Program Overview

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Doctoral Program in Computer Architecture

The Doctoral Program in Computer Architecture is offered by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC). The program focuses on producing researchers with capabilities of the highest international standard in the subject areas of computer architecture, operating systems, communications, and computer networks.

Access Profile

Applicants must hold a master's degree in an area that covers computer sciences. The appropriateness of a student's qualifications will be determined based on the academic curriculum vitae they submit when applying for admission.

Output Profile

Doctoral candidates who complete the program will have acquired the following competencies:

• A systematic understanding of the field of study and a mastery of the research skills and methods related to the field.
• An ability to conceive, design or create, put into practice and adopt a substantial process of research or creation.
• An ability to contribute to pushing back the frontiers of knowledge through original research.
• A capacity for critical analysis and an ability to assess and summarise new and complex ideas.
• An ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community and with society in general as regards their fields of knowledge in the manner and languages that are typical of the international scientific community to which they belong.

Number of Places

The program offers 40 places.

Duration and Dedication Regime

The maximum period of study for full-time doctoral studies is four years, counted from the date of first enrolment in the relevant program until the date on which the doctoral thesis is deposited. The academic committee of the doctoral program may authorise a doctoral candidate to pursue doctoral studies on a part-time basis. In this case, the maximum period of study is seven years.

Fees and Grants

Information on fees and grants is available upon request.

Organization

The program is coordinated by the Department of Computer Architecture, with the participation of various research groups and centers.

Agreements with Other Institutions

The program has agreements with institutions such as the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC).

Access, Admission, and Registration

Access Requirements

Applicants must hold a Spanish bachelor's degree or equivalent and a Spanish master's degree or equivalent, provided they have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits on the two degrees.

Admission Criteria and Merits Assessment

Admission requirements are grouped in two categories: formal and conceptual. The program uses a formula to assess the merits of applicants, taking into account factors such as the applicant's academic background, research experience, and English proficiency.

Training Complements

The academic committee of the doctoral program may require that students pass specific bridging courses to ensure they have the necessary knowledge to make good progress in the program.

Enrolment Period

The ordinary period for enrolment is the first half of October.

Monitoring and Evaluation of the Doctoral Student

Formation Activities

The program includes tutorial hours, which are considered highly important for training students and monitoring their progress.

Procedure for Assignment of Tutor and Thesis Director

The academic committee of the doctoral program assigns a thesis supervisor to each doctoral candidate when they are admitted or enrol for the first time.

Permanence

The maximum period of study for full-time doctoral studies is four years, and seven years for part-time studies.

Learning Resources

The program has access to the resources of the research groups of the Department of Computer Architecture and research centers associated with the program, as well as institutional resources made available by the UPC.

Doctoral Theses

The program has a list of authorized theses for defense, lodged theses, and defended theses by year.

Research Projects

The program has various research projects, including those related to computer architecture, networking, and artificial intelligence.

Teaching Staff and Research Groups

The program has a list of doctoral program teachers, other teachers linked to the program, and external teachers.

Quality

The program follows the Validation, Monitoring, Modification, and Accreditation Framework (VSMA Framework) for official degrees, which ties the quality assurance processes to two objectives: establishing coherent links between these processes and achieving greater efficiency in their management.

Validation

The program has undergone verification and validation processes, including a verification memory, verification resolution, and agreement of the Council of Ministers.

Monitoring

The program has undergone monitoring processes, including university monitoring reports, monitoring reports, and follow-up assessment reports.

Accreditation

The program has undergone accreditation processes, including an accreditation report and an official degree accreditation evaluation report.

Indicators

The program has various indicators, including those related to the number of students, research output, and employment rates.

Contact

The program can be contacted through the Doctoral School, which is located on the Campus Diagonal Nord, Building NXII (Nexus II), C. Jordi Girona, Barcelona.