Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (Classe LM-9)-Enrolled from 2014/15 Academic Year

scienze del farmaco
Master programme
A.Y. 2022/2023
LM-9 - Biotecnologie mediche, veterinarie e farmaceutiche (EN)
Master programme
120
ECTS
Access
Open with entry requirements examination
2
Years
Milano
Italian, English
The Master of Science in Pharmaceuticals Biotechnology aims to prepare graduates with advanced skills in the development and application of new scientific methodologies, who can actively participate in study and research projects at national and international level and have in-depth expertise in the scientific and technical-productive aspects of biotechnology applied to human health, with reference to the design and planning of innovative biotechnological drugs. For these purposes, the degree course in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology is organized in three programs, two held in Italian and one in English. The two programs in Italian include training activities common to all students organized in the first two semesters of the course, which will allow to acquire essential knowledge for the training of pharmaceutical biotechnologists and characterizing training activities specific to the two curricula: a) "Biotechnology in research and development of drugs"; b) "Development and production of biotechnological drugs". The curriculum "Pharmacogenomics and Precision Therapeutics", delivered in English, is designed to train graduates who can face future challenges in the field of biotechnological drugs.
The Master's Degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology is awarded to students with advanced skills in the development of scientific methodologies, able to coordinate national and international research projects and with specialized knowledge in the field of applied biotechnology, development and application of drugs, diagnostics, vaccines and nutraceuticals produced through biotechnological processes. The specific roles and professionalism of the graduate in the Master's Degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, according to the nomenclature and classification drawn up by ISTAT are:
- Chemist representatives and disseminators;
- Biologists and related professions;
- Biotechnologists;
- Pharmacologists.
The main professional career includes:
- researcher at public and private research institutions;
- researcher in industry (research and development sector);
- industry operator (production sector);
- industry operator (marketing sector);
- clinical monitor.

Graduates will be able to find employment in the following professional fields:
- Teaching activity in the scientific disciplinary field in secondary level education institutions;
- Teaching and research activities in public and private universities;
- Scientific research and technological development activities in public companies (National Health Institute, CNR, AIFA, National Environmental Agency, Research Institutions, etc), in both national and international public and private companies aimed at preclinical activities in the biomedical field;
- Scientific research and development activities in the biotechnological, pharmaceutical, diagnostic and cosmetic industry, in the food and food processing industry;
- Scientific research and technological development activities;
- Clinical monitoring and pharmaceutical technical scientific information activities;
- Management activities in quality assurance and environmental safety assessment and assurance;
Graduates will also be able to be involved in activities connected to the development, management and regulation of biotechnological companies in the public and private sectors, with managerial and consultancy functions in the following fields:
- therapeutic, with particular regard to the development and testing of products with innovative therapeutic potential to be applied to human and animal pathology;
- production and planning, in connection to patents in the health field;
- formulation, with reference to the preparation of vectors, cells and advanced pharmaceutical forms for the administration of new therapeutic products;
- diagnostic, through the management of molecular analysis technologies and cellular biotechnologies applied to the medical, pharmacological, toxicological, cosmetological and environmental fields;
- experimentation in the biomedical field, with reference to the use of in vivo and in vitro models for the understanding of the action mechanism of new drug.
The course allows to obtain the qualification to the profession of biologist.

Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Admission requirements
The following candidates are eligible for the Master's degree programme in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology:
- Graduates of class L-2, as well as the corresponding classes pursuant to Ministerial Decree 509/99;
- Graduates of other classes, provided they meet the following requirements:
- at least 9 academic credits (CFU) across the following subject areas (SSD): CHIM/01, CHIM/03 and/or CHIM/06;
- at least 12 academic credits (CFU) across the following subject areas (SSD): BIO/10, BIO/11 and/or BIO/13;
- at least 6 academic credits (CFU) in the following subject area: (SSD): BIO/14;
- at least 6 academic credits (CFU) across the following subject areas (SSD): BIO/09, BIO/16 and/or MED/04;
- Holders of a qualification obtained abroad and recognized as suitable who prove that they have acquired the same level of knowledge and skills in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology and physiology, as specified above.

Admission assessment
In addition to curricular requirements, admission to the programme is subject to an assessment test. Curricular requirements will be assessed by an admissions board appointed by the Academic Board and composed of at least 3 faculty members, based on the candidate's previous academic records, and possibly an interview. The curricular assessment will ascertain the level of knowledge (credits earned and grade achieved) in the following subjects: general and inorganic chemistry (CHIM/03), analytical chemistry (CHIM/01) and organic chemistry (CHIM/06); biochemistry (BIO/10), molecular biology (BIO/11) and biology (BIO/13); pharmacology (BIO/14); anatomy (BIO/16), physiology (BIO/09) and pathology (MED/04). Please note that the knowledge of the aforementioned disciplines may also have been achieved by attending single courses.
The interview, if any, may be held in person (in the classrooms of the Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Via Balzaretti 9, Milan) or online.
Upcoming graduates are also eligible for the interview.
The dates, time and place of in-person interviews will be posted to the degree programme website: https://biotecnologiafarmaco.cdl.unimi.it/en
The interview dates will be agreed by e-mail with individual candidates.

Language skills
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 obtained no more than 3 years earlier, of B2 or higher (for the list of language certificates recognized by the University, see the website: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267/). The certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application;
- Language proficiency achieved over a Bachelor's degree programme of the University of Milan through SLAM. The test must have been passed within the last four years. Our offices will perform an internal check, without the applicant having to attach any statements;
- Placement test delivered by SLAM. The test schedule will be 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 language proficiency requirement will be invited to the test through the admission procedure.
Candidates who do not sit or pass the placement test will have until 31 October 2022 to obtain and submit a recognized certificate to SLAM.
Students who do not meet the requirement by 31 October will not be admitted to the Master's degree programme and may not sit further tests.

In case of transfer from another degree programme or from another university, the procedures for admission to years subsequent to Year I will be set out by the Academic Board.

For further details, see the section: "How to enrol".
To increase internationalization, students will be informed on the Erasmus and Erasmus Mundus programs activated within the master course. Lectures of foreign teachers and stages in foreign laboratories will be also proposed. Some of the classes will be given in English to give the students the opportunity to improve the English knowledge, with specific focus on scientific terminology.
More info is available at the link:
https://www.unimi.it/it/internazionale/studiare-allestero
https://www.unimi.it/it/internazionale/studiare-allestero/partire-con-erasmus/come-partecipare/erasmus-aree/erasmus-scienze-del-farmaco
Procedure for the recognition of study periods abroad: each student must propose a Learning Agreement regarding training activities that lead to the recognition of a number of credits adequate to the period spent abroad. Specifically, 20 CFU for a three-month period; 30 CFU for a six-month period; 45 CFU for a nine-month period.
Evaluation of the period spent abroad: the period of study abroad will be recognized as valid after obtaining at least 70% of the credits specified in the learning agreement, while the activity of the thesis or internship will be valid only after acquisition of all credits.
Incentives: for students who have accomplished satisfactorily the training program, additional points are added to the final degree mark. Up to a maximum of 3 points can be added depending on the duration of the study period, the amount of credits attained, and the overall results obtained by the student.
Attendance is compulsory for teaching laboratories, and strongly recommended for all courses.

Courses list

First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Biology of Development and Differentiation 6 56 Italian BIO/13
Integrated Systems Physiology 6 56 Italian BIO/09
Metabolic and Functional Biochemistry 6 48 Italian BIO/10
Molecular Virology 6 48 Italian BIO/19 MED/07
Organ Pathophysiology 6 48 Italian MED/04
Second semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Biotechnology in Pharmacology 8 64 Italian BIO/14
Molecular Basis of Hormone and Drug Action 8 64 Italian BIO/14 MED/13
Purification and Formulation of Biotechnological Drug Products 8 72 Italian CHIM/08 CHIM/09
Structural Bioinformatics and Molecular Modeling 10 88 Italian BIO/10 CHIM/06 CHIM/08
First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Advanced Course in Biotechnology and Pharmacology 7 88 Italian BIO/14
Innovative Biotechnological Drugs 9 72 Italian BIO/14 CHIM/06 CHIM/08
Optional
Developing Soft Skills in Science: Case-Studies from Microbial Biotechnology 6 56 English AGR/16
Patenting and Technology Transfer 6 48 English AGR/01 IUS/01 IUS/04
Patenting and Technology Transfer 6 48 English IUS/10 IUS/14
The Instruments of Gender Equality 3 24 Italian IUS/08
Second semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Equal Opportunities and Scientific Careers 3 24 Italian SPS/09
Experimental Laboratory of Biotechnology 9 0 Italian
Gender Based Violence: an Interdisciplinary Approach 3 20 Italian IUS/08
Laboratory: Sustainability and Sustainable Development 4 32 Italian AGR/13 IUS/01 SECS-P/01 SPS/04
Laboratory: Sustainability and Sustainable Development 3 24 Italian AGR/01 AGR/13 IUS/01 SECS-P/01 SPS/04
Laboratory: Sustainability and Sustainable Development 6 48 Italian AGR/01 AGR/13 IUS/01 SECS-P/01 SPS/04
Teaching Workshop: the Ancient Hospital of Milan. How to Lead a Guided Tour of an Historical Monument 3 20 Italian
First trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Laboratory: Organized Crime and Research Methodology. 3 20 Italian SPS/09
Second trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Comparative Law, Sustainability and Food Safety 6 40 Italian IUS/02
Laboratory: Art, Culture and Organized Crime 3 20 Italian SPS/07
Third trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Laboratory "new Public Governance and Co-Production of Public Services" 3 20 Italian SECS-P/10
Laboratory:societies, Rights and Environmental Crime 3 20 Italian SPS/07
Laboratory:strategies for Managing Environmental Conflicts Through Participatory Mechanisms 3 20 Italian IUS/10
Workshop: Anti-Mafia Journalism 3 20 Italian SPS/08
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
Constitution Education 3 24 Italian IUS/08
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
Lab Training 10 0 Italian
Final Exam 21 0 Italian
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Entro la scadenza prevista per la presentazione del piano di studio lo studente deve procedere all'indicazione degli insegnamenti a scelta per un totale di 9 CFU. Questi verranno scelti in piena libertà a) tra tutti gli insegnamenti presenti nei curricula non selezionati dallo studente, b) tra altri purché coerenti con il progetto formativo, sentito il parere del Collegio Didattico Interdipartimentale. Il piano degli studi sarà sottoposto alla valutazione ed alla approvazione del Collegio Didattico Interdipartimentale del corso di laurea magistrale. Lo studente può anche scegliere il Laboratorio sperimentale biotecnologico di 9 CFU. Tale laboratorio ha l'obiettivo di approfondire gli aspetti teorici e pratici della tematica di ricerca oggetto del lavoro sperimentale di laboratorio ed il programma sarà concordato con il relatore coerentemente con l'argomento della tesi di laurea.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Experimental Laboratory of Biotechnology 9 0 Italian Second semester
First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Biology of Development and Differentiation 6 56 Italian BIO/13
Integrated Systems Physiology 6 56 Italian BIO/09
Metabolic and Functional Biochemistry 6 48 Italian BIO/10
Molecular Virology 6 48 Italian BIO/19 MED/07
Organ Pathophysiology 6 48 Italian MED/04
Second semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Biotechnology in Pharmacology 8 64 Italian BIO/14
Clinical Pharmacology and Applied Biochemistry 9 88 Italian BIO/10 BIO/14 MED/03
Preparation and Development of Drugs with Biotechnological Methods 9 72 Italian CHIM/08 CHIM/11
Purification and Formulation of Biotechnological Drug Products 8 72 Italian CHIM/08 CHIM/09
First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Manufacturing of Biotechnological Drug Products 7 56 Italian CHIM/09
Quality Control and Analysis for Biopharmaceuticals 9 72 Italian BIO/14 CHIM/06 CHIM/08
Optional
Developing Soft Skills in Science: Case-Studies from Microbial Biotechnology 6 56 English AGR/16
Patenting and Technology Transfer 6 48 English AGR/01 IUS/01 IUS/04
Patenting and Technology Transfer 6 48 English IUS/10 IUS/14
The Instruments of Gender Equality 3 24 Italian IUS/08
Second semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Equal Opportunities and Scientific Careers 3 24 Italian SPS/09
Experimental Laboratory of Biotechnology 9 0 Italian
Gender Based Violence: an Interdisciplinary Approach 3 20 Italian IUS/08
Laboratory: Sustainability and Sustainable Development 4 32 Italian AGR/13 IUS/01 SECS-P/01 SPS/04
Laboratory: Sustainability and Sustainable Development 6 48 Italian AGR/01 AGR/13 IUS/01 SECS-P/01 SPS/04
Laboratory: Sustainability and Sustainable Development 3 24 Italian AGR/01 AGR/13 IUS/01 SECS-P/01 SPS/04
Teaching Workshop: the Ancient Hospital of Milan. How to Lead a Guided Tour of an Historical Monument 3 20 Italian
First trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Laboratory: Organized Crime and Research Methodology. 3 20 Italian SPS/09
Second trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Comparative Law, Sustainability and Food Safety 6 40 Italian IUS/02
Laboratory: Art, Culture and Organized Crime 3 20 Italian SPS/07
Third trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Laboratory "new Public Governance and Co-Production of Public Services" 3 20 Italian SECS-P/10
Laboratory:societies, Rights and Environmental Crime 3 20 Italian SPS/07
Laboratory:strategies for Managing Environmental Conflicts Through Participatory Mechanisms 3 20 Italian IUS/10
Workshop: Anti-Mafia Journalism 3 20 Italian SPS/08
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
Constitution Education 3 24 Italian IUS/08
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
Lab Training 10 0 Italian
Final Exam 21 0 Italian
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Entro la scadenza prevista per la presentazione del piano di studio lo studente deve procedere all'indicazione degli insegnamenti a scelta per un totale di 9 CFU. Questi verranno scelti in piena libertà a) tra tutti gli insegnamenti presenti nei curricula non selezionati dallo studente, b) tra altri purché coerenti con il progetto formativo, sentito il parere del Collegio Didattico Interdipartimentale. Il piano degli studi sarà sottoposto alla valutazione ed alla approvazione del Collegio Didattico Interdipartimentale del corso di laurea magistrale. Lo studente può anche scegliere il Laboratorio sperimentale biotecnologico di 9 CFU. Tale laboratorio ha l'obiettivo di approfondire gli aspetti teorici e pratici della tematica di ricerca oggetto del lavoro sperimentale di laboratorio ed il programma sarà concordato con il relatore coerentemente con l'argomento della tesi di laurea.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Experimental Laboratory of Biotechnology 9 0 Italian Second semester
First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases 8 64 English BIO/19 MED/04
Integrated Systems Physiology 6 56 English BIO/09
Molecular Biochemistry and Functional Biology 10 88 English BIO/10 BIO/13
Protein Engineering, Drug Delivery and Regulatory Aspects 11 96 English CHIM/08 CHIM/09
Second semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Bioinformatics and Molecular Modeling 8 64 English BIO/10 CHIM/06 CHIM/08
Omics: from Bench to Bedside 6 48 English BIO/10 MED/04
Pharmacogenomics, Clinical Pharmacology, and Orphan Drugs 7 56 English BIO/14
First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Biomarkers: from Identification to Exploitation 10 88 English BIO/14 CHIM/08 MED/13
Cell Therapy and Gene Silencing 7 72 English BIO/13 BIO/14 BIO/19
Nanotechnology Based Medicinal Products 7 56 English BIO/14 CHIM/06 CHIM/09
Optional
Developing Soft Skills in Science: Case-Studies from Microbial Biotechnology 6 56 English AGR/16
Patenting and Technology Transfer 6 48 English AGR/01 IUS/01 IUS/04
Patenting and Technology Transfer 6 48 English IUS/10 IUS/14
The Instruments of Gender Equality 3 24 Italian IUS/08
Second semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Equal Opportunities and Scientific Careers 3 24 Italian SPS/09
Experimental Laboratory of Biotechnology 9 0 English
Gender Based Violence: an Interdisciplinary Approach 3 20 Italian IUS/08
Laboratory: Sustainability and Sustainable Development 6 48 Italian AGR/01 AGR/13 IUS/01 SECS-P/01 SPS/04
Laboratory: Sustainability and Sustainable Development 4 32 Italian AGR/13 IUS/01 SECS-P/01 SPS/04
Laboratory: Sustainability and Sustainable Development 3 24 Italian AGR/01 AGR/13 IUS/01 SECS-P/01 SPS/04
Teaching Workshop: the Ancient Hospital of Milan. How to Lead a Guided Tour of an Historical Monument 3 20 Italian
First trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Laboratory: Organized Crime and Research Methodology. 3 20 Italian SPS/09
Second trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Comparative Law, Sustainability and Food Safety 6 40 Italian IUS/02
Laboratory: Art, Culture and Organized Crime 3 20 Italian SPS/07
Third trimester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Laboratory "new Public Governance and Co-Production of Public Services" 3 20 Italian SECS-P/10
Laboratory:societies, Rights and Environmental Crime 3 20 Italian SPS/07
Laboratory:strategies for Managing Environmental Conflicts Through Participatory Mechanisms 3 20 Italian IUS/10
Workshop: Anti-Mafia Journalism 3 20 Italian SPS/08
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
Constitution Education 3 24 Italian IUS/08
Conclusive activities
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Lab Training 10 0 English
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
Final Exam 21 0 English
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Entro la scadenza prevista per la presentazione del piano di studio lo studente deve procedere all'indicazione degli insegnamenti a scelta per un totale di 9 CFU. Questi verranno scelti in piena libertà a) tra tutti gli insegnamenti presenti nei curricula non selezionati dallo studente, b) tra altri purché coerenti con il progetto formativo, sentito il parere del Collegio Didattico Interdipartimentale. Il piano degli studi sarà sottoposto alla valutazione ed alla approvazione del Collegio Didattico Interdipartimentale del corso di laurea magistrale. Lo studente può anche scegliere il Laboratorio sperimentale biotecnologico di 9 CFU. Tale laboratorio ha l'obiettivo di approfondire gli aspetti teorici e pratici della tematica di ricerca oggetto del lavoro sperimentale di laboratorio ed il programma sarà concordato con il relatore coerentemente con l'argomento della tesi di laurea.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Experimental Laboratory of Biotechnology 9 0 English Second semester
Course location
Milano
Laboratories locations
The degree programmes is laboratory-intensive. Laboratory courses are compulsory and must be attended in the relevant year. During laboratory practicals, students will learn the rules of safe behaviour.
Contacts