Program Overview
Introduction to the Doctoral Program
The doctoral program in Design is oriented towards research in the field of design, understood globally from its systemic, complex, and global dimension. The program is promoted jointly by the Department of Graphic Engineering and Design (DEGD), the Department of Architectural Representation (RA), and the Center for Image and Multimedia Technology (CITM), all from the UPC.
Research Areas
The research focuses on the emerging and interdisciplinary aspects of design, opening up new spaces of unknown knowledge with potential for exponential growth. Design, linked to companies and organizations, both global and local, is a strategic asset that Catalonia has. Research, innovation, and reflection on the future in the field of design contribute to the improvement of both the social and economic system and the well-being of people. Design also constitutes a strategic activity for the competitiveness of companies, recognized by public entities responsible for industry policies and private entities.
Program Structure
The program is structured around several research areas, including:
- Contemporary design and systems
- Architectural design: tools and processes
- Reality and future, representation and materiality
- Digital experiential design
Admission Requirements
To access the program, applicants must have a master's degree in Advanced Studies in Design-Barcelona (MBDesign) or other master's degrees related to the field of design. The commission may establish additional training requirements for applicants with different degrees.
Profile of Admission
The ideal admission profile includes individuals with a degree in design, architecture, or engineering, with a strong analytical, critical, and synthesis capacity, as well as the ability to work in a team and communicate effectively.
Academic Requirements
Applicants must meet the general requirements for access to official doctoral programs, which include:
- Being in possession of a Spanish official university degree or equivalent
- Having completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits in the degree and master's degree
- Meeting the specific admission requirements established by the program
Evaluation Criteria
The commission evaluates applicants based on the following criteria:
- Adequacy of the degree (40%)
- Academic and professional curriculum (20%)
- Letter of motivation and research proposal (10%)
- Personal graphic portfolio (15%)
- Questionnaire on specific knowledge content (15%)
Complements of Formation
The commission may require additional training for applicants with degrees other than the MBDesign. These complements are configured from postgraduate activities already programmed by the University and cannot exceed 60 ECTS.
Duration and Dedication
The duration of the doctoral program is a maximum of four years full-time or seven years part-time. The commission may authorize an extension of one year.
Permanence
The program has a maximum duration of four years full-time or seven years part-time. The commission may authorize an extension of one year.
Baixa del Programa de Doctorat
The reasons for leaving the doctoral program include:
- Voluntary withdrawal
- Not formalizing annual enrollment
- Not formalizing enrollment after a temporary interruption
- Negative evaluation
- Disciplinary proceedings
- Denial of extension request
- Not presenting the research plan
- Exceeding the maximum duration
Research Plan
The research plan is a document that outlines the objectives, methodology, and expected results of the doctoral research. It is presented and defended by the doctoral student before a panel of experts.
Director and Tutor
The director and tutor are responsible for guiding the doctoral student in their research. The director is responsible for the coherence and suitability of the research activities, while the tutor is responsible for the follow-up and evaluation of the student's progress.
Research Activities
The program includes various research activities, such as:
- Elaboration and defense of the research plan
- Participation in workshops and seminars
- Publication of research results
- Mobility and attendance at conferences
Resources
The program has various resources available to students, including:
- Laboratories and workshops
- Libraries and documentation centers
- Computing and networking facilities
- Funding opportunities for research and mobility
Professorate and Research Groups
The program has a team of professors and researchers with expertise in various areas of design. The research groups associated with the program are:
- ADR&M-Arquitectura, Disseny: Representacio i Modelatge
- AIEM-Arquitectura, energia i medi ambient
- CATMECH-Centre Avançat de Tecnologies Mecŕniques
- CELBIOTECH-Grup de Recerca: Enginyeria Paperera
- CITES-Grup de Recerca en Cičncia i Tecnologia de la Sostenibilitat
- DICODE-Digital Culture and Creative Technologies Research Group
- GIRAS-Grup Internacional de Recerca en Arquitectura i Societat
- GREiP-Grup de Recerca d'Edificacio i Patrimoni
- IDEAI-UPC-Intelligent Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Research Center
- InSup-Grup de Recerca en Interaccio de Superficies en Bioenginyeria i Ciencia dels Materials
- LAM-Laboratori d'Aplicacions Multimedia i TIC
- LIM/UPC-Laboratori d'Enginyeria Maritima
- QURBIS-Quality of Urban Life: Innovation, Sustainability and Social Engagement
- REARQ-Rehabilitació i Restauració Arquitectňnica
- SOC-STEM-Impacte Social de les STEM
Projects
The program has various research projects, including:
- Estrategias participativas para la gestión de la contaminació por plástico del litoral transfronterizo
- Muvity, un sistema de telerehabilitació per persones doblement vulnerables
- HACER ES PENSAR
- EmotionalSigns: Desarrollo de tecnología disruptiva mínimamente invasiva para medición del estrés y estado emocional en personas con dificultades de comunicación
Quality
The program has a quality assurance system that includes:
- Verification: The program has been verified by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.
- Follow-up: The program is subject to periodic follow-up evaluations to ensure its quality and relevance.
- Modification: The program may be modified to adapt to changes in the field of design and to improve its quality.
- Accreditation: The program is accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.
Indicators
The program has various indicators to measure its quality and effectiveness, including:
- Number of students enrolled
- Number of graduates
- Employment rate of graduates
- Satisfaction of students and employers
Contact
For more information about the program, please contact: Escola de Doctorat Campus Diagonal Nord, Edifici NXII (Nexus II) C. Jordi Girona, 31 08034 Barcelona
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