Plant Science
The Master's course in Plant Science provides in-depth, state-of-the-art knowledge on the molecular and cellular aspects of plants, whether they are model organisms or species of agricultural interest, and their interactions with the environment. The skills acquired in this Master's programme will enable the graduate to carry out functions of high responsibility in professional fields such as:
- Basic and applied research activities in university laboratories, other public or private research institutions and in industry, with particular reference to plant organisms.
- Research and development of scientific methodologies for the study of plant biology.
- Functions of responsibility in public or private sectors in charge of environmental protection and management, in biology research laboratories, in biotechnology and food industries and in all professional fields where a multidisciplinary approach to plant biology is required.
- Scientific dissemination and publishing activities.
- Teaching activities: Graduates will be able to take the national examination to obtain the qualification to practice as a biologist and consequently register in the Italian National Order of Biologists (Ordine Nazionale dei Biologi, section A). They will be able to access PhD positions, specialization schools and other Master's courses.
Job opportunities:
- Universities and public and private research institutions.
- Public and private laboratories for biological, microbiological, genetic, and quality control analyses.
- Biotechnological, pharmaceutical, chemical and biorefinery industries.
- Communication, scientific dissemination and information, scientific publishing.
- Plant genetic improvement and seed production.
- Agro-food sector.
- Production of molecules of food, industrial and pharmaceutical interest in plant systems
- Cooperation and development in international organizations.
Biotechnologist. Graduates in Plant Science will be able to take on functions of high responsibility in all professional fields in which an in-deep knowledge of plant biology is required, in particular those involving the use of plant biological systems and high competence in plant genetics and molecular biology techniques.
- Graduates will be able to take the national examination to obtain the qualification to practice as a biologist and consequently register in the Italian National Order of Biologists (Ordine Nazionale dei Biologi, section A). They will be able to access PhD positions, specialization schools and other Master's courses.
Job opportunities:
- Universities and public and private research institutions;
- Biotechnological, pharmaceutical, chemical and biorefinery industries;
- Plant breeding and seed production companies;
- Cooperation and development in international organizations.
Botanist. The graduated in Plant Science will be able to assume functions of high responsibility in all professional fields in which a comprehensive knowledge of plant organisms is required, from the molecular and cellular level to the organismic level, and the interactions between living organisms and the ecosystem.
- Graduates will be able to take the national examination to obtain the qualification to practice as a biologist and consequently register in the Italian National Order of Biologists (Ordine Nazionale dei Biologi, section A). They will be able to access PhD positions, specialization schools and other Master's courses.
Job opportunities:
- Universities and public or private research institutions;
- Biotechnological, pharmaceutical, chemical industries and bio-refineries;
- Communication, dissemination and scientific information, scientific publishing;
- Plant genetic improvement and seed production;
- Agro-food sector;
- Production of molecules of food, industrial and pharmaceutical interest in plant systems;
- Cooperation and development in international organizations.
Researchers and technicians with a degree in life sciences. The Plant Science graduate will be able to take high responsibility functions in all professional fields where it is necessary to develop and conduct research projects on plant science concepts and theories. The graduated student will be able to:
- Designing and carrying out experimental research projects aimed at expanding and innovating the scientific knowledge about plants, including applications in applied sectors;
- Ensures the proper functioning of laboratories and scientific equipment;
- Define and apply scientific protocols in laboratory experiments and research activities on both basic and applied plant science;
- Graduates will be able to take the national examination to obtain the qualification to practice as a biologist and consequently register in the Italian National Order of Biologists (Ordine Nazionale dei Biologi, section A). They will be able to access PhD positions, specialization schools and other Master's courses.
Job opportunities:
- Universities and research institutions;
- Public and private research laboratories.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Students admitted to the Plant Science Master's degree will receive a contribution to support higher costs arising from their stay at UGA. The level of each contribution will relate to the ISEE declared by the relevant student.
For assistance, please contact:
International Mobility Office
Via Santa Sofia 9 (second floor)
Tel. 02 503 13501-12589-13495-13502
Contacts: InformaStudenti; [email protected]
Student Desk booking through InformaStudenti
- 66 ECTS in biological areas (SSD bio), of which at least 6 in BIO/01 Botanica generale (General Botany), BIO/02 Botanica sistematica (Systematic Botany), BIO/04 Fisiologia Vegetale (Plant Physiology), BIO/05 Zoologia (Zoology), BIO/06 Anatomia comparata e citologia (Comparative Anatomy and Cytology) (at least 12), BIO/07 Ecologia (Ecology), BIO/09 Fisiologia (Physiology), BIO/10 Biochimica (Biochemistry), BIO/11 Biologia Molecolare (Molecular Biology), BIO/18 Genetica (Genetics), BIO/19 Microbiologia Generale (General Microbiology).
- 12 ECTS in FIS/01 - FIS/08 Fisica (Physics), INF/01 - Informatica (Informatics), ING-INF/05 - Sistemi di elaborazionedelle informazioni (Information processing systems), MAT/01-MAT/09 Mathematics.
- 12 CFU in CHIM/01 - Chimica analitica (Analytical Chemistry), CHIM/02 - Chimica fisica (Physical Chemistry), CHIM/03 - Chimica generale e inorganica (General and Inorganic Chemistry), CHIM/06 - Chimica organica (Organic chemistry).
Other students graduating in the same class L-13, who have not followed a course of study in line with the CBUI indications or in class 12 Biological Sciences (ex DM 509/99), or in other classes, may be admitted provided they have an adequate number of ECTS, not less than 90 ECTS, in the disciplinary sectors (SSD) indicated above.
For students graduating in class L-25, i.e. agricultural and forestry science and technology (Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie e Forestali) and related classes, ECTS acquired in the following disciplinary sectors will also be considered for admission purposes: AGR/02 Agronomia e Coltivazioni erbacee (Agronomy and field crops), AGR/03 Arboricoltura generale e coltivazioni arboree (Arboriculture and Fruitculture), AGR/07 - Genetica agraria (Agricultural genetics), AGR/12 Patologia vegetale (Plant pathology), AGR/13 - Chimica agraria (Agricultural chemistry), AGR/16 microbiologia agraria (Agricultural Microbiology), AGR/17 Zootecnica Generale e Miglioramento Genetico (Livestock systems, animal breeding and genetics), VET/01 Anatomia degli Animali Domestici (Veterinary anatomy), VET/02 Fisiologia Veterinaria (Veterinary physiology).
Proficiency in English at a B2 level or higher, under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), is required for admission. The B2 level requirement will be assessed as follows:
- Language certificate at or above B2, obtained no more than three years earlier. For the list of language certificates recognized by the University of Milan review: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/language-proficiency/placement-tests-and-english-courses/accepted-language-certificates). The certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application;
- English level achieved during a Bachelor's degree programme through the University Language Centre (SLAM) courses and tests. The test must have been passed within the last four years.
All those who fail to submit a valid certificate will be allowed to take the admission interview, but will only be admitted to the MSc Plant Science if their level of English proficiency is unequivocally good.
The adequate personal preparation of the candidates and their ability to communicate in English are decisive elements for the admission and will be verified during the admission interview.
Admission procedure:
The adequate knowledge of the fundamentals of biological disciplines will be verified through the evaluation of the bachelor study program and the direct assessment of the candidates scientific knowledge. The candidate's background knowledge in Biology will be verified through an interview with the Admission Committee, consisting of teaching members appointed by the Teaching Board. The interview will assess the candidate competence on topics related to Plant Science and will ascertain the candidate's knowledge of English.
The committee evaluates the candidate on a 100-point scale:
- up to 25 points will be given for the graduation grade; for undergraduates the average grade of the sustained teaching activities will be evaluated;
- up to 10 points for the curriculum (type of degree, extra-curriculum free courses, Erasmus experience, etc.);
- up to 65 points for the interview.
A minimum total score of 60 out of 100 points is required for admission.
For the Academic Year 2024-2025, interviews will take place on June 20th, 2024 at the Department of Biosciences, via Celoria 26, room B8. The call for applications for the academic year 2024-2025 will be published in March/April 2024 and will contain detailed instructions (https://www.unimi.it/en/education/plant-science). Students must present a valid ID document for identification purposes. Foreign applicants not resident in Italy who have achieved their bachelor's degree abroad will be evaluated on the basis of their CV and may be invited for an online interview.
It is advisable to check for any updates regarding exam dates and times on the website https://plantscience.cdl.unimi.it/en or by writing to the Master's programme email [email protected].
After admission, enrollment at both universities (UNIMI and UGA) is required, but tuition fees are due only at the University of Milan. Specific campus fees for the running of programme may be asked at UGA.
Places available: 10 + 3 reserved for non-EU citizens
Call for applications
Please refer to the call for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.
Application for admission: from 14/03/2024 to 12/06/2024
Admission test date and venue: 20/06/2024 - DIP. DI BIOSCIENZE, VIA CELORIA 26, room b8
Application for matriculation: from 30/10/2024 to 02/11/2024
Attachments and documents
Please note
The deadline for submitting the application for admission of non-EU students resident abroad has been extended to 30 May 2024.
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Evolutionary Biology of Plants | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/02 |
Introduction to Plant Development and Signal Transduction | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/01 |
Strategies in Experimental Biology | 12 | 120 | English | BIO/04 BIO/10 BIO/11 BIO/18 |
Optional | ||||
Chemistry and Cellular Biochemistry | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/10 |
Communication Tools and Scientific English | 6 | 48 | English | L-LIN/12 SPS/08 |
Entrepreneurship and Science and Scientific English | 6 | 48 | English | L-LIN/12 SECS-P/07 SECS-P/09 |
Molecular Genetics and Epigenetics of the Cell | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/18 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Plant Development | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/01 |
Plant Signal Transduction | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/04 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Epigenetics and Cell Differentiation | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/18 |
Evodevo in the Green Lineage | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/02 |
Functional Genomics | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/18 |
High-Throughput Biology | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/13 |
Molecular and Cellular Imaging | 6 | 48 | English | FIS/03 FIS/07 |
Molecular Bioinformatics | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/11 |
Patenting and Technology Transfer | 6 | 48 | English | IUS/10 IUS/14 |
Photobiology and Bioenergy | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/04 BIO/18 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Environmental Plant Biochemistry and Physiology | 6 | 56 | English | AGR/13 |
Plant-Environment Interactions | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/01 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Final Dissertation | 24 | 0 | English |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Basic Statistics and Experimental Design | 6 | 64 | English | AGR/02 SECS-S/02 |
Biostatistic, Bioinformatics and Modeling | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/13 |
Development of Crop Ideotypes | 6 | 56 | English | AGR/07 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Optional | ||||
Advanced Plant Cell Biotechnology | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/04 BIO/18 |
Molecular Plant Breeding and Genetics | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/18 |
Plant Ecology | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/02 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compulsory | ||||
Internship 1 | 12 | 0 | English | |
Laboratory Stage | 6 | 0 | English |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evodevo in the Green Lineage | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | BIO/02 |
Plant Ecology | 6 | 48 | English | Second semester | BIO/02 |
Plant-Environment Interactions | 6 | 48 | English | Second semester | BIO/01 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Advanced Plant Cell Biotechnology | 6 | 48 | English | Second semester | BIO/04 BIO/18 |
Chemistry and Cellular Biochemistry | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | BIO/10 |
Epigenetics and Cell Differentiation | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | BIO/18 |
Functional Genomics | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | BIO/18 |
Molecular Bioinformatics | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | BIO/11 |
Molecular Genetics and Epigenetics of the Cell | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | BIO/18 |
Molecular Plant Breeding and Genetics | 6 | 48 | English | Second semester | BIO/18 |
Photobiology and Bioenergy | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | BIO/04 BIO/18 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Biostatistic, Bioinformatics and Modeling | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | BIO/13 |
High-Throughput Biology | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | BIO/13 |
Patenting and Technology Transfer | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | IUS/10 IUS/14 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic Statistics and Experimental Design | 6 | 64 | English | First semester | AGR/02 SECS-S/02 |
Development of Crop Ideotypes | 6 | 56 | English | First semester | AGR/07 |
Environmental Plant Biochemistry and Physiology | 6 | 56 | English | Second semester | AGR/13 |
Molecular and Cellular Imaging | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | FIS/03 FIS/07 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Communication Tools and Scientific English | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | L-LIN/12 SPS/08 |
Entrepreneurship and Science and Scientific English | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | L-LIN/12 SECS-P/07 SECS-P/09 |
At UGA, information is available at the following website: https://master-biologie.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/majors/planta-international-plant-int-/planta-international-plant-int--298457.kjsp
- Matriculation and enrollment
https://www.unimi.it/en/node/91/ - Student administrative office
via Celoria, 18, 20133 Milan
https://www.unimi.it/en/node/359
+390250325032
https://www.unimi.it/en/node/360 - Plant Science master degree email
[email protected] - Academic Services Office
via Celoria, 26, 20133 Milan ground floor, C Building
https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML - International Students Office - Welcome Desk
via S. Sofia, 9/1, Milan
https://www.unimi.it/en/international/coming-abroad/international-students-office-welcome-desk - Representative for disability services and specific learning disabilities (appointed by the Academic Board):
Prof. Diletta Dolfini
[email protected] - Boards
Academic Board for Study Programmes in the Biology Sector: Head of Study Programme prof. Isabella Dalle Donne / University of Milan University Grenoble-Alpes Joint Board of Studies (JBS): prof. Luca Gianfranceschi (Unimi), dr. Camilla Betti (UNIMI), Monica Sinibaldi (UNIMI), prof. Christel Carles (UGA), prof. Gabrielle Tichtinsky (UGA), Philippe Moreira (UGA)
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