Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics

Esperimento di laboratorio
Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
Scheda del corso
A.A. 2025/2026
Laurea magistrale
LM-8 R - Biotecnologie industriali
Laurea magistrale
120
Crediti
Accesso
Libero con valutazione dei requisiti di accesso
2
Anni
Sede
Milano
Lingua
Inglese
The The Master's Degree in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (MB&B) is designed to prepare graduates with a robust and diverse cultural foundation in the key disciplines of industrial biotechnology. The program fosters the ability to excel in the inherently interdisciplinary field of modern biotechnology, equipping students to integrate knowledge and skills across various domains effectively. Graduates will be well-positioned to work independently, take on leadership roles in projects and facilities, and contribute to research, development, innovation, management, and quality control in both public and private sectors within the biotechnology industry and services. This program also lays a strong foundation for further academic pursuits, including Ph.D. programs.

The program is delivered in English, providing graduates with a competitive edge in the global job market. It emphasizes critical application of the scientific method to biological systems, offering:
- A comprehensive understanding of the physical, chemical, structural, molecular, and cellular aspects of biological systems.
- Expertise in advanced analytical and bioinformatics methodologies for the analysis and integration of genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics data.
- Skills to design, improve, and implement biotechnological processes, services, and applications with an interdisciplinary approach.
This curriculum integrates core chemical, biological, and technological disciplines relevant to industrial biotechnology.
Related and complementary activities allow students to specialize in areas such as microbial, animal, and plant biotechnology.

In the first year, students will gain a strong theoretical and practical foundation in biotechnology core disciplines. In the first and second years, students can also tailor their learning experience through elective courses as well as develop soft skills and language competencies, aligning with their professional and academic goals.
A significant portion of the second year is dedicated to an experimental thesis leading to a final dissertation. Students will work in cutting-edge research laboratories, either at the university or within national or international public or private facilities. This hands-on experience enables students to apply their knowledge, refine their scientific investigation skills, and master modern analytical and instrumental techniques. The thesis process also enhances their abilities to analyze, process, and present scientific data effectively.
The Master's degree in Molecular Biotechnology and Bioinformatics opens up diverse career opportunities in both public and private sectors. Graduates are prepared to work in research laboratories, biotechnology industry production facilities, and quality control laboratories, across various fields such as diagnostics, chemicals, and the agro-food industry. They will also be equipped to promote scientific development and technological innovation in R&D environments within the industrial sector.

Graduates will be able to assume high-level responsibilities, managing the ethical, technical, and legal aspects of their work within their areas of expertise. The MB&B program's comprehensive training across a wide range of biotechnological disciplines also serves as a solid foundation for further academic pursuits, such as Ph.D. programs or other advanced degrees.

MB&B graduates can pursue careers in industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food production, environmental biotechnology, and biotechnology services. They will also be qualified to work in genomics and proteomics research laboratories, whether in public or private institutions. Relevant professions include biologist, biochemist, biophysicist, and biotechnologist, among others.
The MB&B programme supports the international mobility of the University programme: MB&B lecturers (for the academic year 2025/2026, Prof. Veronica Gregis) act as tutors for students interested in the Erasmus+ programme, guiding them in choosing the most appropriate programme for their education. Every year in January, the Erasmus+ programme is presented to the MB&B students at a local event organized by the Erasmus+ coordinator of the Industrial Biotechnology Department (Prof. Veronica Gregis). Under the Erasmus+ programme, the MB&B MSc has agreements with universities in Germany, Spain, France, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands, all offering courses in English. Calls for participation in the Erasmus+ study programme can be found at the following link: https://www.unimi.it/en/international/study-abroad/studying-abroad-erasmus.
The time spent abroad can be used to attend courses and take the relevant exams, thus earning credits towards the Master's degree, and to carry out the experimental project of the dissertation. Students admitted to the mobility programme must submit a study plan detailing the training activities they intend to undertake and the corresponding credits. The number of credits should, as far as possible, correspond to the number of credits that the student should acquire in a similar period at the home university. The proposed activities must be consistent with the objectives and content of the Master's programme.
The MB&B Student Mobility Committee must approve the study plan and/or request changes or additions. The MB&B Student Mobility Committee must approve the study plan and/or request changes or additions. At the end of the mobility programme, according to the guidelines of the University of Milan, the courses attended by the student (with a passed exam) will be recorded in his/her transcript, preferably with the original name and with the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) and its conversion into CFU (usually 1 ECTS = 1 CFU). Students wishing to complete their dissertation abroad must have an internal supervisor (chosen from among the MB&B faculty) and the study plan must be approved by the MB&B Board.
Attendance at lectures is strongly recommended. The experimental project leading to the final dissertation is compulsory for the Master's degree.
Immatricolazione
Students with an Italian university degree:
The MB&B Master's degree is open to graduates of the Laurea Triennale of the L-2 class (Biotechnology) and the previous class 1 (Biotechnology). It is also open to students with a Laurea Triennale with a strong background (at least 60 University Credits (CFU)) in biotechnology-related subjects, including at least 36 CFU in biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics and microbiology; at least 10 CFU in mathematics, physics, computer science and statistics; at least 10 CFU in chemistry.

Students with a degree from a non-Italian institution:
Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college at the time of application and have a good knowledge in all the following areas: biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics and microbiology. Sufficient knowledge in the disciplines of mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, and statistics is also required. A commission, appointed by the Academic Board, is responsible for collegially analyzing the curriculum studiorum of applicants to verify that the minimum requirements for admission are met. If deemed necessary, the commission may integrate this documentary assessment with other forms of assessment, including interviews. The master's degree does not have a programmed number of students, with a maximum of 25 places reserved for non-EU students residing outside Italy.

In addition to the above curricular requirements, English language proficiency equivalent to or higher than level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required. The B2 level requirement is determined by the University Language Center (SLAM) at the time of admission as follows
- Language certificate at level B2 or higher, obtained no more than three years previously. For the list of language
certificates recognized by the University, please consult: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267). The certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application.
- Level of English acquired during a degree program at the University of Milan and certified by the University Language Center (SLAM) no more than four years before the date of the application for admission. In this case, the procedure is automatic, and the applicant does not need to attach any certificates to the application.
- Placement test administered by the University Language Center (SLAM) according to the calendar published on the website: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267

All those who do not submit a valid certificate or who do not meet the required level will be instructed to take the placement test during the admission process. Candidates who do not take or do not pass the placement test must obtain a language certificate recognized by the University (see: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322) and send it to the SLAM through the InformaStudenti service by the deadline set for the Master's course (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267).

Candidates who do not meet this requirement by the deadline will not be admitted to the Master's program and will not be able to take any further tests.

Eligibility assessment
The admissions process involves an evaluation of the applicant's curriculum studiorum by an admissions Committee, which consists of the program coordinator and one or more faculty members. Successful applicants will be notified of their eligibility and may proceed with enrollment in the Master's program.
For detailed information on the application process, please visit: https://www.unimi.it/en/study/bachelor-and-master-study/degree-programmeenrolment/enrolment-masters-programme/open-admission-master-programmes
The Admissions Committee may request an interview or other forms of evaluation to further assess the applicant's qualifications. For non-EU applicants who require a visa, the application deadline is April 30, 2025, due to the visa processing time and the limited number of available places, as stipulated by current regulations.

Ammissione

Domanda di ammissione: dal 22/01/2025 al 25/08/2025

Domanda di immatricolazione: dal 02/04/2025 al 15/01/2026


Allegati e documenti

Avviso di ammissione

Per approfondire:
Manifesto ed elenco insegnamenti
Primo semestre
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua SSD
Obbligatorio
Biotechnological products and processes 6 48 Inglese CHIM/06 CHIM/11
Functional genomics and bioinformatics 10 88 Inglese BIO/11 BIO/18
Methods in bioinformatics 6 48 Inglese INF/01
Molecular and cellular microbiology 6 48 Inglese BIO/18 BIO/19
Rational design and structural characterization of bioactive molecules 6 48 Inglese CHIM/02 CHIM/06
Secondo semestre
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua SSD
Obbligatorio
Advanced molecular and cellular biotechnology 10 80 Inglese BIO/06 BIO/11
Advanced plant cell biotechnology 6 48 Inglese BIO/04 BIO/18
Protein engineering and molecular enzymology 6 48 Inglese BIO/10
sarà attivato dall'A.A. 2026/2027
Attività conclusive
Per queste attività non è previsto un periodo di offerta (es. corsi online a frequenza libera).
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua SSD
Obbligatorio
Thesis project and final dissertation 37 0 Inglese
Primo semestre
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua SSD
Facoltativo
Bioimaging 6 56 Inglese FIS/03 FIS/07
Biotechnological and molecular strategies in the control of parasites and vector-borne pathogens 6 48 Inglese VET/06
Nanotechnology for biomedical applications and biosensors 6 48 Inglese CHIM/01 CHIM/06
Patenting and technology transfer 6 64 Inglese AGR/01 IUS/01 IUS/04
Structural bioinformatics 6 56 Inglese FIS/07
Secondo semestre
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua SSD
Facoltativo
Advanced bioinformatics for biotechnology 6 48 Inglese BIO/11 INF/01
Macromolecular structural biology 6 64 Inglese BIO/10
Molecular breeding and plant genetics 6 48 Inglese AGR/06 BIO/18
Attività a scelta e regole di composizione del piano didattico
1 - The student must choose at least two of the following courses
Attività formative Crediti massimi Ore totali Lingua Periodo SSD
Advanced bioinformatics for biotechnology 6 48 Inglese Secondo semestre BIO/11 INF/01
Bioimaging 6 56 Inglese Primo semestre FIS/03 FIS/07
Biotechnological and molecular strategies in the control of parasites and vector-borne pathogens 6 48 Inglese Primo semestre VET/06
Macromolecular structural biology 6 64 Inglese Secondo semestre BIO/10
Molecular breeding and plant genetics 6 48 Inglese Secondo semestre AGR/06 BIO/18
Nanotechnology for biomedical applications and biosensors 6 48 Inglese Primo semestre CHIM/01 CHIM/06
Patenting and technology transfer 6 64 Inglese Primo semestre AGR/01 IUS/01 IUS/04
Structural bioinformatics 6 56 Inglese Primo semestre FIS/07
2 - The student must acquire 12 CFU freely chosen by the student and 3 CFU focused on the development of soft skills, including language courses (Italian for foreigners or advanced English courses), additional computer skills or other skills useful for job placement, including attending seminars from invited experts and scientist. The courses can be chosen either from the list of MB&B electives or from any course offered by the University of Milan, including courses taught in Italian, if they are considered compatible with the objectives of the MB&B degree and are not a repetition of courses already offered in the program. Three credits can be acquired by extending the thesis project, upon presenting a motivated written request that must be approved by the MB&B Study Plan Committee.
There are no propaedeutic courses that limit progression from the first to the second year.
Altre informazioni
Sede
Milano
Sedi didattiche
Lecture rooms and laboratories are in the "Città Studi" campus, mostly in the University buildings of Via Celoria, 26 (Edifici Biologici); Via Celoria, 20 (Settore Didattico); Via Golgi, 19 (Edificio Golgi). The Department of Biosciences is the reference structure for all teaching activities related to the MB&B course.
Sedi laboratori
The MB&B course is characterized by an intense laboratory activity that is mainly carried out in the internship activity for the thesis.
Presidente del Collegio didattico
Tutor per l'orientamento
Tutor per la mobilità internazionale e l'Erasmus
Tutor per i piani di studio
Tutor per ammissioni lauree magistrali
Contatti

Le tasse universitarie per gli studenti iscritti ai corsi di laurea, di laurea magistrale e a ciclo unico sono suddivise in due rate con modalità di calcolo e tempi di pagamento diversi:

  • l'importo della prima rata è uguale per tutti
  • l'importo della seconda rata varia in base al valore ISEE Università, al Corso di laurea di iscrizione e alla posizione (in corso/fuori corso da un anno oppure fuori corso da più di un anno).
  • per i corsi on line è prevista una rata suppletiva.

Sono previste:

  • agevolazioni per gli studenti con elevati requisiti di merito
  • importi diversificati in base al Paese di provenienza per gli studenti internazionali con reddito e patrimonio all'estero
  • agevolazioni per gli studenti internazionali con status di rifugiato

Altre agevolazioni 

L’Ateneo fornisce agevolazioni economiche a favore dei propri studenti con requisiti particolari (merito, condizioni economiche o personali, studenti internazionali)

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