Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences DISAT

Admission

Application Guidelines

The Call for Applications, the Online application guide, and the FAQs on how to take the admission test are available at the links below. Please read the Call for Applications, the Description sheets for each PhD program, the list of Project-based scholarships, the Online application guide, and the FAQs carefully.

IT
EN

Here are some additional suggestions relevant to your application.

Selection procedure 

The selection procedure consists of two phases: 

  1. Assessment of qualifications, research project, and publications.
  2. oral test (videoconference)

Assessment of qualifications

Qualifications are assessed by the Selection Board before the oral examination. To access the oral examination no minimum score in the assessment of qualifications is requested. The Selection Board will evaluate:

1) Grade of bachelor’s degree: max 3 points 

2) Grade of master's degree (second cycle): max 7 points 

2bis) Grade of old system degree or single-cycle second level degree: max 10 points

3) Publications in extenso (already published or accepted by the publishers) and conference papers, of the last two years: max 4 points

4) Participations in post-degree masters, training courses, advanced courses, specialization schools, or any other second degrees: max 2 points

5) Certification of joint research and analysis max 2 points

6) Certification of training periods and/or research periods abroad of at least two months: max 2 points 

The Selection Board reserves the right to evaluate periods of less than 2 months if such for early return due to documented force majeure limited to COVID-19'. 

For those students who have not obtained their degree yet, the score of points 2 or 2bis will be replaced with the assessment of the average mark of the examinations: 

- Students with master's Degree: max 7 points

- Students of old system degree (obtained under the laws in force prior to Ministerial Decree no. 509/1999) or single-cycle second level degree: max 10 points

Research project: during the competition registration procedure, the candidate must upload, in addition to the titles, also a research project, in Italian or English. The research project must be consistent in terms of topics and disciplinary areas with the lines of research present in the PhD Program and with the proposals for the scholarships. It should be noted that the research project is the first hypothesis of the candidate, it will not necessarily coincide with the PhD research that will see the fundamental contribution provided by the comparison with the faculty and the host institution.

Proposal characteristics: length 8,000-10,000 characters (spaces included, bibliography excluded), consisting of the following parts: 

- Title, abstract (about 400 characters), theoretical background and state of the art, objectives/hypotheses or research questions, methodology, expected results.

- Bibliography. 

Candidates will need to show methodological rigor, expository clarity, argumentation, critical assessment, and deepening of problems.

Information about the oral examination

Oral test interview language: During the oral exam, knowledge of the English language will be assessed. The examination may be taken in Italian or English at the choice of the candidate. 

Oral exam: the oral exam involves a discussion of the research project proposed by the candidate and its relevance to the field of study identified by the doctorate.

Scholarship

The amount of the PhD scholarship is €16,243.00 per year, gross of social security contributions to be paid by the scholarship holder. The amount of the scholarship is increased by 50% for the period of stay abroad. The scholarship does not include any accommodation arrangements.

Students who are selected for the research project without the scholarship can apply for the “DSU: Diritto allo Studio”. For further information see the link below:

https://www.unimib.it/servizi/studenti-e-laureati/diritto-allo-studio-tasse-150-ore/benefici-diritto-allo-studio

Additional Information

For any questions on administrative and technical issues relating to registration for the call, please contact: dottorati@unimib.it 

For any questions on scientific issues, please contact the prospective supervisor, the Responsible for the chosen curriculum, or the Coordinator of the PhD Course.

IT: https://www.disat.unimib.it/it/didattica/dottorato-scienze-marine-tecnologie-e-gestione

EN: https://www.disat.unimib.it/en/study/phd-marine-sciences-technologies-and-management

 

Commissioned research and consultancy

The University of Milano-Bicocca and the DISAT department are committed to making a significant contribution to the social and economic development of the local area.

For this reason, DISAT staff are actively involved in corporate consultancy related to various multidisciplinary issues connected to environmental sciences, including geological, ecological, biological, physical, and chemical fields.

Further information on the procedures for establishing Contracts and Agreements can be found at the following link:
https://www.unimib.it/ricerca/valorizzazione-della-ricerca/collaborazione-territorio/contratti

Below, the research areas and related consultancy activities are described.

Chemistry Area

The Analytical Chemistry Research Group at DISAT brings together departmental expertise in the field of experimental and computational analytical chemistry. Leveraging these skills and available instrumental resources, the group offers consultancy in the application of machine learning techniques to chemical data, QSAR (Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship) studies, and the development and validation of analytical methods.
Contacts: davide.ballabio@unimib.it; viviana.consonni@unimib.it; veronica.termopoli@unimib.it; fabio.gosetti@unimib.it; roberto.todeschini@unimib.it; marco.orlandi@unimib.it

The Research Group in Environmental, Cultural Heritage, and Atmospheric Chemistry at DISAT specializes in atmospheric inorganic and organic chemistry applied to the environment (ecosystems and climate), human health, cultural heritage conservation, and the prevention of chemical corrosion in electrical systems. With their expertise and advanced instrumental capabilities, the group provides studies and consultancy services in atmospheric characterization and related effects in diverse contexts, ranging from outdoor to indoor environments.
Contacts: luca.ferrero@unimib.it; ezio.bolzacchini@unimib.it

The VALICELL Research Group at DISAT focuses on lignocellulosic component chemistry. Leveraging their expertise and instrumental capabilities, the group offers consultancy services in the chemical-physical characterization and valorization studies of plant biomass.
Contacts: heiko.lange@unimib.it; luca.zoia@unimib.it; barbara.laferla@unimib.it

The Environmental Chemistry Research Group at DISAT conducts research in the fields of environmental chemistry and sustainable chemistry. Their consultancy services include developing and applying methodologies for analyzing emerging contaminants in various environmental compartments and evaluating technologies and processes to prevent or mitigate their spread, as well as remediation technologies. The group is particularly active in studying the degradation and release processes of polymeric materials (plastics, textile fibers, bio-solids) and developing indicators for assessing the sustainability of new materials and processes. Molecular indicators are also applied and used to evaluate environmental rehabilitation interventions in the region.
Contacts: marina.lasagni@unimib.it; elena.collina@unimib.it; francesco.saliu@unimib.it

The DISAT research group on Agri-food Supply Chain Sustainability develops decision support systems (DSS) to improve the environmental sustainability of agri-food supply chains. The activities are based on the integration of scientifically created, selected, and validated environmental indicators. The developed DSS allow for the evaluation of alternative production scenarios and support informed management choices along the supply chain. Particular attention is given to measuring impacts, the efficient use of resources, and the reduction of environmental risks. The tools developed are designed to be applicable at both the corporate and territorial levels, fostering transparent and sustainable decision-making processes. Contacts: Prof. Antonio Finizio (antonio.finizio@unimib.it) and Dr. Andrea Di Guardo (andrea.diguardo@unimib.it)

The Landscape Ecology research group carries out environmental monitoring of habitats, ecosystems, and species, using scientifically validated procedures and indicators. The group defines, analyzes, and quantifies ecosystem services and evaluates the anthropogenic impact on terrestrial ecosystems, also considering different scenarios and providing decision support tools. Consultancy is provided for spatial planning processes, with particular reference to protected areas, the development of ecological networks, and urban green space plans. The group evaluates the ecological quality of urban and non-urban green spaces, with a specific focus on habitat and monumental trees, analyzing the biodiversity associated with these trees and suggesting appropriate management options. Contacts: Prof. Emilio Padoa-Schioppa (emilio.padoaschioppa@unimib.it) and Dr. Claudia Canedoli (claudia.canedoli@unimib.it)

The Environmental Physics Research Group at DISAT brings together departmental expertise in the field of physical pollutants. With advanced instrumentation and cutting-edge analytical software, the group offers consultancy services in the following areas:

  • Environmental noise: measurements, monitoring, and predictive modeling.
  • Acoustic climate and impact assessments.
  • Noise from transport infrastructure (roads, railways, and airports): measurements, monitoring, predictive modeling, and evaluations.
  • Building acoustics: verification of passive acoustic requirements, on-site measurements, testing, predictive modeling, and evaluations.
  • Interior acoustics: measurements, predictive modeling, and evaluations.
  • Bioacoustics and ecoacoustics: soundscape measurements and monitoring, index assessments, and evaluations of effects on living organisms.
  • Electromagnetic fields: measurements, predictive modeling, and evaluations.
  • Computational analysis using statistical tools for large datasets.
  • Support for legal disputes.
  • Scientific dissemination, seminars, and specialized training.

Contacts: giovanni.zambon@unimib.it, roberto.benocci@unimib.it, fabio.angelini@unimib.it, fausto.tassan@unimib.it

The DISAT Engineering Geology research group conducts research in the fields of soil and rock characterization, slope stability, and hydrogeology. Consulting services are aimed at:

  • geological monitoring with particular reference to landslides and mass movements, including through the use of remote sensing techniques (optical, InSAR, thermal) on ground-based and satellite platforms, and integrated geological, geomorphological, and geotechnical interpretation of data
  • laboratory analysis to determine the physical, mechanical, hydraulic, and rheological parameters of geomaterials
  • advanced numerical modeling for the characterization and prediction of stability conditions, deformation and failure mechanisms, and the propagation and impacts of landslides in soil and rock
  • hydrogeological hazard and risk analysis at the regional and site-specific scales
  • qualitative and quantitative hydrogeological monitoring and analysis, including tracer tests
  • hydrogeological modeling of flow and transport, with a particular focus on geothermal applications

Contatti: giovannibattista.crosta@unimib.it; paolo.frattini@unimib.it; federico.agliardi@unimib.it; fabio.deblasio@unimib.it; benedetta.dini@unimib.it; alberto.previati@unimib.it

 

The Geotechnics research group conducts research in the fields of soil and rock mechanics, soil-structure interaction, and the analysis of the behavior of complex geotechnical structures. Consulting and technical-scientific support services are focused on:

  • advanced numerical modeling of soil and rock for the design and analysis of geotechnical structures (anchors, tunnels, foundations, offshore structures) and for the study of soil-structure interaction (SSI)
  • ground improvement measures using grouting and ground freezing techniques
  • 1:1 physical modeling for the simulation and understanding of complex geotechnical problems
  • planning, execution, and interpretation of field tests for the mechanical and stratigraphic characterization of materials
  • Design and development of innovative equipment for laboratory testing and physical modeling
  • Stability analysis in static and dynamic fields, in accordance with current Technical Standards for Construction (NTC), of natural and man-made underground cavities (caves and mines)
  • Analysis of tree stability in urban and rural areas, with specific reference to the stability of the root system in the soil

Contatti: riccardo.castellanza@unimib.it, matteo.ciantia@unimib.it, giuseppe.dattola@unimib.it

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