PhD in Mathematics

Training activities

The PhD programmes include research training that is both transferrable and specific to the area of each programme and consists of both compulsory and optional activities.

All the activities that the PhD student must complete are recorded in an activities document, but in any case there are compulsory activities that must be completed in the first academic years. It may also include transferrable activities offered by the same university.

Other professional who are not PhD holders may participate in these activities as long as they hold a relevant qualification in the corresponding area.

Erasmus
You can also do other mobility, under the Erasmus programme, both studies and internships. Check the information in the corresponding links.

To include these activities in your academic record, please check this video (click on the subtitle icon at the bottom right corner).

For this PhD programme the following training activities are scheduled.

Mandatory activities:

• Research paper sent to a high-impact scientific journal
  This activity is mandatory for students on the PhD programme in Mathematics.
  Students are expected to write at least one research paper explaining their findings before reading their thesis. This paper should be refereed for publication in an indexed journal. The activity should be carried out after one or two years of research.
  It is the responsibility of the thesis supervisor to encourage students to write papers detailing their findings and help them in this task.

• Participation in internal seminars organised by the research group or the department
  Mandatory activity for all students on the PhD in Mathematics programme. 30 hours should be devoted to this activity per academic year.
  Each of the research groups within the UAB's Department of Mathematics holds a seminar specifically for the group. Researchers, local lecturers,
  guest lecturers from other countries and PhD students present their latest findings and those of other researchers when these are of interest to the group.
  It is the responsibility of thesis supervisors to inform students about the seminar and monitor attendance.
  Likewise, they should encourage students to give at least one seminar per year on their thesis project.

Optional activities:

• Oral presentations or posters at national or international conferences
  This activity is highly recommended to students on the PhD programme in Mathematics.
  Giving presentations at national or international conferences is very instructive for PhD students, especially after one or two years of research.
  It is the responsibility of thesis supervisors to keep students informed and encourage them to attend specialist national or international conferences. Students must contact the conference organisers to obtain certificates of attendance and presentation.

• Training activities to improve comprehension of the field of study: advanced courses
  This activity is highly recommended to students on the PhD programme in Mathematics.
  Each year the Barcelona Graduate School of Mathematics schedules courses for students on the different PhD programmes at Catalan universities. Very useful specialist courses may also be offered by other universities, both locally and further afield. Students are advised to attend these courses.
  It is the responsibility of thesis supervisors to encourage them to do so.
  The course organisers should issue certificates of attendance or achievement.
  If the course takes place outside Barcelona students should apply for help with travel and accommodation expenses.

• Research stays in public or private centres, at home or abroad
  This activity is highly recommended to students on the PhD programme in Mathematics. At least one stay should be undertaken.
  Students in the last phase of writing their thesis should spend time with a centre other than their own. This will expose them to new ways of operating and researching, among other benefits. They will also get practice in speaking another language, which is useful for their training.
  It is the responsibility of thesis supervisors to keep students informed and encourage them to undertake a research stay while working on their doctoral thesis.
  Students should obtain a certificate from the host institution indicating the exact period of the stay.
  Students should apply for help with the expenses incurred.

• Participation in workshops or courses on methodological specialisation
  This activity is highly recommended to students on the PhD programme in Mathematics.
  Introductory courses on mathematics software like Maple, Mathematica or Matlab. Advanced courses on Latex, a word processor that specialises in mathematical writing .
  Students should obtain a certificate indicating the course objectives and the number of hours.