National and European congresses in the field of Environmental Agrobiology are alternately held. Similarly, 2 or 3 thematic congresses or symposia related to each of the lines of research presented on this doctoral program are held each year. The scientific activity in the field of Environmental Agrobiology conducted at both state and international congresses will allow our doctoral students to acquire training and develop the skills listed in the corresponding section. This consists of the active participation of the students in the preparation and presentation of a paper at a congress. The activity includes the stages for the selection of the results, normally of an experimental nature, the preparation of materials (an abstract, poster, presentation, etc.) and participation in scientific meetings to disseminate the progress of their research to the scientific community with a discussion/defence of the findings. The realization of this activity lasts about one month per paper and takes place throughout the course.
The doctoral student will acquire updated training in the plenary lectures, compare his or her views in the workshops and acquire the ability to discuss and present his or her findings in the posters and papers. Finally, he or she will repeatedly face the need to prepare oral and written papers on the results of the research in different languages and formats.
Attendance at the congresses is recommended. Value will be given to active participation in the sessions and the presentations will preferably be oral. The activity conducted by the student will be monitored each year. This will include the documentary proof of participation in the congresses and scientific meetings and a report by the doctoral thesis director indicating the student's progress in acquiring the corresponding training. Consequently, the monitoring committee of the doctoral program will issue a report and inform the student of the level achieved and the activities to be completed. This report will be required before the realization of the doctoral thesis for its defence. Although students will be advised as to the appropriateness of participating in several congresses, one participation will be sufficient to justify the training.
Numerous specialized courses are held at the universities (UPV/EHU and UPNa) and other universities and research centres in the field of Environmental Agrobiology. Trading houses often give training courses on the possibilities provided by equipment and its updating.
The doctoral student will obtain updated training and acquire a skill more quickly and strictly.
Attendance at specialization courses is optional but recommended. Value will be given to their completion. The activity conducted by the student will be monitored each year. This will include the documentary proof of participation in the specialization courses and a report by the doctoral thesis director indicating the student's progress in acquiring the corresponding training. Although students will be advised as to the appropriateness of participating in several courses, one participation will be sufficient to justify the training.
Seminar for advanced studies in Environmental Agrobiology
They will be held in November (4 days) and May (4 days). They form a series of conferences and seminars, each lasting 3 hours, with one block in the first 4-month period and a second block in the second semester of each academic year, in order to complete the specific training in the field of Environmental Agrobiology. The first hour is taught by a guest speaker, after which a half-hour debate takes place. The second section is occupied by three of the students on the doctoral program, one at an early stage of the thesis, another at a more advanced stage and a third at the stage of writing and presenting the thesis. Throughout the course there will be 24 doctoral students presenting topics related to their theses. Students will therefore take part on at least two occasions during the realization of their theses. The seminars are mostly conducted in English, with some in Spanish.
The doctoral students will acquire advanced scientific training in Environmental Agrobiology, in direct contact with internationally renowned researchers. The experience should provide them with new knowledge enabling them to keep up to date with the specific topic of their doctoral theses and also with the general field of Agrobiology.
Attendance at the seminars will be compulsory and it will therefore be monitored. In addition, value will be given to active participation in the discussions at the seminars.
Training activities/mobility: stays with internationally renowned research groups covering subjects related to the conducting of the theses.
The activity will be proposed by the thesis director in collaboration with the researcher responsible for the centre where the stay will take place. The opportunity to obtain not only transversal training but also to perform experiments or techniques which will contribute to an improved realization of the doctoral thesis will be taken into account. - Completing the phases of the student's particular experimental development with the use of equipment, techniques and methodologies which are not available in his or her place of origin. - Collaboration in common projects which require the comparison and processing of results and the preparation of publications. - Learning of instrumental and methodological techniques. - Realization of preliminary studies necessary for the development of new collaboration projects. Each team on the Doctoral Program maintains a series of collaborations whereby students are exchanged to perform these stays.
The doctoral student will receive training and, at the same time, he or she will be able to develop a part of his or her thesis in collaboration with the foreign centre.
A letter of reception and evaluation from the director or researcher responsible for the student at the foreign centre.