The University of Trento promotes the constant enhancement of the quality of its Departments and Centres, study programmes, research, and third mission, using the tools indicated by the AVA framework (internal QA, external QA and accreditation of the Italian university system) and as part of the Quality assurance policy of the University.

In order to give a contribution to the Department’s Quality you can send an email to df.supportstaff@unitn.it.

Quality Assurance of Teaching and Learning

The Department of Physics implements its own quality assurance policy in line with the Quality Assurance Framework of the University and ANVUR’s guidelines.

Departmental Organisation of Quality Assurance

The actors in the Quality Assurance Framework in the Department are listed in the Organisation of Quality Assurance section.

Sources and instruments

The bodies responsible for the quality assurance of teaching and learning periodically monitor the learning objectives achieved in the degree programmes and the general quality of courses based on:

  • data provided by the Monitoring, Statistics and Policy Development Unit on student progress;
  • statistical data on career perspectives and employability from various sources (the Almalaurea database, studies, studies conducted by the Department or by the University's research groups);
  • surveys of student opinions on the quality of teaching and learning at UniTrento;
  • student feedback and requests submitted through the Joint Student-Teacher Committee and the student’s representatives.

Documents

The following documents are drafted periodically:

  • Annual Monitoring Report;
  • Annual Programme Report (SUA);
  • Periodic Programme Review (every 3 years for undergraduate programmes, every 2 years for Master's programmes and whenever it occurs).

Student Feedback on Teaching and Learning

In order to improve the teaching planning of the Department, the students of the Department can help identify and address any quality issues concerning academic or support services provided by the Department/Centre/School, and report any inappropriate behaviour, through:

Other university bodies that students can contact are:

For information and suggestions concerning student and support services you can contact:

Research and Third Mission Quality Assurance

Assessment methods and criteria

The Department uses different instruments to monitor and promote the quality of research outputs produced by its researchers and research groups:

  • defines the objectives of research based on the suggestions of the Department’s Council;
  • evaluates the results obtained in the different research areas based on the following indicators:
  • number and importance of research projects that have been presented and funded;
  • publication of articles in national and international journals and/or the national and international rankings of scientific publications provided by relevant scientific communities;
  • number and importance of seminars and conferences organized;
  • participation in national and international conferences and other research dissemination events;
  • participation in conferences, workshops, seminars, schools;
  • participation in programme and editorial committees in relevant scientific communities;
  • international faculty exchange programmes for visiting professors;
  • ability to attract external funds for research;
  • collaboration with industrial and social partners.

Organisation of Quality Assurance

Actors in the Quality Assurance Framework

Director

The Director coordinates the Department's teaching and scientific policies and ensures their implementation, represents the Department, presides over the Council and the Executive Committee and enacts their decisions.

https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/22/the-director

Delegate for Quality

The Delegate for Quality promotes the constant monitoring and enhancement of the Quality of Teaching and Learning, Research and Third Mission at the Department, while ensuring constant coordination between University and Department on QA processes and initiatives.

The Delegate for Quality at the Department is Prof. Paolo Zuccon

Department Council

The Council is the collective body of the Department and is the body with overall responsibility for quality assurance.

https://www.physics.unitn.it/en/24/the-departments-board

Actors in the Quality of Teaching and Learning

Teaching activities committee

The Teaching activities committee is made up of the Heads of Study Programs and one or more members chosen from the Department's teaching and research staff. The committee assists the Coordinator and the Head of Study Program on key issues related to teaching. The issues addressed by the committee, or its sub-committees, include both routine management (discussion of planned courses; distribution of teaching loads; preparation of the academic calendar and calls for supplemental teaching; analysis and approval of study plans; organizing presentations for master's degree students on the Department's research areas and related curricula) and exceptional management (updating the structure of degree programs and adapting regulations; evaluating issues with courses offered; adapting the organization of the degree program to new regulations).

Joint Student-Teacher Committee

Each Department has its own Joint Student-Teacher Committee (CPDS, Commissione Paritetica docenti-studenti). The CPDS (Joint Faculty-Student Committee) consists of four members appointed by the Department Council and four students representing all of the Department's study programs. It monitors the quality of educational offerings, teaching, and student services. It is also responsible for drafting an annual report on the status and quality of teaching activities.

Additionally, the CPDS:

  • Identifies indicators for evaluating results;

  • Provides opinions on the activation and discontinuation of study programs;

  • Reports feedback and concerns from students to their representatives within the study programs.

Head of the Study Program:

The Head of the Study Program, elected by the Department Council, is responsible for the design, management, and continuous improvement of the study program. They review study plans, recognize exams taken at other universities or study programs and within international mobility programs, and manage the organization of final exams and introductory orientation activities. They chair the program's review group.

The Head of Study Program:

  • Is responsible for compiling the SUA-CdS form, the annual monitoring forms, and the cyclical review report of the study programs;

  • Effectively monitors the progress of the study programs, ensuring that the guidelines established during the review process are implemented, that the educational objectives of the programs are periodically revised, and that the goals for each program are verified;

  • Intervenes promptly in case of problems.

The Heads of Study Programs are listed on the "Contacts" page for each program:

Programme Review Panel/ Self-Assessment Panels

The Programme Review Panel/ Self-Assessment Panels is composed of the Head of the Study Program (a statutory member), at least one faculty member from the program, one student enrolled in the program, and one person from the Department's Technical-Administrative Staff (PTA). It is responsible for the Annual Monitoring Form (SMA), verifying the contents of the Annual Single Form (SUA-CdS), and drafting the Cyclical Review Report (RRC). It performs analyses and prepares the documents assigned to it according to the University's Guidelines.

Student representation

  • Reports observations, issues, and proposals for improvement from the student community regarding the educational program;

  • Ensures that transparency and information sharing are guaranteed;

  • Participates in the Department Council, review groups, and the Joint Faculty-Student Committee.

Actors in Research and Third mission Quality Assurance