Studying Biotechnology at the
VERSION: Jan 13, 2015
1
General information for studying Biotechnology at the
University of Milan
Faculty of Sciences and Technology
http://www.scienzemfn.unimi.it/http://www.scienzemfn.unimi.it/
Application and admission:
http://www.unimi.it/ENG/courses/29528.htm
Admission office:
via Celoria, 22 - 20133 Milano
Fax 02 503.13872 - e-mail: segreteria.scienze@unimi.it
Opening time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Secretariat for teaching activities in BIOTECHNOLOGY:
Via Celoria, 26 (2nd floor, building A) – 20133 Milano
e-mail: biotecindamb@unimi.it
Secretary: Dr. Alessandra Pera
For details on course programs, course timetable and optional courses activation visit the
website: http://www.ccdbiotec.unimi.it/
Lecture halls:
via Golgi 19 – 20133 Milano
via Celoria, 20-26 - 20133 Milano
Grading: The University Educational Credits
Degree courses are structured in University Educational Credits (“crediti formativi universitari”
or CFU). A CFU corresponds to 25 hours of study work, 8 hours of attending lectures (plus 17
hours of study) or 16 h of practical classes (lab and/or computer work) plus 9 hours of study.
The average annual workload of a full time student is conventionally set as 60 credits.
*1 CFU equals 1 ECTS (European Credit transfer AND Accumulation System).
To obtain the credits, the student must pass the final exam of each class. Grades are
expressed over 30: the minimum score to pass an exam is 18/30 (sufficient), the maximum
score 30/30 (excellent).
The bachelor program consists of 180 CFU and the Master program of 120 CFU.
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Bachelor program in Biotechnology (NEW)
Starting from the academic year 2014/2015, a new bachelor program is
activated. For the old program in the 2014/2015, only the third year is still
active (see below).
Application and admission
For information, refer to: http://www.unimi.it/ENG/courses/31190.htm#c31336
Classification of Scholarly Field: L-2 Biotechnology
Degree program duration: 3 years (180 CFU)
Attendance: Mandatory
The Biotechnology bachelor program is coordinated by an Interdepartmental Teaching
Board under the co-responsibility of the following Departments of the University of
Milano:
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Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy
Biosciences
Chemistry
Health, Animal Science and Food Safety
Veterinary Science and Public Health
Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences
Head of the Interdepartmental Teaching Board: Prof. Donatella Taramelli
Website of the bachelor program: www.biotecnologia.unimi.it
Course Objectives
The Undergraduate Degree Course in Biotechnology aims to provide students with a
solid basic knowledge of the molecular and cellular processes taking place in living
systems with an interdisciplinary perspective typical of Biotechnology. The
Biotechnology Course also focuses on advanced scientific methodologies, such as
bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, and molecular modeling, and their applications
to the agricultural, environmental, food science, biological and industrial,
pharmaceutical and veterinary sectors. The Student is also offered a number of credits
on regulatory laws concerning Biotechnology, on bioethical issues, as well as on
scientific communication, patenting and intellectual property protection, legislation,
fundraising and management.
The Course comprises a common set of classes (Semesters 1-3) during which
students will acquire basic skills in the molecular and cellular frameworks and
essential methods for subsequent detailed studies. During the following three
semesters the student may choose one of the subjects (curricula) offered for
a detailed study of certain aspects typical of biotechnology related to the agricultural,
environmental and food science, biological and industrial, pharmaceutical and
veterinary sectors as summarized below:
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Curricula in Biotechnology
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Agro-food and environmental
Biological-industrial
Pharmaceutical
Veterinary
The Department of Biosciences is mainly responsible of the biological-industrial
curriculum (in Italian Biotecnologie industriali). For details about this and the other
curricula please visit www.biotecnologia.unimi.it
Career and Employment
The graduate in Biotechnology may access several professional careers including,
besides basic and applied research: the agricultural, environmental and food industry,
including the area of animal nutrition and of plant production; the pharmaceutical
industry; the chemical industry for the production of compounds with added industrial
value (including biofuels), both in an sustainable manner and from renewable sources;
the cosmetic industry; the industry and services for environmental biotechnology;
laboratories of reproduction biotechnology, both in the medical and veterinary
domains; research centers and biotechnological services for the application of
computing science to genomics, proteomics and metabolomics; certification
institutions, national healthcare facilities; institutions that process healthcare
regulations or patents to exploit biotechnological products and processes; toxicology
and environmental study and monitoring centers (Italian and international agencies)
and scientific information.
STUDY PLAN IN COMMOM TO ALL THE CURRICULA
1st Year (activated from2014/2015)
Semester
1st
1st
1st
2nd
2nd
2nd
2nd
Mandatory courses
Module
General cell Biology
General
and
Inorganic
Chemistry
Mathematics
Organic Chemistry
Elements of Economy and
Elements of economy
Bioethics (tot. CFU: 7)
Bioethics
Physics
Genetics
Total CFU
Semester not set
Mandatory activity
English
CFU*
10
8
6
8
4
3
6
8
53
CFU*
1
2nd Year (activated from 2015-2016)
4
Semester
1st
1st
1st
Mandatory courses
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
General Microbiology
Module
Total CFU
CFU*
9
9
9
27
3rd Year (activated from 2016-2017)
Semester
2nd
Mandatory activity
Final exam
From the second semester of the
following curricula
CFU*
5
2nd year the student selects one of the
Industrial biotechnology (coordinated by the Department of Biosciences)
Agro-food and environmental biotechnology
Pharmaceutical biotechnology
Veterinary biotechnology
Curriculum: Industrial Biotechnology (biological-industrial)
2nd Year
Semester
Mandatory courses
CFU
2nd
Cellular and Functional Biology of Plants
8
2nd
Cell Biology of Animals
6
2nd
Fermentation Biotechnology
6
2nd
Chemistry Methods for Biotechnology
8
3rd Year (activated from academic year 2016-2017)
Semester
Mandatory courses
CFU
1st
Bioinformatics and Biostatistics
9
1st
Microbial Biotechnology
6
1st
Plant industrial Biotechnology
9
1st
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Applications in Biotechnology
12
Careers in Biotechnology
3
The student must acquire 6 credits (1 course) from those listed below:
Semester
Optional courses
CFU
2nd
Computational Biology
6
2nd
Biotechnological Processes for the Production of Natural Compounds 6
5
Semester
Mandatory activity
CFU
not yet set
Laboratory internship
9
Free-choice courses
In addition to the classes listed above, students must acquire 12 credits freely chosen among
all the courses activated by the University, provided they are consistent with the aims of the
degree program and their content does not with that of other classes. Students can also select
classes offered by other curricula of the degree (see www.biotecnologia.unimi.it).
Bachelor program in Industrial and Environmental
Biotechnology
In the academic year 2015/2016, only the third year will be active and regular
classes will take place, being gradually replaced by the bachelor degree in
Biotechnology described above, with which it shares the overall goals especially for
the bio-industrial curriculum that remains under the responsibility of the department
of Biosciences. The program is the following
Semester
Mandatory courses
CFU
1st
Bioinformatics and Biostatistics
9
1st
Microbial Biotechnology
6
1st
Plant Industrial Biotechnology
9
1st
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Applications in Biotechnology
12
Careers in Biotechnology
3
The student must acquire 6 credits (1 course) from those listed below:
Semester
Optional courses
CFU
2nd
Computational Biology
6
2nd
Biotechnological Processes for the Production of Natural Compounds 6
Semester not set
Mandatory activity
CFU
2nd
Laboratory internship
9
Free-choice courses
In addition to the classes listed above, students must acquire 12 credits freely chosen among
all the courses activated by the University, provided they are consistent with the aims of the
degree program and their content does not with that of other classes
Master program in
Bioinformatics
Molecular
Biotechnology and
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Course Objectives
The master program in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics provides students
with advanced knowledge in the molecular and cellular bases of biological systems,
the structure and function of biological macromolecules, the cellular processes in
which they operate, the biotechnological and analytical tools and the mathematical,
physical and chemical methodologies required for biotechnological applications; sound
computational and bio-informatics skills, particularly in relation to the organization
and construction of databases and to genome, proteome and metabolome analyses.
Emphasis will be placed on the most up-to-date technologies employed in the various
fields
of
industrial
and
environmental
biotechnology.
Graduates in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics will:
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have excellent command of: the specific technological platforms employed in
the fields of genomics and proteomics; the design and development of novel
biologically active molecules, also through the use of nanostructured materials;
the fermentation and bioconversion techniques involved in the production of
metabolites, of proteins of biotechnological interests and of renewable energy
sources; biomolecule analysis and purification techniques; the development of
processes to monitor and (bio)remediate the environment
have a good grasp of the key aspects of the operational processes adopted after
the industrial design of biotechnological processes, with full respect of ecosustainability
possess advanced knowledge of patenting and technology transfer procedures
be fluent in spoken and written English, as well as in Italian with a sound
knowledge of subject-specific vocabulary
be able to work independently and take leading positions in projects and
facilities
be qualified to engage in basic and applied research, in dissemination and
development of scientific and technological innovation, and in professional and
project-related work in fields connected with biotechnology
have a good knowledge of the laws and regulations concerning bioethics, the
validation/certification of biotechnological products and processes, the
protection of inventions and the safety in the Biotechnology sector.
Career and Employment
The main career opportunities open to graduates are:
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access to Ph.D. programs, both in Italy and in Universities and Research
Institutions worldwide
employment in research centers, both in private and public institutions
the promotion and development of scientific and technological innovation in
various fields of application
the management of production plants in the biotechnology industry, in the
industries producing diagnostics, or chemicals, in environmental protection
agencies, in the agriculture and food industry, etc.
service management in areas connected with the biotechnological industries, as
well as in analysis and biological control laboratories, environmental monitoring
services, and National Health Service facilities.
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Within their specific field of specialization, graduates are qualified to occupy positions
of high responsibility, with full respect of the related ethical, technical and legal
issues.
Graduates can also pursue careers in the pharmaceutical, chemical and agriculture
and food industries; the environmental technology industry and related services;
biotechnology service centres for the application of computing to genomics and
proteomics; in research laboratories of public and private institutions.
Within these areas, graduates are qualified to handle problems connected with bioinformatics and biotechnological issues of industrial and environmental interest. These
include:
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industrial fermentation processes for the production of metabolites and the
development of renewable energy sources
the production of intermediates and products for fine chemicals and for the food
processing industry
the control of biotechnological processes
the development of environmental rehabilitation technologies
the analysis of nucleic acid and protein sequences
the development of novel biologically active molecules through the study of
molecular interactions between proteins and nucleic acids and the identification
of novel molecular targets
the design and development of databases and novel biological data analysis
methodologies.
Classification of Scholarly Field: L-8 Biotechnology
Degree program duration: 2 years (120 CFU)
Attendance: Mandatory
Degree coordinator: Professor Paolo Landini
The degree offers two curricula:
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Bioinformatics
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Molecular biotechnology for the industry and the environment
STUDY PLAN IN COMMOM TO THE TWO CURRICULA
1st Year (*Course taught in English)
Semester
Mandatory courses
CFU
1st
Bioinformatics and Comparative Genomics*
6
1st
Functional Genomics*
6
1st
Advanced Chemical Methods for Biotechnology
7
1st
Methods in Mathematics and Physics for Biotechnology
6
1st
Biotechnological Processes and Products
6
8
Semester not set
CFU
9
Free choice activitiy
2nd
Biochemistry Applied to the Rational Design of Biologically
5
Active Molecules*
Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology
6
2nd
Cellular and Molecular Microbiology
2nd
6
2nd Year
Semester
1st
Mandatory course
Patenting and Technology Transfer
CFU
6
Semester
2nd
Mandatory activity (1st or 2nd year)
Advanced English
CFU
3¶
Semester
Mandatory activity
CFU
annual
Laboratory Internship and Final Exam
42
¶The CFU are acquired by taking in English (and passing) the exam of one of the classes taught
in English
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Curriculum: Bioinformatics
The student must acquire 6 credits (1 course) by selecting one of the courses listed below:
Semester
CFU
1st
Bio-nanotechnology
6
2nd
Methods in Bioinformatics
6
The student must acquire 6 credits (1 course) by selecting one of the courses listed below:
Semester
CFU
1st
Systems Biology*
6
2nd
Structural Proteomics
6
(*Course taught in English)
-
Curriculum: Molecular
environment
biotechnology
for
industry
and
2nd year
Semester
1st
mandatory activity for the curricula
Advanced Environmental Biotechnology
CFU
6
The student must acquire 6 credits (1 course) from the courses listed below:
Semester
1st
2nd
Teaching plan
Bio-nanotechnology
Plant Biotechnology for the Industry and the Environment
CFU
6
6
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CONTACTS:
International studies:
Prof. Martin Kater
martin.kater@unimi.it
Erasmus+ program Coordinator and International students:
Prof. Laura Popolo
laura.popolo@unimi.it
Prof. Concetta Compagno
Concetta.Compagno@unimi.it
Head of the Department of Biosciences:
Prof. Lucia Colombo
lucia.colombo@unimi.it
Coordinator of the
curriculum)
Prof. Paolo Landini
paolo.landini@unimi.it
Bachelor
program
in
Biotechnology
(Biological-industrial
Coordinator of the Master Program in “Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics”
Prof. Paolo Landini
paolo.landini@unimi.it
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