Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Ospedale di notte
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Course sheet
A.Y. 2024/2025
Master programme
LM-9 - Pharmaceutical, veterinary and medical biotechnologies
Master programme
120
ECTS
Access
Open with entry requirements examination
2
Years
Course location
Milano
Language
Italian, English
The master degree program in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology aims to prepare graduates who have advanced skills in the development and application of new scientific methodologies, who are able to actively participate in national and international study and research projects, and who possess in-depth skills in the scientific and technical-productive aspects of biotechnology applied to human health with particular reference to the design and engineering of innovative biotechnological drugs. The master degree program in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology is structured into four curricula. A first curriculum is aimed at providing in-depth skills in the scientific aspects of biotechnological drug design and design, characterization of their molecular and cellular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. A second curriculum provides in-depth knowledge of biotechnology drug development and production and provides notions for the organization and management of biotechnology enterprises. A third curriculum develops aspects related to the use of biotechnology drugs in precision therapy, starting from the physio-pathological context, strategy and design to manufacturing and formulation. The three curricula include common specialized teachings (first semester of the first year), which are necessary to broaden and deepen the basic skills acquired during the undergraduate degree, and characterizing teachings aimed at deepening the specificities of the curriculum, which are separated starting from the second semester of the first year and in the first semester of the second year. A fourth curriculum is delivered in English and provides preparation for future challenges in the field of the most innovative biotechnology drugs. The curriculum includes teachings in common biotechnology and pharmaceutical disciplines, which are necessary to expand the basic skills acquired during the undergraduate degree, and specialized teachings that include omics approaches, nanotechnology, and cell therapies. For all curricula, the second semester of the second year is devoted to conducting the internship at facilities of the University or other public or private institutions or companies.

Master degree graduates in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology must:
-know in-depth biochemistry and genetics of prokaryotes and eukaryotes and cell culture techniques;
-master knowledge of the structure, functions and analysis of biological macromolecules, as well as structure-activity relationships, in order to understand the mechanisms of cellular processes in which they are involved;
-possess sound knowledge of the morphology and functions of human organisms;
-know the basics of disease processes of relevance to humans, with particular emphasis on cellular and molecular pathogenic mechanisms;
-know congenital or acquired pathological situations for which to design biotechnological therapeutic approaches;
-know the fundamentals and principles for the use of the main methodologies of molecular and cellular biotechnology, with special reference to biotechnological drug design and production;
-know and be able to use techniques and technologies of molecular modeling, and design of innovative drugs;
-master bio-informatics methodologies to organize, build and access genomics, proteomics and metabolomics databases, and to acquire and distribute related scientific and technological information;
-possess skills for the analysis and quality control of biotechnological drugs, diagnostics, and vaccines;
-know the basic aspects of the operational processes that follow the industrial design of biotechnological products (including gene therapy and cell therapy), and biotechnological drug formulation;
-possess basic knowledge related to the establishment, organization and management of enterprises, management of innovation projects (including patenting new biotechnological products), and marketing activities of biotechnological pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Researcher in public and private universities and research centers
Function in a work setting:
design and execution of scientific experiments, analysis and processing of data, preparation of scientific reports, presentation of results in national and international arena.
Skills associated with the function:
inventive ability, autonomy in experiment execution, critical sense in data evaluation, ability to work in a team, ability to write research projects, ability in scientific communication in Italian and English.
Career opportunities:
Subject to passing the relevant competitive examinations, professional opportunities are possible at public and private universities, CNR, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, IRCCS and by passing appropriate selections in universities and international research institutions.

Researcher in Industry (Research and Development Sector)
Function in a work setting: identification of new targets, design of model compounds and optimization, development of appropriate models for in vitro and in vivo compound evaluation, data analysis and processing, preparation of scientific reports.
Skills associated with the function:
inventive ability, planning skills, autonomy, critical sense in data evaluation, ability to work in a team and interface with other professionals.
Career opportunities:
Subject to passing appropriate selections, professional opportunities are possible in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, diagnostic, food and cosmetics industries.

Operator in Industry (Production Sector)
Function in a work setting:
management activities in production, management activities in quality control, management activities in formulation.
Skills associated with the function:
management skills, planning skills, ability to interface with other professionals.
Career opportunities:
biotechnology, pharmaceutical, diagnostic, food and cosmetics industries.

Worker in Industry (Marketing Sector)
Function in a work setting:
dissemination of scientific study results to health or business professionals, marketing activities, technical consulting.
Skills associated with the function:
interpersonal skills, scientific communication skills.
Career opportunities:
biotechnology, pharmaceutical, diagnostic, food, and cosmetics industries.

Clinical monitor and activities in the area of pharmacovigilance
Function in a work setting:
supervision and monitoring of clinical protocols, supervision and management of drug safety reports
Skills associated with the function:
Ability to interface with other professionals in industry and hospital settings.
Career opportunities:
pharmaceutical industry and Clinical Research Organizations (CROs).

Operator in industry and national and international ministerial/governmental agencies (Sector
Regulatory)
Function in a work setting:
drafting and evaluation of manufacturing and marketing authorization documentation and post-authorization amendments
Skills associated with the function:
knowledge of national legislation and international regulations related to biotechnology drugs; ability to analyze and prepare documentation for manufacturing and marketing authorization and post-authorization changes
Career opportunities:

Pharmaceutical industry, national and international regulatory agencies, regulatory bodies.
Operator in science dissemination through conventional and new media
Function in a work context:
Preparation of dissemination material of a technical-scientific nature on issues related to biotechnology and its use for the protection of human health.
Skills associated with the function:
communication and dissemination skills towards a generalist audience; knowledge of conventional and new media.
Career opportunities:
news agencies, newspaper editorial offices, freelancer.

The course allows to obtain the qualification to the profession of biologist.

Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
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/en/node/273
https://www.unimi.it/en/node/12879
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 lectures.
Enrolment
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, anatomy, pathology 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 three faculty members supported by the teaching secretariat, 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 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/297/). 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. 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/297/) and deliver it to the SLAM via the InformaStudenti service by the deadline fixed for the master's programme: 31 October 2024 (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.

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".

Admission

Application for admission: from 22/01/2024 to 25/08/2024

Application for matriculation: from 02/04/2024 to 30/11/2024


Attachments and documents

Admission notice


Please note

Non-EU students visa applicants are required to apply for admission no later than 30 April 2024. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be evaluated and it will in no case be possible to request the refund of the admission fee.

Learn more:
Programme description and courses list
First semester
Courses or activities 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 56 Italian BIO/19
Organ Pathophysiology 6 48 Italian MED/04
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Biotechnological Drugs in Therapy 8 72 Italian BIO/14
Clinical Pharmacology and Applied Biochemistry 9 80 Italian BIO/10 BIO/14
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
be activated by the A.Y. 2025/2026
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Production, Legislation and Marketing of Biotechnological Medicines 7 56 Italian CHIM/09
Quality Control and Analysis for Biopharmaceuticals 9 72 Italian BIO/14 CHIM/06 CHIM/08
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Experimental Laboratory of Biotechnology 9 0 Italian
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Lab Training 10 0 Italian
Final Exam 21 0 Italian
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
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 ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Bioinformatics and Molecular Modeling 8 72 English BIO/10 CHIM/06 CHIM/08
Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases 8 64 English BIO/19 MED/04
Omics: from Bench to Bedside 6 48 English BIO/10 MED/04
Pharmacogenomics, Clinical Pharmacology, and Orphan Drugs 7 56 English BIO/14
be activated by the A.Y. 2025/2026
First semester
Courses or activities 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
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Experimental Laboratory of Biotechnology 9 0 English
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Lab Training 10 0 English
Final Exam 21 0 English
First semester
Courses or activities 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 56 Italian BIO/19
Organ Pathophysiology 6 48 Italian MED/04
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Biotechnology in Pharmacology 8 80 Italian BIO/13 BIO/14
Design, Development, and Therapeutic Application of Biotechnological Drugs 9 72 Italian BIO/14 CHIM/06 CHIM/08
Omics Approaches: from Research to Therapy 6 56 Italian BIO/10 BIO/14
Structural Bioinformatics and Molecular Modeling 10 96 Italian BIO/10 CHIM/06 CHIM/08
be activated by the A.Y. 2025/2026
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Analytical and Formulation Strategies in Biotechnological Drug Discovery 8 64 Italian CHIM/08 CHIM/09
Pharmacogenomics and Biomarkers 9 72 Italian BIO/14 MED/13
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Experimental Laboratory of Biotechnology 9 0 Italian
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Lab Training 10 0 Italian
Final Exam 21 0 Italian
First semester
Courses or activities 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 56 Italian BIO/19
Organ Pathophysiology 6 48 Italian MED/04
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Biochemical, Biomolecular, and Chemical Approaches for Manipulating Biological Systems 7 56 Italian BIO/10 BIO/13 CHIM/06
Design and Optimization of Monolonal Antibodies 9 72 Italian BIO/10 BIO/13 BIO/14
Nanoparticles and Viral Vectors 7 56 Italian BIO/19 CHIM/08 FIS/07
Precision Pharmacology and Gender Therapy 11 96 Italian BIO/14 MED/13
be activated by the A.Y. 2025/2026
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products 9 72 Italian BIO/14 BIO/19
Formulation and Legislation of Monoclonal Antibodies, Nanovectors, and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products 7 56 Italian CHIM/09
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Experimental Laboratory of Biotechnology 9 0 Italian
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Lab Training 10 0 Italian
Final Exam 21 0 Italian
Learn more
Location
Milano
Course locations
Course venue: Città Studi teaching facilities
Laboratory locations
The degree programme 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.
Head of study programme
Tutors professors
Erasmus and international mobility tutor 
Study plan 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