Curriculum in Cognition and Neuroscience
The Cognition and Neuroscience Curriculum provides excellent knowledge concerning human behaviors and their neurophysiological correlates. Objects of research in this field are the cerebral neurophysiology, the anatomical correlates of the healthy and pathological emotional and cognitive behaviors. The research also involves applicative aspects for diagnosis and treatments (rehabilitation) in different cognitive domains along the lifespan. The University of Pavia is an international center of research combining advanced technologies of neuroimaging and neurostimulation with clinical, diagnostic, and rehabilitative multidisciplinary approaches including neuropsychology. PhD students are involved in studies on patients’ populations with different neurological diseases in the acute and chronic phase. Labs allow the implementation of experimental paradigms to study healthy and pathological behaviors. Research is always supported by theoretical training provided by continuous and specialized teaching including ethics, good clinical practices and scientific communication and writing. This PhD represents an ideal theoretical and applicative training in research in the field of Psychology Neuroscience characterized by a highly multidisciplinary approach.
Curriculum in Developmental and Applied Psychology
The curriculum in Developmental and Applied Psychology offers a course of excellence in analyzing developmental changes in behavioral, cognitive, social-emotional, and linguistic domains, as well as their underlying social, familial, and neurophysiological mechanisms. The research focuses on typical and atypical development across the entire life span, using a variety of methodologies: from experimental, observational, and neurobiological, to intervention based. The primary objective of the course is to train experts in cutting-edge research methods and techniques in developmental psychology – in family and school settings – and in applied psychology – including research on evidence-based interventions. Special attention is given to interdisciplinarity, particularly at the intersection between developmental and applied psychology. The University of Pavia is an international center of excellence that combines state-of-the-art intervention methods with an evaluative approach to contemporary themes in developmental research. Students in the doctoral program will have access to study populations of children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and older adults, on both typical and atypical developmental trajectories. Psychological laboratories in research, training, and counseling naturally complement the doctoral training, allowing to apply theoretical paradigms to different fields of study. Overall, the doctoral course provides an ideal preparation for careers in advanced research, as well as for leadership positions involving methodological and research skills, including project planning and writing of scientific articles.