Master in Plant Science

The Plant Science Master's degree aims at training professionals with a solid and integrated cultural background in basic biology, appropriate for applications in different areas of biology, focusing mainly on plant science. The students will acquire a high level of scientific preparation and in-depth knowledge and skills, taking into consideration molecular and cellular aspects, without neglecting applicative goals such as plant breeding and the protection and preservation of natural plant species. Students will acquire high-level skills, which will enable them to use the latest technologies to study complex plant biological systems. The international character of the Master's programme, the knowledge of English and the international experience are all highly appreciated aspects that will certainly contribute to broadening the graduated student job opportunities beyond national borders.

Biologist and assimilated professions. The decision to offer a Master's degree entirely in English and the close collaboration with UGA, where students are required to take part of the courses, broadens the graduate's job prospects, enabling them to enter the labour markets at national and international level.

The Master's course in Plant Science provides in-depth, state-of-the-art knowledge on the molecular and cellular aspects of plants, whether they are model organisms or species of agricultural interest, and their interactions with the environment. The skills acquired in this Master's programme will enable the graduate to carry out functions of high responsibility in professional fields such as: - Basic and applied research activities in university laboratories, other public or private research institutions and in industry, with particular reference to plant organisms. - Research and development of scientific methodologies for the study of plant biology. - Functions of responsibility in public or private sectors in charge of environmental protection and management, in biology research laboratories, in biotechnology and food industries and in all professional fields where a multidisciplinary approach to plant biology is required. - Scientific dissemination and publishing activities. - Teaching activities: Graduates will be able to take the national examination to obtain the qualification to practice as a biologist and consequently register in the Italian National Order of Biologists (Ordine Nazionale dei Biologi, section A). They will be able to access PhD positions, specialization schools and other Master's courses. Job opportunities: - Universities and public and private research institutions. - Public and private laboratories for biological, microbiological, genetic, and quality control analyses. - Biotechnological, pharmaceutical, chemical and biorefinery industries. - Communication, scientific dissemination and information, scientific publishing. - Plant genetic improvement and seed production. - Agro-food sector. - Production of molecules of food, industrial and pharmaceutical interest in plant systems - Cooperation and development in international organizations.

Biotechnologist. Graduates in Plant Science will be able to take on functions of high responsibility in all professional fields in which an in-deep knowledge of plant biology is required, in particular those involving the use of plant biological systems and high competence in plant genetics and molecular biology techniques. - Graduates will be able to take the national examination to obtain the qualification to practice as a biologist and consequently register in the Italian National Order of Biologists (Ordine Nazionale dei Biologi, section A). They will be able to access PhD positions, specialization schools and other Master's courses. Job opportunities: - Universities and public and private research institutions; - Biotechnological, pharmaceutical, chemical and biorefinery industries; - Plant breeding and seed production companies; - Cooperation and development in international organizations.

Botanist. The graduated in Plant Science will be able to assume functions of high responsibility in all professional fields in which a comprehensive knowledge of plant organisms is required, from the molecular and cellular level to the organismic level, and the interactions between living organisms and the ecosystem. - Graduates will be able to take the national examination to obtain the qualification to practice as a biologist and consequently register in the Italian National Order of Biologists (Ordine Nazionale dei Biologi, section A). They will be able to access PhD positions, specialization schools and other Master's courses. Job opportunities: - Universities and public or private research institutions; - Biotechnological, pharmaceutical, chemical industries and bio-refineries; - Communication, dissemination and scientific information, scientific publishing; - Plant genetic improvement and seed production; - Agro-food sector; - Production of molecules of food, industrial and pharmaceutical interest in plant systems; - Cooperation and development in international organizations.

Researchers and technicians with a degree in life sciences. The Plant Science graduate will be able to take high responsibility functions in all professional fields where it is necessary to develop and conduct research projects on plant science concepts and theories. The graduated student will be able to: - Designing and carrying out experimental research projects aimed at expanding and innovating the scientific knowledge about plants, including applications in applied sectors; - Ensures the proper functioning of laboratories and scientific equipment; - Define and apply scientific protocols in laboratory experiments and research activities on both basic and applied plant science; - Graduates will be able to take the national examination to obtain the qualification to practice as a biologist and consequently register in the Italian National Order of Biologists (Ordine Nazionale dei Biologi, section A). They will be able to access PhD positions, specialization schools and other Master's courses. Job opportunities: - Universities and research institutions; - Public and private research laboratories.

The University of Milan is a public teaching and research university, which - with 8 faculties and 2 schools and a teaching staff of more than 2000 professors - is distinguished by its wide variety of disciplinary fields. A leading institute in Italy and Europe for scientific productivity, the University of Milan is the largest university in the region, with approximately 64,000 students; it is also an important resource for the socio-economic context of which it is a part. Milan is, in fact, the capital of Lombardy, one of the most dynamic and international regions in the European Union, a leader in the national economy that stands at the Italian forefront of research and development investments and commitment to technological innovation.

The University of Milan also possesses a remarkable artistic and cultural heritage that includes important historic buildings, inherited and acquired collections, archives, botanical gardens and the old Brera Observatory commissioned by Maria Teresa of Austria. The University’s departments are housed in important historic edifices in the center of Milan and in modern buildings in the area known as Città Studi (the City of Studies). Among the palazzos that house the University’s facilities are the old Ca' Granda (the big house) – a monumental complex from the 15th-century in the heart of the historical city centre - the 18th-century Palazzo Greppi designed by Giuseppe Piermarini – who built the Scala Theatre in Milan – and the 17th-century Sant’Alessandro College commissioned by the Arcimboldi family. The book collection , which is one of the richest in the region, is preserved in 47 libraries, while the APICE Centre collects rare and valuable book stocks and archives. The University also has a Choir and its own Orchestra, which actively contributes to the cultural life of the city and receives international acknowledgments on an increasingly frequent basis.