The degree programme provides students with the means of observing, describing and interpreting the natural systems of the Earth and universe, applying the scientific method to the physical realm and the biosphere. It aims to produce graduates capable of sampling, classifying, analysing, repairing and preserving physical and biotic components of natural, aquatic and land ecosystems in parks and nature reserves, and working as experts in science museums and education centres. One of the prime purposes of the degree programme is to train its graduates to become teachers of and educators in natural science via centres designed for the purpose: museums, parks, protected zones and nature reserves. The programme supplies the scientific and theoretical/practical basis that a naturalist needs within environmental milieus and in teaching in the broad sense. It also provides a methodological and scientific grounding for lifelong learning and the basic methods required for research into natural science. The training programme in the various subjects includes laboratory practicals and field work, with a focus on experimental methods and data processing. In relation to specific objectives, too, there is an obligatory curriculum internship to be done with a company or public office or at a laboratory. Study is also scheduled at other Italian universities, as well as in Europe or further afield, as part of international agreements.

To be accepted on this degree programme you need to have a five-year secondary school diploma or equivalent qualification obtained abroad, or a four-year secondary school diploma and diploma for the relative supplementary year, or, where no longer active (e.g. teaching high school), will be assigned additional learning credits.
You also need the following learning background: good general knowledge; ability to reason logically and understand verbal argument; knowledge of basic mathematics.
This is a restricted-access degree programme for which a ranking list will be formed according to the results of an access test which all students must sit. The procedure and criteria of the access test will be outlined in the Call for applications.
From the ranking list a pass-mark will be set allowing those above it onto the programme without any catch-up requirement. Those included in the intake but below that pass-mark will be set an additional learning requirement (known as an OFA). The OFA must be fulfilled during the first year of the programme and within the deadline set by the University.
Students who fail to pass the OFA by the deadline will enrol next a.y. to repeat the first year and in the course of that year will have to go through the OFA procedure again.
If a student has gained at least 12 credits in course units scheduled for the first-year study plan, the OFA will be deemed to be fulfilled.
Students who already have a degree or university diploma, or who enrol in the restricted-access degree programme by a switch from another Bologna University degree programme or transfer from another university, must nonetheless sit the admission test abiding by the rules previously outlined.
Foreign students may enrol in the degree programme up to the maximum number stipulated in the Call.