Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics

Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
Scheda del corso
A.A. 2023/2024
Laurea magistrale
LM-8 - BIOTECNOLOGIE INDUSTRIALI
The MB&B Master's degree aims to provide students with advanced skills in molecular biotechnology, computational biology, and bioinformatics, with a strong focus on the most advanced tools and approaches for the analysis of genomes, proteomes, and metabolomes. The main goal of the MB&B Master's degree is to give the students the broad theoretical and practical background needed to apply their knowledge to various biological/biotechnology problems.
A specific goal of MB&B includes providing deep and up-to-date knowledge in the following core subjects:
- bioinformatics
- molecular biology and biotechnology
- functional genomics and "-omics" technologies
- protein expression systems
- metabolic engineering and industrial processes
- structural biochemistry
- molecular enzymology
- data analysis
In addition, students will have the opportunity to develop skills in further specific disciplines of their interest, choosing from courses in plant genetics, nanotechnology, biophysics, molecular microbiology, molecular parasitology, structural biology, patenting and technology transfer (the latter, included in the University project for the development of soft skills). The MB&B Master's degree combines lecture-based courses (in the first year and the first term of the second year) with an experimental laboratory project leading to a dissertation (second year), to be chosen by the students among many projects offered by the University of Milan and other research institutes, including private companies.
A specific goal of MB&B includes providing deep and up-to-date knowledge in the following core subjects:
- bioinformatics
- molecular biology and biotechnology
- functional genomics and "-omics" technologies
- protein expression systems
- metabolic engineering and industrial processes
- structural biochemistry
- molecular enzymology
- data analysis
In addition, students will have the opportunity to develop skills in further specific disciplines of their interest, choosing from courses in plant genetics, nanotechnology, biophysics, molecular microbiology, molecular parasitology, structural biology, patenting and technology transfer (the latter, included in the University project for the development of soft skills). The MB&B Master's degree combines lecture-based courses (in the first year and the first term of the second year) with an experimental laboratory project leading to a dissertation (second year), to be chosen by the students among many projects offered by the University of Milan and other research institutes, including private companies.
The MB&B Master degree provides employment opportunities in the following areas:
research laboratories in both private and public institutions, management of production facilities in the biotechnological industry, including diagnostics, chemicals, and the agro-food industry; promotion of scientific development and technological innovation in Research & Development in various industrial settings; service management in areas related to industrial biotechnology, as well as in Quality Control laboratories; research laboratories in both private and public institutions. Graduates will be able to operate, in their fields of specialization, at a high level of responsibility, managing the ethical, technical, and legal aspects of their work. In addition, thanks to its strong commitment to teaching a broad range of biotechnological disciplines, the MB&B Master's degree is ideal to provide the background knowledge required for Ph.D. and other higher education courses.
The specific business contexts that the MB&B graduates can enter are, among others: the pharmaceutical industry, chemical industry, food industry, industry and services for environmental biotechnology, biotechnology service centers applying information technology, genomics, and proteomics research laboratories of both public and private institutions, with reference to the professions here listed: biologist and similar professions, biochemist, biophysicist, biotechnologist.
MB&B graduates will possess full and updated knowledge in:
- the production of intermediates and products for fine chemicals and the food industry
- industrial fermentation processes for the production of metabolites and for obtaining energy from renewable sources
- control of biotechnological processes
- development of innovative diagnostic techniques
- analysis of nucleotide and protein sequences and structures
- development of new biologically active molecules through the study of molecular interactions between proteins and nucleic acids, and the identification of new molecular targets
- design and development of bioinformatics platforms and new methods for biological data analysis
Statistiche occupazionali (Almalaurea)
research laboratories in both private and public institutions, management of production facilities in the biotechnological industry, including diagnostics, chemicals, and the agro-food industry; promotion of scientific development and technological innovation in Research & Development in various industrial settings; service management in areas related to industrial biotechnology, as well as in Quality Control laboratories; research laboratories in both private and public institutions. Graduates will be able to operate, in their fields of specialization, at a high level of responsibility, managing the ethical, technical, and legal aspects of their work. In addition, thanks to its strong commitment to teaching a broad range of biotechnological disciplines, the MB&B Master's degree is ideal to provide the background knowledge required for Ph.D. and other higher education courses.
The specific business contexts that the MB&B graduates can enter are, among others: the pharmaceutical industry, chemical industry, food industry, industry and services for environmental biotechnology, biotechnology service centers applying information technology, genomics, and proteomics research laboratories of both public and private institutions, with reference to the professions here listed: biologist and similar professions, biochemist, biophysicist, biotechnologist.
MB&B graduates will possess full and updated knowledge in:
- the production of intermediates and products for fine chemicals and the food industry
- industrial fermentation processes for the production of metabolites and for obtaining energy from renewable sources
- control of biotechnological processes
- development of innovative diagnostic techniques
- analysis of nucleotide and protein sequences and structures
- development of new biologically active molecules through the study of molecular interactions between proteins and nucleic acids, and the identification of new molecular targets
- design and development of bioinformatics platforms and new methods for biological data analysis
Statistiche occupazionali (Almalaurea)
The MB&B degree program supports the international mobility of the University program: MB&B lecturers (for the academic year 2023/2024, Prof. Veronica Gregis, and Prof. Concetta Compagno) act as tutors for students interested in the Erasmus + program, in order to guide students in their choice of the most suitable program for their training. Every January, the Erasmus + program is presented to the MB&B students through a local event organized by the coordinator of the Erasmus + program of the Industrial Biotechnology area (Prof. Veronica Gregis). In the framework of the Erasmus+ program, the MB&B Master course has in place agreements with Universities in Germany, Spain, France, Norway, Denmark, and The Netherlands, all offering courses in English. Calls for participation to Erasmus + study program can be found at the following link: https://www.unimi.it/en/international/study-abroad/studying-abroad-erasmus.
The time spent abroad can be used to attend courses and pass the relative exams, thus collecting credits towards the Master's degree and carrying out the dissertation's experimental project. Students admitted to the mobility program must submit a study plan detailing the training activities that they intend 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 time period at the home University. The proposed activities must be consistent with the goals and the contents of the Master's degree. The MB&B Student Mobility Committee must approve the study plan, and/or request changes or integrations. At the end of the mobility program, according to the guidelines provided by the University of Milan, the courses attended (with a passed exam) by the student are recordered in his/her career record, preferably 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 MB&B lecturers) and the study plan must be approved by the MB&B board.
The time spent abroad can be used to attend courses and pass the relative exams, thus collecting credits towards the Master's degree and carrying out the dissertation's experimental project. Students admitted to the mobility program must submit a study plan detailing the training activities that they intend 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 time period at the home University. The proposed activities must be consistent with the goals and the contents of the Master's degree. The MB&B Student Mobility Committee must approve the study plan, and/or request changes or integrations. At the end of the mobility program, according to the guidelines provided by the University of Milan, the courses attended (with a passed exam) by the student are recordered in his/her career record, preferably 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 MB&B lecturers) and the study plan must be approved by the MB&B board.
Attendance to frontal lessons is strongly recommended. The experimental project leading to the final dissertation is mandatory for the obtainment of the Master's Degree.
Immatricolazione
Students with an Italian University degree:
the MB&B Master's degree can be accessed by graduates of Laurea Triennale belonging to the L-2 class (Biotechnology) and previous class 1 (Biotechnology). It can also be accessed by any student with a Laurea Triennale providing a strong background (at least 60 University credits) in biotechnology-related subjects, i.e., subjects identified as "core disciplines" for the L-2 class of Laurea Triennale.
Students with a degree from a non-Italian institution:
the candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree at the time of the admission request from an accredited college or university, and strong knowledge in most (or all) of the following areas: genetics, molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry. A dedicated commission, designated by the Academic Board, is responsible for collegially analyzing the curriculum studiorum of the applicants in order to verify that the minimum requirements for the registration are satisfied. If deemed necessary, the commission may integrate this documentary assessment with an interview with the candidates. The Laurea Magistrale does not foresee a programmed number of students, with a maximum of 25 places set aside for non-EU students residing outside Italy.
In addition to the aforementioned curricular requirements, a knowledge of English equal to or higher than level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (QCER) is required.
Proficiency in English at a B1 level or higher under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required for admission.
The B1-level requirement will be ascertained by the University Language Centre (SLAM) upon admission as follows:
- Language certificate at or above B1, 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 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 (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.
Eligibility assessment
The personal curriculum of the applicants will be evaluated by an Admission Committee composed of the coordinator and at least two lecturers of the Master's degree. Successful applicants will receive notice of their eligibility and will be allowed to enroll in the Master's degree program. The Admission Committee may require an interview with the applicant in order to better assess their eligibility. The deadline for application for Italians and EU-candidates is August 25th, 2023. For extra-EU candidates applying for visas, the deadline for application is May 31st, 2023, in consideration of the particular timing related to the issuance of the visa and the need to select a limited number of places, as required by current regulations.
the MB&B Master's degree can be accessed by graduates of Laurea Triennale belonging to the L-2 class (Biotechnology) and previous class 1 (Biotechnology). It can also be accessed by any student with a Laurea Triennale providing a strong background (at least 60 University credits) in biotechnology-related subjects, i.e., subjects identified as "core disciplines" for the L-2 class of Laurea Triennale.
Students with a degree from a non-Italian institution:
the candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree at the time of the admission request from an accredited college or university, and strong knowledge in most (or all) of the following areas: genetics, molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry. A dedicated commission, designated by the Academic Board, is responsible for collegially analyzing the curriculum studiorum of the applicants in order to verify that the minimum requirements for the registration are satisfied. If deemed necessary, the commission may integrate this documentary assessment with an interview with the candidates. The Laurea Magistrale does not foresee a programmed number of students, with a maximum of 25 places set aside for non-EU students residing outside Italy.
In addition to the aforementioned curricular requirements, a knowledge of English equal to or higher than level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (QCER) is required.
Proficiency in English at a B1 level or higher under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required for admission.
The B1-level requirement will be ascertained by the University Language Centre (SLAM) upon admission as follows:
- Language certificate at or above B1, 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 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 (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.
Eligibility assessment
The personal curriculum of the applicants will be evaluated by an Admission Committee composed of the coordinator and at least two lecturers of the Master's degree. Successful applicants will receive notice of their eligibility and will be allowed to enroll in the Master's degree program. The Admission Committee may require an interview with the applicant in order to better assess their eligibility. The deadline for application for Italians and EU-candidates is August 25th, 2023. For extra-EU candidates applying for visas, the deadline for application is May 31st, 2023, in consideration of the particular timing related to the issuance of the visa and the need to select a limited number of places, as required by current regulations.
Ammissione
Domanda di ammissione: dal 06/03/2023 al 25/08/2023
Domanda di immatricolazione: dal 03/04/2023 al 15/01/2024
Allegati e documenti
Servizi online
Per approfondire:
Manifesto ed elenco insegnamenti
Primo semestre
Attività formative | Crediti | Ore totali | Lingua | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Obbligatorio | ||||
Biotechnological products and processes | 6 | 48 | Inglese | CHIM/06 CHIM/11 |
Functional genomics and bioinformatics | 10 | 88 | Inglese | BIO/11 BIO/18 |
Methods in bioinformatics | 6 | 48 | Inglese | INF/01 |
Molecular and cellular microbiology | 6 | 48 | Inglese | BIO/18 BIO/19 |
Rational design and structural characterization of bioactive molecules | 6 | 48 | Inglese | CHIM/02 CHIM/06 |
Secondo semestre
Attività formative | Crediti | Ore totali | Lingua | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Obbligatorio | ||||
Advanced molecular and cellular biotechnology | 10 | 80 | Inglese | BIO/06 BIO/11 |
Advanced plant cell biotechnology | 6 | 48 | Inglese | BIO/04 BIO/18 |
Protein engineering and molecular enzymology | 6 | 48 | Inglese | BIO/10 |
Periodo non definito
Per queste attività non è previsto un periodo di offerta (es. corsi online a frequenza libera).
Attività formative | Crediti | Ore totali | Lingua | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Obbligatorio | ||||
English proficiency b2 (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | Italiano |
Primo semestre
Attività formative | Crediti | Ore totali | Lingua | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Facoltativo | ||||
Developing soft skills in science: case-studies from microbial biotechnology | 6 | 56 | Inglese | AGR/16 |
Secondo semestre
Attività formative | Crediti | Ore totali | Lingua | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Facoltativo | ||||
Pari opportunità e carriere scientifiche (G) | 3 | 24 | Italiano | SPS/09 |
Terzo trimestre
Attività formative | Crediti | Ore totali | Lingua | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Facoltativo | ||||
Laboratorio: prevenzione e gestione dei conflitti ambientali: strategie e strumenti collaborativi | 3 | 20 | Italiano | IUS/10 |
Attività conclusive
Per queste attività non è previsto un periodo di offerta (es. corsi online a frequenza libera).
Attività formative | Crediti | Ore totali | Lingua | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Obbligatorio | ||||
Thesis project and final dissertation | 39 | 0 | Inglese |
Primo semestre
Attività formative | Crediti | Ore totali | Lingua | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Facoltativo | ||||
Bioimaging | 6 | 56 | Inglese | FIS/03 FIS/07 |
Biotechnological and molecular strategies in the control of parasites and vector-borne diseases | 6 | 48 | Inglese | VET/06 |
Nanotechnology for biomedical applications and biosensors | 6 | 48 | Inglese | CHIM/01 CHIM/06 |
Patenting and technology transfer | 6 | 64 | Inglese | AGR/01 IUS/01 IUS/04 |
Structural bioinformatics | 6 | 56 | Inglese | BIO/10 BIO/11 FIS/07 INF/01 |
Secondo semestre
Attività formative | Crediti | Ore totali | Lingua | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Facoltativo | ||||
Advanced bioinformatics for biotechnology | 6 | 48 | Inglese | BIO/11 INF/01 |
Macromolecular structural biology | 6 | 64 | Inglese | BIO/10 |
Molecular breeding and plant genetics | 6 | 48 | Inglese | AGR/07 BIO/18 |
Attività a scelta e regole di composizione del piano didattico
1 - The student must choose at least two of the following courses
Attività formative | Crediti | Ore totali | Lingua | Periodo | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Advanced bioinformatics for biotechnology | 6 | 48 | Inglese | Secondo semestre | BIO/11 INF/01 |
Bioimaging | 6 | 56 | Inglese | Primo semestre | FIS/03 FIS/07 |
Biotechnological and molecular strategies in the control of parasites and vector-borne diseases | 6 | 48 | Inglese | Primo semestre | VET/06 |
Macromolecular structural biology | 6 | 64 | Inglese | Secondo semestre | BIO/10 |
Molecular breeding and plant genetics | 6 | 48 | Inglese | Secondo semestre | AGR/07 BIO/18 |
Nanotechnology for biomedical applications and biosensors | 6 | 48 | Inglese | Primo semestre | CHIM/01 CHIM/06 |
Patenting and technology transfer | 6 | 64 | Inglese | Primo semestre | AGR/01 IUS/01 IUS/04 |
Structural bioinformatics | 6 | 56 | Inglese | Primo semestre | BIO/10 BIO/11 FIS/07 INF/01 |
2 - The student must acquire 10 additional credits (CFU) choosing from any course offered by the University of Milan, provided that they are coherent to the topics of the MB&B and the contents not overlapping with those of mandatory and guided through courses in the study plan.
Four credits can be acquired by extending the thesis project, upon presenting a motivated written request that must be approved by the MB&B Study Plan Committee.
Four credits can be acquired by extending the thesis project, upon presenting a motivated written request that must be approved by the MB&B Study Plan Committee.
There are no propaedeutic courses that limit progression from the first to the second year.
Altre informazioni
Sede
Milano
Sedi didattiche
Lecture rooms and laboratories are located in the "Città Studi" campus, mostly in the University buildings of Via Celoria, 26 (Edifici Biologici); Via Celoria, 20 (Settore Didattico); Via Golgi, 19 (Edificio Golgi). The Department of Biosciences is the reference structure for all teaching activities related to the MB&B course.
Sedi laboratori
The MB&B course is characterized by an intense laboratory activity that is mainly carried out in the internship activity for the thesis.
Presidente del Collegio didattico
Tutor per l'orientamento
Tutor per la mobilità internazionale e l'Erasmus
Tutor per i piani di studio
Tutor per ammissioni lauree magistrali
Referente AQ del corso di studio
Strutture di riferimento
Contatti
- Student administrative office
Milan - Via Celoria, 18
https://www.unimi.it/en/study/student-services/welcome-desk-informastudenti/student-desks-locations-and-opening-hours
+390250325032
The front offices receive in the days and times indicated on the following webpage: - Academic Services Office
Milan - Via Celoria, 26
[email protected]
+390250314870
By appointment. - International Students Office - Welcome Desk
Milan - Via S. Sofia, 9/1
https://www.unimi.it/en/international/coming-abroad/international-students-office-welcome-desk - Disability manager
Prof. Matteo Chiara - Boards
Prof. Veronica Gregis, Prof. Concetta Compagno (Erasmus); Prof. Marco Nardini, Prof. David Horner (Study mobility); Prof. Marco Nardini, Prof. Thomas Vaccari (Study Plan); Prof. Marco Nardini, Prof. Carlo Camilloni, Prof. Federico Zambelli (Admission).
Le tasse universitarie per gli studenti iscritti ai corsi di laurea, di laurea magistrale e a ciclo unico sono suddivise in due rate con modalità di calcolo e tempi di pagamento diversi:
- l'importo della prima rata è uguale per tutti
- l'importo della seconda rata varia in base al valore ISEE Università, al Corso di laurea di iscrizione e alla posizione (in corso/fuori corso da un anno oppure fuori corso da più di un anno).
- per i corsi on line è prevista una rata suppletiva.
Sono previste:
- agevolazioni per gli studenti con elevati requisiti di merito
- importi diversificati in base al Paese di provenienza per gli studenti internazionali con reddito e patrimonio all'estero
- agevolazioni per gli studenti internazionali con status di rifugiato
Altre agevolazioni
L’Ateneo fornisce agevolazioni economiche a favore dei propri studenti con requisiti particolari (merito, condizioni economiche o personali, studenti internazionali)
Maggiori informazioni
Orientamento:
Info su ammissioni e immatricolazioni
- Contatta le segreterie
- Sportello online InformaStudenti (richiede la registrazione)
- Studenti internazionali: welcome desk
- Servizi per studenti con disabilità
- Servizi per studenti con DSA