Code 6254 - Molecular and Computational Biology (activated from a.y. 2026/27)
The programme consists of two tracks: one focused on the biomolecular field and the other on the biocomputational field.
The educational pathway begins with courses that are common to all students, regardless of the track they intend to pursue. These shared courses provide training in fundamental and cross-disciplinary subjects such as structural molecular biology, human molecular evolution with elements of biostatistics, and functional and genomic genetics, introducing students from the outset to a practical approach through dry-lab activities. To complement this initial phase, students are required to choose at least one course from a list of optional courses, designed to fill any gaps in prior knowledge and to act as bridge courses toward the selected track.
The programme is then divided into two distinct tracks. The biomolecular track is aimed at deepening specific molecular knowledge, covering areas such as neurobiology, the biochemistry of cell signalling, plant molecular physiology, microbial genetics and molecular virology, as well as the control of gene expression. The bioinformatics track, on the other hand, focuses on the acquisition of computational skills applied to biology, with courses dedicated to programming methods (either introductory or based on machine-learning techniques, depending on prior knowledge), as well as courses on algorithms and data structures for computational biology, Big Data processing infrastructures, and advanced cellular imaging techniques with dynamic analysis through spectroscopy. Both tracks include hands-on laboratory experience, structured respectively as wet-lab activities for biological experimentation and dry-lab activities for computational analysis and modelling.
In the second year, students have the opportunity to further personalise their study plan by selecting optional and free-choice courses common to both tracks, focusing on cutting-edge topics in molecular biology and bioinformatics, in line with their individual academic interests. In addition, there is a team-working activity involving students from both tracks, aimed at designing experimental setups and ensuring effective cross-fertilisation between the two fields. This activity, based on problem-solving techniques, is conducted in Italian and assessed on a pass/fail basis.
The programme concludes with an internship occupying one semester of the second year. The internship is designed not only to provide advanced practical training but also to meet the requirements set by Italian regulations for qualification as a professional biologist. The programme ends with the preparation of an original scientific dissertation based on the internship activity and its final defence.
Code 6770 - Molecular and Cell Biology
The Second cycle degree programme in Molecular and Cell Biology is aimed at training professional Biologists with molecular and cellular competencies. Specifically, graduates in Molecular and Cell Biology are experts in professional activities and projects infields related to biological, biochemical and biomolecular subjects, with particular focus on understanding cellular and molecular phenomena and the related modifications, the dissemination of this knowledge and its application in industry, the tertiary sector and various fields of public administration. All learning activities are performed in English, and involve the acquisition of in-depth knowledge at molecular level of cells and living organisms, and the related methodologies, as well as the competencies required to perform research,development or analytical activities in molecular-cellular biological laboratories in various national and international contexts, also considering the requirements for entering the profession of Biologist in Italy.
In the first year of the programme, core course units are held in Physical Cell Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cellular Biology, Genetics, Bioinformatics, Animal and Plant Physiology, Microbiology. Lectures are integrated with single-station laboratory work. The second year includes some elective course units on frontier topics in the field of molecular and cellular biology, activities aiming at acquiring the transferable skills required for entering the job market an internship for the preparation of an experimental dissertation and the final examination, which consists in the dissertation discussion with the examination board.
