Updated times and locations at courses calendar
Title:
Scientific Programming Languages: " Programming with Python"
Name of the proponent (Host):
Alfonso Pedone
Duration:
12h
Speaker Name
: Julien Bloino
Brief abstract
Basic Python language concepts; object-oriented programming; the Python library system: internal and external modules. Python in science: introduction to some libraries and their use Key language concepts will be illustrated through the progressive development of a complete program during the course.
Title:
Scientific Programming Languages: " Introduction to Data Science with R "
Name of the proponent (Host):
Federico Lugli
Duration:
16h
Speaker Name
: Federico Lugli
Brief abstract: The course provides an introductory overview of R and its use in data science. The course is tailored for PhD students from diverse disciplines and backgrounds. Participants will learn the main principles of data science, including data tiding, visualization, univariate and multivariate statistical analysis, and (machine learning) modeling, with an emphasis on reproducibility and best practices. Through coding exercises and real-world case studies, students will explore key R packages such as e.g. tidyverse, ggplot2, dplyr and caret. By the end of the course, attendees will be equipped with the skills to clean, analyze, and interpret complex datasets, allowing them to integrate data science techniques into their research effectively by using R coding. No prior experience with R is required, but basic knowledge of statistics will be beneficial.
Title:
Relevant topics in chemometrics and data analysis: Introduction to multivariate data analysis with exercises (PCA)
Name of the proponent (Host):
Marina Cocchi
Duration:
8h
Speaker
: Lorenzo Strani
Brief abstract:
The course aims at providing the necessary tools for extracting useful information from complex and large data sets.
Title:
Relevant topics in chemometrics and data analysis: Untargeted analysis of chromatographic signals by means of chemometrics
Name of the proponent (Host):
Marina Cocchi
Duration:
8h
Speaker Name
: Beatriz Quintanilla Casas
Brief abstract: Chromatographic techniques, especially when hyphenated to mass spectrometry, play a key role across fields like health, food and environmental sciences, as well as pharmaceutical and biotech industries. While untargeted approaches provide rich analytical data, they require advanced data analysis tools to efficiently translate signals into meaningful chemical information. In this course, we will explore the chromatographic outputs and the state-of-the-art chemometric methods for untargeted data analysis, combining theory with hands-on practice.
Title:
Hot environmental topics in a changing world: Geoheritage and Geodiversity - Contribution of Geosciences to the Global Environmental Agenda
Name of the proponent (Host):
Mauro Soldati
Duration:
16h
Speaker Name
: Piotr Migon
Brief abstract: The course aims to explore these various interrelated concepts such as geodiversity, geoheritage and geoconservation in more detail, focusing on both theoretical underpinnings as well as practical applications and associated challenges, using specific examples from various parts of the world. The series of seminars will start with defining the key concepts and an overview of developments in the last three-four decades, which led to the increasing recognition of the value of abiotic nature and its services. Particular emphasis will be places on global institutional frameworks which contribute to the growing awareness of geodiversity issues such as World Heritage, UNESCO Global Geoparks and selected initiatives of international organizations. This will be followed by examination of components of geodiversity and services that they provide (geosystem services), leading to the discussion of geoconservation concepts and challenges associated with their implementation in practice. A separate seminar will be focused on UNESCO Global Geoparks, their aims, means of operations, activities and challenges. In particular, their role in contributing to the global environmental agenda, including issues such as climate change, natural hazards, sustainable development and participatory management, will be highlighted. In the closing seminar exercises will be organized, intended to develop skills and techniques relevant to evaluation and interpretation of geodiversity and geoheritage, ultimately leading to a better understanding of broader geodiversity issues in the global context.
The seminars will address issues relating to the following SDGs: SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals).
Title: Scientific Communication in English (20h)
Brief abstract: Chromatographic This course will teach you how to communicate effectively in English (and any other language) in the world of academia. You will learn how to: - write a research paper using a simple clear style, which will enable your readers to immediately understand your unique contribution; - present your research at an international conference, and network successfully in order to increase your chances of future collaborations; - write effective emails to editors and fellow academics; - draft a CV. The lessons are dynamic, interactive and above all highly practical.
Title: Corso Complementare Dottorandi 2025 (24h)
Brief abstract: Struttura del progetto, attori, metodi e tecniche di project management (2h); Public Engagement e Rapporti con la Società (1h); Trasferimento tecnologico: modalità ed esempi (1h); From research to Entrepreneurship (2h); Communicating research. From questions to practice (2h); Opportunità di finanziamento della Ricerca in ambito nazionale e Focus PNRR (2h); High Risk, High Gain! Learn from successful researchers (2h); Programmi internazionali di finanziamento della ricerca: Horizon Europe (2h); Project work - laboratorio scrittura proposta progettuale (2h); SBA Unimore: risorse e servizi bibliografici (live demo) e IRIS Unimore (live demo) Open Science, open access e research data management (2h); Bibliometria e valutazione della ricerca, Profili autore: Scopus author ID, ResearcherID, ORCID (live demo) (2h).
Title: Bibliographic research, scientific writing and dissemination: tools, techniques and strategies (12h)
Brief abstract: Objectives: The course aims at teaching the skills and the knowledge for using the specific library services and resources for students of the STEMM areas; for being productive in information retrieval, in preparing a bibliography, in writing a scientific article, so to support the Ph.D. students in their path with an outlook at their post-doc career.
Course Syllabus: Resources for basic information retrieval like OPACs, UNISTORE and OneClick discovery tool. Resources for specific disciplinary area, like PubMed, ACM digital library, ScifinderN and others. Resources for advanced information retrieval like scientific databases like Scopus and Web of science. The scientific journal as the main vehicle for STEMM research dissemination. Workflow of a scientific article; (copy)rights and dues of an author, plagiarism, citations and bibliographies. How to work with a reference manager software.
Improving research impact: from bibliometric analysis to research evaluation; journals evaluation (from authoritative to predatory); differences among ahead of print, post print, editorial version of a publication; the Open Access initiative and what this means for the authors; what ASN and VQR are with examples and exercises; how the repository IRIS works; checking author profiles on Scopus, Publons and ORCID.
Teaching Methods: Blended course with live and online streaming lessons (recorded) and videotutorials.
Verification of learning : Quiz with multiple choices and exercises
Expected results:
Adequate knowledge about: information retrieval from authoritative sources; the advanced functions of the most important databases; rights, dues and publication options of a scientific author; how scientific journals work and the different types of articles; reference manager software, citations, bibliography and sources organization; IRIS repository.
ADDITIONAL APPROVED COURSES
Title: Molecular Modelling for Industry: Tools and Applications for Advanced R&D
Name of the proponent (Host):
Alfonso Pedone
Duration:
16h (4 CFU)
Speakers:
A. Pedone, G. Piccini, C. Adamo, D. Avagliano, F. Muniz-Miranda
Abstract: The course offers a practical and theoretical framework for using molecular modeling to address complex industrial challenges. Through four in-depth modules, participants will explore computational methods tailored to industry-relevant materials and processes, including glass manufacturing, catalysis, and spectroscopic analysis. Each module combines a brief description of the state-of-the art methodologies used and rigorous instruction with practical examples, derived from real-world applications and the instructor's research, to equip participants with a comprehensive skill set for research and development.
Module 1 : Molecular Dynamics of Inorganic Glasses (A. Pedone, 3h): Introduction to MD simulations and force-field models for inorganic glasses; Techniques to generate glass structures and compute key properties: vibrational, transport, spectroscopic (IR and NMR), mechanical; Applications to crystallization and reactivity, with industry case studies.
Module 2: Free Energy Calculations in Molecular Simulations (G. Piccini, 3h): Foundations of free energy in molecular modeling, calculation techniques, and challenges; Enhanced sampling methods and applications to thermodynamic, mechanistic, and kinetic studies; Emphasis on industrially relevant catalysis, including heterogeneous and nanoporous systems, such as zeolites and MOFs.
Module 3: DFT for Ground and Excited Electronic States (C. Adamo, D. Avagliano 7h): Principles of DFT for ground and excited states in complex chemical environment; Modeling and REACH European Regulation; Calculations of optical properties with relevance to industrial dye applications.
Module 4: Vibrational Properties of Molecules Across Aggregation States (F. Muniz-Miranda, 3h): Static and dynamic ab initio techniques for vibrational analysis; Applications to isolated molecules, solutions, and adsorption on metal surfaces; Research applications in time-frequency analysis and Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) modelling.
By the end of the course, participants will possess the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to apply molecular modeling tools in R&D contexts across multiple industries.
Title:
Tomografia a raggi-X
Name of the proponent (Host):
Alberto Viani
Duration:
10h
Speaker Name
: Gabriele Lanzafame, Ph.D.
Brief abstract: X-ray tomography is an essential technique for the non-invasive characterization of a wide range of materials: from biological materials to all sorts of organic and inorganic solids (rocks, cements, ceramics, battery materials, bones, fossils, wood, etc...). Apart from its more 'traditional' applications, in recent years the so-called 4D tomography had an explosive diffusion. 4D tomography allows for the investigation of systems evolving in time, for example during a reaction, the application of external stimuli (mechanical tests), or during variations of environmental conditions of pressure, temperature, partial pressure of gas, etc.. To gain knowledge of the principles of the method, the instrumentation (laboratory and synchrotron light) and, above all, with the techniques for image analysis (2D, 3D and 4D) is the aim of the proposed course, so that it can become part of the students' skills. The course will be held by Dr. Gabriele Lanzafame, currently researcher at the University of Catania, where he regularly holds similar courses for doctoral students. Dr. Lanzafame initially applied the technique to the study of rocks and the development of textures during the solidification of magmas but he has applied the technique to a large number of different materials as a result of his experience as a postdoc at the tomography beamline of Elettra synchrotron light source. More than half of the course will be dedicated to practicals concerning data analysis of real systems.
Title:
. Introduction to comparative genomics
Duration:
14h
Speaker Name
: Quentin Helleu
Brief abstract : Comparative genomics is a branch of biological research that employs various tools to compare the complete genome sequences of different species to elucidate common and distinct genomic features among two or more target organisms. This two-day course is designed to introduce students to basic genomic analyses, providing them with a foundational understanding of the field of genomics. Over the two days, the course will focus on manipulating genomic data from public databases and conducting standard comparative genomic analyses. We will conduct analyses of synteny, sequence homology annotations, alignments, sequence divergence analysis, and phylogeny of a series of genes. All activities will be conducted in a Linux environment using Bash to manipulate files and run analyses. This hands-on approach will equip students with practical skills essential for genomic research.
Title
: Single-Crystal X-Ray Diffraction analysis and structural refinement with SHELXL in Olex2.
Name of the proponent (Host):
Alessio Nicolini
Duration:
8h
Speaker Name
: Alessio Nicolini
Brief abstract: "Single-Crystal X-Ray Diffraction (SC-XRD) is the most powerful technique for structural analysis in the solid state. In fact, simply starting from a crystal of less than 0.5 mm in size, SC-XRD allows to obtain the molecular structure of the compound with atomic precision. Moreover, this technique reveals the symmetry of the crystal lattice and of the molecular packing, giving information about intermolecular interactions also.
The SC-XRD analysis is a journey made up of five main steps: 1) crystallization, 2) data collection, 3) data reduction, 4) structure solution, 5) structure refinement. This course aims to give a quick overview of this journey (2 hours), with particular focus on structure refinement using the SHELXL software,[1] implemented in the Olex2 suite.[2] The main points and some common problematics (e.g., structural disorder) of the structural refinement will be tackled through exercises (6 hours).
[1] G. M. Sheldrick, Acta Cryst., 2015, 71, 3-8.
[2] O. V. Dolomanov, L. J. Bourhis, R. J. Gildea, J. A. K. Howard, H. Puschmann, J. Appl. Cryst., 2009, 42, 339-341.
Title:
Theranostics approach in nuclear medicine
Name of the proponent (Host):
Erika Ferrari
Duration:
6h
Speaker Name
: Raphael Tripier, Veronique Patinec – Universitè de Bretagne Occidentale
Brief abstract : The course aims to explore the applications of coordination chemistry in the developments of theranostics agents for clinical proposes. The starting point will be the design of chelating agents, with a special focus on some strategies and tips in azamacrocycles’ syntheses. Theranostic match pairs will be presented with their pros and cons and well as the state of the art in their applications in clinical research.
Title:
Chemical speciation modelling as a first step towards the design of efficient radiopharmaceuticals
Name of the proponent (Host):
Erika Ferrari
Duration:
4h
Speaker Name
: Sofia Gama
Brief abstract : The speciation of solutions containing metal ions and ligands can be defined as the species (metal, ligand, and metal-ligand complexes) existing in a given solution, and it strongly depends on the experimental conditions. It is particularly important to know the metal-ligand speciation, the stoichiometry and the equilibria that take place, especially if we are dealing with intricate systems such as the biological ones. The course aims to provide some tips and rules to follow in order to correctly set up the experiments to collect reliable experimental data and how to estimate the equilibrium constants and speciation using specific fitting programs. The lectures will mainly focus on the conditions to apply in the development of radiopharmaceuticals
Title:
Advanced spectroscopic methods for materials science
Name of the proponent (Host):
Luca Catalano
Duration:
4h
Speaker Name
: Michael T. Ruggiero
Brief abstract
: Advanced spectroscopic methods for materials science
Title:
The R&D point of view in a global ceramic manufactor.
Name of the proponent (Host):
Marazzi Group
Duration:
2h
Speaker Name
: Daniele Giovanelli & Davide Camatti
Title:
NANOTECHNOLOGY: Thiolated Cyanines Appended to Partially Pegylated Gold Nanoparticles for Fluorescence Quenching of Two‐Channel Photothermal Inks
Name of the proponent (Host):
Andrea Paolella
Duration:
2h
Speaker Name
: Piersandro Pallavicini
Title:
Designing covalent adaptable networks: New generation of thermosets for advanced functional applications
Name of the proponent (Host):
Giulia Scurani
Duration:
2h
Speaker
: Adrià Roig Gibert
Title:
A spectroscopic contribution to mechanistic studies on metal complexes-biomolecules interactions
Name of the proponent (Host):
Erika Ferrari
Duration:
2h
Speaker Name
: Tarita Bivier
Title:
Raman spectroscopies: strategies and applications to life science.
Name of the proponent (Host):
Gianantonio Battistuzzi
Duration:
2h
Speaker Name
: Giulietta Smulevich
