Biotechnology for the Bioeconomy - (Classe LM-7)-Enrolled from 2022/23 Academic Year
Bioeconomy responds to the environmental challenges the world is facing, oriented to reduce the dependence on natural resources, transform manufacturing, promote sustainable production of renewable plant, microbial and animal resources and their conversion into food, feed, materials, bio-based products and bio-energy, while growing new jobs and industries.
Biotechnology is one of the key enabling technologies to sustain a new green and sustainable economy (i.e. bioeconomy), offering solutions for an efficient and sustainable production of plant and microbial biomasses; the production of bioenergy from (waste) biomasses; environmental protection and safety in terms of bioremediation; green chemistry processes and applications; sustainable agri-food production and processes, circular economy.
In this context, the BforB Master degree aims at providing students with advanced molecular and cellular background of microbial and plant systems, which are the basis for the several sectors of the biotechnologies applied to the bio-economy. The BforB Master degree will equip students with a solid and broad expertise about the structure and function of biological macromolecules of interest for the bioeconomy sector, and complete knowledge about the analyses of informational molecules and the expression of characters with a special focus on multidisciplinary and integrated approaches. The BforB Master degree will provide theoretical and practical instruments for the set-up, analyses and improvement of biotechnological processes for i) the transformation of renewable raw materials in biotechnological processes exploiting microorganisms, plants and enzymes, ii) plant and microbial ?based bioremediation strategies, iii) bio-based approaches in food and agriculture sustainable development
The BforB Master degree will be taught entirely in English, providing the students with knowledge and competences that can be spent at European and extra European level, to which the bioeconomy sector is faced. Moreover, the English language will allow the participation of students from out of Italy, making the Master degree a stimulant international learning environment.
Biotechnology is one of the key enabling technologies to sustain a new green and sustainable economy (i.e. bioeconomy), offering solutions for an efficient and sustainable production of plant and microbial biomasses; the production of bioenergy from (waste) biomasses; environmental protection and safety in terms of bioremediation; green chemistry processes and applications; sustainable agri-food production and processes, circular economy.
In this context, the BforB Master degree aims at providing students with advanced molecular and cellular background of microbial and plant systems, which are the basis for the several sectors of the biotechnologies applied to the bio-economy. The BforB Master degree will equip students with a solid and broad expertise about the structure and function of biological macromolecules of interest for the bioeconomy sector, and complete knowledge about the analyses of informational molecules and the expression of characters with a special focus on multidisciplinary and integrated approaches. The BforB Master degree will provide theoretical and practical instruments for the set-up, analyses and improvement of biotechnological processes for i) the transformation of renewable raw materials in biotechnological processes exploiting microorganisms, plants and enzymes, ii) plant and microbial ?based bioremediation strategies, iii) bio-based approaches in food and agriculture sustainable development
The BforB Master degree will be taught entirely in English, providing the students with knowledge and competences that can be spent at European and extra European level, to which the bioeconomy sector is faced. Moreover, the English language will allow the participation of students from out of Italy, making the Master degree a stimulant international learning environment.
The BforB graduate is an expert in coordination, management and set up of research and development laboratories in public entities and in private companies in the chemical, agro-environmental and biotechnological sectors. The function will primarily be the development, implementation and coordination of laboratory activity within basic and applied research projects, the set-up of bioprocesses, the quality control. More in detail, the BforB graduate is an expert in planning, development, analyses and control of processes for: i) industrial fermentation for production of metabolites and renewable energy; ii) plant and microbial cell as biofactories for molecules of interest in the fine chemical and polymer industry, agro-food and pharmaceutical industry with particular application to the green chemistry and bio-based industry; iii) bioremediation of contaminated land and waters, using plants and/or microorganisms; iv) innovative diagnosis tools, applied in particular to the traceability in agro-food chain.
The employment opportunities for the BforB graduate are in research bodies (both public and private) and bio-based chemical, pharmaceutical, agro-food, and biotechnological enterprises.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
The employment opportunities for the BforB graduate are in research bodies (both public and private) and bio-based chemical, pharmaceutical, agro-food, and biotechnological enterprises.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Requirements for admission
Students with an Italian University degree: The BforB Master degree can be accessed by graduates of Laurea Triennale belonging to the L-2 class (Biotecnologia) and previous class 1 (Biotecnologia). It can also be accessed by any student with a Laurea Triennale providing a strong background in biotechnology-related subjects, specifically at least 35 university credits (CFU) in basic disciplines (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology) among the following SSD: MAT/01-02-03-04-05-06-07-08-09, FIS/01-02-03-04-05-06-07-08, SECS-S/01-02, AGR/07-16, BIO/04-10-11-12-13-18-19, CHIM/01-02-03-06 and at least 25 CFU in "core disciplines" for the L-2 class of Laurea Triennale, among the following SSD: AGR/01-02-03-04-11-12-13-15-17-18, BIO/01-02-03-07-09-15, CHIM/04-05-08-10-11-12, MED/03-07-42, VET/03-04.
Students with a degree from a non-Italian institution: They must possess a Bachelor degree from an accredited college or University comprising exams in all the following areas: molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, plant cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry.
Proficiency in English at a B2 level or higher, under 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 at or above B2, obtained no more than three years earlier. For the list of language certificates recognized by the University please review: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267/). The certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application;
- English level achieved during a Bachelor's degree programme through SLAM courses and tests. The test must have been passed within the last four years. It will be assessed administratively, without the applicant having to attach any certificates;
- Placement Test delivered by the University Language Centre (SLAM), which will take place according to the schedule posted to 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 invited to take the test through the admission procedure.
Candidates who do not sit or pass the placement test will have until 31 December 2022 to obtain and submit a recognized certificate to SLAM.
Students who do not meet the requirement by 31 December will not be admitted to the Master's degree programme and may not sit further tests.
Eligibility assessment
The personal curriculum of the applicants and the certifications will be evaluated by an Admission Committee composed of the coordinator and at least two lecturers of the Master degree. No interview is foreseen. The applicants will receive communication of their eligibility and will be allowed to enroll in the Master degree program. An online self-evaluation test will be provided, allowing the admitted students to identify specific weakness in their knowledge that need to be fulfilled by autonomous study. The teachers are available to give personal advices and bibliographic material.
Practical instructions
Applicants considered eligible by the Admission Committee can enroll in the BforB Master degree under the terms and conditions indicated at https://www.unimi.it/en/education/biotechnology-bioeconomy.
Students who have applied for admission to BforB prior to the conclusion of their bachelor degree (Laurea Triennale), if possessing the other admission requirements and a valid English proficiency certificate, will be granted the possibility to attend the first term classes (pre-enrollment). In this case students must present to Segreteria Studenti the bachelor degree up to December 31st 2022 to receive formal admission to the course. Only after admission students are allowed to enroll and only after enrolment they are allowed to give exams.
Students with an Italian University degree: The BforB Master degree can be accessed by graduates of Laurea Triennale belonging to the L-2 class (Biotecnologia) and previous class 1 (Biotecnologia). It can also be accessed by any student with a Laurea Triennale providing a strong background in biotechnology-related subjects, specifically at least 35 university credits (CFU) in basic disciplines (mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology) among the following SSD: MAT/01-02-03-04-05-06-07-08-09, FIS/01-02-03-04-05-06-07-08, SECS-S/01-02, AGR/07-16, BIO/04-10-11-12-13-18-19, CHIM/01-02-03-06 and at least 25 CFU in "core disciplines" for the L-2 class of Laurea Triennale, among the following SSD: AGR/01-02-03-04-11-12-13-15-17-18, BIO/01-02-03-07-09-15, CHIM/04-05-08-10-11-12, MED/03-07-42, VET/03-04.
Students with a degree from a non-Italian institution: They must possess a Bachelor degree from an accredited college or University comprising exams in all the following areas: molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, plant cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry.
Proficiency in English at a B2 level or higher, under 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 at or above B2, obtained no more than three years earlier. For the list of language certificates recognized by the University please review: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267/). The certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application;
- English level achieved during a Bachelor's degree programme through SLAM courses and tests. The test must have been passed within the last four years. It will be assessed administratively, without the applicant having to attach any certificates;
- Placement Test delivered by the University Language Centre (SLAM), which will take place according to the schedule posted to 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 invited to take the test through the admission procedure.
Candidates who do not sit or pass the placement test will have until 31 December 2022 to obtain and submit a recognized certificate to SLAM.
Students who do not meet the requirement by 31 December will not be admitted to the Master's degree programme and may not sit further tests.
Eligibility assessment
The personal curriculum of the applicants and the certifications will be evaluated by an Admission Committee composed of the coordinator and at least two lecturers of the Master degree. No interview is foreseen. The applicants will receive communication of their eligibility and will be allowed to enroll in the Master degree program. An online self-evaluation test will be provided, allowing the admitted students to identify specific weakness in their knowledge that need to be fulfilled by autonomous study. The teachers are available to give personal advices and bibliographic material.
Practical instructions
Applicants considered eligible by the Admission Committee can enroll in the BforB Master degree under the terms and conditions indicated at https://www.unimi.it/en/education/biotechnology-bioeconomy.
Students who have applied for admission to BforB prior to the conclusion of their bachelor degree (Laurea Triennale), if possessing the other admission requirements and a valid English proficiency certificate, will be granted the possibility to attend the first term classes (pre-enrollment). In this case students must present to Segreteria Studenti the bachelor degree up to December 31st 2022 to receive formal admission to the course. Only after admission students are allowed to enroll and only after enrolment they are allowed to give exams.
The complete and updated bouquet of opportunities for participation in international programs can be found at https://www.unimi.it/en/international/study-abroad. It is possible to participate to each of them following selections on a competitive basis. The offer includes:
1) Thesis abroad (Tesi all'estero) program: the University of Milan calls twice every year for applications for a study- abroad scholarship to be used to prepare all or a portion of the student's Master's Degree thesis while in residence at an international academic or research institution. Students can choose any destination and institution in the world, without any geographical restrictions. Specific information and deadlines: https://www.unimi.it/en/international/study-abroad/thesis-abroad.
2) ERASMUS Student Traineeship program: students can undertake a traineeship with a company, research or training center, university or other organization, in the member states of the European Union, and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Republic of Macedonia, Serbia. Specific information and deadlines: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/2109/.
3) ERASMUS+ Study program: the time spent abroad can be used to attend courses and pass the relative exams, thus collecting credits towards the Master degree, as well as to carry out the experimental project for the dissertation. The BforB Master course has in place agreements with Universities in Finland, Germany, Spain, France, Austria, Belgium, all offering courses in English. Calls for participation will be open usually in February and details can be found at the following link: https://www.unimi.it/en/international/study-abroad/studying-abroad-erasmus.
The student admitted to any of the mobility programs must submit a study plan detailing the training activities that he/she plans to carry out, with the corresponding credits. The number of credits should correspond as much as possible to the number of credits that the student should acquire in a similar span of time at the home University. The proposed activities must be consistent with the goals and the contents of the Master degree. The study plan must be approved by the BforB Student Mobility Committee, which can request changes or integrations. At the end of the mobility program, according to the guidelines provided by the University of Milan, the courses (with a passed exam) and laboratory trainings attended by the student are registered in his/her career, with its original name and with an indication of the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) and their conversion in CFU (usually 1 ECTS= 1 CFU). The students willing to carry out their dissertation work as part of a mobility program abroad must have an internal supervisor (chosen among the BforB lecturers) and the study plan must be approved by the BforB board.
For carrying out any experimental activity abroad, a letter of acceptance from the hosting supervisor is required. If the experimental activities are intended to be part or all the dissertation work (thesis), a similar letter should be drawn up by the internal supervisor. These letters must be sent to the ERASMUS Coordinator before the departure to the foreign destination. As a general rule, if the period of stay at the foreign laboratory is less than six months long, the student should complete the thesis work at the laboratory of the internal supervisor, or other laboratory indicated by the supervisor, in order to complete the training program.
1) Thesis abroad (Tesi all'estero) program: the University of Milan calls twice every year for applications for a study- abroad scholarship to be used to prepare all or a portion of the student's Master's Degree thesis while in residence at an international academic or research institution. Students can choose any destination and institution in the world, without any geographical restrictions. Specific information and deadlines: https://www.unimi.it/en/international/study-abroad/thesis-abroad.
2) ERASMUS Student Traineeship program: students can undertake a traineeship with a company, research or training center, university or other organization, in the member states of the European Union, and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Republic of Macedonia, Serbia. Specific information and deadlines: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/2109/.
3) ERASMUS+ Study program: the time spent abroad can be used to attend courses and pass the relative exams, thus collecting credits towards the Master degree, as well as to carry out the experimental project for the dissertation. The BforB Master course has in place agreements with Universities in Finland, Germany, Spain, France, Austria, Belgium, all offering courses in English. Calls for participation will be open usually in February and details can be found at the following link: https://www.unimi.it/en/international/study-abroad/studying-abroad-erasmus.
The student admitted to any of the mobility programs must submit a study plan detailing the training activities that he/she plans to carry out, with the corresponding credits. The number of credits should correspond as much as possible to the number of credits that the student should acquire in a similar span of time at the home University. The proposed activities must be consistent with the goals and the contents of the Master degree. The study plan must be approved by the BforB Student Mobility Committee, which can request changes or integrations. At the end of the mobility program, according to the guidelines provided by the University of Milan, the courses (with a passed exam) and laboratory trainings attended by the student are registered in his/her career, with its original name and with an indication of the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) and their conversion in CFU (usually 1 ECTS= 1 CFU). The students willing to carry out their dissertation work as part of a mobility program abroad must have an internal supervisor (chosen among the BforB lecturers) and the study plan must be approved by the BforB board.
For carrying out any experimental activity abroad, a letter of acceptance from the hosting supervisor is required. If the experimental activities are intended to be part or all the dissertation work (thesis), a similar letter should be drawn up by the internal supervisor. These letters must be sent to the ERASMUS Coordinator before the departure to the foreign destination. As a general rule, if the period of stay at the foreign laboratory is less than six months long, the student should complete the thesis work at the laboratory of the internal supervisor, or other laboratory indicated by the supervisor, in order to complete the training program.
Courses list
First semester
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Biomass and Waste Recycling Promoting the Circular Economy | 7 | 56 | English | AGR/13 |
| Fermentation Biotechnology | 7 | 60 | English | CHIM/11 |
| Methods in Biotechnology | 9 | 96 | English | AGR/07 AGR/12 |
| Structure and Functions of Biomolecules | 8 | 72 | English | CHIM/10 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Environmental Microbial Biotechnology | 6 | 52 | English | AGR/16 |
| Environmental Plant Biotechnology | 6 | 56 | English | AGR/13 |
| Plants as Biofactories | 6 | 56 | English | AGR/07 |
| Protein Engineering and Proteomics | 6 | 60 | English | BIO/10 |
be activated by the A.Y. 2023/2024
First semester
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Bioeconomy: Management, Assessment and Intellectual Property | 6 | 56 | English | AGR/01 |
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Internship and Final Exam | 36 | 0 | English | |
First semester
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| Bio-Based Innovation in Food Science | 6 | 54 | English | AGR/15 |
| Biostatistics and Design of Experiments in Biotechnology | 6 | 64 | English | AGR/17 |
| Developing Soft Skills in Science: Case-Studies from Microbial Biotechnology | 6 | 56 | English | AGR/16 |
| Molecular Analysis and Traceability of Biotechnological Products | 6 | 56 | English | BIO/10 |
| Molecular Biobased Approaches for Plant Protection | 4 | 48 | English | AGR/12 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| Applied Biocatalysis | 6 | 56 | English | CHIM/11 |
| Biomolecular Experiment Planning | 2 | 16 | English | BIO/10 |
| Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals | 6 | 56 | English | MED/49 |
| Plant Microbiome-Based Strategies for Agri-Environmental Biotechnologies | 4 | 36 | English | AGR/16 |
| Ree Crispres - a Workshop On Genome Editing Technologies | 3 | 42 | English | AGR/03 AGR/07 AGR/12 BIO/01 |
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | Italian | |
| Other Activities (laboratories, seminars) | 3 | 0 | English | |
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Table 1 - Elective courses: the student will chose 2 course among the list of elective courses. Chose 2 among the following:
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Biocatalysis | 6 | 56 | English | Second semester | CHIM/11 |
| Bio-Based Innovation in Food Science | 6 | 54 | English | First semester | AGR/15 |
| Biostatistics and Design of Experiments in Biotechnology | 6 | 64 | English | First semester | AGR/17 |
| Developing Soft Skills in Science: Case-Studies from Microbial Biotechnology | 6 | 56 | English | First semester | AGR/16 |
| Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals | 6 | 56 | English | Second semester | MED/49 |
| Molecular Analysis and Traceability of Biotechnological Products | 6 | 56 | English | First semester | BIO/10 |
- Table 2 - Optional courses
To complete the study program the student must acquire 8 CFU in 1 or more courses freely chosen among:
i) the optional courses specifically activated by the BforB Master Degree (see table 2)
ii) additional elective courses (see table 1)
iii) all courses activated by the University of Milan for Master Degrees as long as consistent with the aims of the BforB degree and not a repetition of a course already inserted in the study plan.
Optional courses specifically activated by the BforB Master Degree:
To complete the study program the student must acquire 8 CFU in 1 or more courses freely chosen among:
i) the optional courses specifically activated by the BforB Master Degree (see table 2)
ii) additional elective courses (see table 1)
iii) all courses activated by the University of Milan for Master Degrees as long as consistent with the aims of the BforB degree and not a repetition of a course already inserted in the study plan.
Optional courses specifically activated by the BforB Master Degree:
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biomolecular Experiment Planning | 2 | 16 | English | Second semester | BIO/10 |
| Molecular Biobased Approaches for Plant Protection | 4 | 48 | English | First semester | AGR/12 |
| Plant Microbiome-Based Strategies for Agri-Environmental Biotechnologies | 4 | 36 | English | Second semester | AGR/16 |
- Table 3 - Other activities:
STUDENTS HAVE TO ACQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL 3 CREDITS.
Additional Language Skills: Italian (foreign students).
To obtain the degree, students without an Italian degree or diploma are required to attain an Italian language proficiency at level A2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This level can be assessed by the end of the degree course in the following ways:
- by submitting the language certificate achieved no more than three years prior to the submission, at level A2 or higher, recognised by the University (the list of recognised language certificates can be found at: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/349/). The language certificate must be uploaded through the service https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML by choosing the category SLAM;
- by an entry-level test, organised by SLAM, which can be taken at the beginning of every semester.
Students who fail to reach level A2 will have to attend a 60-hour Italian course organised by SLAM and to pass the final test during the I semester of the second year of study in order to earn 3 ECTS credits of Additional Language Skills: Italian.
The other students can choose one of the following activities:
- Other activities (laboratorties, seminars)
- Ree Crispres - A workshop on genome editing technologies
STUDENTS HAVE TO ACQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL 3 CREDITS.
Additional Language Skills: Italian (foreign students).
To obtain the degree, students without an Italian degree or diploma are required to attain an Italian language proficiency at level A2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This level can be assessed by the end of the degree course in the following ways:
- by submitting the language certificate achieved no more than three years prior to the submission, at level A2 or higher, recognised by the University (the list of recognised language certificates can be found at: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/349/). The language certificate must be uploaded through the service https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML by choosing the category SLAM;
- by an entry-level test, organised by SLAM, which can be taken at the beginning of every semester.
Students who fail to reach level A2 will have to attend a 60-hour Italian course organised by SLAM and to pass the final test during the I semester of the second year of study in order to earn 3 ECTS credits of Additional Language Skills: Italian.
The other students can choose one of the following activities:
- Other activities (laboratorties, seminars)
- Ree Crispres - A workshop on genome editing technologies
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | Italian | Open sessions | |
| Other Activities (laboratories, seminars) | 3 | 0 | English | Open sessions | |
| Ree Crispres - a Workshop On Genome Editing Technologies | 3 | 42 | English | Second semester | AGR/03 AGR/07 AGR/12 BIO/01 |
Course location
Milan
Presidente del Collegio Didattico
Prof.ssa Sara Borin
Reference structures
Contacts
- Head of study programme
[email protected]
+390250319118 - Didactic Secretariat of the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
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. - Students administrative office
via Celoria 18 - Milano Città Studi
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/welcome-desk-informastudenti
+390250325032
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/welcome-desk-informastudenti/student-desks-locations-and-opening-hours
A.Y. 2025/2026
A.Y. 2024/2025
A.Y. 2023/2024
A.Y. 2022/2023
A.Y. 2021/2022
A.Y. 2020/2021
A.Y. 2019/2020
A.Y. 2018/2019
Official documents