Programme overview

In 1985 the Ph.D. in Animal Ecology and Ethology was born, joined in 1999 as consortium sites by the University of Parma, the University of Pisa and, in 2004, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità.

In 2009 there is the fusion with the Ph.D. in Anthropology and in 2010 with the Ph.D. in Plant Systematics and Ecology, giving rise to the Ph.D. in Ethology, Ecology, Anthropology and Biosystematics.

Finally, cycle XXIX initiated the PhD in Biology, to which the genetic and microbiological components of the Department also belong. 

With the reorganization of the Ph.D.s, from cycle XXXI, an agreement is activated between the Universities of Ferrara, Florence and Parma for the formation of a single doctoral course, called the Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, which has as its objective the study of biological diversity and its evolution, the behavior and relationships of living things, including humans, among themselves and with the environment.  

Since XXXV cicle the PhD course is in a partnership between the University of Florence and the University of Parma. 

The Course is sponsored by a scientific community operating in three different universities with qualified and actively engaged research groups in the following areas: 

in order to apply for the doctoral program, candidates must take part in a selection based on qualifications and examinations, and apply according to the procedures specified in the PhD pages of the UNIFI website. 

admission to the PhD program requires a master's degree according to the current regulations or an equivalent degree according to previous regulations, or an equivalent degree obtained abroad. Possession of a bachelor's degree in science is a preferential qualification. 

the course and grants have a three-year duration. At the beginning of the course, doctoral students are assigned one or more mentors who supervise the students' cultural training and the performance of scientific research activities.

research activities within one of the research groups of the affiliated universities; 

disciplinary and interdisciplinary training activities, with teaching proposals established specifically for the doctoral program; 

training and research activities abroad at qualified research centers. 

Ph.D. students may also carry out activities in support of teaching and in science dissemination and orientation activities. 

To obtain the title, at the end of the three years, doctoral students submit a written thesis that is judged by two external evaluators and a special examination committee. 

3 years