Medicine and Surgery

The degree programme in Medicine and Surgery aims to train students to become competent doctors in all fundamental fields of medical science and, with the knowledge acquired in the programme, to be able to continue specialist studies in all medical and surgical fields, to exercise any of the roles foreseen by the health system regulations and to be in the best possible condition to apply lifelong learning techniques.The specific learning outcomes of the programme are coherent with both the general provisions of the Bologna Process and the specific provisions of EC Directive 2005/36/EC and the European Specifications in Medical Education drawn up by the Thematic Network on Medical Education in Europe (MEDINE), under the joint supervision of the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) and the Association of Medical Schools in Europe (AMSE) under the auspice of the European Commission. They are represented within the European Qualifications Framework (Dublin descriptors).The study programme is divided into three consecutive biennial programmes, as described below. In particular:1. The first biennial programme provides basic scientific knowledge starting with physics and chemistry, aiming to understand the structure and functions of the human body in both microscopic (single molecules and molecular structures) and macroscopic (tissue and organs) terms. It also provides knowledge of basic psychological processes, with particular attention to the role of inter-individual differences in the health field. The first biennial programme is completed with an understanding of general mechanisms of various pathologies and the body's defence system, laying the foundations for understanding gender differences.2. The second biennial programme begins with the acquisition of the basic tools for approaching a sick organism, covering mainly the pathology of organs and systems; the acquired knowledge is applied to the development of skills in the approach to sick patients during the clinical internship, which counts for approx. 25% of the whole study programme; the programme is completed by the study of pathological anatomy to develop knowledge of the alteration of organs and systems.3. The third biennial programme is strongly oriented to the development of a comprehensive clinical approach to the patient with attention to gender differences; as the study programme is aligned to the definition adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO), in which health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, it includes a large portion of internship (75% of the total study programme) dealing with clinical issues in obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, general medicine and surgery; to complete the programme, students will acquire specific skills in clinical areas with strong social and gender impacts, community medicine, ageing, medical oncology, psychiatry, clinical psychology, legal medicine, occupational health and medical surgical emergencies.The three biennial programmes generally run over twelve semesters. On a yearly basis, in compliance with the teaching regulation, the Degree Programme Board decides on the division of the various learning activities according to their preparatory nature and to the appropriateness of the various planned course units to the specific learning outcomes. The type and methods of assessment are laid down in the degree programme teaching regulation in compliance with the University Teaching Regulation; the various methods of assessment of the learning outcomes in line with the European Qualifications Framework (Dublin descriptors), are fully represented in the regulations.

Admission to the Single Cycle Degree/Combined Bachelor and Master in Medicine and Surgery requires a five year secondary school diploma or a foreign qualification recognised as suitable.Candidates must also possess the knowledge and skills defined each year by the Ministerial Decree setting out the rules for the entrance exam - which are published in the call for applications- as well as English language proficiency at minimum B2 level, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.The methods for verifying the knowledge required for admission are defined in the degree programme teaching regulations. If the assessment results are not positive, additional learning requirements will be specified and tested separately. The relevant testing method is also set out in the degree programme teaching regulations. Students who do not complete the additional learning requirements by the date established by the competent bodies and, in any case, by the end of the first year of the degree programme, will be unable to sit exams in the following years.