PhD in Information Technology Research

2023/2024

What you learn

This PhD program is participated by the Computer Architecture Groups in the UDC and the Intelligent Systems, Artificial Vision, Computer Architecture and Knowledge Engineering Groups in the USC, as well as the Systems and the Digital Image Laboratories of the USC. The PhD program research lines are: 1- Processor architecture 2- Parallel and distributed computing 3- Computer graphics 4- Flexible computing 5- Ubiquitous computing 6- Electronic design 7- Electronic devices 8- Image and video processing 9- Information Systems 10-Intelligent systems

Generic skills

1. Development of the understanding, analysis and synthesis abilities. 2. Development of the abilities to lay out and solve complex problems applying the acquired knowledges. 3. Development of abilities to apply knowledges to new environments, to formulate and solve new questions, to pose and contrast new hypothesis. 4. Development of the skills to ellaborate, present and defend scientific works. 5. Development of the skills to debate, integrating knowledges. 6. Development of skills for divulging ideas in academic or not specialized contexts. 7. Development of skills to handle, treat and develop complex analytical tools, in particular mathematical, statistical and computer tools.

Specific skills

1. The organization, the management and the politics in the field of ICT projects and of research results. 2. Acquisition of skills in the analysis and resolution of complex problems in the field of ICT. 3. Optimization of the ICT resources in the solution of problems.

Professional and academic career

Professional and academic career

The information technologies sector, in which this degree is framed, is one of the most emergent ones nowadays, and it is experiencing a period of big advances, which favours the labour insertion of the graduates of this program. These professionals perfectly fit in activities of I+D+i in private companies, as well as in upper teaching and public institutes of investigation. In addition, the large number of research lines of this program facilitates the specialization in diverse profiles in the ICT field, favouring the employment of the graduates.

Companies and institutions involved

Centro de Supercomputación de Galicia (CESGA), with agreement. Coremain, SLU, with agreement. Other organizations without agreement: Netex Knowledge, Información e comunicación local S.A, 2Mares Demil SL, SATDATA Telecom SL, Microeléctricas S.L. (Anafocus), MeteoGalicia, Continental producciones SL, University of Sheffield, University of Glasgow, European Center for Soft Computing, ATOS Origin, Level Telecom, Egatel, R Cable y Comunicaciones Galicia S.A., Hewlett-Packard, Factoría de Software e Multimedia S.L., Ingeniería y Calderería Plástica SA, IDEKO SOC. COOP, Centro Tecnológico de la Pesca (CETPEC)

Research lines

This are the main research lines for current study.

  • Ingeniería y Ciencia de Datos
  • Línea de Computación de Altas Prestaciones
  • Línea de Dispositivos y Diseño Electrónico
  • Línea de Inteligencia Artificial

Planning for teaching

Additional subject teaching

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 16: Applications.

EIDUDC teaching and training activities

EIDUDC teaching and training activities

Programme-specific teaching and training activities

- Submitting a paper to a journal (450 hours). Compulsory. At least the publication of a paper in an international journal, preferably, at least in the third year, as first author and main contributor of the work will be scheduled. In the case of part time students this can be scheduled for the fourth year. - Visiting technological companies and/or research centers (20 hours). Compulsory. One or two visits to technological companies and/or research centers will be scheduled. A single visit will suffice for part time students. - Cycles of conferences of experts of recognised prestige (15 hours). Compulsory. Diverse conferences given by experts in the matter will be scheduled along the year, to which the student will have to assist, with a minimum of one per year. The PhD student tutor will select at least 6 to which the student will have to attend during the PhD. In the case of part time students, a minimum of 3 conferences will suffice. - Presentation of a paper/poster in national or international conference, or in other centres or universities. (50 hours). Compulsory. At least one presentation in a conference, or in other research centers or universities with which the student is collaborating will be scheduled, in which s/he will be the first author and main contributor of the work. This will take place preferably during the first half of the PhD studies.

Supervision agreement

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 31: Supervision agreement.

Research plan

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 30: Research plan.

Student mobility

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.