Biological Sciences
Biological Sciences
Course sheet
A.Y. 2024/2025
Bachelor
L-13 - Biology
The bachelor programme in Biological Sciences (Class L-13 Biological Sciences) is designed to provide students with a sound basic knowledge of the main areas of Biological Sciences and a good mastery of methodologies and technologies related to the corresponding fields of scientific research, providing adequate preparation for assimilation of scientific and technological progresses and to know and properly treat living organisms.
The degree in Biological Sciences prepares for the profession of biologist and similar professions, biochemist, botanist, zoologist, ecologist.
Graduates of Biological Sciences will be able to work in teams with different degrees of autonomy and to readily enter the working world, both in European and non-European countries. They will possess adequate knowledge to perform professional activities and apply techniques, like: productive and technological laboratory activities (pharmaceutical, industrial, florovivaistic, veterinary, agroalimentary, public and private research centers); activities where is required to classify, manage and use living organisms and their parts, and to manage the relationship between development and quality of the environment; activities in professional multidisciplinary centers involved in assessment of environmenal impact, in development of projects for the conservation and restoration of the environment and the biodiversity; activities in the communication field, scientific information and promotion, scientific life science publishing.
The degree in Biological Sciences affords admission to the Biologists Professional Register (Section B, Junior Biologists), by passing the exam for the profession, to perform the activities recognized by the Italian law.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Graduates of Biological Sciences will be able to work in teams with different degrees of autonomy and to readily enter the working world, both in European and non-European countries. They will possess adequate knowledge to perform professional activities and apply techniques, like: productive and technological laboratory activities (pharmaceutical, industrial, florovivaistic, veterinary, agroalimentary, public and private research centers); activities where is required to classify, manage and use living organisms and their parts, and to manage the relationship between development and quality of the environment; activities in professional multidisciplinary centers involved in assessment of environmenal impact, in development of projects for the conservation and restoration of the environment and the biodiversity; activities in the communication field, scientific information and promotion, scientific life science publishing.
The degree in Biological Sciences affords admission to the Biologists Professional Register (Section B, Junior Biologists), by passing the exam for the profession, to perform the activities recognized by the Italian law.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Students of Scienze Biologiche are given the opportunity to spend part of their curriculum abroad, at a University within the European Union (EU) in the frame of the Erasmus+ program of the European Commission. Students can attend courses and take exams that can be included in the core curriculum and/or perform laboratory stage (6 CFU of the free choice CFU) in several European Universities localized in Denmark, Netherland, Norway, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal (see https://dbs.unimi.it/it/rapporti-internazionali/mobilita-internazionale). The admitted student will present a study plan including all the activities he/she intends to perform abroad, detailing the corresponding CFU: the number of proposed CFU should roughly correspond to those the student would achieve in the same time lapse remaining in his/her university. The study plan proposed by the student within the Erasmus+ program should be coherent with the Scienze Biologiche course and must be evaluated and approved by the Teaching Board. The Teaching Board, if necessary, will require the student to integrate the program of exams taken abroad. At the end of the Erasmus + program, according to the rules established by the Academic Senate, the approved exams will be recorded, possibly with the original denomination, as part of the student's curriculum upon conversion of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) into CFU. The contact person for the Biological Sciences area is Prof. M. Cristina Bonza ([email protected]).
La frequenza è fortemente consigliata per tutti gli insegnamenti e obbligatoria per i laboratori.
Enrolment
Qualifications and knowledge required for admission
Applicants to the Bachelor's degree programme in Biological Sciences must hold a high-school diploma or an equivalent international qualification pursuant to Ministerial Decree no. 270 of 22 October 2004.
The knowledge and skills required to sit the entrance test are detailed at https://www.cisiaonline.it/en/area-tematica-tolc-biologia/struttura-della-prova-e-syllabus/
Admission assessment
For academic year 2024/2025, admission to the degree programme in Biological Sciences is capped in order to meet high-quality teaching standards relative to available resources. Therefore, applicants will be required to sit a TOLC (Test On Line CISIA) admission test. There are 250 places available for the first year of the programme. You may sit for the TOLC test at the University of Milan or any other member university of CISIA (Consortium of Inter-University Integrated Access Systems). You can register for the TOLC test on the CISIA website (www.cisiaonline.it). The test providing access to the degree programme in Biological Sciences is TOLC-B, consisting of the following sections: Basic mathematics (20 questions - 50 minutes), Biology (10 questions - 20 minutes), Physics (10 questions - 20 minutes), Chemistry (10 questions - 20 minutes). Each question has 5 answer options, of which only one is correct. Score: +1 for a correct answer, -0.25 for a wrong answer, 0 for a no answer. The TOLC test includes an additional English section, consisting of 30 questions to be answered in 15 minutes. This section does not count toward the overall test score.
Ranking criteria for the purpose of admission to the programme will be based on the outcome of the test. If you take the TOLC-B test and apply for admission to the degree programme in Biological Sciences, you will be included in a merit ranking based on the test score. For more details on calls, deadlines and rankings, visit https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/degree-programme-enrolment/enrolment-first-degree-programme
Additional learning requirements (OFA) and remedial activities
Additional learning requirements (OFA) and remedial activities First-year students who have not achieved at least 10 points in the Mathematics module will have to fulfil additional learning requirements (OFA) by attending remedial activities organized by the University and passing the final test.
Students who fail the remedial test will be deemed to have met their OFA upon passing the "General Mathematics and Computer Laboratory" exam. However, students may sit the exam only if they have attended the OFA remedial course and taken the final test. The "General Mathematics and Computer Laboratory" exam is a prerequisite for all second-year exams.
Learn more at https://scienzebiologiche.cdl.unimi.it/it/studiare/le-matricole
Admission of transfer or graduate students
Transfer students from a degree programme of the University of Milan, or another university, and graduate students will be waived from the test requirement only if admitted to years subsequent to Year I.
To this end, they will have to submit a specific request for prior assessment of their academic records using the online service as shown in the call for applications.
Applicants must submit a transcript of records, including subject areas (SSD), academic credits (CFU) and grades, as well as detailed course syllabi. The application for academic records assessment must be submitted online within the deadline stated in the call for applications. The outcome will be notified via e-mail. Admission to Year II is subject to passing equivalent exams (as number of CFU and course syllabus) to those listed below:
- Calculus (module, 6 CFU)
- General Chemistry with elements of Physical Chemistry (6 CFU)
- Cytology and Histology (6 CFU)
- English assessment B1 (3 CFU)
Students admitted to the first year will be required to take the test and register for the call. Please refer to the call for applications for details: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/degree-programme-enrolment/enrolment-first-degree-programme
Applicants to the Bachelor's degree programme in Biological Sciences must hold a high-school diploma or an equivalent international qualification pursuant to Ministerial Decree no. 270 of 22 October 2004.
The knowledge and skills required to sit the entrance test are detailed at https://www.cisiaonline.it/en/area-tematica-tolc-biologia/struttura-della-prova-e-syllabus/
Admission assessment
For academic year 2024/2025, admission to the degree programme in Biological Sciences is capped in order to meet high-quality teaching standards relative to available resources. Therefore, applicants will be required to sit a TOLC (Test On Line CISIA) admission test. There are 250 places available for the first year of the programme. You may sit for the TOLC test at the University of Milan or any other member university of CISIA (Consortium of Inter-University Integrated Access Systems). You can register for the TOLC test on the CISIA website (www.cisiaonline.it). The test providing access to the degree programme in Biological Sciences is TOLC-B, consisting of the following sections: Basic mathematics (20 questions - 50 minutes), Biology (10 questions - 20 minutes), Physics (10 questions - 20 minutes), Chemistry (10 questions - 20 minutes). Each question has 5 answer options, of which only one is correct. Score: +1 for a correct answer, -0.25 for a wrong answer, 0 for a no answer. The TOLC test includes an additional English section, consisting of 30 questions to be answered in 15 minutes. This section does not count toward the overall test score.
Ranking criteria for the purpose of admission to the programme will be based on the outcome of the test. If you take the TOLC-B test and apply for admission to the degree programme in Biological Sciences, you will be included in a merit ranking based on the test score. For more details on calls, deadlines and rankings, visit https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/degree-programme-enrolment/enrolment-first-degree-programme
Additional learning requirements (OFA) and remedial activities
Additional learning requirements (OFA) and remedial activities First-year students who have not achieved at least 10 points in the Mathematics module will have to fulfil additional learning requirements (OFA) by attending remedial activities organized by the University and passing the final test.
Students who fail the remedial test will be deemed to have met their OFA upon passing the "General Mathematics and Computer Laboratory" exam. However, students may sit the exam only if they have attended the OFA remedial course and taken the final test. The "General Mathematics and Computer Laboratory" exam is a prerequisite for all second-year exams.
Learn more at https://scienzebiologiche.cdl.unimi.it/it/studiare/le-matricole
Admission of transfer or graduate students
Transfer students from a degree programme of the University of Milan, or another university, and graduate students will be waived from the test requirement only if admitted to years subsequent to Year I.
To this end, they will have to submit a specific request for prior assessment of their academic records using the online service as shown in the call for applications.
Applicants must submit a transcript of records, including subject areas (SSD), academic credits (CFU) and grades, as well as detailed course syllabi. The application for academic records assessment must be submitted online within the deadline stated in the call for applications. The outcome will be notified via e-mail. Admission to Year II is subject to passing equivalent exams (as number of CFU and course syllabus) to those listed below:
- Calculus (module, 6 CFU)
- General Chemistry with elements of Physical Chemistry (6 CFU)
- Cytology and Histology (6 CFU)
- English assessment B1 (3 CFU)
Students admitted to the first year will be required to take the test and register for the call. Please refer to the call for applications for details: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/degree-programme-enrolment/enrolment-first-degree-programme
Places available: 250 + 10 reserved for non-EU citizens
Call for applications
Please refer to the call for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.
Session: 1
Application for admission: from 14/03/2024 to 30/05/2024
Application for matriculation: from 06/06/2024 to 20/06/2024
Session: 2
Application for admission: from 24/06/2024 to 15/07/2024
Application for matriculation: from 18/07/2024 to 01/08/2024
Session: 3
Application for admission: from 05/08/2024 to 12/09/2024
Application for matriculation: from 03/10/2024 to 09/10/2024
Online services
Learn more:
Programme description and courses list
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Calculus and Computer Laboratory | 9 | 90 | Italian | INF/01 MAT/01 MAT/02 MAT/03 MAT/04 MAT/05 MAT/06 MAT/07 MAT/08 MAT/09 |
| - Modulo: Laboratorio di informatica | 3 | |||
| - Modulo: Matematica generale | 6 | |||
| Cytology and Histology | 9 | 78 | Italian | BIO/06 |
| General Chemistry with Elements of Physical Chemistry | 6 | 56 | Italian | CHIM/02 CHIM/03 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Organic Chemistry and Chemistry Laboratory | 9 | 104 | Italian | CHIM/03 CHIM/06 |
| - modulo: Chimica Organica | 6 | |||
| - modulo: Laboratorio di Chimica (con Prevenzione e Sicurezza) | 3 | |||
| Physics, Physics Lab, Lab of Mathematical and Statistical Methodologies | 12 | 144 | Italian | FIS/06 FIS/07 MAT/06 SECS-S/02 |
| - Modulo: Fisica | 6 | |||
| - Modulo: Laboratorio di Fisica | 3 | |||
| - Modulo: Laboratorio di metodi matematici e statistici | 3 | |||
| Plant Biology and Systematics | 9 | 80 | Italian | BIO/01 BIO/02 |
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| English Assessment B1 (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | English | |
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Animal Biology and Systematics | 9 | 80 | Italian | BIO/05 |
| Biochemistry | 9 | 80 | Italian | BIO/10 |
| Biological Evolution and History of Biology | 6 | 48 | Italian | M-STO/05 |
| Optional | ||||
| Genetics | 9 | 80 | Italian | BIO/18 |
| Genetics | 9 | 80 | English | BIO/18 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Comparative Anatomy | 6 | 52 | Italian | BIO/06 |
| Plant Physiology | 9 | 80 | Italian | BIO/04 |
| Optional | ||||
| Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics | 12 | 96 | English | BIO/11 |
| Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics | 12 | 96 | Italian | BIO/11 |
Study plan rules
1 - The student must choose one of the following courses
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics | 12 | 96 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/11 |
| Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics | 12 | 96 | English | Second semester | BIO/11 |
3 - The student must choose one of the following courses
year
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Final Exam | 3 | 0 | Italian | |
| Internship in University Labs | 6 | 96 | Italian | |
First semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Developmental Biology | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/01 BIO/06 |
| Ecology | 9 | 80 | Italian | BIO/07 |
| Elements of Human Anatomy, Pharmacology and Immunology | 9 | 72 | Italian | BIO/14 BIO/16 MED/04 |
| Optional | ||||
| Clinical Biochemistry | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/12 |
| Innovative Methods in Plant Biology | 6 | 56 | Italian | BIO/01 |
| Methods in Experimental Embryology | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/06 |
| Methods in Molecularbiology | 6 | 56 | Italian | BIO/11 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| General Microbiology | 9 | 80 | Italian | BIO/19 |
| Optional | ||||
| General Physiology and Animal Physiology | 9 | 80 | English | BIO/09 |
| General Physiology and Animal Physiology | 9 | 80 | Italian | BIO/09 |
| Investigation Methodologies in Animal Cell Biology and Histology | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/06 BIO/16 BIO/17 |
| Methods in Applied Ecology | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/07 |
| Methods in Genetics and Human Genomics | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/18 |
| Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/14 |
| Plant Genomics Approaches to Adapt Plants to a Changing Climate and Environment | 6 | 56 | Italian | BIO/18 |
Study plan rules
2 - The student must choose one of the following courses
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Physiology and Animal Physiology | 9 | 80 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/09 |
| General Physiology and Animal Physiology | 9 | 80 | English | Second semester | BIO/09 |
4 - The student must acquire 12 CFU by selecting any of the courses offered by the University of Milan, provided that they are coherent with their educational plan.
6 out of the 12 free choice CFU can be spent on internship activities of proven quality.
For the Academic Year 2024/2025 the Biology Academic Board will offer these courses:
6 out of the 12 free choice CFU can be spent on internship activities of proven quality.
For the Academic Year 2024/2025 the Biology Academic Board will offer these courses:
| Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Biochemistry | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/12 |
| Innovative Methods in Plant Biology | 6 | 56 | Italian | First semester | BIO/01 |
| Methods in Experimental Embryology | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/06 |
| Methods in Molecularbiology | 6 | 56 | Italian | First semester | BIO/11 |
| Investigation Methodologies in Animal Cell Biology and Histology | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/06 BIO/16 BIO/17 |
| Methods in Applied Ecology | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/07 |
| Methods in Genetics and Human Genomics | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/18 |
| Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/14 |
| Plant Genomics Approaches to Adapt Plants to a Changing Climate and Environment | 6 | 56 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/18 |
Gli studenti dovranno rispettare i seguenti vincoli:
- per sostenere l'esame di «Chimica Organica e Laboratorio di Chimica» è necessario avere superato l'esame di «Chimica Generale con Elementi di Chimica Fisica»
- per sostenere l'esame di «Chimica Biologica» è necessario aver superato l'esame di «Chimica Organica e Laboratorio di Chimica»
Inoltre, per sostenere gli esami del II anno è necessario aver superato i seguenti esami:
· «Matematica generale e Laboratorio di informatica»
· «Chimica Generale con Elementi di Chimica Fisica»
· «Citologia e Istologia»
Per sostenere gli esami del III anno è necessario aver superato tutti gli esami del I anno.
- per sostenere l'esame di «Chimica Organica e Laboratorio di Chimica» è necessario avere superato l'esame di «Chimica Generale con Elementi di Chimica Fisica»
- per sostenere l'esame di «Chimica Biologica» è necessario aver superato l'esame di «Chimica Organica e Laboratorio di Chimica»
Inoltre, per sostenere gli esami del II anno è necessario aver superato i seguenti esami:
· «Matematica generale e Laboratorio di informatica»
· «Chimica Generale con Elementi di Chimica Fisica»
· «Citologia e Istologia»
Per sostenere gli esami del III anno è necessario aver superato tutti gli esami del I anno.
Learn more
Location
Milan
Course locations
Sede della Segreteria Didattica di Scienze Biologiche: Via Celoria, 26 - Milano (Torre A, 2° piano).
Sede delle lezioni, delle esercitazioni e dei laboratori didattici: edifici biologici/settore didattico Biologia (via Celoria, 26); settore didattico Celoria (via Celoria, 20); settore didattico Golgi (via Golgi, 19), settore didattico Venezian (via Venezian, 15).
Sede delle lezioni, delle esercitazioni e dei laboratori didattici: edifici biologici/settore didattico Biologia (via Celoria, 26); settore didattico Celoria (via Celoria, 20); settore didattico Golgi (via Golgi, 19), settore didattico Venezian (via Venezian, 15).
Laboratory locations
Il CdS è caratterizzato da un'intensa attività di laboratorio. I corsi di laboratorio devono di norma essere frequentati nell'anno di competenza, fatta eccezione per gli studenti in trasferimento (da altri corsi di studio o da altre sedi). Durante le lezioni pratiche sono fornite le necessarie norme di sicurezza e di corretto comportamento in laboratorio.
Head of study programme
Academic guidance tutor
Erasmus and international mobility tutor
Study plan tutor
Internship tutor
Seminar and workshop tutor
University and programme transfer tutor
Master's degree admission tutor
Credit recognition tutor
Quality Assurance Delegate
Reference structures
Contacts
- Student registrar
Via Celoria, 18
https://www.unimi.it/it/node/359/
E-mail (collegarsi previa registrazione): https://informastudenti.unimi.it/
+390250325032
https://www.unimi.it/it/node/360 - Study programme head and course management
Via Celoria, 26 (piano terra, torre C).
https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML
Solo su appuntamento. - New student information center
Via Celoria, 26 (piano terra, torre C).
https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML
Solo su appuntamento. - Representative for disability services and specific learning disabilities (appointed by the Academic Board):
Prof.ssa Diletta Dolfini
[email protected]
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
Guidance:
Admission, ranking and enrolment
Official documents