Bachelor in Biological sciences

The "Biological Sciences" three year Course has two branches, sharing core disciplines essential to acquire basis knowledge of the principles of different Biology areas and topics, together with adequate methodology and technical skills to study living organisms.

The branch "Biodiversity" is targeted at providing specific and wide information about ecology and biological diversity. Its primary goal is allowing to acquire experience in scientific research methods, and professional skills in environmental applications.

The "Biomedical" branch is targeted at providing detailed information and specific skills on human biology and its applications in health care. Knowledge about immunology, pathophysiology, methods for prevention and laboratory diagnosis, will be acquired.

Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics

Knowledge and understanding

Students will acquire knowledge on and understanding of basic elements of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics. These skills are essential to achieve the other course objectives, by learning appropriate scientific language and approach.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Biological Sciences graduates will use the acquired knowledge to achieve ability in use of basic mathematical tools to understand biological processes and analyze experimental data.

Knowledge and abilities are acquired in the following learning activities:

• Physics
• Informatics
• Mathematics
• English

Chemistry

Knowledge and understanding

Students will acquire knowledge on and understanding of basic elements of General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry, and essential tools to analyze mechanisms, rules and energy role in chemistry reactions, molecular interactions and biological processes.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Biological Sciences graduates will acquire basic knowledge of Chemistry and confidence in good laboratory practice in Chemistry.

Knowledge and ability are acquired in the following learning activities:

• General and Inorganic Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry for Biology

Fundamental Biology

Knowledge and understanding

Activities in this field will allow students to acquire basic knowledge to understand complex biological processes, such as structure/function relationships of biological macromolecules and thermodynamic principles in biological systems, competence in enzymology, cell metabolism and regulation, zoology, diversity and animal systematics.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Biological Sciences graduates will be confident in Cytology, Histology, Zoology and Biochemistry. They will be able to use optical microscope and to prepare microscope slides, to acquire samples and classify animal organisms, to utilize zoological and biochemical terminology.

Knowledge and ability are acquired in the following learning activities:

• Cytology Histology
• Zoology
• Biochemistry

Advanced Biology

Knowledge and understanding

Activities in this field will provide knowledge in plant cytology, histology and anatomy, general genetics and molecular basis of inheritance, ecology, diversity, distribution and population dynamics, physiology of human body, prokaryotic cells structure and functions, gene expression, recombinant DNA techniques, plant metabolism, biochemistry and physiology.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Biological Sciences graduates will have confidence in advanced biology disciplines terminology and experimental methods.

Knowledge and ability are acquired in the following learning activities:

• Botany
• Ecology
• General Physiology
• Microbiology
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology
• Plant Physiology

Biodiversity fields

Knowledge and understanding

Students of the Biodiversity branch acquire specific competence in: systematics, plant and animal ecology, environmental microbiology.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Biodiversity branch graduates have competence in ecological analysis. They are able to classify plants and to set up herbarium collections, to collect samples and to analyze biological data, to study microbial population through laboratory cultures and culture-independent methods.

Knowledge and ability are acquired in the following learning activities:

• Systematic Botany
• Microbial Ecology
• Plant Ecology

Biomedical fields

Knowledge and understanding

Biomedical branch graduates acquire knowledge on human body organization and structure, diagnostic laboratory methods, prevention of diseases, mechanisms of immunity and origin of diseases.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Students of the Biomedical branch learn anatomical terminology, they are able to identify appropriate diagnostic methods for specific applications and to analyze epidemiological data. They understand relationships between health and disease, have competence in innate and acquired immunology and immune response to infections.

Knowledge and ability are acquired in the following learning activities:

• Human Anatomy
• Hygiene
• Immunology and Elements of Pathology
• Diagnostic Methods

Internship and Thesis

Knowledge and understanding

Having completed the course training, students have learned both terminology and methods and are able to solve biological problems of medium complexity, using their insights on particular aspects of the topics covered.

Applying knowledge and understanding

During internship and thesis graduates face a professional environment of Biology studies, in which they acquire operational and interpersonal skills to solve biological problems of medium complexity.

Knowledge and ability are acquired in the following learning activities:

• Internship
• Thesis

Making judgements

Biological Sciences graduates will acquire knowledge on: evaluation and interpretation of experimental data; laboratory safety; principles of professional ethic and scientific approach to bioethical issues. Judgement on the assessment and interpretation of experimental data and safety in the laboratory, both in environmental and biosafety fields, are acquired through experimental activities. The actual student's ability to reach problem solutions independently is evaluated by practical exercises, explaining both operational choices and analyzing data. Progress evaluation is periodically carried out, and principles of professional ethic and scientific approach to bioethical issues will be acquired.

Communication skills

Students will acquire adequate knowledge and tools to communicate in a professional environment, such as: computer skills, data processing and presentation; work in team, transmission and spreading of information on biological topics. These skills are acquired through training activities related to most of the learning activities of the course and during the internship period. Finally, presenting the final test, preparing a written report and by discussion of the degree thesis with the aid of suitable programs, students will prove to have acquired adequate communication skills.

Lifelong learning ability

Three-years graduates in Biological Sciences will acquire appropriate skills to develop and deepen competence, such as: library materials consultation, access to databases and other information and use of basic tools for continuous knowledge updating. This ability is monitored by appropriate tests during the course, and by preparation and presentation of the degree thesis.

The main career opportunities of the Course in Biological Sciences are professional and technical activities in different fields of application, such as production and technological activities of laboratories (biomedical, industrial, veterinary, food and biotechnology, public and private institutions of research and services), and analysis, control and management services. Professional skills will be adequate to public and private institutions, where living organisms or their constituents are classified, managed or used, to manage relationships between development and environmental quality, in multidisciplinary professional firms engaged in environmental impact assessment field, in development projects for the preservation and restoration of the environment, biodiversity and biosafety.

The course prepares students for the profession of (ISTAT encodings):

• Biochemical laboratory Technician - (3.2.2.3.1)
• Food laboratory Technician - (3.2.2.3.2)
• Veterinary laboratory Technician - (3.2.2.3.3)

Curriculum Biodiversity
Curriculum Biomedical

Chair of the Computer science program
Prof.ssa Paola Fortini

Contact person for the Erasmus+ program
Prof.ssa Gabriella Stefania Scippa