Biogeosciences: analysis of ecosystem and science communication
The programme is addressed to students who want to extend and deepen their knowledge in the field of natural sciences, maintaining the traditional balance between abiotic and biotic factors, in order to gain an organic and synthetic understanding of nature and its issues. The degree programme also has a specific curriculum aimed at providing students with a solid and wide-ranging knowledge base that will enable them to work in the areas of training, communication and teaching. The programme is especially designed with the following objectives:
- Provide a solid knowledge base to study the structure and functioning of ecosystems from a spatial as well as diachronic perspective, with an approach based on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary integration;
- Prepare graduates that are able to analyse biodiversity at multiple levels, from genetic diversity to specific and environmental diversity, and to study the geological components of natural environments, as well as the role they play in the functioning of ecosystems and the services such ecosystems provide;
- Prepare graduates that are able to address environmental issues with a rigorous scientific approach and to work with a high degree of autonomy, taking on responsibilities for projects and organisational units, even in a managerial and directive capacity;
- Provide tools for the communication and dissemination of natural sciences;
- Prepare graduates in terms of subject matter contents, methodologies and technologies required to teach in upper secondary schools;
The degree programme encompasses educational activities in the fields of: a) mathematics/statistics, informatics, chemistry and physics, to provide advanced knowledge and skills instrumental to the analysis and monitoring of ecosystems and the teaching of sciences; b) agriculture, management and communication, to build up a solid knowledge base regarding environmental law and management and provide students with an understanding of communication methodologies and the psycho-pedagogical and sociological aspects of teaching; c) biology, ecology and geology, to cover various aspects of life sciences (biosciences) and earth sciences (geosciences) with a highly integrated approach. All of this will enable students to deepen their background knowledge and become highly skilled in the analysis and monitoring of ecosystems, as well as to master the fundamental skills, methodologies and technologies required to disseminate and teach natural sciences. Moreover, the programme includes several additional activities to integrate knowledge in other related domains, and requires students to demonstrate oral and written proficiency in English.
In addition, the degree allows access to PhDs and II level masters.
Graduates in curriculum Ecosystem analysis, monitoring and management will be able to perform monitoring of biotic naturalistic components (flora and fauna with particular reference to species indicated in the EU directives and to the alien species, habitats of community interest) and abiotic (rocks, geological structures, landscape forms with particular reference to the enhancement and geoconservation) on behalf of institutions responsible for the management of the territory and the natural heritage (regions, municipalities, other public and private agencies, parks and reserves) and as freelance. Professional profile: Expert in the research, analysis and management of natural systems.
Graduates in curriculum Science communication, dissemination and teaching will be able to perform activities for the dissemination of knowledge of the natural ecosystems of the present and of the geological past; environmental education activities in schools and institutions, parks and organizations; preparation of exhibitions on nature and environment; awareness-raising activities on sustainable development. Furthermore, the degree course provides adequate preparation for teaching scientific disciplines and the suitable background to participate in the competition for access to the role of teacher of secondary school, according to current legislation. Professional profile: Expert in the dissemination of natural sciences.
The course, after passing a specific state exam allows to enroll in the professional registers of graduate agro-technician and graduate agricultural expert.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
The curricular requirements for admission to the Master's degree course in BioGeosciences: Analysis of Ecosystems and Communication of Sciences are fully satisfied by graduates of the degree class in Sciences and Technologies for the Environment and Nature (L-32) and of the corresponding class relating to Ministerial Decree 509/99. Graduates with a degree from another class, as well as those holding another qualification obtained abroad and recognised as suitable are also eligible for admission to the Master's degree course, providing they can demonstrate that they meet the curricular requirements and the adequacy of their personal preparation necessary to successfully pursue their studies, as specified below.
Students with a degree obtained abroad will be assessed by the Admission Committee for the Master's degree on the basis of their curriculum (type of bachelor degree, bachelor study programme) and through an interview (also online) aimed at verifying whether they meet the specific curricular requirements and the adequacy of their personal preparation for admission to the Master's degree. The date of the interview is the one indicated in the Manifesto degli Studi for all other students.
For students who have obtained a Bachelor's degree in Italy in classes other than L-32, the curricular requirements for access to the Master's degree imply having acquired at least:
- 6 CFU in mathematical disciplines (MAT/01 Mathematical Logic, MAT/02 Algebra, MAT/03 Geometry, MAT/04 Complementary Mathematics, MAT/05 Mathematical Analysis, MAT/06 Probability and Mathematical Statistics, MAT/07 Mathematical Physics, MAT/08 Numerical Analysis),
- 6 CFU in physics (FIS/01 Experimental physics, FIS/02 Theoretical physics, mathematical models and methods, FIS/03 Physics of matter, FIS/04 Nuclear and subnuclear physics, FIS/05 Astronomy and astrophysics, FIS/06 Physics for the Earth system and the circum-terrestrial medium, FIS/07 Applied physics (cultural heritage, environmental, biology and medicine), FIS/08 Physics education and history),
- 6 CFU in chemical disciplines (CHIM/01 Analytical chemistry, CHIM/02 Physical chemistry, CHIM/03 General and inorganic chemistry, CHIM/06 Organic chemistry),
and having acquired at least 60 CFU in the following characterising disciplines of class L-32:
- Agricultural disciplines (AGR/01 Rural economics and valuation, AGR/02 Agronomy and herbaceous cultivation, AGR/03 General arboriculture and tree cultivation, AGR/04 Horticulture and floriculture, AGR/05 Forest management and silviculture, AGR/06 Wood technology and forestry, AGR/07 Agricultural genetics, AGR/08 Agricultural hydraulics and hydraulic-forestry systems, AGR/10 Rural construction and agroforestry, AGR/11 General and applied entomology, AGR/12 Plant pathology, AGR/13 Agricultural chemistry, AGR/14 Pedology, AGR/16 Agricultural microbiology, AGR/19 Special zootechnics, AGR/20 Zoocultures),
- biological disciplines (BIO/01 General botany, BIO/02 Systematic botany, BIO/04 Plant physiology, BIO/05 Zoology, BIO/06 Comparative anatomy and cytology, BIO/08 Anthropology, BIO/10 Biochemistry, BIO/11 Molecular biology, BIO/16 Human anatomy, BIO/18 Genetics, BIO/19 Microbiology)
- ecological disciplines (BIO/03 Environmental and applied botany, BIO/07 Ecology, GEO/04 Physical geography and geomorphology),
- Earth science disciplines (GEO/01 Palaeontology and palaeoecology, GEO/02 Stratigraphic and sedimentary geology, GEO/03 Structural geology, GEO/05 Applied geology, GEO/06 Mineralogy, GEO/07 Petrology and petrography, GEO/08 Geochemistry and volcanology, GEO/09 Mineral resources and mineralogical-petrographic applications for the environment and cultural heritage, GEO/10 Solid Earth Geophysics, GEO/11 Applied Geophysics, GEO/12 Oceanography and Atmospheric Physics).
Of these 60 CFU, the student must have acquired at least 6 CFU in biological disciplines, 6 CFU in ecological disciplines and 6 CFU in Earth Sciences disciplines.
Application for admission
Application period: 22/01/2024-25/08/2024.
The personal preparation of all candidates will be verified through an interview carried out by a commission of lecturers designated by the Interdepartmental Teaching Board. The commission will assess any shortcomings in the candidates' subject areas. The interview may also take place before the three-year degree - to be completed by 31 December 2024 for matriculation purposes.
The knowledge required for admission to the Master's degree course includes an adequate basic training in the biological (general biology and histology, zoology and botany), geological (geology, palaeontology, mineralogy, petrography, geomorphology) and ecological fields in order to be able to cope with the advanced level of studies (Syllabus published on https://biogeoscienze.cdl.unimi.it/it/avvisi).
During the admission interview, the following will be assessed: 1) the adequacy of the previous curriculum of studies; 2) the candidate's individual preparation.
A negative result in the interview will mean that all students, graduates and undergraduates, will be excluded from admission to the Master's degree course for the current year.
For the academic year 2024/2025, the date for the interview will be 17 September 2024 at 9.30 a.m. (for arrangements - in person or remotely - please check the notices page at https://biogeoscienze.cdl.unimi.it/it). Sessions, including individual ones, may be scheduled for those who register before summer 2024. It is in all cases necessary to check the level of English language knowledge within the indicated dates.
Candidates must present themselves with a valid identity document on the date and time indicated.
Students from the University who have applied for admission and who have acquired CFUs in excess of the required 180 during their Bachelor's degree course, by attending courses and/or laboratories included in the Master's degree course, may request their recognition in order to obtain the required 120 CFUs.
IMPORTANT: At the time of the admission interview, students must have already chosen their Curriculum. The choice must be made official at the time of enrolment.
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/39322) 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.
Admission
Application for admission: from 22/01/2024 to 25/08/2024
Application for matriculation: from 08/04/2024 to 15/01/2025
Attachments and documents
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.
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Methods in Ecosystem Analysis | 12 | 108 | Italian | BIO/03 BIO/07 GEO/04 |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Final Exam | 39 | 0 | Italian |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Animal Behaviour | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/05 |
Anthropology | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/08 |
Astronomy | 6 | 48 | Italian | FIS/05 |
Biogeography | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/02 BIO/05 |
Environmental Chemistry | 6 | 48 | Italian | CHIM/12 |
Environmental Ethic | 6 | 48 | Italian | AGR/01 |
Environmental Geochemistry | 6 | 52 | English | GEO/08 |
Geographic Information Systems and Environmental Modelling | 6 | 60 | Italian | INF/01 |
Geological Evolution of a Habitable Planet | 6 | 48 | English | GEO/02 |
Palynology | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/02 |
Phylogeny and Evolution | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/05 |
Population Biology and Genetics | 6 | 48 | Italian | AGR/07 |
Quantitative Ecology | 6 | 52 | English | BIO/07 |
Stratigraphic Paleontology | 6 | 64 | Italian | GEO/01 |
Vertebrate Paleontology | 6 | 52 | Italian | GEO/01 |
Wildlife Management | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/05 |
the student must choose 42 cfu for a total of 7 courses in accordance with the five rules listed:
1- The student must compulsorily choose 1 or 2 of the following courses (chemical, physical, mathematical and IT disciplines)
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Astronomy | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | FIS/05 |
Environmental Chemistry | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | CHIM/12 |
Geographic Information Systems and Environmental Modelling | 6 | 60 | Italian | First semester | INF/01 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Environmental Economics and Policy | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/01 |
Environmental Ethic | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | AGR/01 |
Population Biology and Genetics | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | AGR/07 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpine Glaciology and Climatology | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/04 |
Applied Geomorphology | 6 | 52 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/04 |
Geomorphological Heritage and Geodiversity | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/04 |
Plant Ecology | 6 | 48 | English | Second semester | BIO/03 |
Quantitative Ecology | 6 | 52 | English | First semester | BIO/07 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Applied Palaeoecology | 6 | 52 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/01 |
Biomineralization | 6 | 52 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/01 |
Environmental Geochemistry | 6 | 52 | English | First semester | GEO/08 |
Gemology | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/06 GEO/09 |
Geological Evolution of a Habitable Planet | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | GEO/02 |
Geology of the Mediterranean Area | 6 | 52 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/03 GEO/07 |
Stratigraphic Paleontology | 6 | 64 | Italian | First semester | GEO/01 |
Vertebrate Paleontology | 6 | 52 | Italian | First semester | GEO/01 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adaptation of Animals and Plants to Environment | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/04 BIO/09 |
Anatomy and Physiology of the Integrated Systems | 6 | 52 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/06 BIO/09 |
Animal Behaviour | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/05 |
Biogeography | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/02 BIO/05 |
Biological Interactions and Social Behaviour in Insects | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/05 |
Laboratory Methods for Biodiversity | 6 | 48 | English | Second semester | BIO/01 BIO/05 BIO/06 |
Palynology | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/02 |
Phylogeny and Evolution | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/05 |
Wildlife Management | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/05 |
The student must compulsorily choose 2 of the following courses:
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anthropology | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/08 |
Control Strategies for Insect Pests and Vectors | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/11 VET/06 |
Forensic Sciences | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | MED/43 |
Geophysics for Natural Risks | 6 | 56 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/11 GEO/12 |
Mathematical Modeling | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | MAT/07 |
Micropedology Laboratory | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/14 |
Principles and Dynamics of the "critical Zone" | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/14 |
Symbiosis and Parasitism | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | VET/06 |
The student must autonomously acquire 12 CFUs from all the courses offered by the University (preferably chosen within the scientific area), as long as they are in line with the training project, subject to assessment by his/her tutor. In particular, the student may choose from all the optional courses in this manifesto unless previously chosen in the other rules.
This category includes any courses identified in the context of the "University Transversal Skills" reported in the resolution (see the relevant paragraph "Struttura del corso Presentazione del piano di studi").
In addition, the following course is activated as part of the DST Project of Excellence:
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Museology, Management and Enhancement of Naturalistic Cultural Heritage | 6 | 52 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/01 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Teaching Methodologies and Techniques for Biogeosciences | 12 | 96 | Italian | BIO/07 GEO/04 |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Final Exam | 33 | 0 | Italian |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Anthropology | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/08 |
Astronomy | 6 | 48 | Italian | FIS/05 |
Biogeography | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/02 BIO/05 |
Environmental Ethic | 6 | 48 | Italian | AGR/01 |
Fundamentals of Psychology | 6 | 48 | Italian | M-PSI/01 |
General Pedagogy | 6 | 48 | Italian | M-PED/01 |
Geographic Information Systems and Environmental Modelling | 6 | 60 | Italian | INF/01 |
Geological Evolution of a Habitable Planet | 6 | 48 | English | GEO/02 |
History and Teaching of Physics | 6 | 48 | Italian | FIS/08 |
Methods of Communication | 6 | 48 | Italian | SPS/08 |
Phylogeny and Evolution | 6 | 48 | Italian | BIO/05 |
Stratigraphic Paleontology | 6 | 64 | Italian | GEO/01 |
Teaching Methodologies and Techniques for Geosciences | 6 | 48 | Italian | GEO/04 |
Urban and Regional Geography | 6 | 48 | Italian | M-GGR/01 |
Vertebrate Paleontology | 6 | 52 | Italian | GEO/01 |
the student must choose 42 cfu for a total of 7 courses in accordance with the five rules listed:
1- The student must compulsorily choose 1 or 2 of the following courses (chemical, physical, mathematical and computer science disciplines):
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Astronomy | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | FIS/05 |
Comunication and Teaching of Mathematics | 6 | 36 | Italian | Second semester | MAT/04 |
Geographic Information Systems and Environmental Modelling | 6 | 60 | Italian | First semester | INF/01 |
Geometry in Natural and Anthropic Environments and Its Teaching | 6 | 58 | Italian | Second semester | MAT/03 MAT/04 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cultural Tools for the Dissemination of Biogeosciences | 6 | 46 | Italian | Second semester | SPS/08 |
Environmental Economics and Policy | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/01 |
Environmental Ethic | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | AGR/01 |
Fundamentals of Psychology | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | M-PSI/01 |
General Pedagogy | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | M-PED/01 |
Methods of Communication | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | SPS/08 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Applied Geomorphology | 6 | 52 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/04 |
Geomorphological Heritage and Geodiversity | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/04 |
Plant Ecology | 6 | 48 | English | Second semester | BIO/03 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Geological Evolution of a Habitable Planet | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | GEO/02 |
Geology of the Mediterranean Area | 6 | 52 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/03 GEO/07 |
Stratigraphic Paleontology | 6 | 64 | Italian | First semester | GEO/01 |
Vertebrate Paleontology | 6 | 52 | Italian | First semester | GEO/01 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anatomy and Physiology of the Integrated Systems | 6 | 52 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/06 BIO/09 |
Biogeography | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/02 BIO/05 |
Cell Biology | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/01 BIO/06 BIO/16 |
Human Anatomy | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/16 |
Phylogeny and Evolution | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/05 |
The student must compulsorily choose 2 of the following courses:
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anthropology | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | BIO/08 |
Communication, Dissemination and Teaching of Natural Sciences | 6 | 52 | Italian | Second semester | M-PED/03 |
Elementary Mathematics Teaching Workshop | 6 | 54 | Italian | Second semester | MAT/04 |
History and Teaching of Physics | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | FIS/08 |
Mathematical Modeling | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | MAT/07 |
Social Anthropology | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | M-DEA/01 |
Symbiosis and Parasitism | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | VET/06 |
Urban and Regional Geography | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | M-GGR/01 |
The student must autonomously acquire 18 CFUs from all the courses offered by the University (preferably chosen within the scientific area), as long as they are in line with the training project, subject to assessment by his/her tutor. In particular, the student may choose from all the optional courses in this manifesto unless previously chosen in the other rules.
This category includes any courses identified in the context of the "University Transversal Skills" reported in the resolution (see the relevant paragraph "Struttura del corso Presentazione del piano di studi").
In addition, the following course is activated as part of the DST Project of Excellence:
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Museology, Management and Enhancement of Naturalistic Cultural Heritage | 6 | 52 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/01 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Teaching Methodologies and Techniques for Biosciences | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/07 |
Teaching Methodologies and Techniques for Geosciences | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | GEO/04 |
- Prof.ssa Morena Casartelli
via Celoria 18
[email protected] - Course management
via Botticelli, 23
https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML - Libraries
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/biblioteche - Student registrar
via Celoria 18
https://www.unimi.it/it/node/359
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/segreterie-informastudenti
+390250325032
https://www.unimi.it/it/node/360 - Disability academic tutor: Prof. Guglielmina Diolaiuti
[email protected] - Disability academic tutor: Prof. Claudio Olivari
[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
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