As far as concerns the specific educational aims of the master’s degree course, the goal is to train graduates who have acquired in-depth knowledge of the field of genomics - i.e., of the structure, function and evolution of the genomes of living organisms, including humans - and of proteomics, as an overall expression of the genes involved in regulating molecular and cell biological processes. Functional Genomics graduates will have advanced knowledge of the necessary mathematical and computer-based tools, with specific attention to bioinformatics applied to genomics and post-genomics, and they will acquire solid preparation in the use of the methods and instruments used to analyse genomes and proteomes. The course includes training in the following disciplines: genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics for the purpose of studying the structure, function and evolution of genomes, and the practical use of this knowledge.

Training and laboratory work are part of the course and will include the use of experimental methods, tools and instruments specifically for the analysis and manipulation of genomes, individual genes and proteins. The degree course will include external activities, such as training internships with companies, public administration facilities and laboratories within national and international scientific institutions and research bodies, with which the Department has close collaboration relationships. Specific attention is paid to the possibility to undergo training outside Italy, within the numerous possibilities for collaboration and also Erasmus exchange agreements.

The required thesis will involve basic or applied original and experimental research to demonstrate the student’s scientific and management autonomy and is an important part of the graduate’s training process. Graduates will be trained for professional and management functions as stated in current standards as requiring the skills of professional biologists in all specific areas of application, which, although within the activities envisaged for the three-year degree in class L-13, require the contribution of a person with a wide-ranging cultural background and high professional profile. Graduates will be able to continue their training at the next level through doctorate courses, specialisations, etc. both to enter the field of research and to boost their professional level of expertise.

BIOLOGIST
Role within a work context:

This professional figure has the ability to autonomously conduct basic and applied research work in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology, genomics, biomedicine, microbiology and biotechnology. Graduates from this class will also be able to take on managerial roles that involve full responsibility for projects, structures and staff.  

In particular, the biologist plans and manages laboratory experiment protocols in the sectors of molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, animal and vegetable organism genetics.
In this realm, graduates:
- design and create cellular and animal models to understand the molecular mechanisms at the base of illnesses;
- conduct and/or coordinate professional and project activities in the industry, healthcare, public administration sectors, in particular regarding biological, molecular genetic, immunochemical and microbiological test laboratories;
- draft funding applications to public and private institutions;
- summarise results in scientific publications;
- can manage or help manage molecular and cellular biology laboratories.

Biologists also organise scientific dissemination and technological transfer activities, in particular:
- they are communicators who spread scientific culture and the perception of the importance of science in human activities to the general public;
- can carry out promotion and development of scientific and technological innovation in the same environments;
- work in public and private institutions that deal with management in order to obtain research funding or for technological transfer, having a multi-disciplinary type of training;
- take part in promotion and development activities for technological and scientific innovation.


Job-associated skills:
In order to carry out their job, Biologists have acquired specific skills:

- preparation in genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics, cellular and molecular technologies and model systems for experiments;
- knowledge of mathematical and statistical instruments, with particular attention paid to bio-information technology applied to genomics and post-genomics;
- specific skills in the field of molecular oncology, immunotherapy, cellular biology and microscopy.

They will also have the necessary skills for:

- conducting practical experiments in basic research and applied research laboratories;
- using methods and instruments used to analyse genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes;
- using the experimental methods and specific instruments for the analysis and the handling of individual genes and proteins;
- analysing biological samples to identify pathogenic (infectious and infesting) pathogens for humans, animals and plants;
- carrying out biochemical, genetic, microbiological, histological and immunodiagnostic tests;
- organising and coordinating research in the laboratory;
- proposing and planning scientific development lines in the sector of competence;
- writing, presenting and discussing scientific projects and presentations in English;
- competing in an international environment and working in groups with colleagues with different skills.

employment possibilities:

To complete their professional training, and in addition to their theoretical curricular training, graduates in functional Genomics complete an experimental dissertation with research bodies or companies for a period of minimum 8 months.

After completing their degrees, graduates can - directly or depending on individual cases - access higher levels of training or professional qualification in a wide range of professional and employment areas, in particular:
- at universities and other public research institutes or bodies;
- at private research institutes or bodies;
- at National Health Service structures, hospitals, and specialised public and private laboratories.
- in pharmaceutical, chemical and biotechnological companies;
- public and private diagnostic research centres or laboratories;

On passing the state examination, it will be possible to be registered on the list of professional biologists section A, with the professional title of biologist, and for carrying out the codified activities.

They may also work in structures that provide scientific communication and dissemination services.

Master’s degree graduates that intend to become research coordinators must acquire higher levels of responsibility and autonomy through level three training, such as PhD qualifications.

Knowledge and understanding
Graduates will acquire knowledge of structural and comparative genomics, genetic mapping and complex and multi-factor genetics, in order to analyse micro-organism genomes and those of all vegetable and animal species, including humans. Graduates will learn quantitative genetics, genetic engineering, DNA sequencing and bio-information technology methods and will be able to learn and apply specific technologies in the context of basic and applied research projects.

Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding
Graduates will be able to apply their knowledge of molecular genetics, genomics and bio-information technology, in particular using complex technologies such as: genetic mapping via association studies and linkage, single gene identification and cloning, construction and use of expressive genomic libraries and genomic sequencing and analysis of organisms that are of basic and applied scientific interest in the healthcare, agronomic, industrial and environmental monitoring sectors.
Checking learning results attained is mainly through oral and written exams

Transcriptomics
Knowledge and understanding
Graduates will acquire knowledge of genomic expression intended as transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, both for individual genes and the entire genome; they will therefore be able to analyse said expression of individual genes and of the entire transcriptome by being able to expertly use RNA extraction and analysis methods and being able to understand and apply specific transcriptomic technologies, also using bio-information technology instruments.

Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding
Graduates will be able to apply their knowledge in the field of genomic transcriptomic expression using complex technologies such as:  Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR), quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), microarrays and massive RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Graduates will know how to apply technologies to produce and manage automatic genomic expression systems in basic, applied and translational research projects.
Checking learning results attained is mainly through oral and written exams.

Proteomics
Knowledge and understanding
Graduates will acquire knowledge of biochemistry and proteomics with particular attention to complex cellular process such as organelle biogenesis, vescicular trafficking in cells and nucleotide and lipid metabolism. Graduates will learn analytical methods used in biochemistry and proteomics to identify proteins and also the study of protein-protein interaction. They will be able to understand proteomic technologies and apply them in the context of basic and applied research projects.

Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding
Graduates will be able to apply their knowledge of biochemistry and proteomics, using techniques for the preparation and quantification of protein electrophoretic, chromatographic and mass spectrometry samples as well as bio-information technology instruments applied to proteomics.  Graduates will be able to racy out tests on proteomes in normal and pathological cells, use technologies for isolating proteins of biological, healthcare and industrial interest and use the knowledge at a biochemical and molecular level for the development of new pharmaceutical products.
Checking learning results attained is mainly through oral and written exams.

Translational Biology
Knowledge and understanding
Graduates will acquire knowledge about specific thematic areas, such as oncology, immunology and neurobiology, furthering single-subject arguments through the reading of scientific articles in the relevant sector of competence. In particular, graduates will have a full vision of molecular mechanisms at the base of tumour transformation and will learn the characteristics of tumour stem cells and the molecular mechanisms that regulate the main cellular functions.  Graduates will also learn specific experimental strategies and approaches using in molecular immunology for the development and engineering of monoclonal and recombinant antibodies and in oncology to identify therapeutic targets and the identification of anti-tumoral treatments. They will also be introduced to techniques adopted in medical molecular diagnostics for mainly clinical purposes.

Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding
Graduates will be able to apply their knowledge of oncology and molecular immunology, to use diagnostic techniques for blood tumour, infectious and genetic diseases and to use cellular culture techniques, which provide for the use of fluorescent and confocal microscopy and cytofluorometry. Graduates will be able to apply investigation strategies and techniques that they already learnt to particular problems, and also to understand and acquire the capacity to use highly specific techniques.
Checking learning results attained is mainly through oral and written exams

Interdisciplinary training for research
Knowledge and understanding
Graduates will learn to use the English language in the scientific and technological field in order will achieve expertise in the correct terminology and writing methods for scientific and project texts. Graduates will be able to read and understand scientific articles in the most renowned magazines of the relevant sector.
Further laboratory knowledge and skills for the job market can also be acquired while preparing the degree thesis, which will be strictly experimental. In this context, a large amount of laboratory work is foreseen, in university or non-university scientific structures in Italy and overseas, aimed at approaching and solving also new issues included in broader contexts compared to the ones offered by the degree course, such as the ones leading to professions in an industrial and production fields.
Capacity to apply knowledge and understanding
Attending research laboratories while preparing their experimental dissertations will allow graduates to acquire the skill to extend their knowledge to other fields of interest and process original ideas.
These laboratory activities aim to develop the ability to work in teams and organise and plan scientific investigations.
Graduates will be able to present scientific arguments in various forms, from oral presentation to written communication, and the drafting of scientific projects and articles.