Objectives

Computational Biology is an interdisciplinary field situated at the intersection of Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, Medicine, and Biology. Its goal is to develop quantitative models and algorithmic tools to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying life and disease. In this context, the discipline naturally lends itself to the development and application of advanced machine learning techniques (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning methods for the analysis of complex biological data), the analysis of large-scale biological datasets (Big Data Science), and computational statistics, with particular emphasis on Systems Biology approaches that can drive new discoveries in the Life Sciences.

The PhD Program in Computational and Quantitative Biology (CQB) aims to train a new generation of researchers capable of advancing both Computational Sciences and Life Sciences through a strongly interdisciplinary approach. The program combines solid theoretical and methodological foundations with practical applications in biological and biomedical research. The study program is therefore characterized by multidisciplinary expertise and strong interdisciplinary collaboration. It offers a curriculum that can be readily tailored to the interests and background of each student, including rotation periods across different laboratories in both computational and experimental settings. The program involves faculty members from numerous departments of the University of Naples Federico II, active in fields ranging from fundamental methodological disciplines to biomedical and biotechnological applications. Participating departments include Agriculture, Biology, Pharmacy, Physics, Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, Chemical Engineering, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering, Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, and Chemical Sciences.

The CQB PhD Program is designed to train young researchers capable of addressing the major challenges in the Life Sciences and Medicine through quantitative, modeling, and computational approaches. Despite the growing international importance of Computational Biology—driven by both academia and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries—advanced training opportunities in this field remain relatively limited in Italy and much of Europe. In contrast, numerous postgraduate programs dedicated to these topics are available at leading universities and research centers in the United States. The program provides advanced methodological training in quantitative and computational disciplines—including Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science, and Machine Learning—as applied to problems in the Life Sciences. At the same time, it offers a deep understanding of the open challenges in Molecular Biology and its biomedical applications. As a result, PhD students are equipped to contribute both to the development of novel computational methods and to the generation of new knowledge in the Life Sciences. Particular emphasis is placed on interaction with internationally recognized researchers through specialized courses and interdisciplinary collaborations. In addition to the courses organized annually by the CQB PhD Program and those offered in collaboration with other PhD programs at the University of Naples Federico II, a series of “Lectures in Computational and Quantitative Biology” are held every year on a biweekly or triweekly basis. These seminars attract considerable interest from both PhD students and researchers across the university. The program also strongly encourages research mobility periods at universities, research centers, and international institutions, promoting interdisciplinary training and facilitating the integration of doctoral students into international scientific networks.

 

Organization

The CQB PhD program is subject to the University Doctoral Regulation. It is administratively managed by the Department of Chemical, Materials and Industrial Production Engineering and the Department of Biology. It is accredited by the National Agency for Evaluation of Universities and Research (ANVUR).

The duration of the PhD program is three years.

Admission is based on a selection process, through an annual open call. Admission to the doctorate involves an exclusive and full-time commitment. A number of positions are reserved for applicants from abroad. An International Welcome Desk service is provided by the University to assist admitted foreign students. 

The starting date of every academic year is November 1st.

Every student is assigned by the Faculty Board  a supervisor (or tutor), and optionally a co-supervisor (or co-tutor). Students may be assigned a co-tutor from the external entity too, in case of research themes/scholarships funded by companies or external public or private research institutions.

Bimonthly periodic reports need to be approved by the PhD Coordinator. 

By the end of every academic year, on the basis of a detailed report of the individual activities and research, the CQB Faculty Committee  decides the admission of the student to the subsequent year, or proposes to the Magnificent Rector the exclusion of the student from the program. 

At the end of the three-years program, the student has to present to the CQB Faculty Committee a detailed report of personal activities and of (co-)authored publications.

Students will gain the Philosophiæ Doctor title (“Dott.Ric.” or “Ph.D.”) upon successfully passing a final exam (“thesis defense”), after the duration of the program. The final exam encompasses the evaluation of an individual doctoral research thesis contributing to the advancement of knowledge or methodologies in the selected field. The doctoral thesis is evaluated before the defense by at least two highly qualified professors (“thesis evaluators”) - possibly belonging to foreign institutions - different from those who contribute to granting the Ph.D. title. The Ph.D. title is granted by the Magnificent Rector of the Federico II University of Naples.

 

Activity plan

The activity plan is individual: every student shall determine with the supervisor(s) the educational activities to be periodically reported in the personalized study plan.

Individual activity plans of students have to encompass an overall number of at least 180 credits within the duration of the program. 

The CQB PhD study plan envisages three kinds of activities, which all need to be encompassed in individual study plans (according to the rules set below):

• Courses / PhD Schools;
• Seminars / Tutorials;
• Research

Every PhD student is expected to spend a study and research period between 3 and 18 (even not continuous) months in an internationally recognized academic or research hosting institution abroad. Activities abroad need to be approved by the CQB Faculty Committee in advance.

All the above activities shall entitle students to earn corresponding educational credits.

The number of credits for courses and PhD schools is typically defined by the PhD Board, depending on their duration, level and final assessment. Credits are gained upon successful course completion, as attested by the lecturer, typically on the basis of the final assessment.

The number of credits for seminars is typically 0.2 credits per hour. Students may also earn credits attending tutorials at international conferences. Credits are gained upon successful attendance, as attested by the lecturer or by the Coordinator.

The number of credits for individual research activities is attested by the student supervisor. Research activities include all kinds of not ex cathedra activities, such as: study of books and of the scientific literature; experimental and laboratory activities; attendance to scientific conferences and workshops and to technical meetings; participation to research projects meetings; talks, presentation and seminars; preparation of technical reports, of scientific articles and of the doctoral theses. Study and research periods abroad are included and shall be reported in the research activities.

The organization of the educational activities in individual study plans is expected to adhere to the criteria for the number of yearly credits set in the following table, unless differently agreed with the PhD Board.

 

Year	Courses (credits)	Seminars (credits)	Research (credits)	Tutorship (credits)
I	min 20 - max 40	min 5 - max 10	min 10 - max 35	min 0 - max 1.6
II	min 10 - max 20	min 5 - max 10	min 30 - max 45	min 0 - max 1.6
III	min 0 - max 10	min 0 - max 10	min 40 - max 60	min 0 - max 1.6
TOTAL	min 30 - max 70	min 10 - max 30	min 80 - max 140	min 0 - max 4.8

 

The range of yearly credits per kind of activity is driven by the following criteria:

• Attendance to advanced or interdisciplinary courses is expected to be favored in the first half of the duration of the PhD program, with the goal for the student of broadening personal knowledge in areas not covered in own prior MSc career. The categorization of courses is described below;
• In the second year, the individual activity plan is expected to favor deepening knowledge in disciplines related to personal research interests; research activities in the second year start to become prevalent;
• The student is also expected - mainly in the first two years - to attend ad hoc courses for stenghtening personal language and computer skills useful for research activities, and courses about research and innovation management and entrepreneurship;
• Lab activities, attendance to conferences and seminars, and study and research periods abroad may take place during the whole PhD program duration;
• In the third year, the student is expected to favor research activities in the scientific area of interest, which will result in the preparation of the doctoral research thesis.

Throughout the whole CQB program, students may also earn from 0 to 4.8 credits (within the limit of 40 hours per academic year) for tutorship or supplementary teaching activities of undergraduate and graduate students. Tutorship duties are assigned by the coordinators of the undergraduate or graduate curricula under authorization of the ICQB Faculty Committee with the consent of the student, and need to refer to scientific disciplines characterizing the CQB program. Tutorship activities are attested by the CQB Coordinator.

Courses are categorized in three types:

1.  A) Advanced/interdisciplinary courses
   1.  A1) Ad hoc PhD courses (Core courses)
   2.  A2) Courses shared with MSc curricula (Elective courses)
2.  B) English language, scientific writing, advanced computer skills courses
3.  C) Ad hoc PhD courses on research enhancement, entrepreneurship and intellectual property 

Type A1 courses are to be attended by all PhD students whose research area or interests (in a broad meaning) are related to the course topic.

Type A2 courses may be freely selected by students, based on own past studies and on personal study and research interests, upon agreement with their PhD supervisor, with the goal of broadening and deepening personal knowledge and competences. Students may choose to attend other type A2 courses offered in MSc curricula of the Federico II University or of different universities, subject to prior approval by the PhD Board.

Type B courses are mandatory; unattendance need to be justified to the Coordinator.

Type C courses are mandatory; unattendance need to be justified to the Coordinator.

Type A1, B and C courses are typically held every other year, allowing students to attend them in their three-years study plan.

Individual study plans not adhering to the above rules need to be motivated and approved by the CQB  Board.

Courses and seminars are listed in the related pages of the CQB web site.