Production and Protection of Plants and Green Areas
Graduates in Production and Protection of Plants and Green Areas possess the knowledge and skills necessary to perform functions related to the planning and management of agricultural systems for food, arboricultural, and ornamental crops. They can take on roles aimed at improving productivity and protecting agricultural and ornamental crops by applying design, management, and operational expertise to balance profitability with environmental sustainability and product quality.
Within agri-food supply chains and sectors providing technical means for agriculture, graduates can oversee and support production processes and product commercialization. Their competencies also enable them to engage in: (i) research activities related to crop genetic improvement, agricultural experimentation, and the development of tools for plant production (fertilizers, plant protection products, agricultural machinery); (ii) advisory roles in selecting energy crops and managing agricultural waste for bioenergy production; (iii) planning and development of urban and peri-urban green spaces.
Graduates can contribute to the development of agricultural and ornamental enterprises by providing technical assistance services for plant production and protection in compliance with business procedures. Graduates in Production and Protection of Plants and Green Areas can register with the Order of Agronomists and Foresters after passing the state exam required for professional qualification.
The competencies associated with this professional profile, acquired through the core and related courses of the degree program, specifically include: production disciplines (agronomy, soil chemistry, biochemistry and physiology of cultivated plants, agricultural genetics, agricultural microbiology, herbaceous and tree crop cultivation, agricultural mechanization, and irrigation management) and protection disciplines (arthropod and fungal ecology, plant pathology, and agricultural entomology) focusing on food, arboricultural, and ornamental crops, and economic and environmental knowledge, essential for the sustainable management of agricultural enterprises and agroecosystems.
Graduates can work in various sectors, including:
- specialized agricultural companies producing cereals, fruit, vegetables, and flowers, in open fields or protected environments;
- companies involved in the distribution, marketing, and quality control of agri-food products;
- companies specializing in the design, maintenance, and management of urban and peri-urban green spaces;
- plant pathology diagnostics and consulting firms for plant, stored product, and environmental protection;
- companies producing and selling technical, chemical, and biological products for sustainable plant, stored product, and food protection;
- public institutions (Municipalities, Provinces, Regions, Reclamation Consortia, Parks, and Protected Areas);
- companies supplying agricultural machinery, structures, and equipment;
- agricultural consortia, producer associations, trade associations, and agricultural cooperatives;
- companies involved in the processing, marketing, and distribution of agri-food products;
- freelance work, either independently or within professional firms specializing in agricultural systems.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
To be admitted to the degree program, candidates must hold a five-year secondary school diploma or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad and recognized as valid. Additionally, they must have a solid foundation in basic scientific disciplines (mathematics, chemistry, physics, and biology) at a level equivalent to that provided by secondary education. Logical reasoning skills and proficiency in written and oral Italian are also required.
Knowledge and Personal Preparation Assessment
The degree program has open admission, but an entry assessment test is mandatory before enrollment. This non-selective test is designed to verify the initial preparation in basic scientific subjects (mathematics, chemistry, physics, and biology) and elementary logical reasoning skills at a level consistent with secondary education.
The test required for admission is the TOLC-AV, an online test administered by CISIA (Interuniversity Consortium for Integrated Access Systems - https://www.cisiaonline.it). Information about the test structure and topics can be found at the link https://www.cisiaonline.it/area-tematica-tolc-agraria-veterinaria/struttura-della-prova-e-syllabus/. The TOLC-AV can be taken at the University of Milan or at any other university that is part of the CISIA network. The test calendar, including available locations and dates, is published at this link. Registration procedures and deadlines are detailed in the admission notice available at this page.
Admission by Transfer or for Graduates
Students already enrolled in a degree program at the University of Milan or another university, as well as those who have already graduated, may be exempt from the entry test only if admitted to years beyond the first. To request exemption, candidates must submit a prior evaluation request through the online service indicated in the admission notice. Applicants must declare all completed exams, including subject areas, credits, and grades, and attach course syllabi. Further details on the procedure and deadlines are provided in the admission notice.
Additional Learning Requirements (OFA) and Remediation Methods: students who score 4 or lower in the Mathematics section of the TOLC-AV test will be assigned Additional Learning Requirements (OFA).
To help students fulfill these requirements, online support activities with tutors will be organized between October and December, followed by a final assessment test. If the test is not passed within the first year, the student will not be allowed to take second- and third-year exams until they have passed the Mathematics exam. More information is available at the link https://ppsv.cdl.unimi.it/it/studiare/le-matricole.
Call for applications
Please refer to the call for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.
Session: 1
Application for matriculation: from 15/07/2025 to 30/09/2025
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS - NOTICE
The call for applications is the only official document for admission to degree programmes. Please read it carefully. If you are reading this notice is because the call is available only in Italian as the programme is offered in Italian. Students wishing to enrol must be proficient in Italian.
Session: 2
The call for applications is being finalized
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| General and Systematic Botany | 10 | 88 | Italian | BIO/01 BIO/02 |
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Animal Biology | 5 | 48 | Italian | BIO/05 |
| General and Inorganic Chemistry | 6 | 60 | Italian | CHIM/03 |
| Mathematics | 6 | 72 | Italian | MAT/01 MAT/02 |
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Essentials of Economics | 6 | 48 | Italian | AGR/01 |
| Organic Chemistry | 6 | 56 | Italian | CHIM/06 |
| Physics | 6 | 60 | Italian | FIS/07 |
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| English Assessment B1 (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | English | NN |
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Fruit Tree Production | 8 | 84 | Italian | AGR/03 |
| General Agronomy | 14 | 132 | Italian | AGR/02 |
| - Agrometerologia ed Ecologia agraria | 8 | 72 | AGR/02 | |
| - Agronomia e Malerbologia | 6 | 60 | AGR/02 | |
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Computer Technology and Statistics Knowledge | 6 | 48 | Italian | NN |
| Plant Physiology and Biochemistry | 8 | 64 | Italian | AGR/13 |
| Soil Chemistry | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/13 |
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Agricultural Microbiology | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/16 |
| Field Crops | 8 | 80 | Italian | AGR/02 |
| Plant Genetics | 8 | 72 | Italian | AGR/07 |
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Stage | 10 | 0 | Italian | NN |
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Agricultural Entomology | 8 | 80 | Italian | AGR/11 |
| Applied Ecology of Arthropods and Fungi | 6 | 52 | Italian | AGR/11 AGR/12 |
| Plant Pathology | 8 | 72 | Italian | AGR/12 |
| Optional | ||||
| Floriculture and Turfgrasses | 6 | 52 | Italian | AGR/04 |
| Gis (Geographical Information System) for Rural Land | 4 | 56 | Italian | AGR/10 |
| Postharvest Physiology and Quality of Horticultural Commodities | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/03 |
| Survey, Map Drawing and Materials for Green Areas | 6 | 52 | Italian | AGR/10 |
| Urban Entomology and Parasitology | 6 | 52 | Italian | AGR/11 |
| Viticulture | 6 | 52 | Italian | AGR/03 |
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Agricultural Machines and Mechanization | 6 | 64 | Italian | AGR/09 |
| Elements of Hydraulics and Irrigation | 6 | 60 | Italian | AGR/08 |
| Optional | ||||
| Beekeeping | 4 | 40 | Italian | AGR/11 |
| Forest Ecology and Management | 4 | 44 | Italian | AGR/05 |
| Ornamental Arboriculture and Urban Forestry | 6 | 60 | Italian | AGR/03 |
| Plant Pathology Laboratory for Ornamental Plants | 6 | 60 | Italian | AGR/12 |
| Vegetables Production | 6 | 56 | Italian | AGR/04 |
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Final Exam | 6 | 0 | Italian | NN |
Such activities include participation in seminars, conferences, training courses, or other events organized by the University or other institutions, provided they are relevant to the student's academic path, typically up to a maximum of 4 credits. To have these activities recognized, students must seek prior approval from the Academic Board and consult their academic tutor.
According to Article 5, paragraph 7, of Ministerial Decree 270/2004, up to 48 credits (CFU) may be recognized from certified professional knowledge and skills and/or educational activities at the post-secondary level, subject to approval by the Academic Board of the degree program.
For further details, refer to the section "Course Structure - Study Plan Submission".
The Academic Board recommends the following elective courses, grouped into two specialized packages, as particularly suitable for students pursuing a degree in Production and Protection of Plants and Green Areas.
Package: Urban Green Defense and Ornamental Crop Protection
· Ornamental Arboriculture and Urban Green Spaces
· Plant Pathology Laboratory for Ornamental Greenery
· Urban Entomology and Urban Parasitology
Package: Design and Management of Green Areas
· Surveying, Drawing, and Materials for Green Areas
· Ornamental Arboriculture and Urban Green Spaces
· Floriculture and Turfgrass
Additionally, for both packages, faculty members organize a 10 ECTS Laboratory (internship).
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floriculture and Turfgrasses | 6 | 52 | Italian | First semester | AGR/04 |
| Gis (Geographical Information System) for Rural Land | 4 | 56 | Italian | First semester | AGR/10 |
| Postharvest Physiology and Quality of Horticultural Commodities | 6 | 56 | Italian | First semester | AGR/03 |
| Survey, Map Drawing and Materials for Green Areas | 6 | 52 | Italian | First semester | AGR/10 |
| Urban Entomology and Parasitology | 6 | 52 | Italian | First semester | AGR/11 |
| Viticulture | 6 | 52 | Italian | First semester | AGR/03 |
| Beekeeping | 4 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/11 |
| Forest Ecology and Management | 4 | 44 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/05 |
| Ornamental Arboriculture and Urban Forestry | 6 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/03 |
| Plant Pathology Laboratory for Ornamental Plants | 6 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/12 |
| Vegetables Production | 6 | 56 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/04 |
- Degree programme head
[email protected]
+390250316789 - Course management for the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences (Science and Technology area)
via Celoria 2 - Milano Città Studi
Contatto: https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML
+390250316511
Orario di apertura al pubblico: lunedì dalle 10 alle 12 e dalle 14 alle 16 - Student registrar
via Celoria 18 - Milano Città Studi
https://www.unimi.it/it/node/359
+390250325032
https://www.unimi.it/it/node/360
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).
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