Perfil de ingreso y criterios de admisión Doctorado en Ciencias de la Visión (Interuniversitario)

Applicant profile

The recommended applicant profile consists of graduates with a bachelor's degree in Biology, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physics, Medicine, Optics and Optometry, Statistics, Veterinary Science, and also graduates in Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, Industrial and Electronic Engineering with a certain amount of experience or interest in Vision Sciences.

Students must have extensive knowledge in the field of Vision Sciences, especially in the areas close to what their research line would be. A strong background in experimental design and statistical analysis are essential, as well as a good level of English, particularly in reading, but also in speaking and writing. Likewise, they must also be able to: synthesise knowledge of one of the disciplines in Vision Sciences; assess data in a critical way and draw conclusions; and apply analytical and critical sense with creativity in such a way that allows them to come up with new ideas in the programme research area.

Admission Criteria

Taking into account the above-mentioned recommended applicant profile, the Academic Commission of the programme will be responsible for assessing the applications once the submission deadline has passed. This Commission will select the applications following the criteria listed below. Those criteria will be made public on the corresponding websites, at least one month before the end of the admissions period.

The criteria and admission procedures for part-time students will be the same as those for full-time students.

For a student to be admitted, they must present a letter accepting to supervise the thesis, signed by at least one research doctor with accredited research experience and the availability of the means to support the research, who will act as the Doctoral Thesis Supervisor of the applicant if admitted onto the programme. Failure to present this letter will lead to the applicant being excluded. The following circumstances may arise:

a) When said acceptance is given by a researcher who is on the staff of the lecturers linked to the doctorate programme, a signed letter will be attached, indicating: (1) their willingness to supervise the candidate’s doctoral thesis, and (2) the means that would be available to carry out the research.

b) When the acceptance is by a research doctor who is not on the lecturing staff of the doctorate programme, in addition to that mentioned in point a) they will attach their curriculum vitae in standardised format to be assessed by the Academic Commission according to the following criteria: research lines, publications, supervision of Doctoral Theses and participation in research projects. In general, the level could be considered to be satisfactory when the person has a research profile in accordance with some of the research lines of the doctorate programme, and has accredited a minimum period of research activity (six-year period) recognised within the last 10 years, or, if the researcher occupies a post in which that criterion is not applicable, they must accredit merits that are equivalent to those mentioned. If the assessment is unfavourable in this section, then the thesis supervision of the applicant will not be accepted but the applicant will be given the opportunity to find another possible supervisor.

c) When two or more research doctors have accepted by be co-supervisors of the doctoral thesis, the valuation will be carried out based on the curriculum vitae that is most favourable for the applicant.

In addition to the above, they must necessarily surpass the minimum scoring thresholds established for criteria 1, 2, and 3, and obtain at least 6 points from a maximum of 10, as a result of summing up the scores obtained in the set of criteria.

The following admission criteria will be applied:

Criterion 1. Average mark of academic record (minimum 1.7 points)

Criterion 2. Proposal for the research line up to 2 points (minimum of 1 point)

Criterion 3. Knowledge of English up to 2 points (minimum of 0.5 points)

Criterion 4. Other merits: up to 2 points

Criterion 5. Motivation and interest letter and/or personal interview: up to 2 points

 

Criterion 1. AVERAGE MARK OF THE ACADEMIC RECORD

The score will be as follows: Pass = 1. Noteworthy = 2. Outstanding = 3. With honours = 4. In any case, the student must obtain at least 1.7 points to overcome this criterion.

  1. The average grade of the academic record will be calculated taking into account all the studies carried out to fulfil the requirements for admission to doctoral studies, including all subjects or credits obtained and not just the required ones.

The average mark of the bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification (X_1) and the average mark of the master’s degree (X_2), both to two decimal places, shall be calculated separately. In each case, the number of credits per subject will be multiplied by the grade obtained, as per the previous scale 1-4, and subsequently the sum of the results in all subjects will be divided by the total sum of credits.

The final grade will be obtained (also to two decimal places) as the weighted mean by the number of credits from the average grade obtained in the bachelor’s degree and the average grade obtained in the master's degree. That is to say, it will be the result of (X_1 * G + X_2 * M) / (G + M) where G is the number of credits in the bachelor’s degree, and M is the number of credits obtained in the master’s degree.

  1. For students who joined a master’s degree programme but had not completed it by the time of application, the average mark of the records appearing in their updated provisional academic record will be used.
  2. Students who have not completed a master's degree but have followed doctorate courses in expiring programmes, and who have obtained the title DAS (Diploma of Advanced Studies ), will obtain a grade equivalent to the average of the master's degree from the scores in those PhD courses.
  3. The average marks of the degrees obtained in studies carried out in two or more universities must contain all the subjects and credits the student passed, with the corresponding score.

Subjects that are validated will have the equivalence in points corresponding to the qualification obtained in the centre of origin; in adapted subjects, the qualification obtained in the centre of origin will be taken into consideration, while the recognition of credits with no qualification or corresponding to non-integrated academic training activities in the curriculum will not be taken into account when calculating the average mark in line with that established in Royal Decree 1044/2003, of 1 August, and Royal Decree 1125/2003, of 5 September.

  1. For ​​studies carried out partially or totally in foreign university systems adapted to the EHEA, the average grade will be calculated on the complete bachelor’s degree studies or equivalent qualification. When the number of credits of the bachelor’s degree is less than 240 ECTS, the average mark will be calculated on those studies plus all credits obtained in the master’s programme; both together must total at least 300 credits.
  2. In the case of studies carried out partially or totally in foreign university systems not adapted to the EHEA, the average mark will be calculated on all studies completed to obtain the bachelor’s degree, applying the equivalences corresponding to Spanish university teaching.

In the case of the average marks of studies carried out abroad, whether they were validated or not, it will be in accordance with the Resolution of 16 July 2008, of the General Directorate of Universities, establishing the criterion to be applied for the calculation of the average grade of academic records of validated foreign qualifications.

Criterion 2. PROPOSAL FOR THE RESEARCH LINE

In the proposal document, students must explain the research line chosen, why they have chosen it and the scientific aims pursued. In case of applicants proposing a thesis supervisor, a research project with the supervisor’s approval must be attached. The document submitted may not exceed 3000 words and its assessment (up to 2 points) will consider the adequacy of the proposal to the research lines of the doctorate programme, and its scientific interest, originality and degree of concreteness. If necessary, the Academic Commission or delegated professors of the doctorate programme may summon the applicant to personal interviews to provide details of the content of this document. In any case, at least 1 points must be obtained to overcome this criterion.

Criterion 3. KNOWLEDGE OF ENGLISH

This criterion will contribute up to 2 points. The minimum score may be obtained by accrediting B1 level, or by a satisfactory personal interview conducted in English by members of the Academic Commission or delegated professors of the doctorate programme. The maximum score can be obtained by accrediting C1 level or higher, or also, if the student’s mother tongue is English or if they have completed university studies in that language. In any case, at least 0.5 points must be obtained to overcome this criterion.

Criterion 4. OTHER MERITS

Up to 2 additional points may be obtained for merits related to the candidate’s scientific production and mobility stays, specialisation courses received outside official university education and previous professional experience related to the topic of the doctoral programme. The authorship of publications or scientific-technical documents, participation in conferences, Erasmus stays, SICUE-Séneca or similar stays will be especially valued.

Up to two letters of recommendation written by university lecturers, researchers and, exceptionally, professionals who have dealt with the candidate and have participated in their academic or professional training may also be taken into account. The Academic Commission may speak directly with the authors of those references in order to obtain further information about the candidate.

Criterion 5. LETTER OF MOTIVATION AND INTEREST AND/OR PERSONAL INTERVIEW

Applicants will be asked to provide a motivation letter to enter the doctorate programme detailing their interest in scientific research in the area of vision. In addition, or instead of the letter, candidates may be interviewed over the telephone, in person or any other means by members of the Academic Commission. They will be asked about different aspects of their curriculum vitae and expectations regarding the programme. Up to 2 additional may be obtained.

Number of places available: 54 (6 places at the University of Murcia)