Dietetics

Studente osserva al telescopio
Dietetics
Course sheet
A.Y. 2024/2025
Bachelor
L/SNT3 - Health professions for technical assistance
Bachelor
180
ECTS
Access
Limited enrolment with admission test
3
Years
Course location
Milano
Language
Italian
The graduate of the Degree Programme in Dietetics must:
· have a good foundation in biological systems, especially in humans, interpreted at a molecular and cellular level, as well as in terms of integrations into the organism;
· have the cultural and experimental basis for multi-disciplinary techniques on which applied nutritional and dietetic sciences are based;
· be familiar with the methods of experimental science, and statistical-epidemiological enquiries, and be able to apply these to concrete situations with a sufficient understanding of the regulatory nexus and professional-ethics and bioethics implications of the practice;
· be able to play well-defined technical-professional roles in terms of applying dietetic practices in the medical/healthcare field;
· be proficient in at least one European Union language, other than Italian, as required by one's specific job duties, and simple exchanges of information;
· be informed of radiation protection as required under European Union law (Legislative Decree no. 187 of 26 May 2000);
· possess psychological and sociological skills useful for operating in the field of nutritional education and food safety;
· be able to write technical-scientific reports;
· be able to work on a team, whilst being a self-starter with the ability to work independently;
· participate in study, research, and documentation activities in the pursuit of the aforementioned purposes.
A Dietician is a healthcare worker vested with certain baseline and practical understandings in the field of nutrition / food science and dietetics, one who is able to carry out, within the scope of their expertise, any and all operations aimed at the proper application of eating and nutrition, including educational aspects, and liaising with others to generate food policies in accordance with applicable law.
Specifically:
- organising and coordinating specific activities relating to nutrition in general, and dietetics in particular;
- working with authorities in the food-safety arena;
- generating, formulating, and implementing diets as prescribed by a physician, and make sure the patient finds them acceptable;
- working with other professionals to provide multi-disciplinary treatment of disordered eating;
- studying and generating nutritional guidelines and the food pyramid with respect to the nutritional needs of subsets of the population, and planning nutritional services for communities of well and sick persons;
- providing education, training, and information aimed at disseminating a culture of good nutrition, such that an individual, a community, or a subset of the population might be restored to good health.

Those earning a degree in Dietetics provide professional services in healthcare facilities, and in businesses (whether in the public or private sector) with operations in food, nutrition, or dietetics, as either an employee or independent professional. A basic proficiency in the English language allowing them to work both in Italy, or in Europe (or beyond) is important.
Such professional operations may be conducted as an employee or independent professional. Professional opportunities for graduates of the Dietetics programme may be found in:
- clinical dietetics and nutrition, and hospital pharmacy services, for public or private hospitals;
- dining and canteen services for schools, communities, industries, and other establishments;
- mobile services relating to hygiene, food education, and dietician support in the home, for the regional healthcare system;
- planning and organisation of educational and other programming relating to food and nutrition;
- industries in the food sector.

Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
The Degree Programme in Dietetics has for many years offered its students the chance to study abroad (as part of the ERASMUS programme), with credits transferring into the University of Milan.
During the period of study overseas, the Degree Programme in Dietetics offers students in Years II and III the opportunity to attend classes, complete pre-professional training, or prepare their thesis.
The study programme or thesis to be carried out overseas must be agreed upon with the advisor prior to the student's departure, or through the ERASMUS office within their own Study Programme. It must be detailed in a document called the "Learning Agreement" which must be approved by both the University of Milan and by the host institution.
The university campuses with which we have established a profitable partnership are internationally renowned institutions including the Universidad de Valladolid (Spain), and Instituto Politècnico de Bragança (Portugal).
Up to 60 transfer credits per year are available, 30 for six months and 20 for three months.
In order to transfer their credits, ERASMUS participants must therefore complete the entire academic programme as detailed in their Learning Agreement, and earn at least 70% of the credits contemplated in that document.
The ERASMUS experience can become a very edifying experience within one's university career, not only for purposes of cultural and linguistic exchanges with students from other countries, but also in terms of the possibility of international collaborations that might serve students well in the years to come, and which might open professional doors in Italy and abroad.
Attendance of all educational activities contemplated in the study plan is mandatory. To be allowed to sit the for-credit exam, students must have attended at least 75% of the educational programming contemplated for each class. Moreover, Laboratory courses must be undertaken and completed within the designated year; students enrolled in subsequent years will not be permitted to register. 100% attendance is required to pre-professional training activities (internships).
Enrolment
To be admitted into the degree programme, a candidate must have an Italian secondary-school diploma or similar diploma obtained overseas and deemed equivalent.
Admission into the programme is capped, at a national level, pursuant to Law no. 264 of 2 August 1999.
Those ranking high enough following the admission test must complete their enrolment through the online SIFA interface, and submit their application to the Academic Services Office for Medicine and Surgery, Via Santa Sofia, 9 Milan, by the deadline stated in the call for applications.

Additional learning requirements (OFA)
Students who answered less than 50% of the Biology and Chemistry questions on the admission test will be required to finish a set of additional learning requirements (OFA). These prerequisites may be met through specifically assigned remedial work. Any failure to complete the OFA will make it impossible for the student to sit for the exam in: Biochemistry.
Timely notice of the various courses will be posted to: https://dietistica.cdl.unimi.it/it

Places available: 27 + 3 reserved for non-EU citizens

Call for applications

The call for applications is being finalized. Please refer to the call, once it is available, for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.

Application for admission: application deadlines will be published shortly.

The call for applications is being finalized

Programme description and courses list
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Food Chemistry, Science, and Technology 8 80 Italian AGR/15
- Food science and technology4
- Nutritional chemistry4
Physics Informatics and Statistics 8 80 Italian FIS/07 INF/01 MED/01
- Applied physics4
- Informatics1
- Medical statistics3
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Basic Biological and Morphological Sciences 6 60 Italian BIO/13 BIO/16 BIO/17
- Experimental biology2
- Histology1
- Human anatomy3
Biological Chemistry 6 60 Italian BIO/10
Chemistry and Introductory Biochemistry 3 30 Italian BIO/10
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
General Pathology, Immunology and Medical Genetics 6 60 Italian MED/03 MED/04
- General pathology and immunology5
- Medical genetics1
Internship (year 1) 5 125 Italian MED/49
Microbiology and Hygiene 5 50 Italian MED/07 MED/42
- Hygiene and public health3
- Microbiology and clinical microbiology2
Nutritional Physiology 6 60 Italian BIO/09
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Computer Science Course 3 30 Italian INF/01
English Assessment B1 (2 ECTS) 2 0 English
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Internship (year 2) 25 625 Italian MED/49
Maternal and Child Medicine 5 50 Italian MED/38 MED/39 MED/40 MED/49
- Child neuropsychiatry1
- Dietetics for expectant mothers and infants/youth1
- General and subspecialty paediatrics2
- Obstetrics and gynecology1
Psychopedagogy Science 4 40 Italian M-PED/01 M-PSI/01 M-PSI/08
- Clinical psychology2
- General psychology1
- Theories and science of education and social education1
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Pharmacology, Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostic Imaging 6 60 Italian BIO/12 BIO/14 MED/36
- Clinical biochemistry and molecular biology2
- Diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy1
- Pharmacology3
Principles of Dietetics and Assessment of Nutritional Status 8 80 Italian MED/49
- Assessment of nutritional status4
- Principles of dietetics4
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Community Nutrition 4 40 Italian MED/49
- Community nutrition3
- Patient Education1
Medical Science Specialties 1 5 50 Italian MED/09 MED/11 MED/49
- Applied dietotherapy 12
- Cardiovascular diseases1
- Internal medicine2
Study plan rules
Elettivi - Lo studente, al secondo anno, deve altresì maturare 3 CFU in attività formative a scelta.
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Internship (year 3) 30 750 Italian MED/49
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Forensic Medicine and Ethical Principles 1 10 Italian
Medical Science Specialties 2 4 40 Italian MED/13 MED/25 MED/26 MED/28
- Endocrinology1
- Neurology1
- Oral diseases and dentistry1
- Psychiatry1
Medical Science Specialties 3 4 40 Italian MED/06 MED/18 MED/49
- Applied dietotherapy 32
- Oncology1
- Surgery1
Medical Science Specialties 4 4 40 Italian MED/12 MED/14 MED/49
- Applied dietotherapy 22
- Gastroenterology1
- Nephrology1
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Health and Food Legislation 1 10 Italian
Methodsand Teachings of Motor Skills Activity 1 10 Italian
Professional Laboratory of Applied Food Technology 3 30 Italian
Statistics for Research and Economics 4 40 Italian SECS-P/06 SECS-S/02
- Applied economics2
- Statistics for experimental and technological research2
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 Test 7 0 Italian
Study plan rules
Elettivi - Lo studente, al terzo anno, deve altresì maturare 3 CFU in attività formative a scelta.
Learn more
Location
Milano
Course locations
Educational activities for the Degree Programme in Dietetics are offered through the teaching facilities located in the Città Studi area, as well as other facilities coordinated by the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, including a number of teaching hospitals, both public and private, within the national health service, holding academic accreditation. The Departments within the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, as well as those dietology, feeding, and nutrition services offered through its affiliated network of treatment facilities (both in a clinical and non-clinical setting) offer state-of-the-art scientific and therapeutic equipment, as well as access to professional expertise in the field of nutrition and healthy eating. These facilities are likewise used for clinical training, professional internships, and activities relating to the final exam.

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