Third cycle University studies in Italy: current schemes and possible structured study programs in Agricultural Engineering and in the emerging discipline of Biosystems Engineering

Abstract

In Italy the state legislation concerning with the current structure of the 3rd cycle studies is based on the Law n. 210 of the 3rd July 1998 and the D.M. (Law) n. 224 of the 30th April 2009. The current schemes of 3rd cycle studies in Agricultural Engineering in Italy are based on individual and PhD board supervision and tutoring and are structured offering doctoral courses plus individual work research. The minimum duration of PhD programs is three years. Nowadays in Italy programs of 3rd cycle degrees in Biosystems Engineering are offered by eight Universities. The most common types of 3rd cycle students are recent graduates. The procedure used for the recruitment of students is established by each University. According to the guidelines of the Italian government for University, in Italy there are 2200 PhD programs, with an average of only 5.6 students for each program. According to the new guidelines of the Italian government for University, short term changes, concerning with the 3rd cycle studies are planned, e.g. time period for completion of thesis depending on the achievement of evaluable scientific results, reduction of the number of PhD programs and schools and higher international dimension of the structure of 3rd cycle degrees, aimed at promoting the mobility of students. There is some shift in research topics reflecting the evolution from the traditional Agricultural Engineering towards the emerging Biosystems Engineering discipline. In Italy the advanced coursework of an existing or a future structured 3rd cycle study program may benefit from the enrichment-adaptation of the core curricula of the first two cycles developed under the USAEE-TN, because these core curricula can be the basis of a European PhD program. In Italy it is possible to propose a new structured 3rd cycle program, jointly with other institutions in Europe.