Plant biotechnology for food and global health

The PlantBiotech Master’s Degree Course aims to prepare graduates with in-depth knowledge of the scientific aspects inherent in biotechnologies aimed at the development and improvement of organisms of agricultural interest, the control of the quality and wholesomeness of raw materials and agri-food products and enhancement of nutritional and health value also through the study of natural organic substances contained in food products and agro-industrial waste, as well as their use as food ingredients and in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical preparations. In fact, the applications of advanced biotechnologies can improve plant production while maintaining the objective of environmental protection.

Today’s global economic context, in which our country also operates, requires the agro-food sector, and the biological sector more generally, not only to satisfy the growing demand and safety of foods and biomolecules, but also to produce them with a high qualitative standard in nutritional and health terms, in compliance with the principles of safety and traceability, starting from renewable resources and favouring biotechnological processes. Human health and well-being are therefore among the central themes of the present training process.

The articulation of the PlantBiotech Master’s Degree Course allows the achievement of the explicit objectives through a peculiar highly specialized training, pursuing the training of graduates who have the knowledge and the ability to analyze the various biological and agri-food systems to understand, conceive and develop solutions to problems of plant and animal production in a rational, innovative, and sustainable way. The demand of natural organic substances and bioactive molecules to replace synthetic products through biotechnologies or extraction processes deriving from agro-industrial waste also shifts the production paradigm towards agriculture as a supplier of products for industrial uses linked to both green chemistry and agro-industry, manufacturing, and energy sectors.

In detail, the Course will allow to:

•  apply the scientific method in the various contexts of investigation;
•  acquire the cultural, theoretical, and experimental bases of the multidisciplinary techniques that characterize biotechnological operations in the agro-food, industrial and pharmaceutical fields for the production of goods and services through the use of biological systems;
•  acquire adequate knowledge and tools for communication and the correct management of information;
•  acquire the ability to write scientific papers and technical-scientific reports, in Italian and English, and to work in groups with a high degree of autonomy and personality;
•  acquire the ability to conceive, plan and manage research projects in the field of agro-food biotechnology.

Ultimately, the Course has the main objective of completing and expanding the knowledge acquired in three-year degrees, in Italy mainly, but not exclusively, in the class of Biotechnology (L2), Agricultural and Forestry Sciences and Technologies (L25), of Agro-Food Sciences and Technologies (L26) and of Biological Sciences (L13) and in equivalent degrees obtained in foreign countries. Another objective of the Master’s Degree Course is to provide students with the opportunity to acquire manual skills and competence in scientific methodologies while carrying out the experimental thesis work.

Furthermore, all the teachings proposed are accompanied by a suitable number of practical exercises carried out in the laboratory and in the field.

The PlantBiotech Master’s Degree Course has entered numerous agreements/conventions for scientific collaboration with other research institutions and companies operating in the agricultural biotechnology sector, and in the agro-food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical research and production sectors, thus guaranteeing the possibility to make known research centers and productive world to students by way carrying out of educational visits, internships, and external theses.

PlantBiotech, that will be fully taught in English since 2023/24, will be characterized by an increment of its international profile, not only for the inclusion of foreign students, but also for the involvement of teachers from foreign universities and of modern and international teaching methods.

The PlantBiotech MSc course is structured into two academic years, that include the internship, other teaching activities (Lab work and scientific communication) and the compilation of a master’s thesis. The course provides highly specialized teaching activities; most teachings include an intense practical part.

For the complete list of exams, see this table.

To achieve the Master’s degree it is necessary to cmply 120 CFU (Crediti Formativi Universitari), passing 11 exams in the differnt disciplines. Two of the exams will be at the student’s choice among a list proposed by the CCS. In addition to the 11 curricular exams, there will be a 12th vote to be acquired as 12 CFUs of choice activities (AFS). The AFS can consist of further exams or other academic activities that could be offered in other masters of the DAFNE department or in other scientific departments of the university.

The internship, for a total of 6 CFU, is carried out in external farms or companies under specific agreements. The internship credits can also be achieved through specific events, local or accessed through international mobility programs, in the field of plant biotechnologies and previously approved by the course Council. The activity “Lab work and scientific communication” allows to acquire 6 CFU with general competences involving practical work in the lab and in the written and oral communication of scientific contents.

The final activity consists in the compilation and presentation of a thesis, originally elaborated by the student under the advice of a tutor (Relatore). The thesis, having a consistency of 24 CFU, is intended to be an experimental activity, including a bibliographic search and introduction of the topic. The thesis’ writing and presenting will be in English. The procedure to follow for the tutor’s choice and the other steps for the thesis’ presentation is published on the Student’s Guide. The thesis is presented to a commission composed of a minimum of five professors, members of the department. To achieve the master’s degree, the student must positively pass the final exam.

The final vote is expressed in a 110 basis; a “cum laude” declaration can be added in case of maximum score (110/110). The Commission will assign the vote according to:

• ponderate average of the exams’ votations, evaluated in 110 basis;
• special merits in the academic career of the student;
• completion of the studies within the two years;
• participation to the Erasmus mobility program;
• evaluation of the Relatore, of the Controrelatore, and of the Commission.

When enrolling into the course, students can opt between full time and part time.

The academic year is organized in semesters; there are no fixed propedeuticities in the exams.

In addition to the exercise and laboratory modules planned for each course, educational visits to institutions or enterprises operating in the field of agricultural biotechnology are organized. Internship is usually carried out in institutions or enterprises. A list of those already affiliated is available and this list is constantly updated. It is possible to perform the experimental thesis work either at university or at affiliated institutions or enterprises, as well as at laboratories abroad, affiliated through the ERASMUS program. The student may select other theoretical or practical modules specifically offered by the University as free-choice learning activities (AFS). The Master’s course also offers modules on “Lab safety”, “Scientific writing” or “Scientific Communication strategies” with contents aimed at providing basic technical knowledge, occupational safety, scientific communication, and soft skills.

PhD and Professional Master’s programmes (national or international) in the fields of biotechnology, biology, agri-food production or equivalent.

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Head of the Course

Prof. Daniel Savatin –  daniel.savatin@unitus.it –  +39 0761 357323

Contacts:

international@unitus.it