Postgraduate School of Microbiology and Virology

Integrated Educational Objectives (i.e., Common Core)
Acquisition of knowledge in the disciplines that contribute to the definition of the Diagnostic and Laboratory Medicine Class, and those useful for characterizing the educational path shared by the different School types, with particular attention to molecular pathology, pathophysiology and general pathology, immunology and immunopathology. Furthermore, the common core activity will be partly dedicated to clinical integration with the Medical and Surgical Areas.

Basic Educational Objectives
Acquisition of in-depth knowledge of the biochemical and molecular bases of the biological functions of microorganisms and of the tools for evaluating these functions.

Educational Objectives of the School Type
Acquisition of in-depth knowledge of the morphology, physiology, taxonomic position, and genetics of microorganisms and the cellular and molecular bases of the interactions they establish among themselves or with host cells, representing these interactions as simple models for the study and understanding of fundamental biological processes.
Acquisition of essential methodologies for assessing the distribution of microorganisms in nature and their role in the environment, including their use in environmental mutagenesis studies; learning the mechanisms underlying the use of microorganisms as biotechnological tools; acquiring in-depth knowledge of the cellular and molecular bases of microbial pathogenicity, microorganism-host interactions, and the host's innate and acquired resistance to infections; learning, for the purpose of providing care, all culture and molecular methodologies and instrumental procedures, including automated ones, for the infection of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites pathogenic to humans and animals. These methodologies and procedures are based on the direct determination of the presence of the infectious agent or its constituents (antigens and nucleic acids), and on the learning of skills for the indirect diagnosis of infections through analysis of the host's immune response to the infectious agent. Acquisition of skills in the use of diagnostic methodologies in environmental and food microbiology; learning the principles of diagnosing infections caused by genetically modified agents or agents used for biological warfare purposes; acquiring advanced knowledge of the mechanisms of action of the main classes of antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic drugs and the molecular and cellular bases of resistance to them by infectious agents; understanding the criteria for monitoring chemo-antibiotic resistance, particularly in hospital settings; learning the main human blood chemistry parameters under physiological conditions and their changes during infection and chemo-antibiotic treatment, aiming this knowledge to optimize therapeutic regimens; acquiring the ability to identify the most suitable diagnostic criteria and adopt the most effective strategies for a rational use of available resources; Acquisition of skills related to the organization and legislation governing the management of the Microbiology and Virology Laboratory, with particular reference to quality system management, laboratory safety, and the disposal of toxic or infectious waste.

Similar or complementary objectives include:
Acquisition of skills for the use and development of Microbiology and Virology Laboratory instrumentation; acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge to validate new diagnostic tests and to synthesize molecules used for the identification of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites or their constituents; acquisition of adequate training to ensure environmental microbiological monitoring, with particular reference to operating rooms, intensive care units, and inpatient units for transplant, cancer, or immunocompromised patients.
The acquisition of knowledge aimed at the differential diagnosis, from a laboratory perspective, of infectious diseases (bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic) and the achievement of the professional capacity to participate in the planning, experimentation and interpretation of the results of clinical studies

Mandatory professional development activities to achieve the following educational objectives:
Participation in refresher courses, seminars, demonstrations, conferences, and congresses on topics directly relevant to or complementary to the Microbiology and Virology training program, accredited by the Ministry of Health for Continuing Medical Education.
Collection of at least 160 biological samples of microbiological interest;
Participation in the diagnostic process for bacteriological, virological, mycological, or parasitological aspects of at least 240 clinical cases;
Performance of at least 4,000 bacteriological tests (microscopic, culture, serological, and/or molecular), resulting in a diagnosis in at least 30% of cases;
Performance of at least 640 virological tests (microscopic, culture, serological, and/or molecular), resulting in a diagnosis in at least 30% of cases;
Perform at least 400 mycological tests (microscopic, culture, serological, and/or molecular), leading to a diagnosis in at least 30% of cases;
Perform at least 240 parasitological tests (microscopic, culture, serological, and/or molecular), leading to a diagnosis in at least 30% of cases;
Perform at least 40 tests (bacteriological, virological, mycological, and parasitological) in emergencies.

The trainee may apply for the diploma after completing the professionalizing activities.

As part of the training program, the trainee must learn the scientific foundations of the School's program in order to achieve full maturity and professional competence, including an adequate ability to interpret scientific innovations and a critical understanding that allows them to consciously manage both care and their own professional development. In this context, participation in meetings, conferences and the production of scientific publications may be foreseen, as well as periods of attendance at qualified Italian and foreign institutions useful for his/her training.