Master in Biology

The "Biology" two year Master Degree Course has two branches, sharing five disciplines essential to acquire extended knowledge of core principles of Biology.

The branch "Biodiversity" is targeted at providing depth knowledge of ecosystems focused on conservation and management of natural resources. The main educational goal is to provide skills and knowledge necessary for research projects in environment analysis based on scientific investigation method. Graduates will have a thorough knowledge on modern instruments of detection, statistical and computer analysis tools and data storage; they will acquire ability to work independently, also taking on responsibilities for projects and structures.

The "Biomedical" branch has specific objectives to prepare graduates on a thorough and integrated vision of human biology, particularly its applications in health care. Advanced knowledge on the biological processes of physio-pathology and investigative methods used in this field are provided, together with experimental techniques and data analysis. Graduates will be able to interpret, describe and solve with an interdisciplinary approach, complex health problems, and to operate in activities related to scientific innovation and technological development, even the management and design of application technologies in biomedical disciplines.

Core disciplines

Knowledge and understanding

Topics common to the two branches allow the acquisition of advanced knowledge on the basic fields of biology (biochemistry, molecular biology and microbiology), in addition to providing a strong background on statistical analysis of experimental data and advanced instrumental techniques. This knowledge is acquired through the attendance to lectures and seminars of each discipline and personal study. Verifications of understanding are implemented through written and/or oral exams. The student's critical capability applied to specific themes is checked by the supervisor during the preparation of the thesis work and during its formal presentation.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Disciplines common to the two branches enable graduates to successfully use the basic tools of advanced biology, particularly regarding the knowledge and ability to appropriately use advanced biochemical terminology and concepts, molecular and statistical techniques and instrumental approaches.

Knowledge and ability are acquired in the following learning activities:

• Genetic Engineering
• Foreign Language
• Statistics for experimental research
• Advanced instrumental technologies
• Biological macromolecules
• Applied Microbiology

Biodiversity fields

Knowledge and understanding

Courses of the Biodiversity branch provide students with specific competence in disciplines particularly relevant either to expand knowledge in the field of zoology and botany, or to understand advanced concepts of plant ecophysiology and environmental microbiology, with particular attention to economics of ecosystems and biodiversity, and bio-monitoring of environmental quality. This knowledge is acquired through the attendance to lectures and seminars of each discipline and personal study. Verifications of understanding are implemented through written and/or oral exams.

Applying knowledge and understanding

The Biodiversity branch courses allow graduates, together with core teachings common to the two curricula, to acquire application skills on scientific method of investigation, specialized acquisition techniques and data analysis.

Knowledge and ability are acquired in the following learning activities:

• Biomonitoring environmental quality
• Plant ecophysiology
• Economics of biodiversity
• Environmental Microbiology
• Zoology and ecology of vertebrates
• Characterization and conservation of plant diversity

Biomedical fields

Knowledge and understanding

Courses of the Biomedical branch provide students with specific competence in disciplines particularly relevant either for expanded knowledge of diagnostic methods, human pathology, developmental biology and bioinformatics. This knowledge is acquired through the attendance to lectures and seminars of each discipline and personal study. Verifications of understanding are implemented through written and/or oral exams.

Applying knowledge and understanding

The Biomedical branch courses allow graduates, together with core teachings common to the two curricula, to acquire application skills on scientific method of investigation, specialized acquisition techniques and data analysis.

Knowledge and ability are acquired in the following learning activities:

• Bioinformatics
• Developmental biology
• Chemistry of biologically active substances
• General Pathology
• Laboratory Medicine

Making judgements

Graduates in Biology acquire the ability to evaluate experimental observations independently, even when information is partial or incomplete. Competence in evaluation and interpretation of experimental data, either environmental or biomedical, may also be achieved through experimental work in specialized laboratories and during the preparation of the degree thesis.

Communication skills

Graduates in Biology acquire adequate skills and tools to communicate learning appropriate terminology, participating in seminars, doing bibliographic research and having possible collaborations with laboratories abroad. Participation in experimental research will provide the ability to work in team and even to manage laboratory activities independently, as well as to analyze and discuss biological current issues.

Lifelong learning ability

Graduates in Biology will acquire adequate skills to develop and deepen competences, 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 discussion of the thesis.

The main career opportunities for the Biology graduates are: in public and private research organizations, R&D and quality control industrial laboratories, diagnostic and healthcare laboratories; as officials in positions requiring specific technical skills, such as laboratory and workplace safety; to manage relationships between development and environmental quality, in multidisciplinary professional firms engaged in environmental impact assessment field, and in development projects for the environment preservation and restoration, biodiversity and biosafety. In general, graduates in Biology professional activities are scientific research, management of basic and applied research in biomedical or environmental fields, development and application of scientific methodologies.

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

• Biologist - (2.3.1.1.1)
• Biochemist - (2.3.1.1.2)
• Botanist - (2.3.1.1.5)
• Zoologist - (2.3.1.1.6)
• Ecologist - (2.3.1.1.7)
• Microbiologist - (2.3.1.2.2)