Objectives
The current societal need for advanced research in radiation biology and biophysics, is getting extremely relevant when modern societies are facing several clinical pathologies related to aging, oxidative stress and cancer.
Probably the best example is that in 2008 an estimated 12.7M new cases of cancer were diagnosed worldwide, i.e., today, cancer accounts for one in every eight deaths worldwide – more than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined (Cancer Research UK and American Cancer Society).
Also, environmental and/or occupational exposure to radiation is becoming more relevant as different professional’s awareness is increasing. These have had particular attention not only from the scientific community but also from political agents at national and European level.
RaBBit was born to fulfil a gap in the current demand in the different related research areas. Moreover, as far as we are concerned, such a programme will only be successful if bringing in international expertise and partnership. RaBBit was built to be a programme that is international in nature, multidisciplinary and versatile to answer the needs for competent researchers in the topics of the proposal. The doctoral programme provides advanced training by putting together a set of different experts in their specialised fields, introducing students to cutting-edge theories and research methods, comprising an advanced and up-to-date training in radiation biology and biophysics. It is also the aim of the programme that after its completion, the PhD student will have acquired the necessary background either for a future academic career or as senior researcher in industrial and/or health care environments.
The curricular structure is design to: a) level students background; b) allow students to acquire specialized and current knowledge; c) stimulate students’ scientific capabilities; and d) encourage their attitude towards accuracy, honesty and adaptation to new working environments.
Central to the program is the provision of a unique, high quality research and skills-based training PhD programme. We aim at providing a unique team of experts who will be well versed in the development of “bottom-up” approaches on complementary fields including atomic and molecular physics, radiation biology, biochemistry and assaying effects of radiations on biological systems.
Structure
(http://sites.fct.unl.pt/rabbit/)
Course structure was designed to bring up a new generation of postgraduates in an area of highly interdisciplinary research by setting up the appropriate research training standards. The success of training and the career development stimulated by the proposed curricular structure, will not be just limited by this group of people, but will eventually lead to much broader impact on the career development of young researchers which will follow similar career development paths.
The curricular structure will have 240 ECTS corresponding to a four year postgraduate programme and will be divided into modules of 3, 6, 18 and 180 ECTS. For each cohort, the first semester will have three mandatory 6 ECTS modules and two to three optional modules amount a total of 12 ECTS. The second semester will include two 6 ECTS modules and a thesis preparation plan (18 ECTS) modules, all mandatory. Modules can also be taken individually with certificates awarded upon successful completion of the assessments. For the remaining three study years, a total of 180 ECTS will be involved in the PhD research work, international scientific dissemination and thesis submission.
The curricular structure will appear as follows:
1st semester:
Historical Perspectives on Radiation Biochemistry and Physical Engineering (6ECTS)
Advanced Topics in Radiation Biology and Biophysics I (6ECTS)
Research rotation I (6ECTS)
12 ECTS from the optional modules listed below
2nd semester:
Advanced Topics in Radiation Biology and Biophysics II (6ECTS)
Research rotation II (6ECTS)
Preparation of the Thesis Plan (18ECTS)
3rd – 8th semester:
Research work, international scientific dissemination and thesis submission (180ECTS)
Optional modules:
Physical Biochemistry (3ECTS)
Cell and Membrane Biophysics (3ECTS)
Biochemistry for Engineering and Physical Sciences (6ECTS)
Radiation Sciences (3ECTS)
Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy (3ECTS)
Physics for Life Sciences (6ECTS)
NOVA doctoral school transferable skills training courses (3ECTS)
