XLII Cycle, starting 2026–2027
Essential information for the current admission cycle.
Call for Admission
The Call for Admission to the XLII cycle of the three-year PhD Programme starting in October 2026 will be available soon.
Study Plan and Courses
The XLII cycle includes advanced PhD-level courses covering several areas of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. PhD students are required to acquire at least 15 ECTS during the first two years and pass examinations corresponding to at least 8 ECTS.
| Course | Hours | Year |
|---|---|---|
Sustainable and Secure AIThe course introduces principles and methodologies for building robust, trustworthy, and sustainable AI systems. Topics include adversarial learning, Data-Centric AI, robustness to distribution shifts, data quality, and responsible deployment of machine learning systems in critical domains. Schedule: TBD |
16 | First year |
Graph-Based Techniques for Context-Aware AIThe course explores graph-based methodologies for designing context-aware AI systems, including knowledge graphs, graph neural networks, graph embeddings, link prediction, and multimodal graph learning for relational and structured data. Schedule: TBD |
23 | First year |
Emotion Recognition Using Non-Invasive BiometricsThe course focuses on affective computing and emotion recognition using non-invasive biometric sensors. It covers sensor-based emotion analysis, feature extraction, supervised learning techniques, and applications in human-computer interaction and collaborative environments. Schedule: TBD |
16 | First year |
Few-shot Learning for Deep LearningThe course presents advanced methods for learning from limited labeled data, including meta-learning, metric-based approaches, foundation models, self-supervised learning, and prompt-based adaptation techniques across vision, language, and multimodal domains. Schedule: TBD |
23 | First year |
Heterogeneous Computation for Modern ApplicationsThe course introduces heterogeneous computational architectures combining HPC, GPU acceleration, and hybrid classical–quantum workflows. Particular attention is devoted to intelligent interactive systems and adaptive AI-driven applications. Schedule: TBD |
24 | First year |
Advanced Interpolation for Image ProcessingThe course presents interpolation techniques for structured and scattered data, including spline methods, subdivision schemes, edge-guided interpolation, Lanczos interpolation, and thin-plate splines, with applications in image, medical, and geospatial processing. Schedule: TBD |
8 | First year |
Human-Centered Cyber SecurityThe course investigates cybersecurity from a human-centered perspective, covering usable security, phishing, social engineering, authentication, mental models of cyber threats, and user-centered methodologies for secure system design. Schedule: TBD |
31 | First year |
Advanced Topics in AI: Machine Learning and Behavioral BiometricsThe course examines AI and machine learning approaches for analyzing neurodegenerative diseases through imaging, behavioral biometrics, and multimodal data, with applications to diagnosis, prediction, and healthcare decision support. Schedule: TBD |
8 | First year |
Symbiotic AI for Natural Language Understanding and Knowledge RepresentationThe course introduces Symbiotic AI approaches combining natural language processing, knowledge representation, ontologies, knowledge graphs, reasoning systems, and large language models for interpretable and knowledge-driven AI. Schedule: TBD |
31 | First year |
Serious Games for Healthcare: Design, Validation, and Biomarker AnalysisThe course explores serious games as computational systems for healthcare, rehabilitation, and assessment. Topics include digital biomarkers, adaptive interventions, usability evaluation, and validation methodologies for interactive health technologies. Schedule: TBD |
16 | First year |
Metaheuristics Optimization for Swarm IntelligenceThe course introduces deterministic and swarm-intelligence optimization methods, including Particle Swarm Optimization and nature-inspired metaheuristics for search, path planning, and optimization problems in complex environments. Schedule: TBD |
8 | Second year |
Learning Settings for Big DataThe course explores machine learning paradigms for large-scale and streaming data, including ensemble learning, stream learning, transfer learning, model reuse, scalability, and data heterogeneity in Big Data environments. Schedule: TBD |
31 | Second year |
Scientific Research WritingThe course develops advanced scientific communication skills, including paper structure, academic writing, bibliography styles, reviewer response, research ethics, and the responsible use of AI tools in scientific publishing. Schedule: TBD |
23 | First and second year |
Additional Training Activities
The programme includes several transversal and interdisciplinary activities, including:
- scientific seminars and workshops;
- PhD Days and public engagement initiatives;
- conferences, doctoral consortia, and schools;
- research project management and European funding systems;
- open science and intellectual property training;
- technology transfer and dissemination activities;
- psychological counseling services for PhD students.
Students are encouraged to participate actively in the scientific life of the department and in international research networks.
Teaching Board
Coordinator
Prof. Giovanna Castellano
Members
| Name | Role | SSD |
|---|---|---|
| Giuseppina Andresini | Assistant Professor | INFO-01/A |
| Annalisa Appice | Full Professor | IINF-05/A |
| M. Teresa Baldassarre | Associate Professor | IINF-05/A |
| Pierpaolo Basile | Associate Professor | IINF-05/A |
| Paolo Buono | Associate Professor | INFO-01/A |
| Danilo Caivano | Full Professor | IINF-05/A |
| Fabio Calefato | Associate Professor | INFO-01/A |
| Michelangelo Ceci | Full Professor | INFO-01/A |
| Claudia d'Amato | Associate Professor | INFO-01/A |
| Marco de Gemmis | Associate Professor | INFO-01/A |
| Vincenzo Dentamaro | Assistant Professor | IINF-05/A |
| Giuseppe Desolda | Associate Professor | INFO-01/A |
| Antonella Falini | Assistant Professor | MATH/08 |
| Nicola Fanizzi | Associate Professor | INFO-01/A |
| Stefano Ferilli | Full Professor | INFO-01/A |
| Donato Impedovo | Associate Professor | IINF-05/A |
| Corrado Loglisci | Associate Professor | IINF-05/A |
| Pasquale Lops | Full Professor | INFO-01/A |
| Donato Malerba | Full Professor | IINF-05/A |
| Corrado Mencar | Associate Professor | INFO-01/A |
| Cataldo Musto | Associate Professor | INFO-01/A |
| Nicole Novielli | Full Professor | INFO-01/A |
| Antonio Piccinno | Associate Professor | INFO-01/A |
| Gianvito Pio | Associate Professor | INFO-01/A |
| Giovanni Semeraro | Full Professor | INFO-01/A |
| Gennaro Vessio | Assistant Professor | IINF-05/A |