Biomedical Laboratory Techniques

The degree programme in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques forms healthcare professionals with in-depth knowledge of laboratory sciences and techniques, with duties attributed by decree of the Ministry of Health no. 745 of 26 September 1994 and amendments.

Biomedical Laboratory Technicians work autonomously in analytical and research laboratories, performing biomedical and biotechnological analyses, and in particular in biochemistry, microbiology, parasitology and virology, pharmaco-toxicology, immunology, clinical pathology, haematology, cytology and histopathology, immunohistopathology and molecular biology. These professional competencies are developed through a curriculum which includes a solid grounding in preparatory subjects (mathematics, physics, chemistry, statistics), biological subjects (biological chemistry, biology, molecular biology, genetics, cytology, human anatomy and physiology), and biomedical subjects (general pathology), which also help to hone the typical scientific analysis methods and methodological procedures.

This knowledge is integrated by solid knowledge of different methods used in various laboratory medicine fields (pathological anatomy, clinical biochemistry, clinical pathology, microbiology and virology, parasitology, haematology, immunology, immuno-haematology, genetics and molecular biology), as well as the learning of bio-computing methods for the purposes of organising and consulting clinical, health and scientific databases and case history archives. In order to work autonomously, graduates will also gain excellent knowledge of the operation and principles of use of laboratory instruments and understand laboratory organisation and management, including specific Italian and European legislation.

For this purpose, ample space is dedicated to learning the operating principles of analytical instruments and processes: the three-year study programme includes ample laboratory work and internship activities.

A specific feature of this degree programme is the possibility to carry out the internship, an essential element of the vocational training, in a wide range of facilities, based on the agreements signed by the university with important and prestigious healthcare and veterinary institutes. The wide range of internship opportunities allows graduates to broaden their cultural horizons and use of the acquired skills.

The progressive difficulty of the internships in different clinical departments runs hand in hand with the increasing level of complexity of the learning activities over the three-year programme.

1. Admission requirements and assessment

This study programme has restricted access. The number of places is set annually by MIUR at national level; an entrance exam is set in the methods and on the dates set in the call for applications for the Healthcare Professions, published annually on the School website.

Admission to the degree programme is subject to the possession of a five-year secondary school diploma or equivalent suitable qualification obtained abroad, or a four-year secondary school diploma and diploma for the relative supplementary year, or, where no longer active, admitted students will be assigned additional learning requirements.

Applicants shall also demonstrate the knowledge and competences defined annually by ministerial decree for the entrance exams to degree programmes with nationally restricted access.

The number of places, entrance exam date, contents and selection methods are published annually in the relative call for applications.

2. Assessment of basic knowledge

The knowledge and competence requirements for admission are deemed to be met by applicants who obtain the following scores in the entrance exam:

for students in the quota of Italian, EU and equivalent nationals: 20;

for students in the quota of non-EU citizens resident abroad, as laid down in the laws in force: 5.

The entrance exams will be held by 31 January of each year.

3. Additional learning requirements and assessment

Enrolled students who did not obtain the minimum score in the entrance exam will be assigned the following Additional Learning Requirements ("OFA"), which must be completed during the first year of the programme:

Basic Medical Knowledge.

The Additional Learning Requirements are deemed to have been passed when students pass the exam in: Biology and Biochemistry

Students not completing the requirements by the date set by the Academic Bodies and published on the University portal will be required to re-enrol to the first year of the programme as repeating students.

4. Exemption of assessment of basic knowledge

Only applicants having obtained the credits indicated in the following subject areas in previous studies will be exempted from sitting the entrance exam:

- Subject areas: BIO/13 - Applied Biology: 3 CFU

- Subject areas: BIO/10 - Biochemistry: 3 CFU

For students from the previous degree system under D.M. 509/99, exemption will be approved if they have passed at least one exam relating to the knowledge covered by the aforementioned subject areas.

Applicants to whom this clause refers should apply for exemption when submitting their application to the Student Administration Office.