Course
Molecular Medicine: Molecular Oncology and Computational Biology
School
System Medicine
University
Milano, UNIMI-SEMM
web-page
www.semm.it
Course Coordinator & Office of Graduate Studies
name
Prof
Pier Paolo
Di Fiore
email
pierpaolo.difiore@ifom-ieo-campus.it
phone
+3902574303257
fax
+390294375991
Students' Office
email
phd@semm.it
phone
+3902574303262
fax
+390294375991
Thematic Areas
The PhD program in Molecular Medicine is run in agreement with the University of Milan and the European School of Molecular Medicine and is hosted at the IFOM-IEO Campus (http://www.ifom-ieo-campus.it) as school site. The program includes two different tracks of training, one in Molecular Oncology and one in Computational Biology.
The track on Molecular Oncology is open to anyone having a degree in the sciences and to M.D.s who wish to embark upon a career in the field of experimental medicine. The aim of the course is to train researchers in Molecular Medicine and in Post-Genomics, focusing particularly on Molecular Oncology. Main Research topics are: Animal Models, Angiogenesis, Aging, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Epigenetics, Genomics, Immunology, Molecular Genetics, Proteomics, Structural Biology, Stem Cells, Cancer Genetics.
The track on Computational biology is intended to students having a specific interest for quantitative aspects of biology. Main Research topic are: Systems Biology, Analysis of Next-Gen Sequencing Data, Network Biology, Evolutionary Genomics, Bioinformatics, Cancer Genomics
The characterizing traits of the PhD program is its strong interdisciplinary trait, the international dimension and the training platform based on the development of technical skills through intensive laboratory work and on the acquisition of new theoretical tools through specifically designed courses.
Selection & Admission
Admission to the program is granted on a competitive basis and it is achieved through a two steps process including a preselection and an examination.
The preselection is based on the information included in the application form and in the reference letters submitted. Candidates with an excellent education track, previous research experience related to the main topics of the program and foreign experience are preferred. Candidates with the best scores are shortlisted and invited for the examination.
The Examination includes a multiple-choice test aiming to evaluate the candidate's general knowledge in science and an oral exam aimed to evaluate the scientific background of the candidates, as well as their motivation to succeed in a demanding program.
To obtain the best possible match between the candidate and the participating investigators personal interviews with the group leaders are foreseen after the oral examination.
Students' Monitoring
To ensure a productive scientific and professional outcome by the end of the Program, students" progresses are carefully monitored by three tutorial profiles. Besides the direct supervisor, each student is assigned an internal and an external co-supervisor.
The Internal Co-supervisor is a faculty member and should become a reference point for the student, contributing to their training and guide their choices.
The External Co-supervisor belongs to a foreign scientific institution and it is chosen based on the recognized scientific experience and his/her scientific affinity with the project.
The supervising team will independently assess progress in the thesis work and provide feedbacks to the program coordinator. Two main checkpoints are foreseen along the study period: probationary report at the beginning of the second year and the third year report that should be structured as a scientific paper.
Training & Education
During the first three years, students must attend courses for a total of 200 hours. First year courses extend generally over 1 week, while 2nd and 3rd year courses are 3 days courses. Lectures are held by a combination of SEMM teachers and external ad hoc teachers. The theoretical part of the course may be flanked by practical activities. Scientific Methodology, Molecular Oncology, Cancer Genetics, Statistics, Genomics & proteomics, Science communication, Drug Discovery are some of the courses held. Moreover in the context of its training activities
SEMM organizes a series of scientific seminars. These are held weekly by internationally recognized scientists and cover a wide range of topics related to molecular medicine.
Journal clubs sessions are foreseen in the context of the first year courses. During the second year data clubs are scheduled on a monthly basis where each students must present their data to their mates. All training activities are held in English
Doctoral Thesis
The PhD students can start drafting the thesis when he/she has obtained or is going to obtain the publication of part or all of his/her experimental work in an international scientific journal. Thesis must be approved by the supervisor and by the two co-supervisors before being submitted to an examination panel.
The examination panel is made up of two examiners, an internal and an external one. The examination includes a public seminar and an oral examination during which the student will be given the opportunity to comment on any adverse points and on any revisions that the examiners intend to suggest. The examination panel will finally provide final recommendations about the award of the title. Students that obtained a positive outcome from the examination panel will then be evaluated by an Assessment Board appointed by the University of Milan that will finally award the student with the title.
Fellowships
Stipends are provided for each student for the entire period o study. The gross salary is 18.500 " per year.
Students are supported through two different types of fellowship:
University fellowships: every year the University of Milan will pay a number of fellowships.
External fellowships: these are fellowships paid through research funds or other financial support of the single group leader.
Extensions are foreseen, but must be agreed with the supervisor and approved by the faculty of SEMM.
Partial coverage for periods abroad is also foreseen. Any tuition fee is covered by SEMM.
Accommodation
To facilitate relocation, national non-resident and international students are offered, for the first month of their stay, free lodging at the guesthouse and are assigned a mobility allowance of variable amount. The SEMM office offers some logistic support to the students to find accommodation.