Master's and Doctorate in Philosophy with a Focus on Foundations of Natural and Cognitive Sciences

The programs have a semi-structured curriculum delivered online. The curriculum consists of:

Foundation CycleThis cycle consists of eight mandatory courses that develop the content that gives the Doctorate and Master's in Philosophy with a focus on Foundations of Natural and Cognitive Sciences its own identity. Universidad AustralThe courses, on the one hand, ensure that all students have access to a minimum level of content related to contemporary interdisciplinary dialogue between the natural sciences, philosophy, and theology. On the other hand, they present an overview of the various approaches that frame interdisciplinary research.

1) the epistemological framework

2) the foundations of natural sciences (philosophy of physics, chemistry, biology, etc.)

3) the study of the human person

4) the ethical dimension

5) the relations between science and society

6) the historical perspective

7) the dialogue between science and theology.

Methodological CycleThe methodological cycle is completed with three or four research methodology workshops. The first two workshops will focus on developing academic writing skills. The third workshop will lay the groundwork for the thesis project. The final workshop, specific to the doctoral program, will take place at the end of the program and will guide future doctoral students in writing a postdoctoral research project.

Specialization CycleStudents must complete at least 150 hours of optional seminars offered by the Institute of Philosophy, another Academic Unit of the Universidad Austral, or other Universities or Research Centers.

This cycle is recognized as a personalized phase where students select, with the guidance of their academic tutor, the specialization seminars they wish to take.

Students will be able to take the seminars offered by the Institute of Philosophy upon enrollment in the program, or any seminars created in the future, either in person or online.

Below is a tentative list of specialization cycle seminars organized by modality:

• Intensive in-person weeks: Students must complete two (2) intensive in-person weeks during their first two years. During these weeks, the in-person elective courses corresponding to the specialization cycle will be taught.

• Personalized academic tutoring and thesis monitoring: PhD students will dedicate a certain amount of time to regular personal meetings with their academic advisor and thesis director, who will provide support and monitoring of their studies and the thesis development process.

• Thesis work: To obtain a Master's or Doctorate degree, it is mandatory to complete and pass a master's or doctoral thesis. This will consist of an original contribution to a specific topic, framed within a recent area of ​​research or discussion at the intersection of philosophy and science.

An original contribution is understood to be any of the following items:

1. the proposal and defense of a novel thesis, argued from a rigorous state of the art;
2. the development of a novel argument for or against a relevant position in an ongoing discussion;
3. the exposure of unaddressed assumptions or unresolved and unnoticed problems in an ongoing investigation or discussion;
4. the proposal of a superior position, whether methodological or content-based, within the framework of ongoing research or discussion.

The final length of the Master's thesis will be between 15.000 and 25.000 words, and the PhD thesis will be between 60.000 and 80.000 words, including notes and excluding the bibliography. Together, notes and citations will not exceed 15% of the total length of the work.

The programs have a semi-structured curriculum delivered online. The curriculum consists of:

Foundation CycleThis cycle consists of eight mandatory courses that develop the content that gives the Doctorate and Master's in Philosophy with a focus on Foundations of Natural and Cognitive Sciences its own identity. Universidad AustralThe courses, on the one hand, ensure that all students have access to a minimum level of content related to contemporary interdisciplinary dialogue between the natural sciences, philosophy, and theology. On the other hand, they present an overview of the various approaches that frame interdisciplinary research.

1) the epistemological framework

2) the foundations of natural sciences (philosophy of physics, chemistry, biology, etc.)

3) the study of the human person

4) the ethical dimension

5) the relations between science and society

6) the historical perspective

7) the dialogue between science and theology.

Methodological CycleThe methodological cycle is completed with three or four research methodology workshops. The first two workshops will focus on developing academic writing skills. The third workshop will lay the groundwork for the thesis project. The final workshop, specific to the doctoral program, will take place at the end of the program and will guide future doctoral students in writing a postdoctoral research project.

Specialization CycleStudents must complete at least 150 hours of optional seminars offered by the Institute of Philosophy, another Academic Unit of the Universidad Austral, or other Universities or Research Centers.

This cycle is recognized as a personalized phase where students select, with the guidance of their academic tutor, the specialization seminars they wish to take.

Students will be able to take the seminars offered by the Institute of Philosophy upon enrollment in the program, or any seminars created in the future, either in person or online.

Below is a tentative list of specialization cycle seminars organized by modality:

• Intensive in-person weeks: Students must complete two (2) intensive in-person weeks during their first two years. During these weeks, the in-person elective courses corresponding to the specialization cycle will be taught.

• Personalized academic tutoring and thesis monitoring: PhD students will dedicate a certain amount of time to regular personal meetings with their academic advisor and thesis director, who will provide support and monitoring of their studies and the thesis development process.

• Thesis work: To obtain a Master's or Doctorate degree, it is mandatory to complete and pass a master's or doctoral thesis. This will consist of an original contribution to a specific topic, framed within a recent area of ​​research or discussion at the intersection of philosophy and science.

An original contribution is understood to be any of the following items:

1. the proposal and defense of a novel thesis, argued from a rigorous state of the art;
2. the development of a novel argument for or against a relevant position in an ongoing discussion;
3. the exposure of unaddressed assumptions or unresolved and unnoticed problems in an ongoing investigation or discussion;
4. the proposal of a superior position, whether methodological or content-based, within the framework of ongoing research or discussion.

The final length of the Master's thesis will be between 15.000 and 25.000 words, and the PhD thesis will be between 60.000 and 80.000 words, including notes and excluding the bibliography. Together, notes and citations will not exceed 15% of the total length of the work.