Transversal activities (Common to all PhD programs) (60 hours)
First year (first and second years for part-time students). These activities include conferences, seminars, and workshops organized by the departments or related institutions involved in the PhD programs, in addition to the activities that are scheduled annually. PhD students acquire capabilities and knowledge related to competencies, abilities, and skills CB11, 12, 15, and 16; CA03, 4, and 5. Languages of instruction: Spanish, English, and Valencian.
Writing scientific articles (other transversal activities) (20 hours)
First year (fall semester of the second year for part-time students). PhD students gain access to teaching material about scientific writing and a document containing information on the tasks to complete on the university website. This work is supplemented by tutorials and by writing a short article (trial, short review, or similar). They acquire capabilities and knowledge related to competencies, abilities, and skills CB11-14, 16, and 17; and CA01-03 and 04. Languages of instruction: Spanish and English.
PhD research plan (45 hours)
End of the first semester (second semester for part-time students). PhD students must present a PhD research project and subject it to debate. It is prepared under the direction and mentoring of the tutor and the assigned thesis advisor, as well as eventual tutorials by the research groups indirectly involved in the project, or those who facilitate its preparation, either by providing complementary points of view or by supplying methodological support (identification and analysis of scientific literature, healthcare research methodology, etc.). Some of the criteria and requirements for this activity are determined by the doctoral program regulations at the Miguel Hernández University. In addition to the items already included in the regulations (see section 5 below), the project is presented in public sessions with the other PhD students, which combines the presentation with discussion and participation by at least three faculty members from the PhD program. The learning in this activity covers many of the listed competencies, abilities, and skills. The languages of instruction are mostly Spanish; however, some of the literature and even material used for the presentation may be in English or occasionally Valencian. When possible, presentations that alternate between Spanish and English are encouraged.
PhD seminars (30 hours)
These take place every year. (Assistance rates may be lower for part-time students.) PhD seminars are held every two months by renowned Spanish and foreign specialists. Afternoon sessions are held that last 90 minutes, presented by a speaker with academic discussion following afterwards; one PhD program faculty member will follow each seminar in its preparation, development, and assessment (attendance and active participation). Each seminar is introduced by the previous reading of at least one document about the topic of research that is recommended by the speaker. PhD students acquire capabilities and knowledge related to the competencies, abilities, and skills 2.1 (all except for CB14 and CA02). Languages of instruction: Spanish, English, and occasionally Valencian.
First research report (45 hours)
First and second quarters of the second year (third and fourth quarters for part-time students). During this period, the PhD student must: 1) Prepare a report on their project that at least contains a complete draft of the background, the definition of the research question, the thesis objectives, the fundamental methodological aspects, the first results, a proposal for the article titles that will result from the thesis with an overview of the journals or other media where they may be published; 2) prepare such report together with a team that contains at least two other PhD students; 3) make a formal presentation of the report to the rest of the team whose members will write a brief report (200 words with indications for improvements of form and substance); and 4) present the final report to a committee comprised of three faculty members in the PhD program that is open to all PhD students. Here, PhD students acquire capabilities and knowledge related to all the competencies, abilities, and skills except for CB15, 16, and CA01-06. Languages of instruction: Spanish, English, and occasionally Valencian.
Stays abroad (60 hours)
Second or third year (third, fourth, or fifth year for part-time students). Students who have access to a research training grant or whose circumstances permit (dedication and others) spend at least 3 months at a foreign institution during the periods indicated. Program faculty will help them obtain funding. The research center is chosen according to their area of research. In addition to reinforcing the learning of various competencies, PhD students acquire capabilities and knowledge directly related to competencies, abilities, and skills CB15 and CA02. Languages of instruction: English, and occasionally others, if the circumstances of the PhD student and the institution permit.
Participation at conferences, symposia, and other scientific meetings (40 hours)
All PhD program students must attend at least one national or international conference, symposium, or scientific meeting on epidemiology, public health, medical or surgical sciences, presenting scientific communications. This activity may be validated for those who carry out a stay abroad, but is required for the remaining others. It takes place during the program's final two years (or final three for part-time students). In general, PhD students acquire the capabilities and knowledge related to all competencies, abilities and skills; and particularly, those related to CB15 and 16. Languages of instruction: Those used at the conferences, generally Spanish and English.
Follow-up research report (40 hours)
During the second quarter of the third year (first quarter of the fifth year for part-time students), each student must submit a synthesis on the state of their research to a committee of faculty in the program. Its length: 30-50 pages. This report and its preparation are developed parallel to activity 9. In fact, the report must present a list of articles submitted for publication and communications presented. In general, this affords PhD students capabilities and knowledge related to all competencies, abilities, and skills. Languages of instruction: Spanish, English, and occasionally Valencian.
Publications (50 hours)
From the first year forward, all activities incorporate the component of the dissemination of research results. During the program's final two years (the final three years for part-time students), individual or collective publication of the first research results are assessed. This activity is related to activity 2, wherein students may propose the first submission of an article for publication if, for example, the systematic analysis or review of the background produces any results that may be useful to the scientific community. Likewise, this activity is related to activity 5, in which PhD students must have considered the destination of their thesis results in terms of populations. Activity 7 is also related with this activity, since scientific communications are related to future publications. Here, PhD students generally acquire all the capabilities and knowledge related to the competencies, abilities, and skills. Languages: Spanish, English, and occasionally Valencian.
Report prior to the defense (20 hours)
Once the period established for completing the program finalizes, each student must present their thesis report to their tutor and two other faculty members in the program related to their line of research. One requirement for the authorization to present and defend the thesis is that the presentation is public and other PhD students may participate in the discussion. PhD students acquire capabilities and knowledge related to generally all the competencies, abilities, and skills. Languages: Spanish, English, and occasionally Valencian.