The Master’s Degree Programme in Pharmaceutical and Industrial Biotechnology aims to train biotechnologists with advanced expertise in the pharmaceutical and industrial fields, equipped with high-level technological and experimental knowledge and skills. Graduates are prepared to design, conduct, and manage research and development activities in biotechnologies applied to the healthcare sector, with particular focus on the design, characterization, and formulation of innovative and biotechnological drugs.
The programme provides students with the preparation needed to coordinate development and monitoring activities related to biotechnologies applied to human health, especially concerning the development of pharmacological products and vaccines. This includes not only scientific and healthcare aspects but also administrative and managerial dimensions, thanks to the economic and legal competencies acquired during the course of study.
At the same time, this new interclass Master’s Degree also trains graduates capable of carrying out professional activities in research and in the production of goods and services across various sectors of industrial biotechnology, in areas connected to chemical, biochemical, genetic, and microbiological disciplines, applying the experimental scientific method as the foundational approach to biotechnological sciences.
The curriculum is structured around groups of scientific-disciplinary sectors covering basic biotechnological disciplines, pharmaceutical biotechnology, applied biotechnological skills, biomolecular sciences, and chemical‑industrial knowledge. Across all these areas, the programme consists of compulsory courses, theoretical or theoretical‑practical, through which students:
deepen their understanding of the genetic and biochemical aspects of cellular systems;
study the structure, functions, and interactions of biological macromolecules, as well as the organization of related cellular processes;
examine the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying pathological processes, including those resulting from interactions with viruses and microorganisms;
use key methodologies in molecular and cellular biotechnology for the design and production of biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, and diagnostics;
apply chemical and computational methods to identify active molecules targeting therapeutically relevant molecular structures, and employ specific technologies related to molecular modelling, drug design, and formulation of innovative pharmaceuticals;
advance their skills in the analysis of biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, and diagnostics, particularly regarding chemical, biological, and pharmacotoxicological aspects;
use bioinformatic methodologies for the identification and construction of databases, with particular reference to genomics and proteomics, and for the acquisition and dissemination of scientific and technological information;
apply methodologies for the development of molecular nanostructures for the analysis, monitoring, and treatment of human diseases, as well as for the nano‑formulation of biotechnological drugs;
learn the fundamental aspects of operational processes following the industrial design of biotechnological products and the formulation of biopharmaceuticals;
acquire essential knowledge in economics, business organization, enterprise creation and management, innovation project management, and marketing of biotechnological pharmaceutical products;
gain familiarity with national and European Union regulations related to bioethics, intellectual property protection, and safety in the biotechnology sector.
Graduates in Pharmaceutical and Industrial Biotechnology also complete a training path that enables them to develop:
knowledge of the molecular and cellular bases of prokaryotic, eukaryotic, and viral biological systems;
bioinformatic skills for consulting genome and proteome databases;
understanding of the organization and expression of prokaryotic, eukaryotic, and viral genomes;
knowledge of microbiology applied to environmental and industrial biotechnologies;
understanding of structure–function relationships of biological macromolecules relevant to biotechnological applications, and of instrumental and methodological approaches for their characterization;
knowledge of chemical engineering and industrial biotechnological plants to transfer acquired biological and chemical knowledge to production scale;
expertise in enzymology, protein engineering, and biocatalysis for the use of natural or modified enzymes in industrial biotechnological applications.
Professional training activities include the acquisition of knowledge on the main intellectual property rights, as well as the procedures and forms of intellectual property protection, in order to safeguard the results of scientific research and their impact on the biotechnology enterprise within the regulatory framework for the economic valorization of intellectual property.
The programme concludes with an experimental internship that allows students to apply the theoretical and practical foundations acquired in a real operational context. This internship may be carried out in university laboratories, companies, and/or private or public institutions, both nationally and internationally.
The second cycle/two-year master's degree programme in Pharmaceutical and Industrial Biotechnology aims to train expert biotechnologists in the pharmaceutical and industrial fields with a high level of technological and experimental knowledge and skills, who can design, conduct and manage research and development activities in biotechnology applied to healthcare, with a specific focus on the design, characterisation and formulation of innovative and biotechnological drugs. The programme prepares students to coordinate the development and monitoring of biotechnologies in human health, with a particular focus on pharmaceuticals and vaccines. It also covers the administrative and management aspects, drawing on the economic and legal skills developed during the programme. At the same time, this new inter-class two-year master's degree trains graduates with a sound command of professional research and production activities in the various sectors of industrial biotechnology in areas related to chemistry, biochemistry, genetics and microbiology, applying the experimental scientific method as a foundational approach to biotechnology. The programme is organised into subject area groups covering core biotechnology, pharmaceutical biotechnology, applied skills, biomolecular sciences and industrial chemistry. In all these areas, the programme includes compulsory attendance courses combining theory and practice, where students: - deepen their understanding of the genetic and biochemical aspects of cellular systems; - deepen their understanding of the structure, functions, and interactions of biological macromolecules, as well as the organisation of related cellular processes; - study the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying pathological processes, including those arising from interaction with viruses and microorganisms; - use the main molecular and cellular biotechnology methods to design and produce biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, and diagnostics; use chemical and computational approaches to identify molecules active against therapeutically relevant molecular targets, drawing on specific technologies in molecular modelling, drug design, and innovative drug formulation; - conduct in-depth analysis of biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, and diagnostics, with a focus on their chemical, biological, and pharmaco-toxicological properties; - apply bioinformatic methods to identify and build databases, with particular reference to genomics and proteomics, and to retrieve and disseminate scientific and technological information; - apply molecular nanostructure development methods for the analysis, monitoring, and treatment of human diseases, and for the nano-formulation of biotechnological drugs; - gain a thorough grounding in the operational processes that follow the industrial design of biotechnological products and the formulation of biopharmaceuticals; - build foundational knowledge of economics, and of the organisation, creation, and management of companies, innovation project management, and the marketing of biotechnological pharmaceutical products; - have command of national and European Union regulations on bioethics, the protection of inventions, and safety in the biotechnological sector. Graduates in Pharmaceutical and Industrial Biotechnology also complete a programme that allows them to develop: - knowledge of the molecular and cellular bases of prokaryotic, eukaryotic, and viral biological systems; - bioinformatic knowledge for consulting genomic and proteomic databases; - knowledge of the organisation and expression patterns of prokaryotic, eukaryotic, and viral genomes; - knowledge of microbiology applied to environmental and industrial biotechnologies; - knowledge of the structure–function relationships of biological macromolecules relevant to biotechnological purposes, and of the instrumental and methodological approaches for their characterisation; - knowledge of chemical engineering and industrial biotechnological plant operations, with a view to scaling up the biological and chemical knowledge acquired to production level; - knowledge of enzymology, protein engineering, and biocatalysis, with a view to deploying natural or modified enzymes in industrial settings for biotechnological applications. Professional training activities include acquiring knowledge of the main intellectual property rights, the procedures for obtaining them, and the forms of intellectual property protection available, in order to safeguard the results of scientific research and their economic implications for the biotechnological enterprise, within the regulatory framework for the commercialisation of intellectual property. The programme is completed by a research internship that enables students to situate the theoretical and practical foundations they have acquired within a real operational environment. This placement may be carried out at university laboratories, companies, and/or private and public bodies, both national and international.
Knowledge and understanding. Master's graduates in Pharmaceutical and Industrial Biotechnology have in-depth, integrated knowledge of the biotechnological field, covering both molecular and pharmaceutical aspects and industrial and production processes. In particular, they are able to: - understand the genetic, biochemical, and molecular foundations of cellular systems; - analyse the structure, functions, and interactions of biological macromolecules; - study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of diseases, including those involving viruses and microorganisms; - apply molecular, cellular, and industrial biotechnology methodologies to design and produce biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, and diagnostics; - apply chemical and computational technologies to identify and develop innovative drugs; - understand and develop biochemical engineering processes, biotechnological plants and biocatalysis; - apply knowledge of bioinformatics, genomics, and proteomics to build and manage databases; - develop and deploy biosensors, nanobiotechnologies, and nanoformulations in therapeutic and diagnostic contexts; - understand the principles of economics and innovation management, intellectual property, marketing, and regulatory matters (including bioethics) in the industrial and pharmaceutical biotechnology context. Knowledge is acquired through lectures, practical sessions, individual laboratory work, and critical study of scientific literature. Assessment takes the form of written tests, oral examinations, and seminar presentations.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. Graduates will be able to: - design, develop, and evaluate biopharmaceuticals and innovative biotechnological products, from the research phase through to industrial production; - conduct genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses to identify new therapeutic targets; - use advanced computational techniques for molecular modelling and drug design; - apply protein and nucleic acid purification and analysis methods; - use genetic engineering and industrial microbiology systems to produce biological active substances; - develop biosensors, nanomaterials, and drug delivery vectors;- work in corporate and industrial settings, with skills in project management, production processes, and marketing; - address regulatory, ethical, and patent-related challenges in the biotechnological field. Applied skills are developed through individual-bench laboratory sessions, project work, seminars, and case studies. Assessment involves technical reports, presentations, and discussion of experimental findings.
Autonomy in making judgements. Master’s graduates in Pharmaceutical and Industrial Biotechnology are able to: - work autonomously on advanced biotechnological projects, executing experimental protocols and production processes, critically collecting and evaluating results, and taking on responsibility for leading projects and managing facilities; - interpret sources, experimental data, and scientific literature; - form independent judgements on the applicability and commercial potential of theoretical knowledge. Students develop and strengthen their autonomy in making judgements by: - reading scientific articles and specialist reports on specific topics; - working on an independent research project designed to develop students’ independent judgement and leading to the dissertation; carrying out hands-on project work such as an internship or placement at one of the accredited laboratories, institutions, or companies, and culminating in an independently written dissertation with bibliography. Students' autonomy in making judgements is assessed through coursework examinations, seminar activities, and the final examination. Seminar activities may include group presentations to the class on a given scientific topic. These give students the opportunity to research, analyse, and synthesise scientific information individually and collaboratively and to present their findings clearly and rigorously, progressively sharpening their critical thinking, independent judgement, and ability to engage in reasoned discussion with peers.
Communication skills. Master's graduates in Pharmaceutical and Industrial Biotechnology: - have the interpersonal and communication skills required to operate effectively in national and international professional contexts, in both written and spoken Italian and English; - can present experimental findings and produce technical and scientific reports in both languages, addressing specialist and non-specialist audiences alike, to a standard suitable for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Throughout the programme, students' communication skills are developed and assessed through seminar activities, written reports in coursework examinations, and the final examination, which is delivered orally. English language skills are developed and assessed throughout the programme, which uses English as its medium of instruction.
Learning skills. Master's graduates in Pharmaceutical and Industrial Biotechnology: - are able to explore complex topics within their field in depth, including through continuous professional development via consultation and critical study of scientific literature; - have the teamwork and communication skills required for effective collaborative work; - are able to develop and advance innovative techniques in the field of biotechnology; - are able to work independently and to pursue further study autonomously; - meet the entry requirements for advanced training programmes (second-level master's degrees, PhD programmes, and specialisation schools). The development of these skills will be supported in particular by dissertation and internship work carried out in Italy or abroad, which involves monthly reports submitted in writing and/or through multimedia tools. Students' learning skills are assessed through coursework examinations — held in both written and oral form — discussion of laboratory activity reports, and evaluation of their grasp of specialist topics during the internship and dissertation preparation period.
