Biological Sciences

Graduates in Biological Sciences must acquire up-to-date and balanced basic theoretical and practical knowledge in the fundamental sectors of biology, whether they graduate with a Bachelor’s degree or decide to continue their studies to Master’s level, obviously promoting access to the LM-6 Master's Degree courses. In particular, graduates in Biological Sciences must acquire:

• a basic knowledge of the mathematical, computer, physical and chemical disciplines necessary to study the various biological disciplines and methodologies of biological investigation
• adequate preparation in the various fields of biological sciences with particular reference to morphofunctional aspects; the biology of organisms and microorganisms at cellular and molecular level, and the mechanisms of inheritance; the phylogeny and taxonomy of plant and animal organisms and their interactions with the ecosystem; the mechanisms of pathogenesis
•  methodological knowledge in different areas of investigation
• operational skills relating to biological technologies applied in the morphofunctional, microbiological, biomolecular fields, both in research and analytical contexts
• the ability to apply scientific methods to biological investigation and be able to obtain and analyse experimental data independently, inserting this into specific scientific problems

To obtain the degree you must achieve 180 academic credits.

Graduates can be employed in technical, analysis and consulting activities at public or private facilities, in the context of:

• biological, immuno-pathological, biochemical and genetic analyzes in the medical, food, veterinary and environmental fields;
• biological analysis of water and other environmental matrices;
• study, classification and management of animals, plants and microorganisms;
• design and testing of plants relating to biological aspects;
• quality controls on materials and products of biological origin
• environmental impact studies, relating to biological aspects;
• projects for the conservation and recovery of the environment and biodiversity and for biological safety.
• freelancer (Junior Biologist - Section B of the Professional Register), after passing the qualification exam. The role is regulated by current national legislation implemented by the National Register of Biologists, which certifies the professional status of the Junior Biologist enrolled in the Professional Register of Biologists.

Furthermore, you will be able to continue your studies with a Master's Degree, subject to satisfying the admission requirements.

In this section you can find the Biological Sciences Courses and Progammes  and information on the Study Plan (organisation of lessons and educational activity; how to complete the Study Plan), the Didactic Regulations, (the set of rules on teaching that regulate the course), the Didactic System (the set of general rules that regulate the course) for your own cohort (generally related to the year of matriculation).

For more information on courses and programmes of previous years you can visit the page Course Archive.

From the Library Catalogue you can search by content or teacher, and find the textbooks recommended for preparation of exams.

You can find information on the lessons timetable in UPOPlanner

The course is open to all. However, your initial level of preparation is assessed by a compulsory placement test for all those wishing to register on the course. Failure to pass the test does not automatically exclude you from the course; equally, passing the test does not earn you any academic credits.

Any student who does not possess a suitable English language certificate must take the English Placement Test of Oxford University Press to determine their initial level of English language proficiency.

The test is designed to check your knowledge of the English language. Placement at level A1 or A2 means you will be obliged to attend an elementary course (20 hours) to prepare you for the more advanced English language course (50 hours).

The test does not substitute the Department’s English test, which must also be taken according to your own study plan and regulations of your degree programme.

Students who need to complete the practical laboratory activity of the Biological Sciences course, must have completed training in Health and Safety in the Workplace (MEDIUM RISK). This training must be completed before attending the first laboratory.

During the degree programme, it is possible to spend time abroad as part of the Erasmus project.

The degree is awarded on achievement of 180 academic credits including the final exam.

The Quality Assurance  Quality Assurance of teaching is linked to the University Quality Policies, and is implemented by monitoring and evaluation of courses with a view to continuous improvement. The Degree Course Council is the academic body that deals with decisions strictly linked to the course, such as study plans, credit recognition, degree procedures, degree sessions and teaching calendars.