Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine ((Classe LM-9)-Enrolled from Academic Year

Medicina e Chirurgia
Master programme
A.Y. 2023/2024
LM-9 - Biotecnologie mediche, veterinarie e farmaceutiche (EN)
Master programme
120
ECTS
Access
Limited enrolment with admission test
2
Years
Milan
English
The Master Programme in Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine is committed to form professionals, provided with a strong technical and theoretical background. The expected evolution of their careers will be to develop scientific methodologies and coordinate research projects in the fields of applied biotechnology and translational medicine. The Master Programme will provide students with a strong educational background on the genetic and molecular bases of diseases and the pathophysiological mechanisms that occur in humans in pathological states, in order to develop diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on biotechnology. This knowledge will be integrated with a specific formation in the fields of informatics, biophysics, nanotechnology and pharmacology. The Master Programme is organized in common and curricular learning activities focused on neuroscience, oncology, molecular diagnostics and immunobiotechnology. As a part of the common course, the students will learn about economic management of a scientific project, with emphasis on the construction of a business plan and cost analysis. The Master Programme dedicates a long period of time, almost the entire second year, to laboratory activities in which the student, under the supervision of a tutor, will autonomously develop and apply different experimental approaches in the context of a wider research project. This activity will be finalized to the preparation of the degree programme final exam.
The objective of the course is to provide the scientific community with experts in the fields of medical biotechnology and molecular medicine able to develop new experimental models for the study of human diseases, to develop new diagnostic approaches, to identify new therapeutic molecules, to devise innovative drug delivery systems. All these possibilities arise from the competences of the Master?s graduate who will have a strong medical educational background that will allow her/him to represent a fruitful interface with the clinics, building a bridge between the bench and the bedside. A deep knowledge of the pathogenetic mechanisms of diseases is required in order to apply basic disciplines to the resolution of medical problems.
Employment opportunities: public and private research structures, including Universities, CNR (National Research Council), Istituto Superiore di Sanità (National Institute for health); Hospitals; private pharmaceutical, diagnostics and biotechnological companies; companies supporting scientific research (instruments, biotechnological reagents); companies involved in science communication and publishing.
Below a list of professional profiles:

Medical Science Liaison (MSL) within pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies
In the pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies, this new professional figure has the role of establishing scientific relationships with clinicians, supporting the appropriate use of the drugs of interest for the company.This professional has a strong medical and pharmacological background that enable her/him to talk with physicians in order to solve clinical problem related to the use of specific drugs.

Clinical Monitor within pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies; CRO (Clinical Research Organization) (upon completion of a specific training course)
Thanks to the strong background in pharmacology and statistics this expert will be able to coordinate clinical studies.
Market Access Manager within pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies; consulting agencies, AIFA (Italian agency for drugs) (upon completion of a specific training course)
Thanks to the strong background in economy and pharmacology, and a knowledge of ethical issues related to commercialization of drugs, the graduate will be in the ideal position to establish stable relationships with the Regulatory Authorities and, in general, with the Institutions with the aim of promoting the approval and the access to the market of new pharmacological and biotechnological products.


Medical and scientific communication advisor within scientific and medical communication agencies and publishers
Thanks to the multidisciplinary approaches to medical sciences acquired during the course, the Master Programme? graduate may evolve into a medical writer or a consultant for the development of distance learning modules for the Continuing Medical Education (CME) or other health professionals requiring continuing education or again as an advisor for pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies in the communication with patient organizations.

The graduates in the Master Program in Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine will have access to PhD programs, second level Master degrees, Specialization School in Medical Genetics, Medical Pharmacology, Clinical Biochemistry, Microbiology and Virology, Nutrition. After the State Board Examination, the graduates can enter into the Professional Register of Biologists (Senior Section).

Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Enrollment to this Master Course is restricted to a limited number of students, in fact access to the programme is capped locally. Italian and European students admitted to attend the Master Program are identified by a ranking list determined on the basis of the scores of the admission test. This ranking list will be also used for the choice of the curriculum. The minimum score in the admission test for being included in the ranking list is 20/50. See below for extra European students*
The date of the entrance test will be communicated later in the announcement of selection published on the website of UNIMI.

For Italian, European candidates the selection will be on the basis of a competitive written entrance exam. The admission test consists of a written test based on multiple-choice questions, it will be in English and will include 50 questions on topics such as biology, biochemistry, physics, pharmacology, immunology, pathology, genetics. Candidates must obtain a minimum score of 20/50 points to be eligible for the enrolment.
*For non-EU students resident abroad (applicants for a student visa), selection and ranking will be based on the assessment of the personal and scholastic curriculums and on an interview evaluation.


B2 entrance level:
Proficiency in English at a B2 level or higher per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required for admission.
The B2-level requirement will be ascertained by the University Language Centre (SLAM) upon admission as follows:
- Language certificate of B2 or higher level issued no more than three years before the date of admission application. You will find the list of language certificates recognized by the University at: 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.
Transfer requirements
To be admitted to the entrance test, candidates from Italian and EU universities have to possess 180 ects obtained in the Bachelor's degree. Specifically, 50 ects have to derive from the following areas: BIO/09 (Physiology), BIO/10 (Biochemistry), BIO/11 (Molecular biology), BIO/12 (Clinical biochemistry), BIO/13 (Biology), BIO/14 (Pharmacology), BIO/16 (Human anatomy), BIO/18 (Genetics), BIO/19 (General microbiology), MED/01 (Medical statistics), MED/03 (Human genetics), MED/04 (General pathology and immunology), MED/05 (Clinical pathology), MED/06 (Medical oncology), MED/07 (Microbiology), MED/08 (Pathology), MED/09 (Internal medicine), MED/25 (Mental health), MED/26 (Neurology), MED/46 (Laboratory medicine), INF/01 (Informatics), FIS/07 (Medical physics).
For non-EU students resident abroad (applicants for a student visa) the admission to the Master Programme will be based on the assessment of the personal and scholastic curriculum and on an interview evaluation. As for italian and EU students, extra-EU applicant' scholastic curriculum has to include at least 50 ects in the scientific fields reported in the list as above.
In order to profitably follow the learning activities, the candidate should have a good knowledge of spoken and written English. The B2 level is required and the certification has to be provided at the registration of the admission test.
Students waiting to obtain the Bachelor's Degree, can participate in the admission test "sub iudice". In case of success, they will be accepted only if they will obtain the Bachelor degree by December 31th, also possessing the prerequisite described above.
More details about the selection/admission procedure can be find below in the Admission Criteria paragraph.
The Master programme in Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine supports international mobility with leading international universities, as well as the possibility for students to earn credits through exchange education and training programmes with Partner organizations.
Available programmes:
- Bilateral agreements in the framework of the Erasmus + programme with: University of Leuven (Katolieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium), Leids Universitair Medish Centrum (LUMC) of the University of Leiden (Netherland) and University of Cantabria (Universidad de Cantabria, Spain).
- Traineeship with: Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB - Bellinzona, Switzerland).
In recent years, a growing number of students have developed their professionalism and the European dimension of their training through residence periods abroad. Associated universities represent highly recognized European institutions, featuring reference schools (Master and PhD schools) in biomedical sciences and offer the possibility of carrying out research activities in a wide range of scientific fields covered by the Degree Programme. The students will thus be offered exciting opportunities to enhance their CVs and evaluate their interests in extending their careers in the international setting.
The Master course in Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine offers second year students the possibility to carry out the entire practical training for the preparation of their final thesis work in one of the aforementioned institutions or with other institutions with which an agreement has been established. The student will have to define a research project related to his/her course of studies and curricular training, with the joint agreement of both the Unimi and the foreign tutors. The period abroad amounts to 9 months equivalent to 32 credits. A positive evaluation of the period abroad is required. The latter should be defined by the tutor in the foreign university, the Unimi tutor and is subjected to the approval by the Unimi Didactic Council. Erasmus students who obtain outstanding results, proved by an official evaluation letter of the foreign tutor to the President of the Masters Commission, will be rewarded with 1-2 additional points in the final Laurea Grade.
Besides general informative meetings organized by the University, the Degree course in Medical Biotechnology provides specific support to interested/selected students through the organization of specific informative session and/or meeting with the tutor for mobility.
The student is required to attend all the teaching activities, with a tolerance of no more than 25% of the hours.
Students are required to sign their attendance at each learning activities. Should the number of absences be higher than 25%, the Teaching Committee will take the necessary measures.

Courses list

First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Advanced microscopic techniques and nanotechnology 6 51 English FIS/07
Applied pharmacology to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/14
Pathogenetic basis of diseases 12 84 English MED/04 MED/09
- General pathology and immunology6
- Internal medicine6
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Genetic and molecular bases of diseases 14 111.5 English BIO/13 MED/03
- Biology8
- Medical genetics6
Human biochemistry 9 76.5 English BIO/10
Molecular biology applied to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/11
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Molecular diagnostic and therapy 6 42 English BIO/13 BIO/14 MED/26 MED/36
- Applied Biology1
- Neurology2
- Pharmacology2
- Radiology1
Neurobiology 6 42 English BIO/09 BIO/10 BIO/13 MED/26
- Applied Biology1
- Biochemistry1
- Neurology1
- Pyysiology3
Pathogenetic bases of neurological and psychiatric disorders 6 42 English BIO/11 MED/13 MED/25 MED/26
- Endocrinology1
- Mental health2
- Molecular biology1
- Neurology2
be activated by the A.Y. 2024/2025
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Professionalizing training activities 4 100 English
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Further learning activities (linguistic, informatic, relational) 3 45 English
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Social aspects of biotechnology 11 77 English MED/02
- Bio-medicine5
- History of medicine6
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Degree programme final exam 21 0 English
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Flow cytometry: principles and biotechnological applications 2 12 Italian MED/04 MED/46
Fragile x syndrome: a paradigm to ameliorate trials 2 12 Italian BIO/11
Laboratory techniques in endocrinology 2 12 English MED/13 MED/46
Molecular tumor board and seminars in medical oncology 2 12 English MED/06
Structural bioinformatics and molecular modelling 2 12 English BIO/10
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Astrocytes in health and disease: a molecular perspective 2 12 English BIO/11
Cell sex matters in preclinical research 2 12 English BIO/14
Study plan rules
- In the first year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
- In the second year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
Before attempting anyone of the curricular exams the student has to pass the 6 common exams while, in order to begin the laboratory activity, the student has to pass the 6 common exams of the first two trimesters and subsequently 1 exam out of her/his specific curriculum.
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Advanced microscopic techniques and nanotechnology 6 51 English FIS/07
Applied pharmacology to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/14
Pathogenetic basis of diseases 12 84 English MED/04 MED/09
- General pathology and immunology6
- Internal medicine6
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Genetic and molecular bases of diseases 14 111.5 English BIO/13 MED/03
- Biology8
- Medical genetics6
Human biochemistry 9 76.5 English BIO/10
Molecular biology applied to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/11
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Cancer epidemiology and pathogenesis 6 42 English MED/01 MED/04 MED/06 MED/15
- Blood diseases2
- General pathology and immunology2
- Medical oncology1
- Medical statistics1
Cancer immunology and microenvironment (ONC) 6 42 English MED/04 MED/06 MED/15
- Blood diseases2
- General pathology and immunology2
- Medical oncology2
Research and development of new diagnostic and therapeutic metodologies 6 42 English BIO/11 MED/08 MED/15 MED/50
- Applied medical sciences1
- Blood diseases2
- Molecular biology2
- Pathology1
be activated by the A.Y. 2024/2025
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Professionalizing training activities 4 100 English
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Further learning activities (linguistic, informatic, relational) 3 45 English
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Social aspects of biotechnology 11 77 English MED/02
- Bio-medicine5
- History of medicine6
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Degree programme final exam 21 0 English
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Flow cytometry: principles and biotechnological applications 2 12 Italian MED/04 MED/46
Fragile x syndrome: a paradigm to ameliorate trials 2 12 Italian BIO/11
Laboratory techniques in endocrinology 2 12 English MED/13 MED/46
Molecular tumor board and seminars in medical oncology 2 12 English MED/06
Structural bioinformatics and molecular modelling 2 12 English BIO/10
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Astrocytes in health and disease: a molecular perspective 2 12 English BIO/11
Cell sex matters in preclinical research 2 12 English BIO/14
Study plan rules
- In the first year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
- In the second year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
Before attempting anyone of the curricular exams the student has to pass the 6 common exams while, in order to begin the laboratory activity, the student has to pass the 6 common exams of the first two trimesters and subsequently 1 exam out of her/his specific curriculum.
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Advanced microscopic techniques and nanotechnology 6 51 English FIS/07
Applied pharmacology to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/14
Pathogenetic basis of diseases 12 84 English MED/04 MED/09
- General pathology and immunology6
- Internal medicine6
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Genetic and molecular bases of diseases 14 111.5 English BIO/13 MED/03
- Biology8
- Medical genetics6
Human biochemistry 9 76.5 English BIO/10
Molecular biology applied to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/11
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Advanced techniques in medical biotechnology 6 42 English BIO/10 BIO/11 BIO/13 MED/40
- Biochemistry2
- Biology 2
- Molecular biology1
- Obstetrics and gynecology1
Data and laboratory management 6 42 English MED/01 MED/05 MED/43 MED/46
- Clinical pathology2
- Forensic medicine2
- Laboratory medicine1
- Medical statistics1
Molecular diagnostics 6 42 English BIO/12 MED/03 MED/07
- Clinical biochemistry2
- Human genetics2
- Microbiology2
be activated by the A.Y. 2024/2025
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Professionalizing training activities 4 100 English
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Further learning activities (linguistic, informatic, relational) 3 45 English
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Social aspects of biotechnology 11 77 English MED/02
- Bio-medicine5
- History of medicine6
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Degree programme final exam 21 0 English
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Flow cytometry: principles and biotechnological applications 2 12 Italian MED/04 MED/46
Fragile x syndrome: a paradigm to ameliorate trials 2 12 Italian BIO/11
Laboratory techniques in endocrinology 2 12 English MED/13 MED/46
Molecular tumor board and seminars in medical oncology 2 12 English MED/06
Structural bioinformatics and molecular modelling 2 12 English BIO/10
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Astrocytes in health and disease: a molecular perspective 2 12 English BIO/11
Cell sex matters in preclinical research 2 12 English BIO/14
Study plan rules
- In the first year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
- In the second year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
Before attempting anyone of the curricular exams the student has to pass the 6 common exams while, in order to begin the laboratory activity, the student has to pass the 6 common exams of the first two trimesters and subsequently 1 exam out of her/his specific curriculum.
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Advanced microscopic techniques and nanotechnology 6 51 English FIS/07
Applied pharmacology to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/14
Pathogenetic basis of diseases 12 84 English MED/04 MED/09
- General pathology and immunology6
- Internal medicine6
Second trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Genetic and molecular bases of diseases 14 111.5 English BIO/13 MED/03
- Biology8
- Medical genetics6
Human biochemistry 9 76.5 English BIO/10
Molecular biology applied to biotechnology 7 67 English BIO/11
Third trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Cancer immunology and microenvironment (IMM) 6 42 English MED/04 MED/06 MED/15
- Blood diseases2
- General pathology and immunology2
- Medical oncology2
Experimental immunology and immunobiotechnology 6 42 English MED/04 MED/16 MED/46 VET/05
- Domestic animal infectious diseases2
- General pathology and immunology1
- Laboratory medicine2
- Reumatology1
Transplantation and tissue engineering 6 51 English ING-IND/34 MED/15 MED/18 MED/43
- Blood diseases1
- Forensic medicine1
- General surgery3
- Industrial bioengineering1
be activated by the A.Y. 2024/2025
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Professionalizing training activities 4 100 English
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Further learning activities (linguistic, informatic, relational) 3 45 English
First trimester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Social aspects of biotechnology 11 77 English MED/02
- Bio-medicine5
- History of medicine6
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Degree programme final exam 21 0 English
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Flow cytometry: principles and biotechnological applications 2 12 Italian MED/04 MED/46
Fragile x syndrome: a paradigm to ameliorate trials 2 12 Italian BIO/11
Laboratory techniques in endocrinology 2 12 English MED/13 MED/46
Molecular tumor board and seminars in medical oncology 2 12 English MED/06
Structural bioinformatics and molecular modelling 2 12 English BIO/10
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Astrocytes in health and disease: a molecular perspective 2 12 English BIO/11
Cell sex matters in preclinical research 2 12 English BIO/14
Study plan rules
- In the first year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
- In the second year, the student must gain 4 ects of further electives
Before attempting anyone of the curricular exams the student has to pass the 6 common exams while, in order to begin the laboratory activity, the student has to pass the 6 common exams of the first two trimesters and subsequently 1 exam out of her/his specific curriculum.
Course location
Milan
We use a selection of our own and third-party cookies on the pages of this website: Essential cookies, which are required in order to use the website; functional cookies, which provide better easy of use when using the website; performance cookies, which we use to generate aggregated data on website use and statistics; and marketing cookies, which are used to display relevant content and advertising. If you choose "ACCEPT ALL", you consent to the use of all cookies. You can accept and reject individual cookie types and revoke your consent for the future at any time at "Settings".