The master degree programme in Biodiversity and Biological Evolution is designed to equip graduates with specific, up-to-date training in the field of organismic biology, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of organisms that takes full account of their complex nature and evolutionary context.

The curriculum presents the central questions of animal and plant biodiversity and evolution through a particular focus on structural and functional adaptation, reproductive and development processes, behavioural aspects, interactions between organisms and the environment, and issues associated with evolutionary biology.

The course takes an integrated, comparative multidisciplinary approach and equips students with an in-depth understanding of the latest analytical, technical and instrumental methodologies, which vary depending on the specific focus selected for the experimental thesis.

The programme in Biodiversity and Biological Evolution provides graduates with an excellent command of scientific methodology and the ability to work autonomously, assume positions of responsibility and management, and offer indispensable support in all areas of work (scientific research, conservation and protection of organisms and the environment, environmental monitoring, publishing and diffusion of scientific knowledge) which require in-depth knowledge of the adaptations and biological phenomena of animal and plant organisms, and excellent training in the protection of biodiversity and the correct handling and use of living organisms. Graduates may enroll in the Register for the profession of Biologist, subject to passing the relative state exam.

Graduates will therefore be able to work in different areas and perform:

• functions of responsibility in public or private bodies responsible for environmental protection and management;
• consulting function in environmental impact surveys, in natural resource management projects;
• basic and applied research in private and public institutions, including universities;
• publishing and scientific dissemination activities;
• teaching: access to a teaching career in the school requires that an appropriate study plan is defined, consistent with the ministerial requirements.

Employment statistics (Almalaurea)

Open with entry requirements examination.

English language

Students are supposed to attain 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 – where courses are taught in English – 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.

Raccomanded