The Official Doctoral Programme in Environmental and Fundamental Chemistry is an interdisciplinary programme, in which nearly 50 doctors from the five areas of knowledge attached to the Department of Chemistry (Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) with a long and recognised professional career participate, who are currently distributed in seven research groups of the UDC Research Catalogue (https://investigacion.udc.es/es) attached to the Faculty of Sciences (https://ciencias.udc.es/es/) and/or the Interdisciplinary Center for Chemistry and Biology (CICA https://cica.udc.es/). The CICA is part of the Network of Research Centres of the Galician University System, CIGUS Network, promoted by the Xunta de Galicia and aimed at strengthening research of excellence. The five areas of knowledge are represented in the Academic Committee of the Doctoral Programme (CAPD).
The research interest of the program, focused on Chemistry, focuses on the investigation of structures, processes and mechanisms of chemical reactions and, naturally, the synthesis of new compounds with obvious technological purposes that may or may not be immediate. The existing analysis methodologies and their development are also addressed, as well as the treatment of information to support all this. These studies are distributed in 5 broad lines of research [Molecular and Supramolecular Chemistry (L1), Materials Chemistry (L2), Nanochemistry and Nanotechnology (L3), New Analysis Methodologies (L4) and Environmental Chemistry and Sustainability (L5)].
In turn, they include more specific sub-lines, the programme seeks to respond to several of the challenges raised in the strategic lines of the State Plan for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research (PEICTI) 2024-2027 [Advanced biomaterials and New diagnostic and therapeutic techniques within the area of HEALTH; Composite and nanostructured materials, Advanced materials, Smart and functional materials, Sustainable materials, and Planning and valorization of strategic materials in the area of INDUSTRY; Energy transition and decarbonisation within ENERGY and MOBILITY; Environment and air quality, Sustainable development of obtaining bio-based products within FOOD, BIOECONOMY, NATURAL RESOURCES, CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT, among others; https://www.ciencia.gob.es/Estrategias-y-Planes/Planes-y-rogramas/PEICTI.html] and in the RIS3 Galicia 21-27 plan [Priorities 1 and 3; https://ris3galicia.es/] and promotes that doctoral students understand what research of excellence is at the frontier of knowledge. In no case are these lines and sub-lines of research isolated areas, but multiple synergies have been established between them that allow the development of #en transversal research# and enable doctoral students to acquire a comprehensive vision of Chemistry.
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 - Ability to handle the qualitative and quantitative techniques necessary for the design of experiments in the field of chemistry, including synthesis, analysis and/or characterisation of chemical species.
CE3 - Ability to identify current research challenges in the field of chemistry and the environment, develop innovative proposals and disseminate one's own research in scientific and scientific-technological transfer fields.
CE2 - Ability to develop and apply the techniques and tools necessary for environmental characterisation, analysis and control in air, water, soil, waste, etc., including new methods, processes and technologies for environmental control and treatment.
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)
The Chemistry degree is among the twenty most demanded by employers, where the chemical represents the fourth most important employment sector in the country. In particular, the Spanish Chemical Industry is a sector that generates 6.1% of GDP and 5.5% of the salaried active population, based on data from 2024. With a turnover of more than 80000 million # in 2023, of which approximately 72.3% were invoiced in foreign markets, the chemical sector is already the second largest exporter in the Spanish economy and the first industrial investor in R+D+i.
In addition to the chemical industry sector, PhDs specialising in Chemistry have career opportunities in other areas such as research centres, public administration and teaching. In this sense, the Official Doctoral Programme in Environmental and Fundamental Chemistry takes into account the wide sectoral offer of employment, offering the necessary specialisation in the sectors of greatest demand where the environment and the chemical sector, both basic and applied, stand out. The graduates will contribute to responding to the demands of industry, administration and society in general, promoting research and development and scientific-technological innovation.
The Chemistry degree is among the twenty most demanded by employers, where the chemical represents the fourth most important employment sector in the country. In particular, the Spanish Chemical Industry is a sector that generates 6.1% of GDP and 5.5% of the salaried active population, based on data from 2024. With a turnover of more than 80000 million # in 2023, of which approximately 72.3% were invoiced in foreign markets, the chemical sector is already the second largest exporter in the Spanish economy and the first industrial investor in R+D+i.
In addition to the chemical industry sector, PhDs specialising in Chemistry have career opportunities in other areas such as research centres, public administration and teaching. In this sense, the Official Doctoral Programme in Environmental and Fundamental Chemistry takes into account the wide sectoral offer of employment, offering the necessary specialisation in the sectors of greatest demand where the environment and the chemical sector, both basic and applied, stand out. The graduates will contribute to responding to the demands of industry, administration and society in general, promoting research and development and scientific-technological innovation.
The incorporation of professional profiles in the degree is guaranteed through the collaboration of the teaching staff and research groups participating in the programme with companies and industries, which facilitates the exchange and transfer of knowledge.
It should be noted that some doctoral theses of this Programme are carried out in close collaboration with companies and the administration in which the professionals involved participate directly (Endesa, Repsol, ENCE, CETMAR, Asesores Medioambientales, Espina y Delfín, PIPO Systems, Novotec, Applus, VEGALSA-EROSKI, Xiloga, Toysal, ALCOA S:A: SOGAMA, FEUGA, CHUAC, Xunta de Galicia, A Coruña City Council, etc.)., in addition to having the collaboration of professionals from different strategic sectors in activities such as talks, conferences and seminars organized by the Doctoral Program and by other degrees taught in the Faculty of Sciences. This allows students to have a close view of the activities and needs of the different sectors.
The mobility of the doctoral student is the main objective of this programme, with special emphasis on their internationalisation. In this regard, all the research groups involved have external collaborations, a very high percentage of which are foreign, and many are involved in research networks, both national and international.
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. ACTIVIDADES OBLIGATORIAS:
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.