The Advanced Training Institute (IFA) of the Faculty of Medicine organizes doctoral degrees with a taught component, of varying length and organized according to the “Bologna Process” and the ECTS credit system. The doctoral degree is awarded in accordance with the strands and doctoral specialities of the University of Lisbon.

Ph.D. in Speech, Language and Communication (in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities)

i) General objectives:
Human language is an object of study that cuts across several areas of knowledge. This Ph.D. programme converges, within the University of Lisbon, the interests of several Faculties, Research Units and Institutes, focusing on the interaction between several fields of knowledge, namely Linguistics, Biology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology, Health, Artificial Intelligence, Education, Communication, Sociology, Anthropology, Law, Performing arts, Drama, Cinema, Singing, Literature, History, Geography, Architecture, and Music.

The multidisciplinary Ph.D. in Speech, Language and Communication of the University of Lisbon aims to train graduates and holders of master degrees from different areas of knowledge and research interests that include language sciences, health sciences and technologies, biomedical sciences, audiology, performing arts, drama, singing, cinema, advertising, and media studies involving multidisciplinary approaches to verbal and/or written communication in different contexts and in distinct types of social interaction.

As part of this first objective, there is an intention to create tools and technologies specifically aimed at the assessment of knowledge and of the verbal behaviours in European Portuguese and contribute to creating complementary diagnostic tests with possible application in the fields of health and education. This is a means of articulating and optimizing knowledge produced at the University of Lisbon, sharing it on a scientific level and, whenever possible, making it available to the community at large.

The objectives of this Ph.D. programme are different from existing programmes intended for therapeutic intervention in individuals with disturbed verbal behaviours during growth or adulthood. The connection to other similar Ph.D. programmes, particularly in Europe and the US, will be progressively activated.


ii) Degree awarded:
The University of Lisbon, via the Ph.D. in Speech, Language and Communication, confers the doctoral degree in the following knowledge fields and specialities:
a) Knowledge field of Linguistics, specialities Linguistics for Diagnostic Purposes and Psycholinguistics;
b) Knowledge field of Biomedical Sciences, speciality Neurosciences;
c) Knowledge field of Medicine, specialities Otorhinolaryngology and Medical Psychology.

iii) Organization of the course:
This course aims to provide general training in Language Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences and Technologies, and Medicine in a multidisciplinary approach through an advanced training course (1 year, 60 ECTS), followed by 3 years of scientific research work (180 ECTS) leading to the writing of the dissertation, totalling 4 years and 240 ECTS.


Ph.D. in Metabolic Diseases and Eating Behaviour

i) General objectives: The programme of the Ph.D. in Metabolic Diseases and Eating Behaviour aims to advance research in an area that has become very important as a result of the new pattern of causes of morbidity and mortality among the population in developed countries.
Increased life expectancy and environmental changes at the level of food availability and sedentary lifestyle have created conditions for a profound change in terms of morbidity and mortality of individuals in developed countries. This finding needs to be accompanied by advanced knowledge and research in this area in a multidisciplinary perspective.
The changes that have taken place should be studied at university level in the fields of knowledge associated with it, and in a transversal manner – public health, biology, biochemistry, genetics, psychology, psychiatry, nutrition, obesity clinic, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and surgery.

ii) Degree awarded:
Ph.D. degree in the knowledge field of Biomedical Sciences, speciality Biopathological Sciences.

i) Organization of the course:
This course aims to provide general training in Metabolic Diseases and Eating Behaviour in a multidisciplinary and complementary perspective leading to the exercise of scientific methodology in its molecular, cellular, integrated, basic, and clinical aspects through an advanced training course (1 year, 60 ECTS), followed by a 3-year internship (180 ECTS) for the completion of a scientific research project, totalling 4 years and 240 ECTS.


Ph.D. in Neurosciences

i) General objectives: The sciences devoted to the study of the nervous system, recently named Neurosciences, seek to study the nervous system and its relationship with behaviour and bodily functions. In recent years, neurosciences have expanded dramatically thanks to the use of new advanced technologies. Neuroscientists are now in a position to start understanding the brain under normal circumstances and during disease.
The Ph.D. in Neurosciences aims to deepen understanding of the nervous system in a multidisciplinary and complementary perspective conducive to the exercise of scientific methodology, privileging the experience of clinical research.

ii) Degree awarded:
The University of Lisbon, via the Faculty of Medicine, confers the Ph.D. degree in the knowledge field of Biomedical Sciences, speciality Neurosciences.

iii) Organization of the cycle of studies This course aims to provide general training in Neurosciences in a multidisciplinary and complementary perspective leading to the exercise of scientific methodology in its molecular, cellular, integrated, basic and clinical aspects through an advanced training course (1 year, 60 ECTS), followed by a 3-year internship (180 ECTS) for the completion of a scientific research project, totalling 4 years and 240 ECTS.
Antónia Ferreira
Advanced Training Institute
ferreirapereira@fm.ul.pt