Plant science - (Classe LM -6)-enrolled from 2018/2019 academic year

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Laurea magistrale
A.A. 2022/2023
LM-6 - Biologia
Laurea magistrale
120
Crediti
Accesso
Programmato
2
Anni
Milano
Inglese
International title
Double Degree
The Plant Science Master's degree aims at training professionals with a solid and integrated cultural background in basic biology, appropriate for applications in different areas of biology, focusing mainly on plant science. The students will acquire a high level of scientific preparation and in-depth knowledge and skills, taking into consideration molecular and cellular aspects, without neglecting applicative goals such as plant breeding and the protection and preservation of natural plant species. The graduated student will acquire high-level skills, which will enable him/her to use the latest technologies to study complex plant biological systems. The international character of the Master's course, the knowledge of English and the international experience are all highly appreciated aspects that should contribute to broadening the job perspectives of the graduated student, reaching beyond national borders.
Biologist and assimilated professions. The decision to offer a Master's degree entirely in English and the close collaboration with UGA, where students have to follow part of the courses, broadens the graduate's job prospects, enabling him or her to enter the domestic and foreign labour markets.
The Master's course in Plant Science provides in-depth, state-of-the-art knowledge of the molecular and cellular aspects of plants, whether they are model organisms or of agricultural interest, and their interactions with the environment. The skills acquired in this Master's course will allow the graduate to perform functions of high responsibility in professional fields such as:
- Basic and applied research activities in university laboratories, other public or private research institutions and in industry, with particular reference to plant organisms.
- Research and development of scientific methodologies for the study of plant biology.
- Responsibility functions in public or private sectors accountable for environmental protection and management, in biology research laboratories, in biotechnology and food industries and in all professional fields where a multidisciplinary approach to plant biology is required.
- Scientific dissemination and publishing activities.
- Teaching activities: Graduates can take the state exam for the qualification to practice the profession of biologist and consequently obtain the enrolment in the National Order of Biologists (Ordine Nazionale dei Biologi, section A). They will also have access to PhD positions, specialization schools and other Master's degrees.
Job opportunities:
- Universities and public and private research institutions.
- Public and private laboratories for biological, microbiological, genetic, and quality control analyses.
- Biotechnological, pharmaceutical, chemical and biorefinery industries.
- Communication, scientific dissemination and information, scientific publishing.
- Plant genetic improvement and seed production.
- Agro-food sector.
- Production of molecules of food, industrial and pharmaceutical interest in plant systems.
- Cooperation and development in international organizations.

Biotechnologist. The graduated in Plant Science will be able to take high responsibility functions in all professional fields in which a deep knowledge of plant biology topics is required, particularly in those involving the use of plant biological systems and genetic engineering techniques for applications in various sectors.
Graduates can take the state exam for the qualification to practice the profession of biologist and consequently obtain the enrolment in the National Order of Biologists (Ordine Nazionale dei Biologi, section A). They will also have access to PhD positions, specialization schools and other Master's degrees.
Job opportunities:
- Universities and public and private research institutions;
- Biotechnological, pharmaceutical, chemical and biorefinery industries;
- Plant breeding and seed production companies;
- Cooperation and development in international organizations.

Botanist. The graduated in Plant Science will be able to take high responsibility functions in all professional fields in which a complete knowledge of plant organisms is required, from the molecular and cellular level, to the organismic to the interactions between living organisms and the ecosystem.
Graduates can take the state exam for the qualification to practice the profession of biologist and consequently obtain the enrolment in the National Order of Biologists (Ordine Nazionale dei Biologi, section A). They will also have access to PhD positions, specialization schools and other Master's degrees.
Job opportunities:
- Universities and public or private research institutions;
- Biotechnological, pharmaceutical, chemical industries and bi- refineries;
- Communication, dissemination and scientific information, scientific publishing;
- Plant genetic improvement and seed production;
- Agro-food sector;
- Production of molecules of food, industrial and pharmaceutical interest in plant systems;
- Cooperation and development in international organizations.

Researchers and technicians with a degree in life sciences. The graduated in Plant Science will be able to take high responsibility functions in all professional fields where it is necessary to develop and conduct research projects on concepts and theories dealing with plant science. The graduated student will be able to:
- Designs and carry out experimental research projects aimed at broadening and innovating the scientific knowledge on plants, including applications in applied sectors;
- Ensures the operation of laboratories and scientific equipment;
- Defines and apply scientific protocols in laboratory experiments and research activities on both basic and applied plant science;
- Graduates can take the state exam for the qualification to practice the profession of biologist and consequently obtain the enrolment in the National Order of Biologists (Ordine Nazionale dei Biologi, section A). They will also have access to PhD positions, specialization schools and other Master's degrees.
Job opportunities:
- Universities and research institutions- Public and private research laboratories.

Statistiche occupazionali (Almalaurea)
The prerequisite for admission to the Master's degree in Plant Science programme is an adequate and sound knowledge of the fundamentals of biological disciplines. Graduates of class L-13 Biological Sciences, who are recognized as fully satisfying the curriculum requirements, can apply to the Master degree course in Plant Science, provided they have completed a training course consistent with the indications of the National CBUI College and they have the appropriate certificate. The requirements include:
- 66 ECTS in biological areas (SSD bio), of which at least 6 in BIO/01 Botanica generale (General Botany), BIO/02 Botanica sistematica (Systematic Botany), BIO/04 Fisiologia Vegetale (Plant Physiology), BIO/05 Zoologia (Zoology), BIO/06 Anatomia comparata e citologia (Comparative Anatomy and Cytology) (at least 12), BIO/07 Ecologia (Ecology), BIO/09 Fisiologia (Physiology), BIO/10 Biochimica (Biochemistry), BIO/11 Biologia Molecolare (Molecular Biology), BIO/18 Genetica (Genetics), BIO/19 Microbiologia Generale (General Microbiology).
- 12 ECTS in FIS/01 - FIS/08 Fisica (Physics), INF/01 - Informatica (Informatics), ING-INF/05 - Sistemi di elaborazione delle informazioni (Information processing systems), MAT/01-MAT/09 Mathematics.
- 12 CFU in CHIM/01 - Chimica analitica (Analytical Chemistry), CHIM/02 - Chimica fisica (Physical Chemistry), CHIM/03 - Chimica generale e inorganica (General and Inorganic Chemistry), CHIM/06 - Chimica organica (Organic chemistry).

Other graduate students in the same class L-13, who have not followed a training course in line with the indications of the CBUI or in class 12 Biological Sciences (ex DM 509/99), or in other classes, may be admitted provided they have an adequate number of ECTS, not less than 90 ECTS, in the disciplinary sectors (SSD) mentioned above.

For students graduated in the L-25 class, i.e. agricultural and forestry science and technology (Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie e Forestali) and related classes, ECTS acquired in the following disciplinary sectors: AGR02 Agronomia e Coltivazioni erbacee (Agronomy and field crops), AGR03 Arboricoltura generale e coltivazioni arboree (Arboriculture and Fruitculture), AGR/07 - Genetica agraria (Agricultural genetics), AGR/12 Patologia vegetale (Plant pathology), AGR/13 - Chimica agraria (Agricultural chemistry), AGR/16 microbiologia agraria (Agricultural Microbiology), AGR/17 Zootecnica Generale e Miglioramento Genetico (Livestock systems, animal breeding and genetics), VET/01 Anatomia degli Animali Domestici (Veterinary anatomy), VET/02 Fisiologia Veterinaria (Veterinary physiology), will also be considered for admission.

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 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/it/studiare/competenze-linguistiche/placement-test-e-corsi-di-inglese/test-di-ingresso-di-inglese). The certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application;
- English level achieved during a Bachelor's degree programme through the University Language Centre (SLAM) courses and tests. The test must have been passed within the last four years.
All those who fail to submit a valid certificate will be admitted to the admission interview, but they will be accepted only provided their level of English proficiency is unmistakably good.
The adequate personal preparation of the candidates, their ability to communicate in English and their motivation are decisive elements for the admission and they are going to be tested during the admission interview.

Admission procedure:
The adequate knowledge of the fundamentals of biological disciplines will be verified through the evaluation of the bachelor study program and the direct assessment of the candidate scientific background knowledge. The candidate's background knowledge in Biology will be verified by an interview with the Commission for Admittance, composed by teaching members appointed by the Teaching Board. The interview will evaluate the expertise of the candidate in topics related to Plant Science and will ascertain the knowledge of the English language.
The committee evaluates the candidate on a 100-point scale:
- up to 25 points will be given for the graduation grade; for undergraduates the average grade of the sustained teaching activities will be evaluated;
- up to 10 points for the curriculum (type of degree, extra-curriculum free courses, Erasmus experience, etc.);
- up to 65 points for the interview.
To be admitted a minimum total score of 60 out of 100 points is required.
For the Academic Year 2022-2023, interviews will take place on June 22nd, 2022 at the Department of Biosciences, Via Celoria 26, room B8. See the 2022-2023 call for applications for detailed instructions (https://www.unimi.it/en/education/plant-science). Students must have a valid ID card for identification. Foreign applicants who are not resident in Italy and have achieved their bachelor's degree abroad will be evaluated based on their curriculum and may be invited to an online interview.
It is advisable to check for any possible updates concerning dates and times of the examination on the https://plantscience.cdl.unimi.it website or by writing to the Master's course email [email protected].
After admission, registration to both universities (UNIMI and UGA) is required, but tuition fees are due only to the home institution. Specific programme fees covering programme management may be asked at UGA.
The Master's degree in Plant Science is the result of an agreement between the University of Milan (UNIMI) and the University of Grenoble-Alpes (UGA), France, establishing a joint Master's degree at the two Universities (https://www.unimi.it/en/international/study-abroad/double-degree).
Students admitted to the Plant Science Master's degree will receive a contribution to support higher costs arising from their stay at UGA. The level of each contribution will relate to the ISEE declared by the relevant student.

For assistance, please contact:
International Mobility Office
Via Santa Sofia 9 (second floor)
Tel. 02 503 13501-12589-13495-13502
Contacts: InformaStudenti [email protected]
Student Desk booking through InformaStudenti
The above-mentioned training activities, including obligatory, guided and free-choice courses and experimental research activities during the thesis internship, are compulsory for completion of the Master's degree. Attendance is compulsory for all internships. Attendance at courses held at UGA is compulsory. For courses held at UNIMI, although not compulsory, attendance is highly recommended.

Elenco insegnamenti

Primo semestre
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua SSD
Obbligatorio
Evolutionary biology of plants 6 48 Inglese BIO/02
Introduction to plant development and signal transduction 6 48 Inglese BIO/01
Strategies in experimental biology 12 120 Inglese BIO/04 BIO/10 BIO/11 BIO/18
Facoltativo
Chemistry and cellular biochemistry 6 48 Inglese BIO/10
Communication tools and scientific english 6 48 Inglese L-LIN/12 SPS/08
Entrepreneurship and science and scientific english 6 48 Inglese L-LIN/12 SECS-P/07 SECS-P/09
Molecular genetics and epigenetics of the cell 6 48 Inglese BIO/18
Secondo semestre
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua SSD
Obbligatorio
Plant development 6 48 Inglese BIO/01
Plant signal transduction 6 48 Inglese BIO/04
Primo semestre
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua SSD
Facoltativo
Epigenetics and cell differentiation 6 48 Inglese BIO/18
Evodevo in the green lineage 6 48 Inglese BIO/02
Functional genomics 6 48 Inglese BIO/18
High-throughput biology 6 48 Inglese BIO/13
Molecular and cellular imaging 6 48 Inglese FIS/03 FIS/07
Molecular bioinformatics 6 48 Inglese BIO/11
Patenting and technology transfer 6 48 Inglese IUS/10 IUS/14
Photobiology and bioenergy 6 48 Inglese BIO/04 BIO/18
Secondo semestre
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua SSD
Facoltativo
Environmental plant biochemistry and physiology 6 56 Inglese AGR/13
Attività conclusive
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua SSD
Obbligatorio
Final dissertation 24 0 Inglese
Primo semestre
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua SSD
Facoltativo
Basic statistics and experimental design 6 64 Inglese AGR/02 SECS-S/02
Biostatistic, bioinformatics and modeling 6 48 Inglese BIO/13
Development of crop ideotypes 6 56 Inglese AGR/07
Secondo semestre
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua SSD
Facoltativo
Advanced plant cell biotechnology 6 48 Inglese BIO/04 BIO/18
Molecular plant breeding and genetics 6 48 Inglese BIO/18
Plant ecology 6 48 Inglese BIO/02
Attività conclusive
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua SSD
Obbligatorio
Internship 1 12 0 Inglese
Laboratory stage 6 0 Inglese
Attività a scelta e regole di composizione del piano didattico
1 - The student must choose one of the following courses:
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua Periodo SSD
Evodevo in the green lineage 6 48 Inglese Primo semestre BIO/02
Plant ecology 6 48 Inglese Secondo semestre BIO/02
2 - The student must choose one of the following courses:
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua Periodo SSD
Advanced plant cell biotechnology 6 48 Inglese Secondo semestre BIO/04 BIO/18
Chemistry and cellular biochemistry 6 48 Inglese Primo semestre BIO/10
Epigenetics and cell differentiation 6 48 Inglese Primo semestre BIO/18
Functional genomics 6 48 Inglese Primo semestre BIO/18
Molecular bioinformatics 6 48 Inglese Primo semestre BIO/11
Molecular genetics and epigenetics of the cell 6 48 Inglese Primo semestre BIO/18
Molecular plant breeding and genetics 6 48 Inglese Secondo semestre BIO/18
Photobiology and bioenergy 6 48 Inglese Primo semestre BIO/04 BIO/18
3 - The student must choose one of the following courses:
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua Periodo SSD
Biostatistic, bioinformatics and modeling 6 48 Inglese Primo semestre BIO/13
High-throughput biology 6 48 Inglese Primo semestre BIO/13
Patenting and technology transfer 6 48 Inglese Primo semestre IUS/10 IUS/14
4 - The student must choose one of the following courses:
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua Periodo SSD
Basic statistics and experimental design 6 64 Inglese Primo semestre AGR/02 SECS-S/02
Development of crop ideotypes 6 56 Inglese Primo semestre AGR/07
Environmental plant biochemistry and physiology 6 56 Inglese Secondo semestre AGR/13
Molecular and cellular imaging 6 48 Inglese Primo semestre FIS/03 FIS/07
5 - The student must choose one of the following courses:
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua Periodo SSD
Communication tools and scientific english 6 48 Inglese Primo semestre L-LIN/12 SPS/08
Entrepreneurship and science and scientific english 6 48 Inglese Primo semestre L-LIN/12 SECS-P/07 SECS-P/09
6 - Open choice courses: the student must acquire 12 CFU
There are no propaedeutic courses in Plant Science that can limit progression from the first to the second year.
First year students must acquire 40 ECTS within September 30 in order to be admitted to the second year.
Sede
Milano
Presidente del Collegio Didattico
Prof.ssa Isabella Dalle Donne
Referenti e contatti