Sustainable natural resource management

Sustainable natural resource management
Sustainable natural resource management
Course sheet
A.Y. 2024/2025
Master programme
LM-73 - Forestry and environment
Master programme
120
ECTS
Access
Open with entry requirements examination
2
Years
Course location
Milan
Language
English
This study programme intends to provide a wealth of knowledge, skills and abilities combining the technical-engineering and biological dimensions of natural, environmental and land resources management, with a view to achieving Green Deal and ecological transition goals. Graduates will understand the role of natural resources in economic activities, as well as mastering governance, design, conservation, regulation and restoration techniques that are required to ensure their sustainability, durability and protection.
They will have high-level scientific and operational skills in the field of natural resources protection and enhancement; they will understand the technological and economic aspects of natural resources management, and will be equipped for performing systemic analysis of the environment in its biotic and abiotic components and in the related interactions.
Graduates in Sustainable Natural Resource Management:
- Will have sound general knowledge and a good understanding of the scientific method required for the analysis of production and territorial systems and their interactions with the environmental system;
- Will be able to assess natural resources and the environmental impacts of economic activities by creating models, including through conceptual and methodological tools used in the field of economics, law and environmental planning;
- Will be able to use modern technologies for environmental assessment, monitoring and restoration, as well as for planning efforts aimed at regulating and protecting natural resources and common goods.

In their respective professional fields, graduates:
- Must be able to provide technical-scientific support to the analysis and resolution of natural resources planning and public management issues, using economic, legal, analytical, statistical and IT tools;
- Must be able to carry out studies, research and analysis in support of forest, environmental, production and landscape resources regulation, conservation and enhancement policies, as well as for local sustainable development;
- Must be able to design and coordinate the design and implementation of green infrastructures for the protection and enhancement of the environment, forests, and rural and urban areas;
These skills must be enhanced by:
- The ability to work with methodological and operational autonomy, including in a coordination or managerial role;
- Good written and oral communication skills, both in their mother tongue and in English, including specialist lexicon;
- Public speaking skills, both in their mother tongue and in English, to convey information, ideas, problems and solutions, share general information and specialist knowledge;
- The ability to work in multidisciplinary working groups to produce reports and carry out projects.
Specialist in public management of natural resources

In the private sector, graduates can take on tasks of organization, evaluation, management and responsibility for problems that may involve an interaction between human activities and environmental systems. Graduates can enroll in the Register of Agronomists and Forestry Doctors, after passing the State exam.
In the public sector, they can support administrations on environmental and territorial policies, with particular reference to sustainable planning and management of the territory and natural resources, environmental protection, analysis and monitoring of environmental systems, to the design and implementation of interventions for the defense and conservation of soil and water resources, for the restoration and conservation of biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems.

Skills associated with the function

Graduates in Sustainable Natural Resource Management will have a strong scientific and operational preparation in disciplines concerning the protection of natural resources and the technological and economic aspects of nature-based solutions for the territory (green and blue infrastructures, ecological restoration, environmental bioremediation, protection of environmental and biodiversity matrices). They will possess the cultural tools to address the systemic analysis of the environment in all its biotic and abiotic components and their interactions. Graduates will then be able to:
- examine and solve problems of planning and management of natural resources;
- design and coordinate interventions for the protection and enhancement of the environment and the territory, both agricultural-forestry and urban;
- carry out basic and applied research and promotion and development of scientific and technological innovation for the planning, conservation and enhancement of natural resources and for sustainable development;
- evaluate natural resources and environmental impacts of economic activities through the formulation of models and the use of conceptual and methodological tools provided by economics, law and environmental planning;
- use modern technologies of investigation and monitoring of the environment and of the territory;
- carry out complex and interdisciplinary coordination and management activities.
At the end of the studies, the graduate in Sustainable Natural Resource Management will have developed skills for personal communication, multidisciplinary teamwork and judgment, on a scientific, technical, economic, human and ethical level. The graduate will be able to use the English language, in written and oral form, with specific reference to the disciplinary lexicons.

Career opportunities

Due to their skills, graduates will be able to find employment in:
- national and regional bodies and services for the defense and development of the environment and the territory (State Technical Services, National and Regional Agencies and Bodies for the Environment and the Territory, Parks and Protected Areas, Watershed Authority, Technical Services and Regional, Provincial and Municipal Departments, Land Reclamation and Irrigation Consortia, Mountain Communities and Mountain Watershed Consortia);
- laboratories, professional offices and service companies operating both in the fields of environmental and territorial planning and management, and in environmental monitoring and recovery;
- companies operating in the environmental, forestry, green infrastructure and environmental remediation management;
- companies operating in the protection and conservation of soil and water resources;
- environment and territory division of large companies;
- freelance professional in the environmental, agricultural, forestry, land and landscape sectors.
The professional profile covers the following categories:
- Agronomists and foresters
- Architects, planners, landscape architects and specialists in the recovery and conservation of the territory
- Biologists
- Botanists
- Ecologists
- Microbiologists

Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
The MSc in Sustainable Natural Resource Management offers many opportunities for study abroad, mainly through the Erasmus+ program which includes about 30 foreign universities located in the countries of the European Union. The disciplines that can be developed at the partner universities embrace all those specific to the MSc. During their stay abroad, students can follow courses to expand their scientific knowledge, or carry out internships or the degree thesis.
Subject to an agreement established before departure with the professors of the University of Milan, the mark and related credits obtained in the partner universities are recognized, thus giving students the certainty that what has been done in the host university is then positively evaluated in their curriculum. There are also other opportunities for cultural exchanges with universities that have established agreements with our university and are not part of the Erasmus system. These belong to non-community areas such as China, Japan, and Latin America.
Useful information about the campuses and courses available can be found at the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-u48xSaV9eR9Vg-vU9YRT_DAcYCcI50K
Lesson attendance is strongly suggested. Attendance is especially recommended for the integrated courses of 15 ECTS, which involve field, laboratory and practical activities.
Enrolment
A. Students with an Italian University Degree

Applicants to this Master's degree programme are required to hold a Bachelor's degree in one of the following classes:
- L-21 Town, Regional and Environmental Planning
- L-25 Agricultural Science and Technology
- L-32 Environmental Sciences

Those holding a Bachelor's degree in other degree classes are also eligible, provided they have earned at least 30 credits (CFU) in one of the following subject areas:
Agricultural Sciences
AGR/01 - Economy and rural appraisal
AGR/02 - Agronomy and herbaceous crops
AGR/03 - General arboriculture
AGR/04 - Horticulture and floriculture
AGR/05 - Forest settlement and forestry
AGR/07 - Agricultural genetics
AGR/08 - Agricultural hydraulics
AGR/09 - Agricultural mechanics
AGR/10 - Rural constructions and agro-forestry territory
AGR/11 - General and applied entomology
AGR/12 - Plant pathology
AGR/13 - Agricultural chemistry
AGR/14 - Pedology
AGR/16 - Agricultural microbiology

Natural Sciences
BIO/01 - General botany
BIO/02 - Systematic botany
BIO/03 - Environmental and applied botany
BIO/04 - Plant physiology
BIO/07 - Ecology
BIO/13 - Applied biology
BIO/19 General microbiology
CHIM/01 - Analytical chemistry
CHIM/06 - Organic chemistry
CHIM/12 - Chemistry for the environment and for cultural heritage
GEO/02 - Stratigraphic and sedimentological geology
GEO/04 - Physical geography and geomorphology
GEO/05 - Applied geology

Regional planning
ICAR/06 - Topography and cartography
ICAR/15 - Landscape architecture
ICAR/20 - Urban planning and policy design
ICAR 21 - Urban planning
IUS/03 - Agricultural law
IUS/09 - Institutions of public law
IUS/14 - European Union law
SECS-P/08 - Economics and business management


B. Students without an Italian University degree

Those holding another qualification obtained abroad and recognized as suitable by the admission commission will also be able to access.

Admission procedure for all students

Admission requires the verification of the curricular requirements specified above and of personal preparation. These verifications are carried out by a Commission. The verification aims to ascertain the candidate's possession of the necessary preparation in the basic subjects. If needed, the commission may require the candidate to integrate the information provided. The candidates will be informed of the outcome of the procedure via the online admission application system.

Proficiency in English at a B2 level or higher per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required for admission.
The B2-level requirement will be ascertained by the University Language Centre (SLAM) upon admission as follows:
- Language certificate of B2 or higher level issued no more than three years before the date of admission application. You will find the list of language certificates recognized by the University at: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322. The certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application;
- English level achieved during a University of Milan degree programme and certified by the University Language Centre (SLAM) no more than four years before the date of admission application, including levels based on language certificates submitted by the applicant during their Bachelor's degree at the University of Milan. In this case the process is automatic, the applicant does not have to attach any certificates to the application;
- Placement test administrated by the University Language Centre (SLAM) according to the calendar published on the website: (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267)
All those who fail to submit a valid certificate or do not meet the required proficiency level will be instructed during the admission procedure to take the placement test.
Applicants who do not take or pass the placement test will be required to obtain a language proficiency certificate recognized by the University (see https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322) and deliver it to the SLAM via the InformaStudenti service by the deadline fixed for the master's programme (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267).
Applicants who do not meet the requirement by said deadline will not be admitted to the master's degree programme and may not sit any further tests.

Admission

Application for admission: from 22/01/2024 to 31/10/2024

Application for matriculation: from 08/04/2024 to 15/01/2025


Attachments and documents

Admission notice


Please note

Non-EU students visa applicants are required to apply for admission no later than 30 April 2024. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be evaluated and it will in no case be possible to request the refund of the admission fee.

Learn more:
Programme description and courses list
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Data Management 6 56 English INF/01
Hydrology 6 56 English AGR/08
Natural Resource Economics 6 48 English AGR/01
Optional
Agricultural Systems and Soil Science 6 48 English AGR/02 AGR/13
Ecology 6 56 English BIO/07
Law of Territorial Government and Public Contracts 6 48 English IUS/10
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Environmental Law 6 48 English IUS/10
Land Planning and Life Cycle Assessment 6 52 English AGR/10
Statistical Methods for the Environmental Research 6 64 English AGR/02
Optional
Ecological and Forest Restoration 15 188 English AGR/05 AGR/14 BIO/03 GEO/05 ICAR/06
Environmental Systems and Anthropic Impact 15 144 English AGR/13 AGR/16 CHIM/06
Green Infrastructures and Nature-Based Solutions 15 152 English AGR/03 AGR/08 AGR/10 BIO/03
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Table 1

For students holding an Italian degree in the class L-25 Agricultural Sciences and Technologies, or having a similar background if graduated abroad:
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Ecology 6 56 English First semester BIO/07
Law of Territorial Government and Public Contracts 6 48 English First semester IUS/10
- Table 2

For students holding an Italian degree in the class L-21 Territorial, urban, landscape and environmental planning sciences, or having a similar background if graduated abroad:
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Agricultural Systems and Soil Science 6 48 English First semester AGR/02 AGR/13
Ecology 6 56 English First semester BIO/07
- Table 3

For students holding an Italian degree in the class L-32 Sciences and technologies for the environment and nature, or having a similar background if graduated abroad:
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Agricultural Systems and Soil Science 6 48 English First semester AGR/02 AGR/13
Law of Territorial Government and Public Contracts 6 48 English First semester IUS/10
- Table 4

A first laboratory to be chosen from:
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Ecological and Forest Restoration 15 188 English Second semester AGR/05 AGR/14 BIO/03 GEO/05 ICAR/06
Environmental Systems and Anthropic Impact 15 144 English Second semester AGR/13 AGR/16 CHIM/06
Green Infrastructures and Nature-Based Solutions 15 152 English Second semester AGR/03 AGR/08 AGR/10 BIO/03
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Agricultural Water Management 15 152 English AGR/01 AGR/08 AGR/10 GEO/04
Bioremediation 15 168 English AGR/13 AGR/16 CHIM/06
Forest Management and Planning 15 172 English AGR/01 AGR/05 AGR/08 AGR/14
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Final Exam 24 0 English
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Table 5

A second laboratory to be chosen from:
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Agricultural Water Management 15 152 English First semester AGR/01 AGR/08 AGR/10 GEO/04
Bioremediation 15 168 English First semester AGR/13 AGR/16 CHIM/06
Forest Management and Planning 15 172 English First semester AGR/01 AGR/05 AGR/08 AGR/14
- The study plan includes 15 ECTS of elective choice, to be acquired with courses offered by the University of Milan. Part of these 15 ECTS (normally up to 4) can be acquired by attending seminars, conferences, courses, or other activities organized by the University or another institution.
The activities selected to fulfil the 15 ECTS must appear in the study plan and are freely chosen students with the help of their tutor. They must then be approved by the Academic Board, which judges their consistency with the MSc.
See also the paragraphe "Programme structure - Study plan definition and submission for approval.
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) 3 0 Italian
Other Activities 3 0 English
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Other activities: STUDENTS HAVE TO ACQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL 3 CREDITS.

To obtain the degree, those who do not hold an Italian high school diploma or bachelor's degree must demonstrate proficiency in Italian at the A2 or higher level per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This level must be demonstrated prior to completing the course programme in one of the following ways:
- by submitting a certificate of A2 or higher level issued no more than three years prior to the date of submission. You will find the list of language certificates recognized by the University at: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/349/). The language certificate must be submitted to the University Language Centre (SLAM) via the Language Test category of the InformaStudenti service: https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML;
- via a entry-level test administrated by SLAM that can only be taken only once.
Those who fail to reach A2 level will have to attend a 60-hour Italian course geared to their level.
Those who do not take the entry-level test or fail to pass the end-of-course test after six attempts will have to obtain language certification privately in order to earn the 3 credits of Additional language skills: Italian.

Italian students will be deepen their knowledge of technical English on the specific vocabulary of their thesis, in agreement with their supervisor.
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) 3 0 Italian Open sessions
Other Activities 3 0 English Open sessions
Learn more
Location
Milan
Head of study programme
Erasmus and international mobility tutor 
Quality Assurance Delegate
Contacts

The tuition fees for students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments with different calculation methods and payment schedules:

  • The amount of the first instalment is the same for all students
  • The amount of the second instalment varies according to the ISEE University value, the degree programme and the student status (on track / off track for one year or off track for more than a year) 
  • An additional fee is due for online programmes

The University also offers:

  • Concessions for students meeting high merit requirements
  • Diversified tuition fees according to the student's home country for international students with assets/income abroad
  • Concessions for international students with refugee status

Scholarships and benefits

The University provides a range of financial benefits to students meeting special requirements (merit, financial or personal conditions, international students).

Learn more