Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine

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Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine
Course sheet
A.Y. 2024/2025
Master programme
LM-9 - Pharmaceutical, veterinary and medical biotechnologies
Master programme
120
ECTS
Access
Limited enrolment with admission test
2
Years
Course location
Milan
Language
English
The Master's programme in Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine aims to train professionals with a solid technical and theoretical background. Their expected career development will be to develop scientific methodologies and coordinate research projects in the fields of applied biotechnology and translational medicine. The Master's course will provide students with a solid background in the genetic and molecular bases of diseases and the physiopathological mechanisms occurring in human beings in disease states, in order to develop biotechnology-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This knowledge will be complemented with specific training in the fields of computer science, biophysics, nanotechnology and pharmacology. The Master's programme is organised in common and curricular learning activities focusing on neuroscience, oncology, molecular diagnostics, immunobiotechnology, modelling and bioinformatics. As part of the common course, students will learn the economic management of a scientific project, with a focus on the construction of a business plan and cost analysis. The Master's programme devotes a long period of time, almost the entire second year, to laboratory activities in which the student, under the supervision of a tutor, will independently develop and apply different experimental approaches in the context of a larger research project. This activity will be aimed at preparing for the final examination of the degree course.
The objective of the course is to provide the scientific community with experts in the fields of medical biotechnology and molecular medicine able to develop new experimental models for the study of human diseases, to develop new diagnostic approaches, to identify new therapeutic molecules, to devise innovative drug delivery systems. All these possibilities arise from the competences of the Masters graduate who will have a strong medical educational background that will allow her/him to represent a fruitful interface with the clinics, building a bridge between the bench and the bedside. A deep knowledge of the pathogenetic mechanisms of diseases is required in order to apply basic disciplines to the resolution of medical problems.
Employment opportunities: public and private research structures, including Universities, CNR (National Research Council), Istituto Superiore di Sanità (National Institute for health); Hospitals; private pharmaceutical, diagnostics and biotechnological companies; companies supporting scientific research (instruments, biotechnological reagents); companies involved in science communication and publishing.
Below a list of professional profiles:

Medical Science Liaison (MSL) within pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies
In the pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies, this new professional figure has the role of establishing scientific relationships with clinicians, supporting the appropriate use of the drugs of interest for the company.This professional has a strong medical and pharmacological background that enable her/him to talk with physicians in order to solve clinical problem related to the use of specific drugs.

Clinical Monitor within pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies; CRO (Clinical Research Organization) (upon completion of a specific training course)
Thanks to the strong background in pharmacology and statistics this expert will be able to coordinate clinical studies.
Market Access Manager within pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies; consulting agencies, AIFA (Italian agency for drugs) (upon completion of a specific training course)
Thanks to the strong background in economy and pharmacology, and a knowledge of ethical issues related to commercialization of drugs, the graduate will be in the ideal position to establish stable relationships with the Regulatory Authorities and, in general, with the Institutions with the aim of promoting the approval and the access to the market of new pharmacological and biotechnological products.


Medical and scientific communication advisor within scientific and medical communication agencies and publishers
Thanks to the multidisciplinary approaches to medical sciences acquired during the course, the Master Programme? graduate may evolve into a medical writer or a consultant for the development of distance learning modules for the Continuing Medical Education (CME) or other health professionals requiring continuing education or again as an advisor for pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies in the communication with patient organizations.

The graduates in the Master Program in Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine will have access to PhD programs, second level Master degrees, Specialization School in Medical Genetics, Medical Pharmacology, Clinical Biochemistry, Microbiology and Virology, Nutrition. After the State Board Examination, the graduates can enter into the Professional Register of Biologists (Senior Section).

Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
The Master programme in Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine supports international mobility with leading international universities, as well as the possibility for students to earn credits through exchange education and training programmes with Partner organizations.
Available programmes:
- Bilateral agreements in the framework of the Erasmus + programme with: University of Leuven (Katolieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium), Leids Universitair Medish Centrum (LUMC) of the University of Leiden (Netherland) and University of Cantabria (Universidad de Cantabria, Spain).
- Traineeship with: Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB - Bellinzona, Switzerland).
In recent years, a growing number of students have developed their professionalism and the European dimension of their training through residence periods abroad. Associated universities represent highly recognized European institutions, featuring reference schools (Master and PhD schools) in biomedical sciences and offer the possibility of carrying out research activities in a wide range of scientific fields covered by the Degree Programme. The students will thus be offered exciting opportunities to enhance their CVs and evaluate their interests in extending their careers in the international setting.
The Master course in Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine offers second year students the possibility to carry out the entire practical training for the preparation of their final thesis work in one of the aforementioned institutions or with other institutions with which an agreement has been established. The student will have to define a research project related to his/her course of studies and curricular training, with the joint agreement of both the Unimi and the foreign tutors. The period abroad amounts to 9 months equivalent to 32 credits. A positive evaluation of the period abroad is required. The latter should be defined by the tutor in the foreign university, the Unimi tutor and is subjected to the approval by the Unimi Didactic Council. Erasmus students who obtain outstanding results, proved by an official evaluation letter of the foreign tutor to the President of the Masters Commission, will be rewarded with 1-2 additional points in the final Laurea Grade.
Besides general informative meetings organized by the University, the Degree course in Medical Biotechnology provides specific support to interested/selected students through the organization of specific informative session and/or meeting with the tutor for mobility.
The student is required to attend all the teaching activities, with a tolerance of no more than 25% of the hours.
Students are required to sign their attendance at each learning activities. Should the number of absences be higher than 25%, the Teaching Committee will take the necessary measures.
Enrolment
Enrollment to this Master Course is restricted to a limited number of students, in fact access to the programme is capped locally. Italian and European students admitted to attend the Master Program are identified by a ranking list determined on the basis of the scores of the admission test. This ranking list will be also used for the choice of the curriculum. The minimum score in the admission test for being included in the ranking list is 20/50. See below for extra European students*
The date of the entrance test will be communicated later in the announcement of selection published on the website of UNIMI.

For Italian, European candidates the selection will be on the basis of a competitive written entrance exam. The admission test consists of a written test based on multiple-choice questions, it will be in English and will include 50 questions on topics such as biology, biochemistry, physics, pharmacology, immunology, pathology, genetics. Candidates must obtain a minimum score of 20/50 points to be eligible for the enrolment.
*For non-EU students resident abroad (applicants for a student visa), selection and ranking will be based on the assessment of the personal and scholastic curriculums and on an interview evaluation.


B2 entrance level:
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. To be admitted to the entrance test, candidates from Italian and EU universities have to possess 180 ects obtained in the Bachelor's degree. Specifically, 50 ects have to derive from the following areas: BIO/09 (Physiology), BIO/10 (Biochemistry), BIO/11 (Molecular biology), BIO/12 (Clinical biochemistry), BIO/13 (Biology), BIO/14 (Pharmacology), BIO/16 (Human anatomy), BIO/18 (Genetics), BIO/19 (General microbiology), MED/01 (Medical statistics), MED/03 (Human genetics), MED/04 (General pathology and immunology), MED/05 (Clinical pathology), MED/06 (Medical oncology), MED/07 (Microbiology), MED/08 (Pathology), MED/09 (Internal medicine), MED/25 (Mental health), MED/26 (Neurology), MED/46 (Laboratory medicine), INF/01 (Informatics), FIS/07 (Medical physics).
For non-EU students resident abroad (applicants for a student visa) the admission to the Master Programme will be based on the assessment of the personal and scholastic curriculum and on an interview evaluation. As for italian and EU students, extra-EU applicant' scholastic curriculum has to include at least 50 ects in the scientific fields reported in the list as above.
In order to profitably follow the learning activities, the candidate should have a good knowledge of spoken and written English. The B2 level is required and the certification has to be provided at the registration of the admission test.
Students waiting to obtain the Bachelor's Degree, can participate in the admission test "sub iudice". In case of success, they will be accepted only if they will obtain the Bachelor degree by December 31th, also possessing the prerequisite described above.
More details about the selection/admission procedure can be find below in the Admission Criteria paragraph.

Places available: 65 + 10 reserved for non-EU citizens

Call for applications

Please refer to the call for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.

Application for admission: from 14/03/2024 to 26/08/2024

Admission test date and venue: 12/09/2024 - remoto

Application for matriculation: from 17/09/2024 to 26/09/2024

Read the Call

Programme description and courses list
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Advanced microscopic techniques and nanotechnology 6 51 English FIS/07
Applied pharmacology to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/14
Pathogenetic basis of diseases 12 84 English MED/04 MED/09
- General pathology and immunology6
- Internal medicine6
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Genetic and molecular bases of diseases 14 111.5 English BIO/13 MED/03
- Biology8
- Medical genetics6
Human biochemistry 9 76.5 English BIO/10
Molecular biology applied to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/11
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Molecular diagnostic and therapy 6 42 English BIO/13 BIO/14 MED/26 MED/36
- Applied Biology1
- Neurology2
- Pharmacology2
- Radiology1
Neurobiology 6 42 English BIO/09 BIO/10 BIO/13 MED/26
- Applied Biology1
- Biochemistry1
- Neurology1
- Pysiology3
Pathogenetic bases of neurological and psychiatric disorders 6 42 English BIO/11 MED/13 MED/25 MED/26
- Endocrinology1
- Mental health2
- Molecular biology1
- Neurology2
Study plan rules
- In the first year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
be activated by the A.Y. 2025/2026
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Degree programme final exam 21 0 English
Professionalizing training activities 4 100 English
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Further learning activities (linguistic, informatic, relational) 3 45 English
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Social aspects of biotechnology 11 77 English MED/02
- Bio-medicine5
- History of medicine6
Study plan rules
- In the second year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
Before taking any curricular exams, the student must pass the six common exams of the courses, provided in the first two quarters. In order to begin the laboratory activity, the student has to pass the 6 common exams of the first two trimesters.
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Advanced microscopic techniques and nanotechnology 6 51 English FIS/07
Applied pharmacology to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/14
Pathogenetic basis of diseases 12 84 English MED/04 MED/09
- General pathology and immunology6
- Internal medicine6
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Genetic and molecular bases of diseases 14 111.5 English BIO/13 MED/03
- Biology8
- Medical genetics6
Human biochemistry 9 76.5 English BIO/10
Molecular biology applied to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/11
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Cancer epidemiology and pathogenesis 6 42 English MED/01 MED/04 MED/06 MED/15
- Blood diseases2
- General pathology and immunology2
- Medical oncology1
- Medical statistics1
Cancer immunology and microenvironment (ONC) 6 42 English MED/04 MED/06 MED/15
- Blood diseases2
- General pathology and immunology2
- Medical oncology2
Research and development of new diagnostic and therapeutic metodologies 6 42 English BIO/11 MED/08 MED/15 MED/50
- Applied medical sciences1
- Blood diseases2
- Molecular biology2
- Pathology1
Study plan rules
- In the first year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
be activated by the A.Y. 2025/2026
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Degree programme final exam 21 0 English
Professionalizing training activities 4 100 English
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Further learning activities (linguistic, informatic, relational) 3 45 English
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Social aspects of biotechnology 11 77 English MED/02
- Bio-medicine5
- History of medicine6
Study plan rules
- In the second year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
Before taking any curricular exams, the student must pass the six common exams of the courses, provided in the first two quarters. In order to begin the laboratory activity, the student has to pass the 6 common exams of the first two trimesters.
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Advanced microscopic techniques and nanotechnology 6 51 English FIS/07
Applied pharmacology to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/14
Pathogenetic basis of diseases 12 84 English MED/04 MED/09
- General pathology and immunology6
- Internal medicine6
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Genetic and molecular bases of diseases 14 111.5 English BIO/13 MED/03
- Biology8
- Medical genetics6
Human biochemistry 9 76.5 English BIO/10
Molecular biology applied to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/11
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Advanced techniques in medical biotechnology 6 42 English BIO/10 BIO/11 BIO/13 MED/40
- Biochemistry2
- Biology 2
- Molecular biology1
- Obstetrics and gynecology1
Data and laboratory management 6 42 English MED/01 MED/05 MED/43 MED/46
- Clinical pathology2
- Forensic medicine2
- Laboratory medicine1
- Medical statistics1
Molecular diagnostics 6 42 English BIO/12 MED/03 MED/07
- Clinical biochemistry2
- Human genetics2
- Microbiology2
Study plan rules
- In the first year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
be activated by the A.Y. 2025/2026
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Degree programme final exam 21 0 English
Professionalizing training activities 4 100 English
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Further learning activities (linguistic, informatic, relational) 3 45 English
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Social aspects of biotechnology 11 77 English MED/02
- Bio-medicine5
- History of medicine6
Study plan rules
- In the second year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
Before taking any curricular exams, the student must pass the six common exams of the courses, provided in the first two quarters. In order to begin the laboratory activity, the student has to pass the 6 common exams of the first two trimesters.
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Advanced microscopic techniques and nanotechnology 6 51 English FIS/07
Applied pharmacology to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/14
Pathogenetic basis of diseases 12 84 English MED/04 MED/09
- General pathology and immunology6
- Internal medicine6
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Genetic and molecular bases of diseases 14 111.5 English BIO/13 MED/03
- Biology8
- Medical genetics6
Human biochemistry 9 76.5 English BIO/10
Molecular biology applied to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/11
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Cancer immunology and microenvironment (IMM) 6 42 English MED/04 MED/06 MED/15
- Blood diseases2
- General pathology and immunology2
- Medical oncology2
Experimental immunology and immunobiotechnology 6 42 English MED/04 MED/16 MED/46 VET/05
- Domestic animal infectious diseases2
- General pathology and immunology1
- Laboratory medicine2
- Reumatology1
Transplantation and tissue engineering 6 51 English ING-IND/34 MED/15 MED/18 MED/43
- Blood diseases1
- Forensic medicine1
- General surgery3
- Industrial bioengineering1
Study plan rules
- In the first year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
be activated by the A.Y. 2025/2026
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Degree programme final exam 21 0 English
Professionalizing training activities 4 100 English
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Further learning activities (linguistic, informatic, relational) 3 45 English
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Social aspects of biotechnology 11 77 English MED/02
- Bio-medicine5
- History of medicine6
Study plan rules
- In the second year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
Before taking any curricular exams, the student must pass the six common exams of the courses, provided in the first two quarters. In order to begin the laboratory activity, the student has to pass the 6 common exams of the first two trimesters.
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Advanced microscopic techniques and nanotechnology 6 51 English FIS/07
Applied pharmacology to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/14
Pathogenetic basis of diseases 12 84 English MED/04 MED/09
- General pathology and immunology6
- Internal medicine6
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Genetic and molecular bases of diseases 14 111.5 English BIO/13 MED/03
- Biology8
- Medical genetics6
Human biochemistry 9 76.5 English BIO/10
Molecular biology applied to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/11
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
In vitro and in vivo model systems for human diseases modeling 6 42 English BIO/11 BIO/13 BIO/14 MED/04
- Applied biology1
- Experimental medicine and pathophysiology3
- Molecular biology1
- Pharmacology1
Multilevel computational modelling of human diseases 6 42 English BIO/11 CHIM/02 FIS/07
- Applied physics1
- Molecular biology3
- Physical chemistry2
Spatial and molecular organization of cells in diseases 6 42 English BIO/09 BIO/10 BIO/11 FIS/07
- Applied physics1
- Biochemistry1
- Molecular biology3
- Physiology1
Study plan rules
- In the first year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
be activated by the A.Y. 2025/2026
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Degree programme final exam 21 0 English
Professionalizing training activities 4 100 English
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Further learning activities (linguistic, informatic, relational) 3 45 English
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Social aspects of biotechnology 11 77 English MED/02
- Bio-medicine5
- History of medicine6
Study plan rules
- In the second year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
Before taking any curricular exams, the student must pass the six common exams of the courses, provided in the first two quarters. In order to begin the laboratory activity, the student has to pass the 6 common exams of the first two trimesters.
Learn more
Location
Milan
Course locations
The common learning activities will be held at the Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale - Via Vanvitelli, 32 - 20129 Milano.
Curricular learning activities will be held at Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche e Medicina Traslazionale and at Istituto Nazionale per la Cura e lo Studio dei Tumori, via Venezian, 1 - 20133 Milano.
Head of study programme
Academic guidance tutor
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