Doctoral Degree
Program overview
The Doctoral Degree in Medical Sciences is designed for physicians and other health professionals who wish to be involved with clinical or experimental research and with education in their respective areas of expertise. To achieve its goals, the program encourages self-directed learning based on two domains: 1) exercising critical reading and, 2) mastering scientific methods.
Goals
– To train independent researchers capable of working on innovative studies that will advance the scientific knowledge in Medical Sciences.
– To develop a critical awareness about research in Medical Sciences considering its theories, methods, applicability and limitations.
Graduate profile
Upon completing the program, the doctoral graduate will have the abilities of an independent researcher who is aware of the complexities involving research in Medical Sciences and understands that research activities must be carried out with ethics, integrity, critical analysis, ability to communicate, comprehension of the health systems and interprofessional collaboration.
Degree Requirements
To obtain a Doctoral Degree in Medical Sciences, the student must complete a total of 48 credits: 36 in courses and 12 for the preparation of the Dissertation (for students admitted before 2018, 60 credits are required, of which 48 in courses and 12 for the Dissertation). The student’s final approval depends on the defense and approval of the Dissertation and on the fulfillment of the following requirements:
– be enrolled in the program for a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years;
– be approved in a qualifying examination;
– complete the dissertation, consisting in the research project, a report with the research results and two articles submitted (both in scientific journals graded B1 or higher);
– defend the dissertation in an open session before an examination committee composed of four faculty members: the supervisor, two internal members and one external member.
