Degree course in Agricultural and environmental biotechnology

Course Name

AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

Course Code

LM34

Class (Ministerial code)

LM-7

Website

http://dsa3.unipg.it/en/aeb

Field(s) of study

Area 08 – Agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary

Qualification award

Master of Science Degree

Level of qualification according to the NQF and the EQF

EHEA Second cycle; EQF Level 7

Length of programme / number of credits

2 years / 120 ECTS

Language of Teaching

English

Mode of study

In-class

Didactic centre

Via Borgo XX Giugno, 74 - Perugia

Programme director

Prof. Daniele Rosellini

Access to the course

Open access with assessment of personal competencies

Available places

65

Specific admission requirements

Italian First cycle qualification (Laurea) or foreign equivalent (BSc) in the same or related subject area (Biotechnology, Agricultural Sciences, Biology), with possible extra work if required competences are lacking. Competence in the English language are required (level B2 of CEFR).

Evaluation of specific subject knowledge on entry

Verification of the possession of the curricular requirements with the methods indicated in the academic regulation of the course of study

Profile of the programme

The study plan includes class lectures, seminars, lab practice, field trips, traineeships at research institutions and industry. The student can customize the curriculum with elective activities and Erasmus stages. The graduates will acquire knowledge and skills in plant biology and development, agricultural chemistry, biometrical genetics, genomics, experimental methods, biotechnologies for crop production and protection, plant, animal and microbial genetic improvement, conservation of biodiversity, and bio-economics. They will be able to operate in research centres, laboratories, seed and nursery industries, educational institutions, and as professionals.

Programme learning outcomes

Graduates will master methodological and scientific aspects of biotechnologies as well as professional skills in the following fields: studying, conserving and using agricultural plant, animal and microbial genetic resources; characterizing food products by molecular techniques; selecting plants, animals and microorganisms to improve yield and quality of agricultural and agro-industrial products, and to obtain products for pharmaceutical, industrial, environmental, medical and veterinary applications; applying genetic transformation techniques in plants, animals and microorganisms; managing agro-ecosystems using of genetically characterized plants, animals and microorganisms; performing risk analysis for the presence of genetically modified organisms, performing quality control of seed and nursery plant propagation materials.

Qualification requirements and regulations

Admission to the final test for the achievement of the qualification will require that the student has acquired all the credits foreseen in the study plan for training activities other than the final test. The final test for the achievement of the qualification is public and consists of the presentation of a thesis work to a specifically nominated faculty committee. The final dissertation will be original and conducted under the supervision of a faculty member.

Examination regulations and grading scale

The assessment of student knowledge is normally based an oral or written exam; in some cases there are intermediate assessments during the course; other evaluation elements (seminars, reports, etc.) can be foreseen in specific course units and are described in the Course Unit Profiles. The grades for subject exams are measured in thirtieths (0-30 scale), the minimum grade is 18/30 and the maximum grade is 30/30. The maximum grade can be enhanced with “cum laude” (30 cum laude), in case of excellence. Grades are given by an exam commission of at least two teachers, whose President is the chair of the subject. The main exam sessions are held in January/February, June/July, September. Students may retake exams, if not passed. The University provides an ECTS Grading Table, which shows the actual distribution of grades for each degree programme. The final exam evaluation is expressed in one hundred and tenths (0-110 scale, minimum 66/110, maximum 110/110). The final grade of each candidate takes into account the average of the grades obtained in the subject exams, as well as the quality of the work performed in research or in the final thesis, that is discussed in public before a Faculty committee. “Cum laude” (110 cum laude) is added to the maximum grade and awarded for outstanding level if the committee is unanimous.

Obligatory or optional mobility windows

International mobility of students is possible and encouraged in the frame of the Erasmus+ programme, with more than 400 European University for the University of Perugia, and of 12 departmental bilateral agreements with foreign universities.

Work-based learning

Work-based learning will consist of a 150-200 hours (6-8 credits) of training at laboratories or companies, and has the objective of complementing the knowledge acquired in class lectures with an experience in a work, or research, environments where the student will gain technical and relational skills under the guidance of a tutor. The training will be carried out at partner labs or companies in Italy, or abroad through the Erasmus Traineeship programme. At the end of the training the student will present a written report that will be discussed with a designated university tutor for approval.

Occupational profiles of graduates

The graduates will be able to operate in counselling, research and project management, in public and private research centres, laboratories, seed and nursery industries, educational institutions (schools, universities) in the following fields: environmental protection and conservation; production of substances of agricultural, industrial and pharmaceutical interest from plants, animals and microbes; plant and animal breeding, both conventional, biotech or molecularly assisted; risk assessment and environmental monitoring of genetically modified organisms; quality certification of plant, animal and industrial transformation products. In Italy, the graduate will have the chance to operate as a professional: Biotechnologist (2.3.1.1.4) or Agronomist (2.3.1.3.0) after admission to the respective official register of professionals.

Free-choice training activities