Organization

Every PhD student is required to follow courses for a total of 18 CFUs, 6 of which must be for soft and complementary skills. Students are warmly encouraged to accumulate 12 CFUs in the first year and 6 CFUs in the second. The LENS PhD school organises four courses, 3 CFU each. It is mandatory for all students to attend: (1) one module of Imaging and microscopy, (2) Spectroscopy, (3) Light-matter interaction, and (4) Science communication (preferably during the first year). Other courses can be chosen among those organised by the Department of Physics and Chemistry.

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. With the advancement of the student's education, the weight shifts toward individual study so that, at the graduate level, one CFU is assigned for four hours of frontal lectures and 21 hours of 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).

Courses at LENS in 2023

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

Advanced microscopies 1 (TIRFM, FLIM, CARS, SHG) (CICCHI): Tuesday, 21 March, 9:30--11:30

Advanced microscopies 2 (light sheet, super-resolution) (SILVESTRI): Tuesday, 28 March, 9:30--11:30

Scanning near-field optical microscopy (GRANCHI): Tuesday, 18 April, 9:30--11:30

Single molecule techniques (imaging, localization, manipulation) (CAPITANIO): Tuesday, 9 May, 9:30--11:30

Functional imaging e photostimulation (VANZI): Tuesday, 16 May, 9:30--11:30

Cold atoms imaging techniques (BURCHIANTI): Monday, 22 May, 9:30--11:30

Spectroscopy (1+3 CFU), S. Catalini and P. Foggi

Introduction to Modern Spectroscopy only for students from biology and biotechnologies
10 January 2023 and 12 January 2023 from 10:00 to 13:00 in LENS Library

Spectroscopy
Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 to 13:00 in Querzoli: 17, 19, 24, 26, 31 January.

Science communication* (3 CFU), G. Santambrogio and C. Sias

Beginning 1st February 2023. All classes Monday and Wednesday 12:00 to 14:00 in aula Querzoli. Due to the large number of students attending the class, classes will be split into two from February 15th. First group 10:00 to 12:00, second group 12:00 to 14:00.

*Course valid for “soft and complementary skills”

Courses at LENS in 2024

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

Light-matter interaction (3 CFU), A. Zavatta

Science communication* (3 CFU), G. Santambrogio and C. Sias

*Course valid for “soft and complementary skills”