Development and Protection of Mountain Environment
Development and Protection of Mountain Environment
Course sheet
A.Y. 2024/2025
Bachelor
L-25 - Agriculture and forestry industry
The Degree Course in Development and Protection of the Mountain Environment, as specified by the ministerial decree for the class of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences and Technologies (class L-25), prepares graduates with good basic knowledge in the main sectors of agricultural and forestry sciences, with particular reference to mountain environments. They will be able to perform technical, managerial and professional tasks, finalizing their knowledge to solve applied problems in the agricultural, environmental and forestry sector, with particular reference to the specific conditions and needs of mountain areas, facilitating innovation processes and the promotion of sustainable development and new activities, also in the context of the "green economy". The orientation towards problem-solving and teamwork, locally, nationally and internationally, is also an educational objective pursued through activities that aim to acquire a systemic view of the territory, an adequate knowledge of the English language and basic skills for communication and information management. In particular, the undergraduate course prepares graduates who, in addition to possessing good basic competence in the agro-forestry and mountain environment sectors, have a base of knowledge, skills and abilities applicable in various areas of intervention for the protection and development of mountain areas: from the sustainable management and enhancement of natural, territorial, landscape and agro-ecosystem resources, to the defense of the territory as well as the planning and implementation of territorial development. All this, considering the main environmental and social phenomena taking place in mountain areas (climate change, loss of competitiveness, etc.) and the specific resources on which to leverage, as well as strategies and approaches based on innovation, optimization, enhancement and management of products and services, including ecosystems, generated by agro-environmental and forestry activities in the mountains in various sectors, from the more traditional ones of agriculture, forestry and conservation of the mountain territory, to the sector of environmental education and agri-environmental tourism, as well as the administration, management and marketing of the territory and bioeconomics.
The course activities take place entirely at the UNIMONT campus, which the University of Milan has activated in Edolo (BS), in the heart of the central Alps. This contributes significantly to the acquisition of practical and direct knowledge and awareness of environmental complexity and allows experimentation with the specific organizational and functional articulation typical of small mountainous territorial contexts, favoring the creation of professional profiles prepared to operate taking into account the specificities of the local dimension to plan, implement and/or promote effective valorisation and development processes.
The Undergraduate Course will also provide the educational foundation necessary for access to specialist and Master's degrees in the relevant cultural area. Graduate training includes basic and professional disciplines in biology, chemistry, engineering, technology and economics.
The course activities take place entirely at the UNIMONT campus, which the University of Milan has activated in Edolo (BS), in the heart of the central Alps. This contributes significantly to the acquisition of practical and direct knowledge and awareness of environmental complexity and allows experimentation with the specific organizational and functional articulation typical of small mountainous territorial contexts, favoring the creation of professional profiles prepared to operate taking into account the specificities of the local dimension to plan, implement and/or promote effective valorisation and development processes.
The Undergraduate Course will also provide the educational foundation necessary for access to specialist and Master's degrees in the relevant cultural area. Graduate training includes basic and professional disciplines in biology, chemistry, engineering, technology and economics.
The graduate professional profile is that of a mountain system specialist, capable of identifying the specific natural, agro-environmental, territorial resources in order to enhance them in traditional and innovative, sustainable and quality production processes, and at the same time to protect the environment, through appropriate and specific management approaches, thus facilitating sustainable development processes that are effective in protecting the environment and in reducing the socio-economic differences between mountain and urban areas.
Expected employment opportunities are:
- entrepreneurial activity in the sector of plant, animal, agri-food and forestry production typical of mountain areas and their valorisation (multifunctional farms, processing companies, marketing and promotion of products from typical and traditional mountain supply chains, etc.);
- professional activity of technical assistance and support for the planning, management and monitoring of soil conservation, prevention of hydrogeological instability, protection of the mountain environment, in public and private companies;
- planning and management of intervention for the enhancement and integrated development of internal and mountain areas, through innovative, technological and low-impact methods, tools and approaches for the use and management of the territory, in line with the main national and European strategies and policies, also considering the current environmental and social challenges connected with climate change and with the reduction of the socio-economic gap between mountain and urban areas, fostering territorial cohesion;
- education and dissemination activities regarding the mountain environmental and agro-forestry context, also in relation to promotion and communication activities of the mountain territory and its specificities.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Expected employment opportunities are:
- entrepreneurial activity in the sector of plant, animal, agri-food and forestry production typical of mountain areas and their valorisation (multifunctional farms, processing companies, marketing and promotion of products from typical and traditional mountain supply chains, etc.);
- professional activity of technical assistance and support for the planning, management and monitoring of soil conservation, prevention of hydrogeological instability, protection of the mountain environment, in public and private companies;
- planning and management of intervention for the enhancement and integrated development of internal and mountain areas, through innovative, technological and low-impact methods, tools and approaches for the use and management of the territory, in line with the main national and European strategies and policies, also considering the current environmental and social challenges connected with climate change and with the reduction of the socio-economic gap between mountain and urban areas, fostering territorial cohesion;
- education and dissemination activities regarding the mountain environmental and agro-forestry context, also in relation to promotion and communication activities of the mountain territory and its specificities.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
The Degree course in Development and Protection of Mountain Environment offers ample opportunity to study abroad, mainly through the Erasmus + programme involving approximately 30 universities throughout the European Union and the Swiss Mobility Programme. Each year about 5 students choose to spend a period of study/work at these universities. Any specific sectors of the degree course can be developed at partner universities. In general, students who benefit from this opportunity tend to take courses that broaden their scientific knowledge, and to carry out internships or theses in well-known laboratories. A learning agreement, defining the choice of exams and the organization of the internship at the partner university, is drawn up in collaboration with the Erasmus coordinator of the degree course. Before completing the learning agreement, students must obtain formal approval of the examinations to be taken at the host university from lecturers who hold equivalent or similar courses at the University of Milan. The examination grades and the relative credits obtained at partner universities are recognized almost entirely, so students can be sure that results obtained in the host university will then be positively evaluated in their study curriculum. There are also other opportunities for cultural exchanges with Universities that have established agreements with our University but are not part of the Erasmus system. These belong to non-EU areas such as China, Japan, Latin America. Moreover, the extensive network of collaboration and contacts involving most mountain stakeholders at local, regional, national and international levels active at the UNIMONT centre allows the organization of seminars and activities that offer students a unique opportunity to get in touch with the "innovation ecosystem" of European mountain areas, and therefore with the main actors and best practices active at an international level.
Course attendance is strongly recommended.
Enrolment
Admission requirements
Applicants to the degree programme must hold a secondary-school diploma, or other equivalent qualification, and a baseline of knowledge in scientific subjects (mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology).
Admission assessment
Admission to this Bachelor's degree programme is open, subject to a mandatory, non-selective, assessment test before enrolment.
The test will ascertain that the candidate meets admission requirements, i.e. knowledge of key science subjects as provided by upper secondary school, and an understanding of elementary logic.
The test required for admission into the degree programme is TOLC-AV, an online test provided by the Consortium of Inter-University Integrated Access Systems (CISIA - https://www.cisiaonline.it).
For test topics and details, please review the page https://www.cisiaonline.it/en/area-tematica-tolc-agraria-veterinaria/struttura-della-prova-e-syllabus/. You may sit for the TOLC-AV test at the University of Milan or any other member university of CISIA.
The calendar with available venues and dates is posted to the page https://tolc.cisiaonline.it/calendario.php?l=gb.
Registration procedures and deadlines are set out in the call for applications posted to the page https://vtatm.cdl.unimi.it/it/iscriversi
Admission of transfer or graduate students
Transfer students from a degree programme of the University of Milan, or another university, and graduate students will be waived from the test requirement only if admitted to years subsequent to Year I.
To this end, they will have to submit a specific request for prior assessment of their academic records using the online service as shown in the call for applications.
These candidates must provide a full transcript of records (listing exams, subject areas, credits, grades) and attach the course syllabi. For more details and dates, please refer to the call for applications.
Students admitted to the first year will be required to take the test.
Additional learning requirements (OFA) and remedial activities
Students who are admitted with a score lower than or equal to 4 in the Mathematics section of the TOLC-AV test will have to fulfil additional learning requirements (OFA). Remedial activities will be organized for students with OFA (in the period October-December), both as online exercises on an e-learning platform and as discussion sessions with a tutor. After participating in remedial activities, new students will have to take a final assessment test. Mathematics OFA are prerequisites for all second- and third-year exams. For students who have not passed the OFA final test during the first year, passing the Mathematics exam is a prerequisite for all second- and third-year exams. Learn more at https://vtatm.cdl.unimi.it/it/studiare/le-matricole
Applicants to the degree programme must hold a secondary-school diploma, or other equivalent qualification, and a baseline of knowledge in scientific subjects (mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology).
Admission assessment
Admission to this Bachelor's degree programme is open, subject to a mandatory, non-selective, assessment test before enrolment.
The test will ascertain that the candidate meets admission requirements, i.e. knowledge of key science subjects as provided by upper secondary school, and an understanding of elementary logic.
The test required for admission into the degree programme is TOLC-AV, an online test provided by the Consortium of Inter-University Integrated Access Systems (CISIA - https://www.cisiaonline.it).
For test topics and details, please review the page https://www.cisiaonline.it/en/area-tematica-tolc-agraria-veterinaria/struttura-della-prova-e-syllabus/. You may sit for the TOLC-AV test at the University of Milan or any other member university of CISIA.
The calendar with available venues and dates is posted to the page https://tolc.cisiaonline.it/calendario.php?l=gb.
Registration procedures and deadlines are set out in the call for applications posted to the page https://vtatm.cdl.unimi.it/it/iscriversi
Admission of transfer or graduate students
Transfer students from a degree programme of the University of Milan, or another university, and graduate students will be waived from the test requirement only if admitted to years subsequent to Year I.
To this end, they will have to submit a specific request for prior assessment of their academic records using the online service as shown in the call for applications.
These candidates must provide a full transcript of records (listing exams, subject areas, credits, grades) and attach the course syllabi. For more details and dates, please refer to the call for applications.
Students admitted to the first year will be required to take the test.
Additional learning requirements (OFA) and remedial activities
Students who are admitted with a score lower than or equal to 4 in the Mathematics section of the TOLC-AV test will have to fulfil additional learning requirements (OFA). Remedial activities will be organized for students with OFA (in the period October-December), both as online exercises on an e-learning platform and as discussion sessions with a tutor. After participating in remedial activities, new students will have to take a final assessment test. Mathematics OFA are prerequisites for all second- and third-year exams. For students who have not passed the OFA final test during the first year, passing the Mathematics exam is a prerequisite for all second- and third-year exams. Learn more at https://vtatm.cdl.unimi.it/it/studiare/le-matricole
Call for applications
Please refer to the call for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.
Application for matriculation: from 15/07/2024 to 30/09/2024
Online services
Learn more:
Programme description and courses list
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Computer Knowledge and E-Skills | 6 | 64 | Italian | |
| General and Inorganic Chemistry | 6 | 60 | Italian | CHIM/03 |
| Mathematics | 6 | 60 | Italian | MAT/01 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Animal and Plant Biology | 12 | 132 | Italian | BIO/03 BIO/05 |
| Essentials of Economics | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/01 |
| Organic Chemistry | 6 | 56 | Italian | CHIM/06 |
| Physics | 6 | 60 | Italian | FIS/07 |
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 Assessment B1 (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | English | |
be activated by the A.Y. 2025/2026
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Agronomy for Mountain Areas | 12 | 112 | Italian | AGR/02 AGR/13 |
| Geopedology | 8 | 68 | Italian | AGR/14 GEO/04 |
| Structures, Planning, Management and Surveying of Mountain Territories | 8 | 80 | Italian | AGR/10 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Elements of Biochemistry, Plant Physiology and Agro-Food Microbiology | 10 | 88 | Italian | AGR/13 AGR/16 |
| Forestry | 8 | 80 | Italian | AGR/05 |
| Fruit Tree Production | 8 | 80 | Italian | AGR/03 |
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Stage | 6 | 0 | Italian | |
be activated by the A.Y. 2026/2027
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Environmental and Forest Surveying and Economics | 8 | 80 | Italian | AGR/01 |
| Livestock Farming in Mountain Areas | 12 | 116 | Italian | AGR/19 VET/01 |
| Plant Protection in Mountain Areas | 8 | 80 | Italian | AGR/11 AGR/12 |
| Processing of Agri-Food Products | 7 | 56 | Italian | AGR/15 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Agricultural and Forestry Mechanization | 6 | 72 | Italian | AGR/09 |
| Soil Conservation in Mountain Watersheds | 8 | 80 | Italian | AGR/08 |
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 | 4 | 0 | Italian | |
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| Analysis of Foods of Animal Origin to Valorizing Mountain Food Chains and Consumer Protection | 3 | 32 | Italian | VET/04 |
| Policies and Legislation for Mountain Areas | 3 | 24 | Italian | IUS/09 |
| Renewable Energies in Mountain Areas | 4 | 32 | Italian | AGR/09 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| Applied Plant Ecology for Mountain Agro-Ecosystems | 3 | 24 | Italian | BIO/03 |
| Wildlife Management | 4 | 40 | Italian | AGR/19 |
Study plan rules
- The student has 16 credits available to be allocated to freely chosen training activities. These activities must be consistent with the study plan of the graduate in Development and Protection of the Mountain Environment.
Students will be able to acquire credits freely by choosing from the courses offered by the University of Milan or by actively following seminars, conferences, refresher courses or other activities organized by the University or by another institution, always after the favorable opinion of the Academic Board. See also the paragraph Structure of the course - Presentation of the study plan.
The Academic Board proposes, in the table below, some training activities organized at the Edolo Campus, to which seminar activities and integrated laboratories on specific topics, coordinated with the internship activity and aimed at drafting the final thesis, can be added.
Students will be able to acquire credits freely by choosing from the courses offered by the University of Milan or by actively following seminars, conferences, refresher courses or other activities organized by the University or by another institution, always after the favorable opinion of the Academic Board. See also the paragraph Structure of the course - Presentation of the study plan.
The Academic Board proposes, in the table below, some training activities organized at the Edolo Campus, to which seminar activities and integrated laboratories on specific topics, coordinated with the internship activity and aimed at drafting the final thesis, can be added.
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analysis of Foods of Animal Origin to Valorizing Mountain Food Chains and Consumer Protection | 3 | 32 | Italian | First semester | VET/04 |
| Policies and Legislation for Mountain Areas | 3 | 24 | Italian | First semester | IUS/09 |
| Renewable Energies in Mountain Areas | 4 | 32 | Italian | First semester | AGR/09 |
| Applied Plant Ecology for Mountain Agro-Ecosystems | 3 | 24 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/03 |
| Wildlife Management | 4 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/19 |
Learn more
Location
Edolo (BS)
Head of study programme
Study plan tutor
Quality Assurance Delegate
Reference structures
Contacts
- Degree programme administration
Via Morino 8, Edolo (BS)
[email protected]
+390250330500 - Degree programme head
[email protected] - Student registrar
via Celoria 18 - Milano Città Studi
https://www.unimi.it/en/node/359
+390250325032
https://www.unimi.it/en/node/360 - Course management for the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (Science and Technology area)
via Celoria 2 - Milano Città Studi
https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML
+390250316511-0250316512
Monday, wednesday and friday from 10.30 am to 12.30 am; tuesday and thursday from 2 pm to 4 pm. - SLD tutor
Prof.ssa Fulvia Tambone
[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