Faculdade de Ciências Médicas

Doutoramento em Medicina

Cycle

Terceiro ciclo

Degree

Doutor

Paths

Coordinator

Prof. Doutora Maria João Marques Gomes

Education objectives

Presentation

The Bologna process has introduced a third cycle of studies aimed at training more qualified professionals, prepared to pursue an academic or clinical and research career, thus establishing a link between high standards in higher education, and clinical and scientific research.

The Faculty of Medical Sciences, New University of Lisbon, offers a cycle of studies leading to the degree of PhD in Medicine and another one in Life Sciences, both based on the guiding principles of the Bologna process, namely to promote the advancement of knowledge through original research.

Taking advantage of the possibilities of creating new synergies in Health, the study cycle is linked to the following programs:
o Gulbenkian Advanced Medical Training Programme
o The Inter-University Doctoral Program in Ageing and Degeneration of Complex Biological Systems
o Master's in Clinical Research, Faculty of Medical Sciences and Northeastern University (Boston)
o International Master' Degree in Mental Health Policy and Services, Faculty of Medical Sciences and the World Health Organization

Recipients
Licensed Masters or legal equivalent in medicine (PhD degree in Medicine)
Licensed Masters, or legal equivalent, in Life Sciences. (PhD degree in Life Sciences)

General Objective
These courses aim at training researchers to became able to design and develop original scientific projects independently, contributing to the critical mass of institutions and increase the number of researchers, both in the country and in Europe.

Specific Objectives
These courses are essentially aimed for the students to develop an innovative research project in order to answer the following questions, according to the branch chosen;

BIOMEDICINE
a. Understanding the molecular, cellular and physiological mechanisms, whether in normal humans and patients or disease groups.
b. Develop and investigate cellular and animal models of human diseases.
c. Promote translational medicine through the development and application of new technologies for the benefit of patients.

CLINICAL
a. Prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
b. Strengthening the understanding of disease mechanisms or disease groups.
c. Promote translational medicine through the development and application of new technologies, thus benefitting patients.
d. To improve the provision of health care.

POPULATION HEALTH
In the Population Health option, the course is focused on the development of an innovative research project to answer questions in this area of knowledge, particularly in terms of:
a. Epidemiological aspects of population health in general and some of its specifics.
b. Promoting the health of the population.
c. Development of interventions, programs, services and health policies.

Structure and Organization
The courses leading to the degree of Doctor integrate doctoral courses, deepening seminars, carrying out scientific research project, specially developed for this purpose and appropriate to the branch of knowledge or expertise. The completion of the PhD Course gives the student the right to a Diploma of Advanced Studies, but does not confer the equivalence of any university degree. The Diploma of Advanced Studies relating to the doctoral level, are accompanied by the corresponding Diploma Supplement, pursuant to Decree-Law 42/2005 of 22 February.
The cycle of studies lasts for four years for full-time students, in which they must complete the 240 ECTS credits. The course may last 8 years if the students opt for part-time, an option which must be approved by the Coordinating Committee of the Scientific Council.

The study program is structured to give all students a solid training in soft skills (35 ECTS), deepening seminars (10 ECTS) and to ensure a specific preparation based on three options (195 ECTS) - Biomedicine, Clinical Research and Mental Health, according to the interest of candidates.

The first two years will include:
1) a theoretical-practical and theoretical - PhD Course - with content primarily directed to the learning of soft skills. The student can choose from several optional courses available that will prepare them for research work. Biomedicine is the specialty of the mandatory course "Introduction to laboratory investigation" and the mental health is the specialty in "Health of the people." In the specialty of Clinical Investigation 35 ECTS are elective course units in all;
2) Deepening Seminars (10 ECTS) and
3) The work of preparation and the beginning of the research project and thesis preparation seminars.

The third and fourth years will be fully dedicated to the research project (thesis). Please note that the thesis can be developed in other Institutions with which the Faculty of Medical Sciences has or will have cooperation protocols, both within the country or abroad.

The teaching will be done through conferences, presentations of individual and group discussions in workshops, seminars, critical reading of papers, etc. ..
The evolution of the research project will be monitored regularly by an independent group of evaluators.

Note:
The cycles of studies leading to a doctoral degree in clinical research will be carried out in associated clinical services and / or biomedical science laboratories for further research project and depending on the specialty and research project.

Scientific Areas and Credits required
All courses are in the medical for life science fields, except for the seminar and thesis that are in the respective option.

BIOMEDICINE
In the Biomedicine option, the student must complete 35 ECTS credits in its respective field, 20 ECTS in optional courses, 15 ECTS mandatory courses, , 10 ECTS in the seminaries of deepening knowledge in biomedicine and 195 ECTS in the thesis.

CLINICAL
In the Clinical Investigation option, the student must complete 35 ECTS in its respective field, all of them in optional courses. You must also complete 205 ECTS in the Clinical Research, 10 ECTS in in-depth knowledge of Clinical Research Seminars and 195 ECTS in the Thesis.

POPULATION HEALTH
In the Population Health option, the student must complete 35 ECTS in its respective field, 25 ECTS in optional courses, 10 ECTS in mandatory courses, 10 ECTS in-depth knowledge of Health of Populations Seminars and 195 ECTS in the thesis.

General Information
Duration - 8 semesters (6 semesters for medical trainee doctoral students) covered by
Ordinance 172/2008)
ECTS - 240
Start Date - October 6, 2011
Registration deadline - June 14, 2011 (can apply online)
Timetable - The lessons of the PhD course will mostly take place Monday to Friday from 18 a.m. to 21 pm and Saturdays from 9 to 13 hours.
The modules common to other programs may take place at different timing. Due to its nature, the "Introduction to Laboratory Research course, time will occasionally be longer. The busier days of the week vary depending on courses selected by students.
Numerus clausus - The Medical Branch will work with a maximum of 20 students.

Selection Criteria
o Curriculum Assessment (academic, scientific and professional).
o Cover letter (Reviewed by the Head of the particular department or by someone of recognized merit in the area).
o Supervised FCM strategic plans, particularly in the areas of FCM priority research.
o Overall assessment using the interview.

Application: 50
Enrollment: 100
Fees: 8,000 (payment for the 4 year period) in excess of 4 years, 2,000 / year
Former FCM students: 20% discount of the value of external students
FCM assistants or tutors and Healthcare Professionals from affiliated Hospitals: 25% discount on the foreign students fees.
Location: The lessons of the course and the doctoral seminars will be held at the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

Information and registration
Faculty of Medical Sciences
Office of Graduate Study
Dr. Monica Belchior | monica.belchior @ fcm.unl.pt
Tel: +351 66 21880300 | Fax: +351 21 880 30 68
On-Line Application

Courses Catalogue