Master's degree in Molecular and Medical Biotechnology University of Verona

Molecular and medical biotechnology has enormous potential for developing new solutions to improve human health. Through the understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of diseases, biotechnology plays an essential role in developing drugs, vaccines, therapies, and diagnostic tests.

The Master’s degree in Molecular and Medical Biotechnology aims to produce skilled researchers in the field of molecular and cellular biotechnology who are capable of performing biomedical analyses, research, and development using experimental and computational approaches. These skills are developed through the study of cellular and molecular biology, genomics and diagnostics, pathology and pharmacology, and computational biology.

The postgraduate program, which includes an integrated laboratory course based on a current topic in biomedical research, provides students with a solid technical background highlighting the impact of laboratory research on human health. The degree has a single curriculum, but its flexible approach enables students to tailor the program to their own needs and interests.

This program - which is completely taught in English, allowing you to earn a degree that will be recognized in Italy and abroad, - welcomes international students, combining knowledge and experience from various cultural backgrounds.

Graduates will be prepared to enter the workforce in either the public or private sector, or may choose to conduct their profession in consulting and design. Areas of possible employment include research and technological development for public bodies or in the industry (biotech, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, etc.); regulatory activities; the creation and management of biotechnology entities in the public and private sectors; performing directive, management, and advisory functions in the pharmacological and biomedical fields; technical and scientific communication and information handling.

Applicants are expected to have basic knowledge and understanding of biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Good knowledge of English (at least European B1 level) is also required.

Quality Assurance

The quality of a degree program is the extent to which it achieves its educational objectives and meets the quality requirements of the educational activities offered, which are determined in line with the needs and expectations of students and representatives of the world of work.

This program has adopted a teaching Quality Assurance system in line with the University’s quality assurance guidelines and based on the e ANVUR national quality assurance guidelines, by carrying out the following activities:

• periodic consultations with representatives of the world of work to assess the adequacy of the cultural and professional profiles offered in their courses;
• design of educational contents and planning of resources;
• organization of educational activities and teaching services;
• monitoring the effectiveness of teaching and planning measures to improve teaching and services;
• provision of complete and up-to-date information on its website, relating to the program (professional roles, expected learning outcomes, learning activities).

The above activities are scheduled and interrelated, based on the PDCA principles (Plan, Do, Check, Act).

In a Quality Assurance system, students play a fundamental role: each student can play their part by participating in the Quality Assurance groups of their degree program and in the Faculty-Student Joint Committees or, more simply, by taking part in the Student Survey on teaching, or questionnaires. It’s in this context that specific workshops for student representatives (‘Laboratori di rappresentanza attiva’) are periodically made available to students by the University and the University’s Quality Assurance Board.

Modules

Assessment Methods

For each module, training objectives, a program description, textbooks and teaching material required, and the relevant examination methods shall be determined in advance.

Priority Modules

There are no priority modules (‘propedeuticità’ in Italian), i.e. there is no specific order in which modules should be taken.

Elective Modules and Activities (Type D)

12 CFU are awarded upon completion of the activities chosen by the student (‘Type D’). These activities are to be chosen among the educational activities at the Master’s degree level provided by the University,or internships/professional traineeships.

When choosing ‘Type D’ modules and activities, students should be aware that only activities that are in line with their study plan will be approved.

The Teaching Committee shall undertake actions specifically aimed at enhancing the international outlook of its educational activities. This is also achieved by including study abroad initiatives as part of the teaching activities offered, as well as promoting the use of English at the University.

Additional Training Activities (Type F), Internships, Work Placement, etc.

Internships/professional traineeships must be agreed upon in advance, and then certified by the responsible lecturer or tutor, together with the evaluation of the educational objectives and the acquisition of the corresponding credits. The Teaching Committee promotes internships and traineeships in order to expand the range of educational activities available and to strengthen the link between higher education and the world of work. Such activities may be carried out during lab practicals or seminars under the supervision of a lecturer, or in companies recognized by the University of Verona, as well as in public organizations, and public or private research laboratories. For the recognition of credits acquired through internships, the general Teaching Regulations of the University shall apply.

Part-time Study

Students who, due to work, family, or health reasons, feel that they can devote only part of their time to study, may study on a part-time basis.

Please note: choosing to study on a part-time basis will not change the normal duration of the degree program for pension purposes. Graduation certificates for part-time students will include both the legal duration of the program – i.e. the standard duration of a degree program – and the agreed duration of the program as a ‘Parttime’ student. Students who choose to study on a part-time basis can benefit from special conditions concerning the duration of their chosen degree programme and the amount of the relevant tuition fees. Specifically, they will have the opportunity to earn their degree over a period of time that is twice the normal duration of the program, without being considered ‘fuori corso’ (i.e. attending beyond the normal duration of the program).