Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology

The program's educational objectives include not only deepening students' foundational biological knowledge and its applications but also providing a solid preparation at genomic, cellular, organismal, and ecosystem levels. Central themes of biodiversity, both animal and plant, and evolution are explored with specific reference to functional adaptations, reproductive and developmental processes, behavioral aspects, organism-environment interactions, and contemporary issues in evolutionary biology.
The curriculum provides multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge, ensuring students acquire expertise in the most innovative experimental research methodologies, including laboratory and fieldwork, as well as biomolecular, biostatistical, and bioinformatic analyses.
The program offers an advanced, practical, and professional education in biodiversity, equipping students with the ability to apply their knowledge to environmental conservation and the preservation of biological heritage, including insights into environmental law. Consequently, the program is primarily focussed on disciplines related to biodiversity and the environment, which form the distinctive credit structure differentiating this degree from other LM-6 Master's Degree programs offered by the university.
Through lectures, practical field activities (guided visits, sampling, and exercises), and laboratory experiences, students acquire a comprehensive understanding of the theories underlying biological evolution, the core themes of biodiversity, and biostatistical and bioinformatic analyses. These activities focus on structural and functional adaptations of organisms, organism-environment interactions, and are foundational for planning biodiversity monitoring analyses at various levels of complexity, as well as for conducting conservation and ecosystem management studies.
Graduates will develop a mastery of the scientific method and the ability to work independently, taking on responsibilities and leadership roles where necessary. They will make essential contributions in areas such as scientific research, conservation and protection of organisms and the environment, environmental monitoring, publishing, and scientific communication. Graduates will find employment in private companies, public and private institutions, foundations, and service organizations.
More broadly, graduates will be well-prepared to work in fields requiring a thorough and accurate understanding of animal and plant organisms, particularly in terms of adaptations and biological phenomena at the organismal level, along with strong expertise in biodiversity conservation and the effective management and sustainable use of living organisms.
Additionally, the Master's Degree in Biodiversity and Biological Evolution provides an adequate cultural foundation for those seeking to pursue advanced education through doctoral research programs.
Role and Skills:
Graduates in Biodiversity and Biological Evolution assume high-responsibility roles requiring comprehensive knowledge of organisms, their adaptations, biological phenomena, and interactions with the environment. Roles include:
- Management and consultancy in biodiversity conservation and environmental impact projects.
- Research in universities, public and private laboratories, or industry.
- Development of innovative scientific methodologies.
- Leadership in public and private institutions focused on environmental protection, biotechnology, and biological research.
- Communication and scientific dissemination through publishing and consultancy.
Qualifications:
Eligible for the National Biologist Exam (DPR 328/01) for registration in the National Biologists Register (Section A). Graduates may also pursue PhDs, Specialization Schools, or second-level Master's programs.
Career Opportunities:
- Public and private biological analysis labs, biotechnology, and environmental protection.
- Universities and research institutions.
- Organizations for environmental monitoring, cultural heritage conservation, and scientific communication.
Zoologist
Role and Skills:
Graduates specialize in animal biology, including adaptations, biological phenomena, and ecological interactions. Core competencies include:
- Advanced organismal biology and evolutionary processes.
- Biodiversity management and conservation strategies.
- Research methodologies and data analysis in biological sciences.
Qualifications:
Eligible for the National Biologist Exam (DPR 328/01) for registration in the National Biologists Register (Section A). Access to advanced education programs is also available.
Career Opportunities:
- Research and development roles in universities, research institutions, and industries.
- Conservation and management roles in parks, protected areas, and scientific museums.
- Scientific communication and publishing in biology-related fields.
Botanist
Role and Skills:
Specializing in plant biology, ecology, and conservation, graduates are qualified for roles in environmental, agricultural, and research sectors. Key skills include:
- In-depth knowledge of plant morphology, physiology, and ecosystems.
- Expertise in sustainable management of plant resources.
- Understanding environmental regulations.
Career Opportunities:
- Analysis labs for environmental protection, agriculture, and biotechnology.
- Industries producing biofertilizers, plant-based compounds, or food plants.
- Conservation roles in botanical gardens, environmental monitoring agencies, and research institutions.
Ecologist
Role and Skills:
Graduates excel in understanding ecosystems, their dynamics, and environmental interactions. Competencies include:
- Ecosystem conservation and biodiversity management.
- Environmental impact assessments and sustainable ecosystem recovery.
- Field research and advanced environmental monitoring techniques.
Career Opportunities:
- Environmental quality control and biodiversity conservation.
- Consultancy for environmental impact and sustainable development projects.
- Managerial roles in protected areas and ecological restoration.
Researchers and Biological Science Technicians
Role and Skills:
Graduates contribute to research on evolutionary biology, biodiversity, and environmental science. Responsibilities include:
- Designing and conducting scientific experiments.
- Assisting academic staff in research and curriculum development.
- Ensuring the functionality of research labs and equipment.
Qualifications:
Eligible for the National Biologist Exam (DPR 328/01). Access to PhDs, Specialization Schools, and advanced Master's programs is available.
Career Opportunities:
- Universities and research institutions.
- Public and private research labs.
Teaching Roles
Graduates may pursue teaching careers in biological sciences at all educational levels, subject to meeting additional national requirements and passing relevant exams.
Thanks to the participation of the University of Milan in the 4EU+ Alliance, MBC students have the opportunity to earn academic credits (up to a maximum of 12) by attending courses virtually at partner universities (Sorbonne Université in Paris, Paris-Panthéon-Assas University, Charles University in Prague, University of Copenhagen, University of Geneva, Heidelberg University, and the University of Warsaw).
Students interested in conducting research abroad as part of their thesis can also take advantage of the Erasmus+ mobility for Traineeship program and the "Thesis Abroad" call.
Accepted students must present a study plan that reports all the activities he/she intends to perform abroad, detailing the corresponding CFUs; the number of proposed CFUs should approximately correspond to those the student would have achieved over the same time period in his/her university. The proposed Erasmus+ program study plan, must be coherent with the BIOEVO course content and must be evaluated and approved by the Academic Board. If necessary, the Academic Board may request the student to integrate the program of exams taken abroad. In accordance with the rules established by the Academic Senate, following completion of the Erasmus+ program, approved exams will be registered, possibly with the original denomination, as part of the student's curriculum, upon the conversion of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) into CFUs.
If the student performs the experimental thesis work abroad, he/she must follow the rules outlined above (see Internship criteria and Rules for the thesis and final exam).
The Erasmus and international mobility advisors for Biological area are prof. M. Cristina Bonza ([email protected]).
Graduates holding a degree in L-13 Biological Sciences are automatically recognized as meeting all curricular requirements for admission. Graduates with degrees in L-32 Environmental and Nature Sciences and Technologies or L-2 Biotechnologies (under Ministerial Decree 270/04), as well as those holding degrees in other fields or equivalent qualifications obtained abroad and recognized as suitable, may also apply, provided they meet the necessary curricular requirements.
Specifically, applicants from degree classes other than L-13 Biological Sciences must have accumulated at least 90 CFU (university credits) in scientific-disciplinary sectors comparable to those in the L-13 Biological Sciences degree class. These credits must be appropriately distributed as follows:
· 12-15 CFU in non-biological foundational disciplines in chemistry (03/CHEM-01A, 03/CHEM-02A, 03/CHEM-03A, 03/CHEM-05A);
· 15-18 CFU in non-biological foundational disciplines in mathematics, physics, and informatics (01/MATH-01-06(A,B), 02/PHYS-01-06(A,B), 01/INFO-01A);
· 66-96 CFU in biological foundational disciplines (05/BIOS-01A, 05/BIOS-02A, 05/BIOS-03A, 05/BIOS-04A, 05/BIOS-05A, 05/BIOS-06A, 05/BIOS-07A, 05/BIOS-08A, 05/BIOS-14A, 05/BIOS-15A).
For graduates from L-32 Environmental and Nature Sciences and Technologies, in addition to the above requirements, at least 6 CFU in the following scientific-disciplinary sectors are recommended: 05/BIOS-08A and 05/BIOS-15A.
For graduates from L-2 Biotechnologies, at least 6 CFU in 05/BIOS-01A and 05/BIOS-03A are recommended in addition to the general requirements.
For all categories of applicants, adequate personal preparation and aptitude are essential for admission. These will be assessed through an individual interview and a detailed evaluation of the applicant's previous academic curriculum.
For the recognition of CFU in cases of transfer from another university or program, the provisions of the University's Academic Regulations apply. The Teaching Committee will evaluate, on a case-by-case basis, whether the credits earned need to be verified for content relevance or updated through additional exams. Any missing CFU must be obtained by passing the relevant exams at this or other universities prior to enrolling in the Master's Degree Program.
For the recognition of academic activities and credits earned abroad, the provisions of the University's Academic Regulations apply.
For Guidance on Curricular Requirements: Students coming from degree programs outside of L-13 Biological Sciences are encouraged to send their academic transcripts to [email protected] well in advance, ideally during their undergraduate studies, for evaluation. Based on this assessment, any missing exams will be identified and must be completed prior to submitting the admission application.
Admission
Application for admission: from 22/01/2025 to 31/10/2025
Application for matriculation: from 02/04/2025 to 15/01/2026
Attachments and documents
Notice
The admission notice is available only in Italian as the programme is offered in Italian. Students wishing to enrol must be proficient in Italian.
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Bioetica e preservazione dell'ambiente e della salute | 6 | 48 | Italian | MED/02 MED/42 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | English |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Biogeography | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/02 BIO/03 BIO/05 |
Bioinformatica generale e metodi computazionali in microbiologia ambientale | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/11 BIO/19 |
Biology of Animal Development | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/06 |
Communities and Ecosystems | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/07 |
Diritto dell'ambiente, sviluppo sostenibile e tutela della biodiversità | 6 | 48 | Italian | IUS/09 IUS/10 |
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/11 |
Photobiology and Bioenergy | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/04 BIO/18 |
Plant Ecology, Evolution and Diversification | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/02 BIO/03 |
Population Biology and Genetics | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/07 |
Reproductive Strategies | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/01 BIO/05 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Animal Adaptations and Applications | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/05 |
Artropodi parassiti, vettori e fitofagi: biologia e controllo | 6 | 48 | Italian | AGR/11 VET/06 |
Biodiversity | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/03 BIO/05 |
Biologia umana: basi anatomiche e funzionali | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/16 BIO/17 |
Ecotoxicology | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/07 |
Evolution and Adaptations of Plants to the Environment | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/01 |
Evoluzione del comportamento animale | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/05 BIO/07 |
Marine Biology and Ecology | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/05 BIO/07 |
Mathematical Modeling in Evolutionary and Environmental Biology | 6 | 48 | Italian | MAT/07 |
Plant-Environment Interactions | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/01 |
Storia e filosofia della biologia | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/19 M-FIL/02 M-STO/05 |
Symbiosis and Parasitism | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/01 BIO/05 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Tirocinio formativo e di orientamento | 15 | 0 | Italian | |
Final Exam | 30 | 0 | Italian |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evoluzione del comportamento animale | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/05 BIO/07 |
Symbiosis and Parasitism | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/01 BIO/05 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Biodiversity | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/03 BIO/05 |
Biogeography | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/02 BIO/03 BIO/05 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bioinformatica generale e metodi computazionali in microbiologia ambientale | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/11 BIO/19 |
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/11 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Animal Adaptations and Applications | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/05 |
Biodiversity | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/03 BIO/05 |
Biogeography | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/02 BIO/03 BIO/05 |
Biology of Animal Development | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/06 |
Communities and Ecosystems | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/07 |
Ecotoxicology | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/07 |
Evolution and Adaptations of Plants to the Environment | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/01 |
Marine Biology and Ecology | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/05 BIO/07 |
Photobiology and Bioenergy | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | BIO/04 BIO/18 |
Plant Ecology, Evolution and Diversification | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/02 BIO/03 |
Plant-Environment Interactions | 6 | 48 | English | Second semester | BIO/01 |
Population Biology and Genetics | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/07 |
Reproductive Strategies | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/01 BIO/05 |
Symbiosis and Parasitism | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/01 BIO/05 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Artropodi parassiti, vettori e fitofagi: biologia e controllo | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/11 VET/06 |
Biologia umana: basi anatomiche e funzionali | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/16 BIO/17 |
Diritto dell'ambiente, sviluppo sostenibile e tutela della biodiversità | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | IUS/09 IUS/10 |
Mathematical Modeling in Evolutionary and Environmental Biology | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | MAT/07 |
Storia e filosofia della biologia | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/19 M-FIL/02 M-STO/05 |
Sede dei Corsi: Edifici Biologici (Via Celoria, 26); Settore Didattico (Via Celoria, 20); Edificio Golgi (Via Golgi, 19).
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