Program Overview

Introduction to the Ph.D. in Data Analytics and Decision Sciences (DADS)

The Ph.D. program in Data Analytics and Decision Sciences (DADS) is designed to train highly qualified senior data analysts and data managers capable of carrying out research at universities, international institutions, tech and financial companies, regulatory authorities, and other public bodies.

Program Overview

The program stems from the cooperation between three departments: Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria (DEIB), Dipartimento di Ingegneria Gestionale (DIG), Dipartimento di Matematica (DMAT), and the Health Data Science Center (HDS) at Human Technopole. It allows enrolled students to work in a highly interdisciplinary environment with strong connections to international research centers and private companies.

Program Structure

The program spans three years. Upon successful completion and final examination, candidates are awarded a Ph.D. in Data Analytics and Decision Sciences. The first year is dedicated to two key objectives: completing courses that build a strong interdisciplinary skill set and comprehensive competences essential for data analytics, and formulating the research plan. The subsequent two years focus primarily on developing the doctoral thesis.

Research Opportunities

Students are strongly encouraged to spend a semester abroad (ranging from a minimum of three months to a maximum of 18 months) at a research institution, benefiting from the extensive network of international collaborations established by the three departments involved in the programme. During this period, they may receive a 50% increase in their Ph.D. fellowship for up to six months.

Program Details

• Duration: 3 years
• Location: Milano Leonardo and Bovisa
• Departments involved: 3
• New students per year: 5 – 10

The Ph.D. Programme

The DADS Doctoral Programme is a multi-departmental endeavour based at the Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria and involving two other departments of Politecnico di Milano and the Health Data Science Center of Human Technopole. The primary focus of the PhD program in Data Analytics and Decision Science lies in data science, which entails the capacity to analyze massive datasets of high quality derived from diverse and varied sources of data, and to employ the most appropriate methodologies to extract valuable insights and address practical challenges across various application domains.

Research Lines and Educational Activities

The primary goal of all Politecnico di Milano's Ph.D. programmes is to cultivate a research-oriented attitude in the candidates, as well as advanced knowledge and proficiency in a particular research area. To achieve this, candidates must be able to identify and solve complex problems, perform in-depth problem analysis, come up with original solutions, and assess their applicability in practical contexts.

Courses and Summer Schools

During the first two years of their Ph.D., students must complete a minimum of 20 credits by taking at least four doctoral courses. These courses provide advanced knowledge and training to help students address research issues. The DADS programme offers 3 thematic doctoral courses each year, taught by DADS faculty or invited professors from international institutions.

Teaching and Tutoring

Ph.D. students can be involved in teaching activities as teaching assistants at the Bachelor or Master levels, and can take part in tutoring activities for the orientation of new candidates or activities of the DADS programme. Participation in teaching and student tutoring activities is encouraged to develop communication and team leading skills.

Experiences Abroad, Conferences, and Networking

Throughout the three-year Ph.D. program, students will be expected to present their research accomplishments in a variety of settings, including public seminars at Politecnico di Milano or other institutions, project meetings, workshops, and international scientific conferences. This will give Ph.D. students the opportunity to hone their public speaking skills and enhance their communication abilities in both written and verbal forms.

Resources, Services, and Financial Support

Ph.D. students are provided with the resources and facilities they need to conduct their work and access scientific papers and technical documentation from both local and international databases. Additionally, they can benefit from services such as subscriptions to scientific associations and language courses. Furthermore, they are allocated a personal budget to cover research-related and travel expenses.

Our University

Politecnico di Milano is a public scientific-technological university founded in 1863, which trains engineers, architects, and industrial designers. The Politecnico has always focused on the quality and innovation of its teaching and research, developing a fruitful relationship with the industrial and productive world by means of experimental research and technological transfer.

Founding Institutions

The founding institutions of the Ph.D. in DADS include:

• DEIB – Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering
• DIG – Department of Management, Economics, and Industrial Engineering
• DMAT – Department of Mathematics
• HDS – Health Data Science Center of Human Technopole

Career Opportunities

DADS graduates are equipped with distinctive skills and advanced trans-disciplinary knowledge that open up career opportunities as analysts or researchers at universities, international research centres, public and private institutions, R&D departments, regulatory authorities, companies, policy institutions, and others.