The PhD Program in Mathematics is organized in 8 semesters, to which correspond 240 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).
In the first year, to which correspond 60 ECTS, the student will attend three courses in each semester. Exceptionally, depending on the academic degrees already obtained, the student might be totally or partially exempted from attending the courses.
The courses offered for the first semester ensure that the students have a wide knowledge of mathematics at an advanced level. The courses offered for the second semester direct the formation towards the area in which the research work will be developed.
Courses are taught in Univ. Porto in editions starting in odd years and in Univ. Coimbra in editions starting in even years.
A Seminar will run throughout the academic year. The Seminar will allow the student a first contact with the research done in the departments that support the PhD Program. It will also help with the choice of the research area and the supervisor of the PhD thesis.
The first year is a probationary period. In order to proceed to the research work part of the PhD Program, the student must obtain an average classification of at least 13.5 points out of 20 in the courses taken, and pass an oral examination during the months of June, July or September. This examination is based on the syllabi of three related courses chosen by the student until the end of May, subject to the Steering Committee's approval, two of them from the second semester and one from the first semester.
The three remaining years, corresponding to 180 ECTS, are entirely dedicated to research and writing of a PhD dissertation.
