During the doctoral period, doctoral researchers must undertake a series of activities aimed at developing the competences of the Programme. These activities are undertaken by both full-time and part-time doctoral researchers. Activities that are not mandatory may be undertaken throughout the entire period of enrolment in the Programme. These activities must be duly documented and certified by the Thesis Supervisor(s) and academic tutor in the Doctoral Researcher Activities Document.

MANDATORY TRAINING ACTIVITIES

 

TRAINING ACTIVITY 1 (AF1): INTRODUCTORY SEMINAR ON THE DOCTORAL PROGRAMME

This introductory seminar on the Doctoral Programme is delivered annually in person to all new doctoral researchers enrolled in the Programme. It takes place after the enrolment process has been completed and before the registration of the doctoral thesis and signing of the Documentary Commitment. The seminar covers and describes all aspects related to the Programme, including the description and composition of the Academic Committee, regulations and administrative procedures, the description of the Internal Quality Assurance System (SIGC), channels for managing complaints and suggestions, and an explanation of the training activities, among other matters. The presentation is delivered by the Programme Coordinator or a member of the Academic Committee.

This is a mandatory training activity for all doctoral researchers.

Related Competences: CB13, CB14, CB15, CB16, CB17, CA01, CA02, CA03, CA06, CE01.

Number of hours: 10

Monitoring procedure: Attendance will be monitored using an attendance form for the seminar, which will be signed by the Programme Coordinator.

Mobility: This activity does not involve mobility, as it takes place in one of the rooms of the UCM Faculty of Chemical Sciences, the faculty responsible for the degree and the administrative headquarters of the BBM Department.

 

TRAINING ACTIVITY 2 (AF2): PRESENTATION OF A RESEARCH PROGRESS SEMINAR

The doctoral researcher must prepare and deliver a formal seminar on their work plan, objectives, and progress in the results and conclusions of their research obtained up to that point.

It will take place 18–24 months after the start of the doctoral thesis (between the second and third years). The estimated time, although indicative, also includes the time required to prepare the seminar. The presentation itself should last at least 20–30 minutes. This activity is mandatory for all doctoral researchers in the Programme, both full-time and part-time.

It will take place at the research centre where the doctoral thesis is being conducted and must be certified by the Thesis Supervisor.

Related Competences: CB13, CB14, CB15, CB16, CB17, CA01, CA02, CA03, CA06, CE01.

Number of hours: 20

Monitoring procedure: The Thesis Supervisor must certify that the activity has been completed. The doctoral researcher must record it on the RAPI2 management platform and in the DAD for the annual progress assessment, with the corresponding documentary evidence duly provided and certified by the Thesis Supervisor(s).

Mobility: This activity does not require mobility, as the seminars are held either at the doctoral researcher's own research centre or at the faculty where they are enrolled.

 

TRAINING ACTIVITY 3 (AF3): PRESENTATION OF A FINAL PRE-THESIS SEMINAR ON THE RESEARCH UNDERTAKEN

The doctoral researcher must present a final seminar on the work carried out as part of their doctoral thesis prior to thesis submission. This seminar serves as preparation for the thesis defence and must cover the objectives, results, and conclusions of their research. The seminar will be attended by the Thesis Supervisor(s) and research tutor, as well as at least one member of the Doctoral Programme. Preferably, the seminar will be held in a room at the faculty where the doctoral researcher is enrolled or to which the doctoral researcher's academic tutor belongs.

The estimated time, although indicative, also includes the time required to prepare the seminar. The presentation itself should last at least 30–40 minutes. This activity is mandatory for all doctoral researchers in the Programme, both full-time and part-time, and is a specific Programme requirement for initiating the procedures for thesis submission.

Related Competences: CB13, CB14, CB15, CB16, CB17, CA01, CA02, CA03, CA06, CE01.

Number of hours: 20

Monitoring procedure: The doctoral researcher's academic tutor must certify completion of the activity and provide a favourable report for initiating the procedures for submission and defence of the doctoral thesis. The doctoral researcher must record it on the RAPI2 management platform and in the DAD for the annual progress assessment.

Mobility: This activity does not require mobility, as the seminars are held either at the doctoral researcher's own research centre or at the faculty where they are enrolled.

 

TRAINING ACTIVITY 4 (AF4): ATTENDANCE AT RESEARCH SEMINARS HELD BY THE DEPARTMENT AND/OR RESEARCH CENTRE TO WHICH THE DOCTORAL RESEARCHER IS ATTACHED, AS WELL AS AT SEMINARS HELD AT OTHER RESEARCH CENTRES

Attendance at two seminars or conferences, preferably per term, held at the student's university or at other centres. The seminars and conferences must address topics related to the research lines of the Programme and may be delivered by national or international specialists. Attendance will be monitored using an attendance form for the seminars, signed by the person responsible for the activity. The language of the seminars and conferences may be Spanish or English.

This activity is mandatory for all doctoral researchers in the Programme throughout their entire period of enrolment. As the number of seminars should be similar for full-time and part-time doctoral researchers, part-time doctoral researchers may spread this activity over the entire period of their doctoral studies.

Related Competences: CB11, CB14, CB15, CB16, CB17, CE02 and CE03.

Number of hours: 30

Monitoring procedure: This activity will be validated by the Thesis Supervisor(s) or academic tutor through the Doctoral Researcher Activities Document in the UCM RAPI2 computer application, based on the certificate of attendance issued by the organiser or speaker of the seminar or conference.

Mobility: This activity may or may not require mobility, as the seminars or conferences may be held at the doctoral researcher's own research centre, at the UCM, or at any other research centre.

 

OPTIONAL TRAINING ACTIVITIES

 

TRAINING ACTIVITY 5 (AF5): ATTENDANCE AT SCIENTIFIC OR TECHNICAL SPECIALISATION COURSES

The doctoral researcher may attend courses providing access to recent advances, both in current research and in techniques or methodologies required for their research. This activity is not mandatory and may be undertaken throughout the period of enrolment in the Doctoral Programme.

Related Competences: CB11, CB17, CA04 and CE02.

Number of hours: 20

Monitoring procedure: This activity will be validated by the Thesis Supervisor(s) or academic tutor through the Doctoral Researcher Activities Document in the UCM RAPI2 computer application, based on the certificate of attendance issued by the course organiser.

Mobility: This activity may or may not require mobility, as the courses may be held at the doctoral researcher's own research centre, at the UCM, organised by the EDUCM, or at any other research centre.

 

TRAINING ACTIVITY 6 (AF6): ATTENDANCE AT NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES IN THE RESEARCHER'S AREA OF SPECIALISATION AND PRESENTATION OF CONFERENCE CONTRIBUTIONS

This is a common activity in our scientific field. Therefore, during their doctoral studies, both full-time and part-time doctoral researchers are encouraged to attend such events. Doctoral researchers are encouraged to attend and participate in conferences, symposia, colloquia, workshops, and similar events organised by different national and international institutions. Doctoral researchers may present their results as oral or poster presentations.

The number of hours is indicative. Presentations may be delivered in Spanish, English, or another official language of the scientific meeting. This is not a mandatory activity.

Related Competences: CB11, CB14, CB15, CB16, CB17, CA05, CA06, CE01, CE02 and CE03.

Number of hours: 30

Monitoring procedure: This activity will be validated by the Thesis Supervisor(s) or academic tutor through the Doctoral Researcher Activities Document in the UCM RAPI2 computer application, based on the certificate of attendance issued by the organiser or speaker of the seminar or conference.

Mobility: This activity may require mobility. Funding may be obtained from projects of the research team in which the doctoral researcher participates, travel grants awarded by the university or by the event organiser, or any other public funding for which the doctoral researcher may be eligible, including mobility funding calls issued by the EDUCM.

 

TRAINING ACTIVITY 7 (AF7): RESEARCH STAYS AT OTHER RESEARCH CENTRES IN SPAIN OR ABROAD

Research stays at national or international research centres are recommended, preferably in research groups whose research focus is closely related to that of the doctoral researcher's thesis. These stays are a key component of doctoral training. They enable doctoral researchers not only to learn other working methodologies, but also to establish contacts with related research groups and improve their knowledge of a second language.

The training activities undertaken by the doctoral researcher during the stay are varied and range from learning new techniques and methodologies to attending courses and seminars. Despite the benefits of this activity, it is not mandatory. In the case of part-time doctoral researchers, shorter stays may be undertaken over several periods. Although the number of hours is indicative, the figure refers to the total workload corresponding to a stay of approximately three months; however, the duration of stays is variable and depends on available funding. The language used will be Spanish, English, or the language of the host country.

Related Competences: CB11, CB12, CB13, CB14, CB15, CB16, CB17, CA04, CA05, CA06, CE02 and CE03.

Number of hours: 480

Monitoring procedure: Research stays at other research centres must be endorsed in advance by the Thesis Supervisor and authorised by the Academic Committee in order to be considered for the International Doctorate distinction. The Academic Committee is responsible for approving research stays after analysing the information provided by the doctoral researcher (host centre, duration, justification for the stay, activities to be undertaken, supervisors at the host institution, etc.), which is endorsed by the Thesis Supervisor and the doctoral thesis tutor. This procedure is recorded in the minutes of the relevant meeting. Once the stay has been completed, the doctoral researcher must record it in RAPI so that it is properly documented as a training activity.

The host centre must provide a written acceptance of the doctoral researcher. Likewise, once the stay has been completed, the host group or centre must issue a report certifying and evaluating the research stay undertaken by the doctoral researcher.

Once the stay has been completed, the doctoral researcher must submit a report on the work carried out during the research stay and the degree to which the planned objectives were achieved. This report must be approved by the Academic Committee at one of its meetings in order for the doctoral researcher to be eligible for the International Doctorate distinction. This activity will be validated by the Thesis Supervisor(s) or academic tutor through the Doctoral Researcher Activities Document in the UCM RAPI2 computer application.

Mobility: This activity involves mobility for several months at a national or international research centre. Funding for such stays may be covered through public grants, such as those provided under doctoral scholarship programmes, or through the research team's own funds or those of the host group. UCM mobility schemes may also be used.

Royal Decree 99/2011 refers, among other aspects, to the duration of the stay required to obtain the International Doctorate distinction on the Doctoral Degree [Article 15.1(a)]: “During the training period required to obtain the Doctoral Degree, the doctoral researcher must have completed a minimum stay of three months outside Spain at a prestigious higher education institution or research centre, undertaking studies or research activities. These stays must be endorsed in advance by the Thesis Supervisor and authorised by the Academic Committee, and must be included in the doctoral researcher's activities document.”

 

TRAINING ACTIVITY 8 (AF8): PARTICIPATION IN THE PREPARATION OF PAPERS FOR PUBLICATION IN SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS

The doctoral researcher may actively participate in the preparation of papers presenting original data from their research for publication in scientific journals. This constitutes a fundamental part of doctoral training, as it requires the search for and selection of scientific information, as well as the synthesis and discussion of experimental results.

Related Competences: CB11, CB12, CB13, CB14, CB15, CB16, CB17, CA01, CA02, CA03, CA04, CA05, CA06 and CE03.

Number of hours: 120

Monitoring procedure: This activity will be validated by the Thesis Supervisor(s) or academic tutor through the Doctoral Researcher Activities Document in the UCM RAPI2 computer application. The publication must be documented by providing its DOI or by uploading a PDF of the publication.

Mobility: This activity does not require mobility.

 

TRAINING ACTIVITY 9 (AF9): PARTICIPATION IN TEACHING ACTIVITIES

During the doctoral period, depending on the type of funding or contract held by the doctoral researcher, participation in teaching activities as a teaching assistant may be either mandatory or optional.

This participation is subject to UCM regulations governing the involvement of doctoral researchers in teaching activities, applicable to the 2024–25 academic year. These regulations are set out in the document UCM Governing Council Agreement, May 2024.

In addition, the document Information on Teaching Collaboration by Doctoral Researchers 2024–25 details the specific circumstances and applicable conditions for the different predoctoral contracts and funding schemes, since only doctoral researchers whose contracts explicitly state that such teaching collaboration is mandatory or permitted may participate in teaching activities. Such participation is always subject to UCM regulations and to the teaching needs of the Departments involved in the Doctoral Programme.

Therefore, it is not possible to establish whether this activity is mandatory or optional, or to specify a number of hours, as this depends on each individual case.

Monitoring procedure: This is carried out through the academic secretariats of the Departments at the respective faculties.

Further information is available on the UCM website at the following link: Teaching Collaboration | Complutense University of Madrid (ucm.es)