinator)
anna.spagnolli@unipd.it
Administrative contacts
phd.bmcs@unipd.it