Thesis
Goal and Phases

The goal of the programme is to enable students to conduct independent research in Computer Science. This includes the ability to efficiently communicate ideas orally and in writing and to work in teams.

To successfully complete the programme a student has to do original research on a selected topic in a manner that advances the state of the art in an area of Computer Science.

• Phase 1 comprises the first six months. During this period, the student identifies with the support of his or her supervisor the area of research, a specific topic within the area, and one or more possible approaches to the topic. The student acquires the necessary foundations for carrying out the research, for instance, by way of attendance of courses or supervised study of literature. The supervisor will introduce the student into relevant research activities at the faculty.
• Phase 2 comprises the second half of the first year. The student spends time both on the acquisition of skills and on first research steps.
• Phase 3 comprises the second year and is to be spent on an in-depth exploration of the research topic.
• Phase 4 comprises the third year. The aim is to complete the research and to document it in a thesis.

Thesis Committee and PhD Defence

The teaching body appoints for each student a Thesis Committee consisting of the supervisor, a second member of the teaching body, and an external examiner who is an expert of international standing in the area of the thesis.

Immediately after the submission, the thesis is sent to the members of the Thesis Committee.

Within two months of the submission of the dissertation, the candidate meets with the Committee to discuss the thesis. The chairman fixes the date of the meeting upon agreement with the candidate and the members of the Committee. All members and PhD students of the faculty may attend the discussion. The discussion begins with a 30-minute presentation by the candidate on the topic of his or her work, followed by at least 30 minutes of discussion with the Thesis Committee.

After the discussion concludes, the Committee makes a recommendation which may be to grant admission to the Doctoral Exam, to extend the period of study, or to refuse admission to the Doctoral Exam.

The committee states the detailed reasons for its recommendation in a written report. The report is signed by all members of the committee. The decision and the report are imparted to the Teaching Body.

Doctoral Exam Commission

In accordance with Article 29 and the following of the current Regulations of Doctoral Studies at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, an Exam Commission is appointed for the cycle.
The Commission examines the candidates admitted and decides whether togrant the doctorate.