Applied Biology in Nutritional Sciences
Applied Biology in Nutritional Sciences
Course sheet
A.Y. 2024/2025
Master programme
LM-6 - Biology
The Master of Science (M.Sc.) programme in BIOLOGY APPLIED TO THE SCIENCES OF NUTRITION (BIONUTRI, Class LM-6 Biology) is aimed to the training of qualified experts in the application of biology in nutrition-related fields, the interaction between environment and food, the hygiene and quality of food resources, the control procedures and the accreditation and certification of food. On the basis of the development of biological knowledge in the bio-nutritional field, graduates will be able to manage the problems arising from the rapid evolution of the environmental, cultural, regulatory and technological aspects of nutrition. The M.Sc. in BIONUTRI intends to respond to emerging needs for specific skills in the bio-nutritional field that are currently growing. Specific training objectives are the acquisition of a thorough scientific and operational preparation about:
· the basic chemical composition of food, bioavailability of the macro- and micro-nutrients, the energy content and the nutritional quality of foods, modification of food caused by technological and production processes and by environmental contamination;
· biochemistry and physiology of digestion and absorption and the metabolic processes;
· ecology of nutrition; trophic chains, food eco-toxicology and evaluation of the risk; OGM in the alimentary sector;
· alimentary ethology and pathological dysfunctions connected with the alimentation; microbiology, toxycology and hygiene of the foods;.
· legislation and norms, national and communitary, relative to the alimentary politics, to the hygiene and to the control of the foods, to the nutritional overseeing for populations, to the risk of exposure to contaminating agents in the animal and human diets.
· the basic chemical composition of food, bioavailability of the macro- and micro-nutrients, the energy content and the nutritional quality of foods, modification of food caused by technological and production processes and by environmental contamination;
· biochemistry and physiology of digestion and absorption and the metabolic processes;
· ecology of nutrition; trophic chains, food eco-toxicology and evaluation of the risk; OGM in the alimentary sector;
· alimentary ethology and pathological dysfunctions connected with the alimentation; microbiology, toxycology and hygiene of the foods;.
· legislation and norms, national and communitary, relative to the alimentary politics, to the hygiene and to the control of the foods, to the nutritional overseeing for populations, to the risk of exposure to contaminating agents in the animal and human diets.
The M.Sc. graduates in BIONUTRI possess a specific and modern knowledge of the biological applications in alimentary and nutritional field and a deepened cultural preparation on the problems of nutrition in several contexts as the environmental, technological, legislative and of scientific research ones with particular attention to the cellular and molecular aspects.
The broad acquired competence confers a specific preparation for professional activities and projects in fields correlated to the biological disciplines in the sectors of the industry and of the public administration with particular reference to:
1) comprehension of the biological phenomena at all levels and diffusion/divulgation of such knowledge;
2) correct application of nutrition and of the relative current rules in the field of the public and private health;
3) monitoring of food consumption to assess the nutritional trends of the population, application of methods apt to evaluate food safety and to ensure the health of the consumer;
4) nutritional education for the institutional operators and the population;
5) dietetic advice for determining optimal diets for communities (company refectories, sporting groups, and so on) or single individuals;
6) participation in processes of optimization, conservation and safety of the alimentary resources;
7) procedures of control, credit and certification of private and public laboratories or structures in accordance with the European dispositions;
8) promotion and development of the scientific and technological innovation, as well as of management and design of the technologies related to the biology of nutrition;
9) management and coordination tasks in installations of the national and foreign alimentary industries;
10) professional activities and to set up projects in all the fields correlated to the biological disciplines, in the application sectors of the industry, of the agriculture, of the health and of the public administration.
The M.Sc. graduate in BIONUTRI will be able to carry out:
1) research activity in the bio-nutritional field,
2) research activity in the alimentary industry and in specific sectors for protection of the public health,
3) marketing in the industry of the sector of pertinence,
4) managerial career in either public or private laboratories,
5) free professional activities in pertinent sectors,
6) managerial career in the great alimentary distribution;
7) activity of diffusion of nutritional education.
The M.Sc. graduate in BIONUTRI, after passing the exam for the profession, will be able to enroll in the Biologist?s Professional Register, section A, with the title of Biologist, to perform the activities recognized by the Italian law.
The educational goals and the whole organization of the master program have been defined in the perspective of professional profiles that take into account feasible emergent occupational fields not only within the regional territory, but also within the national and European ones. The expected competences of the graduate are specifically included among those of the Biologist professional. Large and diverse possibilities of professional employment for master graduates with specific formation and cultural competences are also available outside the nation within the EU territory.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
The broad acquired competence confers a specific preparation for professional activities and projects in fields correlated to the biological disciplines in the sectors of the industry and of the public administration with particular reference to:
1) comprehension of the biological phenomena at all levels and diffusion/divulgation of such knowledge;
2) correct application of nutrition and of the relative current rules in the field of the public and private health;
3) monitoring of food consumption to assess the nutritional trends of the population, application of methods apt to evaluate food safety and to ensure the health of the consumer;
4) nutritional education for the institutional operators and the population;
5) dietetic advice for determining optimal diets for communities (company refectories, sporting groups, and so on) or single individuals;
6) participation in processes of optimization, conservation and safety of the alimentary resources;
7) procedures of control, credit and certification of private and public laboratories or structures in accordance with the European dispositions;
8) promotion and development of the scientific and technological innovation, as well as of management and design of the technologies related to the biology of nutrition;
9) management and coordination tasks in installations of the national and foreign alimentary industries;
10) professional activities and to set up projects in all the fields correlated to the biological disciplines, in the application sectors of the industry, of the agriculture, of the health and of the public administration.
The M.Sc. graduate in BIONUTRI will be able to carry out:
1) research activity in the bio-nutritional field,
2) research activity in the alimentary industry and in specific sectors for protection of the public health,
3) marketing in the industry of the sector of pertinence,
4) managerial career in either public or private laboratories,
5) free professional activities in pertinent sectors,
6) managerial career in the great alimentary distribution;
7) activity of diffusion of nutritional education.
The M.Sc. graduate in BIONUTRI, after passing the exam for the profession, will be able to enroll in the Biologist?s Professional Register, section A, with the title of Biologist, to perform the activities recognized by the Italian law.
The educational goals and the whole organization of the master program have been defined in the perspective of professional profiles that take into account feasible emergent occupational fields not only within the regional territory, but also within the national and European ones. The expected competences of the graduate are specifically included among those of the Biologist professional. Large and diverse possibilities of professional employment for master graduates with specific formation and cultural competences are also available outside the nation within the EU territory.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
BIONUTRI students are given the opportunity to spend part of their curriculum abroad, at a University within the European Union (EU) in the frame of the Erasmus+ program of the European Commission. BIONUTRI students can attend courses and take exams that can be included in the core curriculum and/or perform the experimental thesis work in several European Universities localized in Netherland, Norway, Ireland, Germany - where courses taught in English are active - France, Spain and Portugal (see http://eng.dbs.unimi.it/ecm/home/erasmus/outgoing-students/biological-sciences). The admitted student will present a study plan including all the activities he/she intends to perform abroad, detailing the corresponding CFU: the number of proposed CFU should roughly correspond to those the student would achieve in the same time lapse remaining in his/her university. The study plan proposed by the student within the Erasmus+ program should be coherent with the BIONUTRI Master course and must be evaluated and approved by the Teaching Board. The Teaching Board, if necessary, will require the student to integrate the program of exams taken abroad. At the end of the Erasmus + program, according to the rules established by the Academic Senate, the approved exams will be recorded, possibly with the original denomination, as part of the student's curriculum upon conversion of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) into CFU. If the student performs the experimental thesis work abroad, he/she must follow the rules outlined below (see Caratteristiche tirocinio). Erasmus+ program representative for Biological area is Dr. M. C. Bonza ([email protected]).
Attendance is strongly recommended for all courses and compulsory for laboratory activities.
Enrolment
Applicants to the programme must hold minimum curricular requirements and prove adequate knowledge (Ministerial Decree 270/04).
Admission requirements
Graduates in Biological Sciences (Class L-13) fully meeting curricular requirements can access the Master's Degree Programme in APPLIED BIOLOGY IN NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES, provided that their course of studies is consistent with the CBUI Italian National Board's guidelines, as duly certified. These guidelines, provided in the CBUI model table, specify the required academic fields and the respective recommended credits (CFU): 66-96 CFU in basic biological disciplines (BIO/01, BIO/02, BIO/04, BIO/05, BIO/06, BIO/07, BIO/09, BIO/10, BIO/11, BIO/18, BIO/19); 12-15 CFU in basic non-biological chemical disciplines (CHIM/01, CHIM/02, CHIM/03, CHIM/06); 15-18 CFU in basic non-biological mathematical, physical and computer science disciplines (MAT/01-09, FIS/01-08 and INF/01).
The programme can also be accessed by graduates of the same class (L-13), who have not followed a course of studies in line with the CBUI's guidelines, or of class L-12 - Biological Sciences pursuant to Ministerial Decree 509/99, or of other classes, as long as they meet certain curricular requirements. More specifically, they must have earned an adequate number of CFU (normally not less than 90 CFU) in groups of academic fields equivalent or similar to those listed in the table for class L-13 - Biological Sciences across non-biological and basic biological disciplines, according to a quantitative logic similar to that of the above mentioned CBUI criteria.
In order to meet CFU requirements, you can sit for the relevant exams at our or other universities before enrolling in the MDP.
For information on unmet curricular requirements, please send your curriculum for assessment to the MDP Coordinator, or to [email protected], well in advance (even during the Bachelor's degree programme), so that you can take the necessary exams in time.
The educational background required for admission to the Master's degree programme includes adequate basic training in biology, allowing the candidate to pursue advanced-level studies. The admission assessment will include:
1. the assessment of the candidate's previous curriculum;
2. the candidate's knowledge and skills.
For all categories of candidates, adequate knowledge and personal skills will be key for admission and will be assessed by a written exam and possibly an individual interview.
Admission assessment
Adequate knowledge and personal skills will be key for admission and will be assessed by a written exam and possibly an individual interview. The interview with a board of at least three faculty members appointed by the Department's Academic Board aims to assess the candidate's skills and motivation with a view to pursuing advanced-level studies. Only students who have already graduated may sit for the interview. The board will award up to 25/100 for the degree mark, up to 10/100 for the curriculum of studies (type of degree, any elective courses attended/passed, other diplomas, etc.), and up to 65/100 for the written exam and the interview. Candidates must score at least 60/100 for admission. Candidates who fail the admission assessment may not enrol on the programme for the current year.
The written exam will take place only once, in September, for all applicants, both graduates and upcoming graduates.
Subsequently, if required, candidates will go through an interview as scheduled below. For academic year 2024/2025, the admission assessment will take place as follows:
- Written exam at 9:30 am on 10 September 2024 for all applicants, whether graduates or upcoming graduates. Room details will be notified to candidates in due time. The written exam may be followed by an interview, to be held on the first available date among those listed below after the candidate has obtained their Bachelor's degree:
- 13 September 2024, 9:30 am, Meeting Room (Department of Biosciences, via Celoria 26, 2nd floor, tower A), for graduates;
- 4 November 2024, 2.30 pm, Meeting Room (Department of Biosciences, via Celoria 26, 2nd floor, tower A), for those graduating in October;
- 8 January 2025, 2.30 pm, Meeting Room (Department of Biosciences, via Celoria 26, 2nd floor, tower A), for those graduating in December.
In the event of any restrictions to in-person admission assessments due to health and safety reasons, the same assessments will take place online. The candidates will be promptly notified.
Those who have submitted an application for admission must show up before the examining boards with an ID on the above date and place without further notice.
Foreign students:
For non-EU, non-resident students with foreign qualifications, applications will be assessed based on the qualifications, and possibly an online interview.
Non-EU citizens residing in Italy and EU citizens are equated with Italian citizens for the purposes of the admission assessment.
Admission requirements
Graduates in Biological Sciences (Class L-13) fully meeting curricular requirements can access the Master's Degree Programme in APPLIED BIOLOGY IN NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES, provided that their course of studies is consistent with the CBUI Italian National Board's guidelines, as duly certified. These guidelines, provided in the CBUI model table, specify the required academic fields and the respective recommended credits (CFU): 66-96 CFU in basic biological disciplines (BIO/01, BIO/02, BIO/04, BIO/05, BIO/06, BIO/07, BIO/09, BIO/10, BIO/11, BIO/18, BIO/19); 12-15 CFU in basic non-biological chemical disciplines (CHIM/01, CHIM/02, CHIM/03, CHIM/06); 15-18 CFU in basic non-biological mathematical, physical and computer science disciplines (MAT/01-09, FIS/01-08 and INF/01).
The programme can also be accessed by graduates of the same class (L-13), who have not followed a course of studies in line with the CBUI's guidelines, or of class L-12 - Biological Sciences pursuant to Ministerial Decree 509/99, or of other classes, as long as they meet certain curricular requirements. More specifically, they must have earned an adequate number of CFU (normally not less than 90 CFU) in groups of academic fields equivalent or similar to those listed in the table for class L-13 - Biological Sciences across non-biological and basic biological disciplines, according to a quantitative logic similar to that of the above mentioned CBUI criteria.
In order to meet CFU requirements, you can sit for the relevant exams at our or other universities before enrolling in the MDP.
For information on unmet curricular requirements, please send your curriculum for assessment to the MDP Coordinator, or to [email protected], well in advance (even during the Bachelor's degree programme), so that you can take the necessary exams in time.
The educational background required for admission to the Master's degree programme includes adequate basic training in biology, allowing the candidate to pursue advanced-level studies. The admission assessment will include:
1. the assessment of the candidate's previous curriculum;
2. the candidate's knowledge and skills.
For all categories of candidates, adequate knowledge and personal skills will be key for admission and will be assessed by a written exam and possibly an individual interview.
Admission assessment
Adequate knowledge and personal skills will be key for admission and will be assessed by a written exam and possibly an individual interview. The interview with a board of at least three faculty members appointed by the Department's Academic Board aims to assess the candidate's skills and motivation with a view to pursuing advanced-level studies. Only students who have already graduated may sit for the interview. The board will award up to 25/100 for the degree mark, up to 10/100 for the curriculum of studies (type of degree, any elective courses attended/passed, other diplomas, etc.), and up to 65/100 for the written exam and the interview. Candidates must score at least 60/100 for admission. Candidates who fail the admission assessment may not enrol on the programme for the current year.
The written exam will take place only once, in September, for all applicants, both graduates and upcoming graduates.
Subsequently, if required, candidates will go through an interview as scheduled below. For academic year 2024/2025, the admission assessment will take place as follows:
- Written exam at 9:30 am on 10 September 2024 for all applicants, whether graduates or upcoming graduates. Room details will be notified to candidates in due time. The written exam may be followed by an interview, to be held on the first available date among those listed below after the candidate has obtained their Bachelor's degree:
- 13 September 2024, 9:30 am, Meeting Room (Department of Biosciences, via Celoria 26, 2nd floor, tower A), for graduates;
- 4 November 2024, 2.30 pm, Meeting Room (Department of Biosciences, via Celoria 26, 2nd floor, tower A), for those graduating in October;
- 8 January 2025, 2.30 pm, Meeting Room (Department of Biosciences, via Celoria 26, 2nd floor, tower A), for those graduating in December.
In the event of any restrictions to in-person admission assessments due to health and safety reasons, the same assessments will take place online. The candidates will be promptly notified.
Those who have submitted an application for admission must show up before the examining boards with an ID on the above date and place without further notice.
Foreign students:
For non-EU, non-resident students with foreign qualifications, applications will be assessed based on the qualifications, and possibly an online interview.
Non-EU citizens residing in Italy and EU citizens are equated with Italian citizens for the purposes of the admission assessment.
Admission
Application for admission: from 22/01/2024 to 25/08/2024
Application for matriculation: from 08/04/2024 to 15/01/2025
Attachments and documents
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.
Online services
Learn more:
Programme description and courses list
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Biology of Nutrition | 9 | 76 | Italian | ING-INF/06 MAT/06 MED/49 |
| - BIOLOGY OF NUTRITION | 6 | |||
| - DATA ANALYSIS AND PREDICTIVE MODELING | 3 | |||
| Food and Fermentation Chemistry | 6 | 48 | Italian | CHIM/11 |
| Nutritional Biochemistry | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/04 BIO/10 |
| Structural and Functional Bases of Nutrition | 9 | 72 | Italian | BIO/09 BIO/16 |
| Optional | ||||
| Food Hygiene and Safety | 6 | 48 | Italian | MED/42 |
| Nutrition, Pharmacology and Toxicology | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/14 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| Alimentation and Prevention of Nutritional Diseases | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/13 MED/13 MED/49 |
| Feeding Behaviour and Nutritional Status of Populations | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/05 BIO/07 |
| Foods Resources | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/01 BIO/05 |
| Human Microbiota and Host-Interactions | 6 | 56 | Italian | BIO/19 |
| Molecular and Cellular Bases of Metabolic and Nutritional Diseases | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/09 MED/04 |
| Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/18 |
| Nutrition and Life Cycles | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/06 |
| Nutrition Ecology and Ecotoxicology | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/07 |
| Regulation, Standardization and Business Organization | 6 | 48 | Italian | IUS/07 SECS-P/06 |
| - BUSINESS ORGANIZATION | 3 | |||
| - REGULATION AND STANDARDIZATION | 3 | |||
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | English | |
year
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Applications in Food Sciences | 9 | 84 | Italian | CHIM/06 MED/38 VET/06 |
Conclusive activities
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Final Exam | 42 | 0 | Italian | |
Per il superamento degli esami del biennio magistrale non sono previste propedeuticità, né sono previsti vincoli didattici per il passaggio dal 1° al 2° anno di corso.
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Location
Milan
Course locations
Classrooms are located in the University buildings in: Via Celoria, 26 (Biology buildings); Via Celoria, 20 (Teaching Sector); Via Golgi, 19.
The Academic Services Office is located in the Department of Biosciences, Via Celoria, 26 - Milano (Tower A, II Floor).
The Academic Services Office is located in the Department of Biosciences, Via Celoria, 26 - Milano (Tower A, II Floor).
Laboratory locations
The CLM is characterized by an intense laboratory activity that is mainly carried out in the internship activity for the thesis.
Head of study programme
Academic guidance tutor
Erasmus and international mobility tutor
Study plan tutor
Internship tutor
Seminar and workshop tutor
Dissertation tutor
University and programme transfer tutor
Master's degree admission tutor
Credit recognition tutor
Quality Assurance Delegate
Reference structures
Contacts
- Study programme head and course management
via Celoria, 26 - Milano (2° piano, torre A).
https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML
[email protected] - Student registrar
via Celoria, 18 - Milano
https://www.unimi.it/en/node/359/
+390250325032
https://www.unimi.it/en/node/360 - New student information center
via Celoria, 26 - Milano (2° piano, torre A).
https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML - Admissions and enrolment
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/degree-programme-enrolment/enrolment-masters-programme - Disability and SLD academic tutor (appointed by the Academic Board):
Prof.ssa Diletta Dolfini
[email protected] - Programme Coordinator
Prof. Alessandro Aliverti
[email protected]
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
Guidance:
Admission, ranking and enrolment
Official documents