PhD program

Both degrees are awarded by UTL (Universidade Técnica de Lisboa) via IST (Instituto Superior Técnico).
The Unit helps candidates in applying for a scholarship by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia). Candidates of outstanding merit have a good chance, independently of the country of origin within the European Union. Candidates from elsewhere can also apply if already resident in Portugal (for details contact the Unit Coordinator).
The research activities of the Unit are mostly carried out within the Security and Quantum Information Group. The Group provides a rich environment for PhD students thanks to an intensive guest program, frequent openings for postdoc positions, regular seminars, focused research projects, and a rich track of publications.
Postgraduate students have free access to the central Library of the Department which subscribes to the most significant journals in Logic and Computation, as well as in other branches of Mathematics.
Current Faculty members of the Unit have a significant track of successful PhD students, namely supervised within the context of the Security and Quantum Information Group (formerly CLC, LCG). In the past, most of these students have been Portuguese nationals, but the Unit is now actively attracting students from abroad.

Concerning the PhD degree in Mathematics - Logic and Computation, the following rules are applied.

Candidates to the PhD program are assumed to hold an undergraduate degree in Mathematics or in Theoretical Computer Science. Acceptance into the program depends on the proven merit of the candidates.
Each PhD student is required to complete up to six courses until the end of the second year, depending on previous background. Two courses must be chosen outside the Logic and Computation area. All available courses are held in English whenever a non Portuguese speaking student is attending.
Up to the end of the first year, each PhD student is required to pass two written qualifying exams chosen among: (i) Algebra; (ii) Geometry and Topology; (iii) Logic and Foundations; (iv) Mathematical Analysis; (v) Numerical Analysis; (vi) Probability and Statistics. Each exam is offered twice a year.
Before the end of the second year, each PhD student is required to choose the supervisor and the topic of the dissertation.
Within five years of the choice of the topic, the PhD student is required to submit the dissertation. The dissertation must contain significant, original contributions to the area of Logic and Computation. Along the way, PhD students are expected to publish in international conferences and journals and fully participate in the research activities of the Unit.

The regulations for the PhD degree in Information Security are slightly different.

Candidates to the PhD program are assumed to hold an undergraduate degree in Science or Engineering. Acceptance into the program depends on the proven merit of the candidates.
Each PhD student is required to complete up to eight courses. All available courses are held in English whenever a non Portuguese speaking student is attending.
Up to the end of the first year, each PhD student is required to pass two written qualifying exams chosen among: (i) Logic, Complexity and Cryptography; (ii) Systems Security; (iii) Information Theory.
Before the end of the second year, each PhD student is required to choose the supervisor and the topic of the dissertation.
Within three years of the choice of the topic, the PhD student is required to submit the dissertation. The dissertation must contain significant, original contributions to the area of Information Security. Along the way, PhD students are expected to publish in international conferences and journals and fully participate in the research activities of the Unit.

For further information contact the Unit Coordinator.

Last update: May 3, 2010.