Traineeship and Transversal Training Activities

Before graduation, second-year students are required to complete a curricular internship, as outlined in the study plan. The associated educational activities aim to develop additional language skills, computer and telematic abilities, and relational and other skills useful for entering the workforce, as well as to support informed career choices through direct exposure to the professional sectors related to the degree.

The duration of the internship is set at 3 type F credits (CFU), corresponding to a total of 75 hours (1 CFU credit for the internship equals 25 hours). Type F credits are designated for educational activities aimed at acquiring additional language skills, telematic abilities, and workforce orientation, through internships at university facilities and placements at public and/or private institutions external to the University.

The 3 type F credits are divided into two distinct components, which the student undertakes at different moments of their course of study:

• 1 CFU credit for third mission activities, acquired by participating in one of the scientific communication, orientation and scientific and cultural dissemination activities organized by the Department of Physics and Earth Sciences. This credit may be completed during the second year, independently and not necessarily close to the thesis work, and is required of all students.
• 2 CFU credits for the curricular internship, dedicated to workforce orientation and language skills. These are generally carried out as part of the thesis work, and the student earns them by choosing one of the four options described below.

The 1 CFU credit for third mission activities is acquired by taking part in one of the scientific communication, orientation and scientific and cultural dissemination activities promoted by the Department of Physics and Earth Sciences. The list of available activities and the relevant procedures for joining them are published on the dedicated page of the degree programme (list of third mission activities).

As this is a self-contained component, the student may plan to complete it ahead of the thesis work. The activation procedure is described on the dedicated page (see the menu on the left).

To earn the 2 CFU credits for workforce orientation and language skills, the student chooses one of the following activities. The choice is normally made in agreement with the academic tutor, as part of the thesis work.

1. Internal internship

A placement at a Department, Centre or Institute of the University of Ferrara, or at university laboratories or research centres. It is the activity typically carried out as part of the thesis work, under the supervision of a faculty member or a representative of the host institution. It constitutes a training path embedded in the thesis work, in close contact with the research groups of the degree programme.

2. External internship (professional training placement)

A professional training placement at companies, research institutions or universities external to the University of Ferrara, either nationally or internationally. The activity is carried out under the supervision of a representative of the host institution and brings the student into direct contact with the world of work and with applied contexts of physics.

3. Internship abroad

A period of internship carried out abroad through the Erasmus+ programmes, the Traineeship schemes or other curricular internship programmes abroad. In addition to professional training, it offers an international experience and the strengthening of language skills.

4. Language certifications

Recognition of documented language certifications (advanced English, Spanish, French, German), provided that they are issued by internationally recognized certification bodies and obtained within the last three years. For French, Spanish and German, the equivalencies reported on the dedicated page apply.

The two components of the type F credits (the 1 CFU credit for third mission activities and the 2 CFU credits for the curricular internship) are independent in terms of timing, but follow the same operational scheme. For each of them, the student proceeds through the following steps:

1 - Choice of the activity. The student identifies the third mission activity among those offered by the Department and decides which curricular internship to undertake among the four options described above.

2 - Activation of the procedure. Before starting each of the two experiences, the student opens the relevant activation procedure, described on the detail pages accessible from the menu on the left.

3 - Carrying out the activity. The student carries out the activity according to the timeline and objectives agreed with the relevant supervisor.

4 - Final report. At the end of each path, the student completes a report, according to the procedures indicated in the respective sections. A report is also completed by the faculty member or supervisor responsible for the activity.

5 - Final grade. The final grade for the 3 type F credits is the weighted average of the grades obtained for the 1 CFU credit for third mission activities and the 2 CFU credits for workforce orientation and language skills. Only after having earned all 3 CFU credits does the student register for the type F credits examination session, which is followed by the formal recording of the grade by Prof. Fabio Mantovani, the faculty member responsible for internships (mantovani@fe.infn.it).

The operational procedures for activating each activity are described on the detail pages (menu on the left):

• Third mission
• Internal internship
• External internship
• Internship abroad
• Language certifications