Exploring Core Facilities, a New Paradigm in the European Universities

The course aims to introduce students to Core Facilities, a new emerging reality in the Italian and European landscape that aims to support the research activities of universities and research institutes with a focus on sustainability, interdisciplinarity, and collaboration. The course will provide information on the existence of Core Facilities, their organization, and the potential services offered, ranging from the local (University) to the national and European levels. This will inform students, the researchers of tomorrow, about the potential in the scientific field and potential postgraduate career opportunities.

1. Knowledge and understanding: Students will develop knowledge and understanding regarding the existence of core facilities, their organization, and the potential services offered, ranging from the local (University) to the national and European levels.
2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: By the end of the course, students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the definition of a Core Facility and its difference from research infrastructures, the organization of a Core Facility and the personnel involved, the potential services offered, and the main practical applications of current University Core Facilities.
3. Critical thinking and judgment skills: Students will demonstrate the ability to critically argue about the information acquired.
4. Ability to communicate what they have learned: Students will demonstrate the ability to express themselves with appropriate scientific terminology, particularly regarding terminology relating to Core Facilities.
5. Ability to pursue independent study throughout one's life: The student must demonstrate the ability to use the knowledge acquired to utilize local, national, and/or European core facilities in the future, both as research support and as a potential career opportunity.