Organization

Starting from the XXXIX cycle, every PhD student is required to follow courses for a total of 30 CFUs, 6 of which must be for soft and complementary skills. As a general rule, students are recommended to accumulate their 30 CFUs during the first two years. It is mandatory for all students to attend: (1) one module of Imaging and microscopy, (2) one module of Spectroscopy, (3) one module of Light-matter interaction, and (4) Science communication (preferably during the first year), which are all organised by the LENS PhD school. All other CFU can be collected from seminars—1 CFU every 3 seminars—or from courses organised by the LENS PhD school or by other PhD schools at UniFI. Attendance to 1 GEP-seminar is mandatory. 

According to the definition adopted by the University of Florence, one CFU corresponds to 25 hours of total work, including both frontal lectures and individual study. 

By December of the first year, every student shall submit their study plan with the courses chosen for the three years. Each study plan shall undergo the approval of the Teaching Committee, after hearing the student’s Tutor.

At the end of each course, the students shall pass an examination; modalities of the examination will be agreed by the Teaching Committee and by the course teacher(s).

Students from other institutions are welcome to follow LENS classes, but should check with their institutions whether the earned CFU will be recognised. 

Courses at LENS in 2025-2026

Tentative plan. Definitive plan will be published on the 5th of November 2025

Scientific writing* (4 CFU), R. Bini, M. Calamai, C. Sias, C. Toninelli

Beginning: to be announced

Microscopy and Imaging (base) (3 CFU), R. Cicchi

Beginning: to be announced

Light-matter interaction base (2 CFU), G. Santambrogio

Beginning: to be announced

Light-matter interaction advanced (2 CFU), tbd, N. Granchi

Beginning: to be announced

Science communication* (4 CFU), G. Santambrogio and C. Sias

*Course valid for “soft and complementary skills”