The program is characterized by a dynamic approach, adapting to the new demands of the academic and professional context. Its determined desire to constantly update research methodologies, international collaborations and synergies with projects funded by the EU and the State R+D+i Plan reinforces its position as a benchmark in the environmental field. In addition, the University of A Coruña, through its Strategic Plan, has prioritised research in sustainability and the environment, consolidating institutional support for this doctorate.
In this sense, the programme is closely linked to the Sustainability Campus of the University of A Coruña, a benchmark space focused on promoting research, innovation and knowledge transfer in key areas for sustainability and environmental development. This connection further strengthens the program's ability to generate impact at the academic, social, and business levels.
According to the multidisciplinary nature of the programme, the following research groups from the University of A Coruña participate:
CB11 - Systematic understanding of a field of study and mastery of research skills and methods related to that field. ("field" is replaced by "scope" as of the application of R.D. 576/2023, of 4 July)
CB12 - Ability to conceive, design or create, implement and adopt a substantial process of research or creation.
CB13 - Ability to contribute to the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge through original research.
CB14 - Ability to carry out critical analysis and evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas.
CB15 - Ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community and with society in general about their fields of knowledge in the modes and languages commonly used in their international scientific community.
CB16 - Ability to promote, in academic and professional contexts, scientific, technological, social, artistic or cultural progress within a knowledge-based society.
CB17 - Ability to promote Open Science and Citizen Science, in accordance with Article 12 of Organic Law 2/2023, of 22 March, as a way of contributing to the consideration of scientific knowledge as a common good, through the evaluation of cross-cutting activities carried out by the doctoral student related to different dimensions of Open Science and Citizen Science, as well as the training acquired in both disciplines in micro-credential format or similar. (From the application of R.D. 576/2023, of 4 July)
CA01 - Function in contexts in which there is little specific information.
CA02 - Find the key questions that need to be answered to solve a complex problem.
CA03 - Design, create, develop and undertake novel and innovative projects in their field of knowledge.
CA04 - Work both in a team and autonomously in an international or multidisciplinary context.
CA05 - Integrate knowledge, deal with complexity and make judgments with limited information.
CA06 - The critique and intellectual defense of solutions.
CE1 - Understand and diagnose the different environmental problems associated with the environmental compartments under research, considering their ecological, socio-economic and regulatory implications, and propose innovative and sustainable solutions.
CE9 - Be able to advise and generate scientific and technological innovation in companies, public administrations and international organisations, promoting the transfer of knowledge and the implementation of efficient environmental solutions.
CE8 - Develop and innovate in renewable energy, energy storage and sustainable battery technologies, including efficient energy conversion systems and their integration into decarbonisation and energy transition strategies.
CE7 - Design and implement innovative strategies for waste management, energy efficiency and the sustainable use of natural resources in the context of the ecological transition and the fight against climate change.
CE6 - Know, understand and apply environmental legislation and regulations at international, national and regional levels, including environmental governance strategies, sustainability policies and circular economy mechanisms.
CE5 - Apply strategies to reduce environmental impact, including the design of green infrastructures, nature-based solutions and the integration of renewable energies in the mitigation of polluting effects.
CE4 - Develop and innovate in advanced technologies for the elimination, reduction and recovery of pollutants, including physical-chemical treatments, biotechnology and circular economy approaches.
CE3 - Master and/or innovate in the use of advanced techniques for the analysis, characterisation and monitoring of pollutants, integrating methodologies based on sensors, advanced spectroscopy, artificial intelligence and remote sensing tools.
CE2 - Understand and deepen the processes of transport, diffusion and transformation of pollutants in different environmental environments, including advanced modelling and computational simulation approaches for the prediction of impacts.
CE16 - Develop effective scientific communication skills for the dissemination of research results in conferences, high-impact journals and forums for the transfer of knowledge to society.
CE15 - Apply and develop information and communication technologies (ICTs), artificial intelligence and advanced digital tools (big data, computational modelling, smart sensors and geographic information systems) in environmental research and management, optimising monitoring, data analysis and decision-making in contexts of sustainability and climate change.
CE14 - Work safely in advanced research laboratories, applying safety, hygiene and risk management regulations, and promoting sustainable laboratory practices.
CE13 - Integrate the principles of sustainability and the circular economy in the design and execution of research projects, promoting the reduction of the use of resources, the reuse and recovery of materials.
CE12 - Apply life cycle analysis (LCA) and environmental footprint tools in research projects, in order to assess the sustainability of processes and products from a holistic perspective.
CE11 - Master research in ecotoxicology and environmental risk assessment, including the application of methodologies for the assessment of the toxicity of emerging pollutants and the environmental monitoring of compounds of interest.
CE10 - Design, direct and manage advanced environmental studies, ensuring methodological rigour and the integration of digital tools (big data, artificial intelligence, geographic information systems) in analysis and decision-making.
CB11 - Systematic understanding of a field of study and mastery of research skills and methods related to that field. ("field" is replaced by "scope" as of the application of R.D. 576/2023, of 4 July)
CB12 - Ability to conceive, design or create, implement and adopt a substantial process of research or creation.
CB13 - Ability to contribute to the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge through original research.
CB14 - Ability to carry out critical analysis and evaluation and synthesis of new and complex ideas.
CB15 - Ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community and with society in general about their fields of knowledge in the modes and languages commonly used in their international scientific community.
CB16 - Ability to promote, in academic and professional contexts, scientific, technological, social, artistic or cultural progress within a knowledge-based society.
CB17 - Ability to promote Open Science and Citizen Science, in accordance with Article 12 of Organic Law 2/2023, of 22 March, as a way of contributing to the consideration of scientific knowledge as a common good, through the evaluation of cross-cutting activities carried out by the doctoral student related to different dimensions of Open Science and Citizen Science, as well as the training acquired in both disciplines in micro-credential format or similar. (From the application of R.D. 576/2023, of 4 July)
CA01 - Function in contexts in which there is little specific information.
CA02 - Find the key questions that need to be answered to solve a complex problem.
CA03 - Design, create, develop and undertake novel and innovative projects in their field of knowledge.
CA04 - Work both in a team and autonomously in an international or multidisciplinary context.
CA05 - Integrate knowledge, deal with complexity and make judgments with limited information.
CA06 - The critique and intellectual defense of solutions.
As a result of the scientific-technological training received, doctors trained in the Environmental Science and Technology doctoral programme will be prepared to access the labour market both professionally and academically.
Career opportunities
Academic outings
As a result of the scientific-technological training received, doctors trained in the Environmental Science and Technology doctoral programme will be prepared to access the labour market both professionally and academically.
Career opportunities
Academic outings
Entities that collaborate in the doctoral programme with which there is a signed collaboration agreement:
Institutions collaborating in the doctoral programme:
This are the main research lines for current study.
Candidates who do not meet all the necessary prior learning conditions for the programme may be required to complete additional courses in the form of subjects and modules from UDC Master’s and undergraduate programmes. The number of credits from additional subject teaching will not exceed 15 ECTS credits, which students may choose to complete before or after enrolment in the PhD programme.
Students who do not opt to complete additional coursework prior to enrolment should register for their extra subjects or modules at the same time as the PhD. Failure to complete additional coursework within a period of three consecutive terms will result in the termination of the student’s registration.
See also UDC PhD Policies and Regulations, Article 5: Applications.
1. Redacción y publicación de artículos y/o publicaciones científicas.
Una de las actividades esenciales asociada a la actividad investigadora es la comunicación de los resultados al resto de la comunidad científica. Una vez que haya los primeros resultados de investigación suficientes para la elaboración de un artículo o publicación científica se le indicarán al estudiante las directrices generales para la redacción del mismo.
De forma genérica se prevé la publicación de al menos tres artículos durante el tiempo de realización de la tesis doctoral, uno por año; siendo, preferentemente, el idioma a emplear el inglés. Se asume que esta actividad formativa implica una ocupación horaria en el entorno de las 300 horas (100 h por publicación).
La validación de esta actividad se hará con la propia publicación, o, en su caso, la comunicación de aceptación definitiva por parte del editor de la publicación.
2. Estancias en Centros de I+D (+i).
La estancia en otros centros de investigación es una experiencia muy enriquecedora, que permite tanto el aprendizaje de métodos y técnicas como facilitar el acercamiento a otras formas en la concepción de la investigación. La estancia en centros extranjeros puede permitir obtener el doctorado con la mención internacional, siempre que la duración de la(s) estancia(s) sea la que exige la correspondiente normativa.
Esta actividad se validará con la presentación de la correspondiente certificación emitida por el doctor que supervise al doctorando en el centro de acogida.
Para la financiación de esta actividad se acudirá a ayudas públicas y /o privadas .
3. Participación activa en seminarios (actividad obligatoria).
Estos seminarios, a los que se asignan un total de 42 horas, pueden ser organizados por:
La validación de esta actividad se hará de diversas formas: firma en hoja de asistencia, documento firmado por el tutor, director o por un miembro de la Comisión Académica.
4. Participación en congresos y talleres.
Se trata de participar activamente en:
La validación de esta actividad requiere la certificación de asistencia y de presentación de la comunicación, o, en su caso, de colaboración.
Cuando sea el caso, para la financiación de esta actividad se acudirá a ayudas públicas y/o privadas.
The PhD supervision agreement defines the academic relationship between the candidate and the University, the rights and responsibilities of each (including any intellectual and/or industrial property rights resulting from the candidate’s research), the procedures in place in relation to conflict resolution, and the duration of the agreement. It also specifies the duties of the PhD tutor and supervisor.
The supervision agreement must be signed by the candidate, tutor and designated university representative (or representatives) within a maximum period of one month as from the date of registration. The supervisor’s signature may be added subsequently, once a supervisor has been appointed.
When the document has been signed by all the relevant parties, the agreement is then added to the candidate’s record of activities.
See also UDC PhD Policies and Regulations, Article 13: Supervision agreement.
The candidate must prepare a research plan within six months of registration, with information regarding methodology, objectives, resources and milestones. The research plan is submitted together with the report of the supervisor and/or tutor for approval by the Academic Committee for PhD Programmes (CAPD). Improvements to the plan may be introduced with the approval of the supervisor and/or tutor based on the annual review of the student’s research progress.
Research plans are subject to annual review by the CAPD, including the report(s) of the supervisor and/or tutor and the candidate’s record of activities. Students will be permitted to continue with their studies if the outcome of the review is satisfactory. If the outcome is negative, the student will be required to submit a new plan within a period of six months. If the committee is still not satisfied, the candidate will be removed from the programme.
See also UDC PhD Policies and Regulations, Article 15: Research plan.
UDC holds student mobility agreements with universities and other third-level institutions across four continents. Students are offered several opportunities each year to apply to study abroad in one of these centres (for a single term or for a whole year), with the guarantee that all credits obtained will be duly recognised in their academic record upon their return.
For each round of applications, the University publishes the list of exchange options available to students and, where relevant, the specific conditions associated with each. Students may also apply to the University for funding for international work experience placements and internships.
Work experience placements are accredited in the student's academic record and the European diploma supplement. Students are free to decide in which host company or academic institution within the EHEA they wish to carry out their placement. To assist them in their search, the University has created an online noticeboard with jobs postings and other news.
Work-study placements in A Coruña are arranged by the International Relations Office (ORI) of the UDC in collaboration with the international relations coordinators in the student’s home university. The general entry criteria, rights and obligations of students, and admission and acceptance procedures for the programme, are regulated by the UDC Mobility Policy.