Information and Communication Technologies

The doctoral programme in Information and Communication Technologies covers many of the most important research topics in the information society. This is an innovative programme, unique in Catalonia and Spain in terms of its content, which aims to provide a bridge between various disciplines in this field. These are grouped into four main areas: cognitive and intelligent systems, audiovisual technologies, networks and communications, and computational biology and biomedical systems. The themes of the programme are the same as the lines of research that are worked on at the DTIC.

The programme received a Mention of Excellence from the Ministry of Science and Innovation in 2011.

UPF master's  degrees that can be taken prior to this doctorate

• Brain and Cognition (B&C) 
• Cognitive Systems & Interactive Media (CSIM)
• Intelligent Interactive Systems (IIS)
• Sound and Music Computing (SMC)
• Wireless Communications (MWC)
• Computer Vision (interuniversity master coordinated by UAB)

Training objectives 

The doctoral programme has the following training objectives: 

• Systematic understanding of the scientific discipline represented by the programme and command of the skills and research methods related to this discipline.
• The ability to conceive, design, implement and adopt a substantial research process with academic rigour.
• The production of original research that extends the frontiers of knowledge of this discipline at a level which merits national or international publication.
• The ability to foster technological progress in the information society in academic and professional contexts.

Academic contents

In addition to producing the doctoral thesis, the programme includes the following training activities:

• Research seminars, in order to address specific issues of interest for various research lines. Attendance at the seminar is compulsory, and includes work on one of the topics presented.
• Before the end of the first year, doctoral students prepare a research plan that includes at least a summary of the state of the work, the methodology to be used and the objectives to be attained, and the means and the timeframe to achieve them. According to the research plan, the Postgraduate and Doctorate Academic Committee will assign a three-person tribunal to evaluate the public presentation of the research plan.

The thesis supervisors can also recommend specific courses on some of the master's programmes coordinated by the department to their students, in order to complete their research training.
The thesis supervisors can also recommend specific courses on some of the master's programmes coordinated by the department to their students, in order to complete their research training. 

Lines of research of the doctorate

The research lines are the research work carried out by the research groups in the department. These research groups are grouped in four areas:

Cognitive and intelligent systems

• Cognitive, computational and robotics
• Synthetic and emotional perception and cognitive systems
• Artificial intelligence and theoretical computer science
• Natural language processing
• Ubiquitous computing
• Information retrieval and data mining
• Cognitive media technologies

Audiovisual technologies

• Image processing and computer vision
• Image processing for enhanced cinematography
• Audio and music processing
• Human-computer interaction, graphic and educational technologies

Networks and communications

• Network technologies and strategies
• Information theory and coding

Computational biology and biomedical systems

• Computational neuroscience
• Biomedical instrumentation and signals
• Simulation, vision and modelling systems in biomedicine
• Biomedical data analysis
• Non-linear signal analysis

Requirements

• In order to be admitted to Biomedicine PhD Programme offered by UPF, candidates must provide accreditation that they have obtained an accredited undergraduate degree (Bachelor degree or recognised equivalent degree from an accredited Higher Education Institution).  
• Moreover, they have to proof that they have obtained or are in position to obtain an accredited graduate/master's degree(equivalent to a Spanish Master Universitario/Oficial, Master's of Research.... ) which enables them to access a Phd programme in their home country. 
• In order to access a doctoral programme at UPF, you need to have completed 300 ECTS credits, 60 of those have to correspond to an official graduate, research orientated master's programme.
• A photocopy of the undergraduate degree/diploma or Certification/proof of degree completion  (Bachelor degree or recognised equivalent degree from an accredited Higher Education Institution).
• A photocopy of the official final undergraduate transcript. 
• A photocopy of the graduate/master's degree/diploma or Certification/proof of degree completion.
• A photocopy of the official final graduate/master's transcript .
• A signed declaration of obtaining your graduate/master's degree before the commencement of the master's programme 
• A photocopy of the provisional graduate/master's transcript.
• Curriculum Vitae
• Copy of the Master's Thesis, or copies of publications co-authored by the applicant, or a research proposal.
• Accreditation of English competence level B.2 . 
• A personal letter in which the applicant explains his/her interest in the chosen research field and our university.
• Identity Card or Passport.
• Letter of support from a researcher in the Department of Information and Communication Technologies eligible to be a thesis supervisor
  Although it is not compulsory at the time of admission, the submission of a letter of support by students will be considered a great advantage. Applications accompanied by a letter of support will be given priority. Students failing to submit a letter of support must specify one or more DTIC research areas in which they would be interested in doing research.
• Letters of recommendation (maximum of two)
• Document specifying the financial situation of the student
  In this document, the student should state whether he/she has a scholarship or funding, and if so, the financing institution. Otherwise, it may state whether the student is awaiting a decision regarding a scholarship that he/she has applied for, and whether he/she would be willing to join the PhD program even if the fellowship is not granted. The student can also include all the information of this nature that he/she may consider relevant.