PhD in Computational Media Design

General Objectives of the Course

The doctoral program aims to offer national and international students advanced scientific training at the confluence of Design and Computational Media, and associated research methods, with the following goals:
- train researchers to understand and contribute to the advancement of Design object and practices, as well as computational methods and techniques in Design, in dialectics with the innovation of computational media and its literacies, with the models of interaction and collaboration, with the human perception and cognition, and with artistic practices;
- empower towards autonomous high-quality interdisciplinary scientific research;
- enable students to develop high-potential scientific projects, integrated in international knowledge networks;
- contribute to the development of critical and complex thinking, to the understanding and exercise of Computational Media Design, as an instrument of social innovation and transition to sustainable development.

Admission Requirements

Who can apply:
a) Holders of the master degree or legal equivalent in different scientific areas related with the scientific areas of the cycle of studies, namely, Informatics Sciences, Design, Architecture, Arts;
b) Holders of the degree of "licenciado" (bachelor degree), with a particularly relevant academic or scientific curriculum recognized by the Scientific Council of the Organic unit / school responsible for its edition, attesting capacity for the
accomplishment of this cycle of studies;
c) Holders of a an academic, scientific or professional curriculum that is recognized by he Scientific Council of the Organic unit / School where they wish to be admitted, attesting ability to carry out this cycle of studies.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

Higher Education in Design, Computing and Informatics, Media Studies, Cognitive Sciences, Social Studies and similar, Researchers at Higher Education Institutions or Scientific Research Centres, Design management and practice in design agencies, Specialized consulting in innovation and development projects, etc.

Mode of Study

B-learning

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese and English

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

As assessment is a pedagogical activity inseparable from the teaching process, its aim is to establish the students' competencies and knowledge, their critical sense, ability to recognize and resolve problems, as well as their written and oral presentation skills. Students may only register for exams for classes they are currently enrolled. The following are examples of assessment items: Oral or written exams, written or practical work, individual and group projects that may require an oral defense, as well as class participation. Assessment for each class may include one or more of the above mentioned items. Grading is based on a scale of 0 to 20 and a grade of 10 is required to pass. Whenever the grade comprises more than one item, the final grade is calculated by taking into account the relative weight of each item according a formula published in the course outline.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

- Understand the role of computational methods and technologies in the design and study of innovative computational media, contributing to the advancement of practices and the body of knowledge in Computational Media Design;
- To research at the intersections of computational creativity, interaction models and technologies, artistic practice, architecture, media production, communication, media literacy and criticism, perception and cognition, among other areas relevant to understand design practices and computational media;
- Understand relations between design practice and research processes, and the modes of knowledge production;
- To research challenges in design practices, participatory and plural, of transformation of a material culture situated in sociotechnical networks;
- Develop the role of design in social innovation and sustainable transition, articulating the endogenous or local, with cosmopolitan knowledge networks.

Course Coordinator(s)

Licínio Gomes Roque
lir@dei.uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

Decree-Law no. 74/2006, of March 24, in its current wording

Graduation Requirements

Completion of a set of curricular units (study plan) with 180 ECTS, including a public defense of an original thesis.

Access to Further Studies

Postdoctoral studies

Study Programme

Computational Media Design

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Course Type
3rd Cycle Studies

DGES Code: 5974

Qualification Awarded: Doutor

Duration: 3 Year(s)

ECTS Credits: 180.0

Annual Fee: 2750.0

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Applications

Call for Applications

• 3rd Cycle Course

• Application submission
• Web page with information for candidates

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Calendar

1st Semester

Start date: 07-09-2026
End date: 18-12-2026

2nd Semester

Start date: 08-02-2027
End date: 20-05-2027

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Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior

2021-07-31 a 2027-07-31

Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior

Nº Registo: R/A-Cr 139/2021

2021-05-19

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Documents