Cognitive Sciences and Decisional Processes (SCO)

Il sistema nervoso
Cognitive Sciences and Decisional Processes (SCO)
Course sheet
A.Y. 2024/2025
Master programme
LM-55 - Cognitive sciences
Master programme
120
ECTS
Access
Limited enrolment with admission test
2
Years
Course location
Milano
Language
Italian
International title
Double Degree
In line with the goals envisaged by its degree class (LM-55 Cognitive Sciences), the Master's degree programme in Cognitive Sciences and Decisional Processes aims to provide students with cutting-edge multidisciplinary expertise in cognitive sciences, by also covering psychological, philosophical, neuroscientific, methodological and technological aspects. Notably, students will acquire theoretical and practical knowledge enabling them to fully understand cognitive processes and to analyse and manage individual and group decision-making processes in complex contexts. The study plan includes a set of core activities that cover the basics of cognitive sciences, plus other courses focusing on more specific aspects, such as decision-making mechanisms in healthcare and neurocognitive aspects of decision making. In view of the growing connection between cognitive sciences and technology, the programme also has courses that explore how new technologies are being integrated into state-of-the-art systems to support human decision-making, human-machine interaction and the analysis of health data, which are now more numerous and complex than ever.
Experts in cognitive sciences and decision making
Job function
Graduates in Cognitive Sciences and Decisional Processes will be equipped to work as experts in the following areas: quality and safety management of production processes; business decision analysis (with a focus on the healthcare sector); clinical risk analysis; planning and implementation of basic and applied research projects that require expertise in cognitive sciences (project management); corporate training; management of interdisciplinary teams; analysis of cognitive and organisational processes leading to errors or organisational dysfunctions.

Professional skills
Graduates in Cognitive Sciences and Decisional Processes will be able to analyse and plan interventions aimed at improving the quality and appropriateness of decisions and reduce the risk of error. Thanks to the interdisciplinary nature of the programme, which combines the study of neuroscience and applied cognitive sciences, graduates will be able to apply their knowledge in various fields, including the analysis and management of cognitive, emotional and creative processes, the analysis of human-machine interaction, the design of learning pathways based on the use of advanced technological tools, the management of organised systems and the study of complex environments.
Moreover, they will be equipped with operational tools to manage clinical risk and to implement business process improvement strategies aimed at reducing the risk of error, boosting organisational resilience, tackling the complexity of healthcare data while using them in full compliance with ethical standards, and utilizing technology as a tool to support health-behaviour decision-making processes.

Employment opportunities
Graduates in Cognitive Sciences and Decisional Processes can work as freelance professionals and consultants for public or private entities, notably:
- research centres;
- companies;
- hospitals;
- public administrations;
- training centres.
Graduates will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to pursue further studies, for example PhD programmes. Starting from the study of intelligent systems (either natural or artificial), they will be able to apply their knowledge of cognitive sciences by using simulation, observation and experimental methods to verify scientific hypotheses.
The programme will also provide graduates with the skills needed to carry out research on the analysis and development of systems that mimic human cognitive processes, as well as on the design of interfaces and ergonomic systems.
The programme trains graduates for the following professions (codes in brackets refer to the classification of occupations by ISTAT, the Italian National Institute of Statistics):
- human resources specialists (2.5.1.3.1)
- specialists in public relations and corporate identity and related professions (2.5.1.6.0)
- experts in the planning of curricular and learning pathways (2.6.5.3.2)

Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
The Degree in Cognitive Science and Decision Making Processes has always developed a big interest in internationalization, defining exchange programs with various European universities. At present, active exchange programs involve University of Porto, Paris (Università Paris VI, Istitute Jean Nicod - Ecole Normale Supérieure and master in cognitive science COGMASTER)and Maastricht. Thanks to the Erasmus Program, students can attend courses, internship, exams, and sometimes the elaboration of the thesis in different cultural context compared with the Italian one.
Students of the Degree in Cognitive Science and Decision Making Processes can plan their Erasmus during the first or the second year with a duration of 3, 6 and 9 month supported by a grant.
Foreseen training during the period of study must be approved by the responsible of the Erasmus program of each degree course. All the proposed activities (agreed with foreign university through learning agreement) are compatible with the foreseen study plan and enable to collect the required CFU.
Grades obtained by the student in the other European Countries are converted using the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) table. The recognition in career is 20 CFU for 3 months stay, 30 CFU for 6 month and 60 CFU for 9 month.

The Double Degree program
Besides the Erasmus exchange programs, the University of Milan has stipulated a Double Degree conjoint agreement with the University of Maastricht (The Netherlands) which involves the Master in Cognitive Science and Decision Making Processes (University of Milan) and the Master of Science in Psychology (University of Maastricht). Such a program offers to the students of the biennium the possibility to spend the first year at the University of Milan, acquiring knowledge and basic skills and then to specialize in their specific area of interest attending the second year by the partner (host) University. Once obtained the established academic requirements by both universities, students of the Double Degree receive both the Laurea Magistrale in Cognitive Science and Decision Making Processes and the graduate degree (usually Master of Science) from the partner institution.
La frequenza non è obbligatoria, ma fortemente consigliata per tutti i corsi di insegnamento.
Enrolment
The course is subject to an enrolment cap pursuant to Law no. 264/1999.
The number of available spots is set each year by the designated academic bodies, based on the resources (facilities, personnel, and equipment) available for the programme. Admission into the programme is based on an assessment intended to verify the student's baseline knowledge and educational background. The admission test consists of a written, multiple-choice exam intended to gauge the student's ability in terms of logical reasoning, reading comprehension (in Italian), logic, general biology, introductory statistics, and general psychology.
Detailed information on the bibliography and format of the admission test will appear on the Call for Applications, and be posted to:
https://sco.cdl.unimi.it/it/iscriversi.

Students who have obtained a degree in one of the following classes (and those who hold an equivalent degree from a foreign institution which has been deemed sufficient) are eligible to apply:
- L-2 Biotechnologies;
- L-5 Philosophy;
- L-20 Communication Sciences;
- L-24 Psychology Theory and Practice;
- L-SNT/1 Healthcare professions, nursing, and midwifery sciences;
- L-SNT/2 Rehabilitative Healthcare;
- L-SNT/3 Health Professions of Technical Sciences;
- L-SNT/4 Health Professions of Prevention Sciences;
- LMG-01 Law;
- LM-13 Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy;
- LM-41 Medicine and Surgery;
- LM-46 Dentistry and Prosthetics.

Students enrolled in one of these programmes with an expected graduation date prior to the deadline set each year by the Academic Senate will likewise be eligible to apply.

Students holding a degree in a different class (as well as those holding a foreign degree deemed equivalent) may also be considered for admission if they have earned at least 30 academic credits (30 CFU) from any combination of the following subject areas (SSD):
First group:
M/PSI-01, M/PSI-02, M/PSI-03, M/PSI-04, M/PSI-05, M/PSI-06, M/PSI-07, M/PSI-08;
Second group:
M/FIL-01, M/FIL-02, M/FIL-03, M/FIL-04, M/FIL-05;
Third group:
SPS/01; SPS/02; SPS/03; SPS/04; SPS/05; SPS/06; SPS/07; SPS/08; SPS/09; SPS/10; SPS/11; IUS/01; IUS/02; IUS/03; IUS/04; IUS/05; IUS/06; IUS/07; IUS/08; IUS/09; IUS/10; IUS/11; IUS/12; IUS/13; IUS/14; IUS/21; SECS-S/01; SECSS/02; SECS-S/03; SECS-S/04; SECS-S/05; SECS-S/06;
Fourth group:
INF/01; MAT/01; MAT/02; MAT/03; MAT/04; MAT/05; MAT/06; MAT/07; MAT/08; MAT/09;
Fifth group:
BIO/09; BIO/16; BIO/17; BIO/18; MED/01; MED/03; MED/09; MED/25; MED/26; MED/42; MED/45; MED/47; MED/48.

Likewise required is English-language proficiency at or above the B1 Level as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CFER).
Level B1 proficiency will be verified by the University of Milan Language Centre (SLAM) at the admissions stage in one of the following ways:
- a language certificate, obtained within three years prior to the date of submission, at a B1 level or higher (for the list of language certificates recognised by the University, please visit:
https://www.unimi.it/en/node/297/). Certificates must be uploaded during the admissions process;
- English-language proficiency acquired through a SLAM course completed during a Bachelor's degree programme. Certificates issued within the past four years are considered acceptable. The programme office will run an internal check in those cases - students are not required to submit their certificates;
- placement test, administered by SLAM: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/297/.
Those who have neither submitted a valid certificate, nor demonstrated a sufficient proficiency, will be required to take a language-proficiency test during the admissions process.
Should a student fail to take, or fail to pass, the language-proficiency test, they will be given until 31 December 2021 to complete and submit a recognised certificate to SLAM.
Should the student fail to complete the requirement by 31 December, they will not be permitted to enrol in the Master's degree programme, nor to sit any later test.

Likewise required is Italian-language proficiency at or above the B1 Level as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CFER).
Level B1 proficiency will be verified by the University of Milan Language Center (SLAM) at the admissions stage in one of the following ways:
- a language certificate, earned within three years prior to the date of submission, at a B1 level or higher (for the list of language certificates recognised by the University, please review:
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/competenze-linguistiche/test-e-corsi-di-italiano). Certificates must be uploaded during the admissions process;
- placement test, administered by SLAM: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/competenze-linguistiche/test-e-corsi-di-italiano.
Those who have neither submitted a valid certificate, nor demonstrated a sufficient proficiency, will be required to take a language-proficiency test during the admissions process.
Those who have earned the required academic credits, and demonstrated the requisite knowledge and ability, and with a high enough position on the national ranking (subject to the enrolment cap) will be admitted into the Master's degree programme. Any student who has not taken the admission test will not be permitted to enrol in the Master's degree programme, nor to sit any future tests.

Places available: 100 + 5 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 26/08/2024

Admission test date and venue: 03/09/2024 - da remoto

Application for matriculation: from 17/09/2024 to 23/09/2024

Read the Call


Attachments and documents

Ranking List extra ue

Programme description and courses list
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Anatomical-Physiological Bases of the Cognitive Processes 9 60 Italian BIO/09 MED/26
- Neurology3
- Physiology6
Cognitive Research Methodology 9 60 Italian M-PSI/01
Psychology of Decisions 9 60 Italian M-PSI/01
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Cognitive Psychology 9 60 Italian M-PSI/01
Ethical Issues of Decision-Making Processes in Biomedicine 6 40 Italian M-FIL/02
Intelligenza artificiale: fondamenti e metodi 9 60 Italian ING-INF/05
year
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Cellular and Molecular Basis of Cognition in Health and Diseases 12 80 English BIO/14
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Advanced Cognitive Psychology 6 40 English M-PSI/01
Neuroethics 6 40 English M-FIL/03
Neurotechnology and Innovation in Therapeutics 6 40 English BIO/14
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making for Health and Medicine 6 40 English INF/01
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Final Exam 18 0 Italian
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Music and Neuroscience: from Diagnosis to Cognitive Rehabilitation 3 20 Italian
Principles of Statistics for Cognitive Sciences 3 24 Italian
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Consolidation of Basic Biological Knowledge 3 20 Italian
Laboratorio didattico: valutazione dello stress lavoro-correlato in sanità: metodologie e interventi 3 20 Italian
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) 3 0 English
Study plan rules
1 - Il piano di studi prevede inoltre altre attività a scelta comuni a tutti i curricula, e precisamente:
- 9 CFU per un insegnamento da scegliersi tra quelli impartiti presso l'Ateneo (corsi di Laurea Triennali e Magistrali);
2 - Il piano di studi prevede inoltre altre attività a scelta comuni a tutti i curricula, e precisamente:
- 3 CFU per il conseguimento del livello B2 di inglese
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) 3 0 English Open sessions
3 - Il piano di studi prevede inoltre altre attività a scelta comuni a tutti i curricula, e precisamente:
- 3 CFU da conseguirsi attraverso attività di laboratorio organizzate dal CdS oppure attraverso tirocini o stage presso strutture esterne o interne all'Ateneo.
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Anatomical-Physiological Bases of the Cognitive Processes 9 60 Italian BIO/09 MED/26
- Neurology3
- Physiology6
Cognitive Research Methodology 9 60 Italian M-PSI/01
Psychology of Decisions 9 60 Italian M-PSI/01
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Cognitive Psychology 9 60 Italian M-PSI/01
Ethical Issues of Decision-Making Processes in Biomedicine 6 40 Italian M-FIL/02
Intelligenza artificiale: fondamenti e metodi 9 60 Italian ING-INF/05
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Clinical Risk Management and Its Implication in Legal and Insurance Field 9 60 Italian MED/42 MED/43 MED/45
- Forensic Medicine3
- General Clinic and Pediatric Nursing Science3
- General and Applied Hygiene3
Decision-Making Processes in Groups 6 40 Italian M-PSI/05
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Bioethics of Emerging Technologies in Healthcare 6 40 Italian M-FIL/02
Persuasive Technology and E-Health 6 40 Italian M-PSI/05
Use of Data in Medical Decisions 9 60 Italian MED/06 MED/08
- Oncology3
- Pathological anatomy6
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Final Exam 18 0 Italian
First semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Music and Neuroscience: from Diagnosis to Cognitive Rehabilitation 3 20 Italian
Principles of Statistics for Cognitive Sciences 3 24 Italian
Second semester
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Consolidation of Basic Biological Knowledge 3 20 Italian
Laboratorio didattico: valutazione dello stress lavoro-correlato in sanità: metodologie e interventi 3 20 Italian
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) 3 0 English
Study plan rules
1 - Il piano di studi prevede inoltre altre attività a scelta comuni a tutti i curricula, e precisamente:
- 9 CFU per un insegnamento da scegliersi tra quelli impartiti presso l'Ateneo (corsi di Laurea Triennali e Magistrali);
2 - Il piano di studi prevede inoltre altre attività a scelta comuni a tutti i curricula, e precisamente:
- 3 CFU per il conseguimento del livello B2 di inglese
Courses or activities ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) 3 0 English Open sessions
3 - Il piano di studi prevede inoltre altre attività a scelta comuni a tutti i curricula, e precisamente:
- 3 CFU da conseguirsi attraverso attività di laboratorio organizzate dal CdS oppure attraverso tirocini o stage presso strutture esterne o interne all'Ateneo.
Learn more
Location
Milano
Course locations
La maggior parte delle lezioni si tiene in Area Milano Centro prevalentemente nel Settore Didattico di Santa Sofia 9/1.
Head of study programme
Academic guidance tutor
Erasmus and international mobility tutor 
Study plan tutor
Dissertation tutor
University and programme transfer tutor
Credit recognition tutor
Quality Assurance Delegate
Contacts

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