PhD in Computer Science

The main goal of this program is to train future scientists with a strong professional background who are capable of working in an international and highly competitive environment, such as the Information Technology (IT) sector.

What makes our Ph.D. graduates ideal candidates to work as researchers both in academia and in the IT sector is their ability to research and understand theoretical and applied research topics, their collaborative approach to work, and their dissemination and writing skills. Moreover, problem-solving skills and the ability to work autonomously enable them to become key players in every field of IT, as independent consultants or in management roles.

At the end of our program, graduates are equipped with a vast knowledge of IT, from the formal and theoretical aspects to the latest developments in methodology and technology.

PhD students can choose any of the three research themes offered by the faculty. They are different not only in the main topics explored but also in the research methodology applied. In the Knowledge and Data   area , students investigate the topics of  Intelligent Integration and Access to Data, Conceptual and Cognitive Modelling , and  Process-aware Information Systems Management . In the  Software and Systems Engineering   area , work follows an empirical approach based on the implementation of prototypes and techniques and the carrying out and analysis of experiments. Finally, the  Information and Database Systems Engineering area  adopts a hybrid approach, with a focus on efficient implementation and user interaction. This large spectrum of topics offers PhD candidates a wide range of options to develop their own research and great flexibility to match their interests.

The Free University of Bozen-Bolzano was founded in 1997. Our university has a strong international outlook, as testified by its multilingual courses (German, Italian, English, and Ladin) and the high number of students and teaching staff from abroad.

The taught modules on offer and our research projects are linked to international and inter-regional networks. For example, within the Euregio project, we are partnered with the universities of Innsbruck and Trento, and we are committed to reaching top quality standards.