The degree programme in Applied Biology in Nutritional Science trains professionals with advanced training in the following areas: biological applications in the field of nutrition; the interaction between food and environment; food resource hygiene and quality; control procedures; and food certification.

On the strength of the biological training that they receive in the field of nutrition, graduates are equipped to handle problems that arise as a result of rapid developments in the environmental, cultural, regulative and technological aspects of nutrition.

Through this training pathway, the degree programme aims to respond to a clear-cut new call for competences in the field of bio-nutrition which, while traditionally associated with the professional figure of the biologist, now continue to expand.

Graduates in Biology Applied to Nutrition Sciences can engage in:

• research activities in the field of bio-nutrition;
• research activities in the food industry and in specific sectors associated with the protection of public health;
• activities connected with food resource optimisation, conservation and safety processes;
• activities associated with control, accreditation and certification procedures for public and private facilities and laboratories, in compliance with European provisions;
• marketing in the relevant industry;
• managerial positions in public and private laboratories;
• freelance activities in related sectors (e.g. nutritional consultancy for the development of optimal diets for the community and the individual);
• managerial positions in the field of large-scale food distribution;
• the diffusion and publishing of knowledge in the field of bio-nutrition, for institutional operators or the general population.

Application and admission: Open with entry requirements examination and the evaluation of the candidates’ initial preparation. The verification process will take place through a written test and individual interviews.

English language

Students must have level B2 proficiency in English. Proficiency may be certified at the time of matriculation by submitting a certificate of level B2 language proficiency or better, or by sitting the SLAM (University Language Centre) Placement test during the first year of studies only, between September and December.

Students who do not pass the test must follow the SLAM language courses and obtain appropriate certification within the year the plan of study calls for a language exam.

Students enrolled on the Master's degree programme can benefit from a large number of ERASMUS+ opportunities under the agreements entered into with universities in the Netherlands, Norway, Ireland, Germany, the United Kingdom – where courses are taught in English – Belgium, France, Poland, Spain and Portugal (see http://www.dbs.unimi.it/ecm/home/erasmus/studenti-in-uscita/scienze-bio...).

During their period abroad, students can take courses and the relevant exams, or carry out research activities for their degree thesis.

Students admitted to the mobility programme must submit a study plan listing the educational activities to be carried out abroad, with the relevant CFU credits. The number of credits in the plan should approximately equal the number of credits that the student would achieve during the same period of time at the University of Milan.

The proposed activities, chosen from the range of options available at the host university, must be consistent with the degree programme's training project. The proposed plan must be submitted to the Departmental Academic Board for approval, through the teacher in charge. In the case of any gaps in fundamental courses, the Departmental Academic Board may ask the student to sit an interview on an agreed programme at the University of Milan, in addition to the exams taken at the host university. At the end of the mobility programme, in accordance with the University guidelines, the exams listed in the approved study plan and passed by the student will be recorded in the student career log, preferably with the original name of the course in the foreign university, and the relevant ECTS credits will be converted into CFU credits. 

Students doing an internship at the foreign university for the preparation of their thesis are required to follow the rules illustrated in the "Internship description" section.

Highly recommended