MEDICINA VETERINARIA Degree Programme Profile
Basic Information
Qualification awarded
Master Degree in MEDICINA VETERINARIA
Qualification Type/Level
EHEA Single cycle; EQF Level 7
Number of Years/credits
5 years; 300 ECTS
Mode of Study
Full-Time/Part-Time*
*All Degree Programmes are planned and organised for full-time students. It is possible, however (without special arrangements), to proceed through the course of study at one's own pace. This makes it possible, if necessary, to accommodate employment or other non-university activities or obligations.
Name of the Course Director and other contact information
President of the Degree Course Council:
Prof. FRANCESCA BONELLI
Email francesca.bonelli@unipi.it
Department of DIPARTIMENTO DI SCIENZE VETERINARIE
Internationalization Coordinator (CAI):
Prof. Roberta Moruzzo
Email roberta.moruzzo@unipi.it
Language of Teaching
Italian
Admission Requirements
Formal Requirements
Certificate of completion of Italian upper secondary school or equivalent foreign qualification.
Possible assessment prior knowledge and competences
Obligatory selective/competitive entrance exam (numerus clausus).
Required knowledge and competences support programmes
Students who do not pass the entrance exam are required to take specific courses and/or complete extra reading to prepare for the programme.
General Information
Programme Profile
The Long Cycle Degree Programme meets the requirements of the EC directives 78/1027, 78/1028, and 2005/36 and provides students with a broad education in veterinary medicine. This degree programme will allow the students to pursue several professional careers in the fields of medical clinic and surgery of small and large animals; food safety and veterinary public health; animal breeding, reproduction and nutrition. Graduation in this programme opens further possibilities for professional training, such as PhD courses and schools of specialization. The Programme complies with the standards established by the EAEVE (European Association of Establishments of Veterinary Education) institution, appointed by the European Commission for the verification of the quality of veterinary education at the EU level.
Key Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Programme will be able to demonstrate:
- an essential knowledge on the basic sciences in perspective of their future professional application;
- a deep knowledge of epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, therapy and control of infectious and parasitic diseases in animals;
- knowledge of animal nutrition and breeding technologies;
- an advanced knowledge of the pathologies and the physiopathology of the body;
- the ability to evaluate the general health condition, diseases and welfare of animals;
- the ability to propose and carry out appropriate medical or surgical interventions;
- a deep knowledge of zoonotic and foodborne diseases and their analysis and management;
- knowledge of the production and transformation processes of the food of animal origin;
- the ability to critically detect and evaluate the impact of animal breeding on the environment;
Occupational Profile/s of Graduates
Graduates in Veterinary Medicine find employment dealing with the protection of the health of animals and humans that encounter animals or that eat food from the animal origin. They also contribute to environmental protection.
They may set up their own professional service as veterinaries for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of domestic animals and livestock, or others may employ them in a private veterinary office. Graduates may also work in the National Health Service (in areas such as animal health, food inspection, hygiene of livestock and animal production), or in the public and private industry (livestock, pharmaceutical, animal feed, processed food of animal origin) or in research institutes and education (Universities, National Research Council, National Institute of Health, pharmaceutical companies, FAO and other international organizations).
Access to further study
The Laurea Magistrale degree in VETERINARY MEDICINE allows the graduate to compete for entry into a Third Cycle programme/doctoral school.
Assessment methods, examination regulations, and grading
Assessment is normally by means of an oral or written examination; in some cases there are intermediate exams during the course; other elements (participation in discussion, written or oral reports, commentary of texts etc. ) are foreseen in specific course units and are described in the Course Unit Profiles.
The grading system for the course units consists of 30 possible points, plus 'lode' (cum laude) in case of excellence. Marks are given by the lecturer based on the performance as ascertained in a public examination by a board of at least two teachers. The main exam sessions are held in June/July; September; and January; students may resit exams**.
Actual grading curves differ in different degree programmes. The University of Pisa provides an ECTS Grading Table, which shows the actual distribution, of the examination and final grades among students for each degree programme, in order to facilitate the comparison with other grading systems. ---> Link to ECTS Grading Table
An overall mark is given on the occasion of the 'Final Exam', when a written research text is presented and discussed. The final overall mark is calculated based on the results of the marks obtained in the single course units and the final exam, and is based on 110 possible points, with the possible further mention of honours ("lode" or cum laude).
**The exam sessions are organised into sessions (the dates vary according to the Department and are published in the Department's academic calendar). In each session there are a certain number of 'appelli' [calls], or dates on which the examination for each course unit may be taken. The 'appelli' are fixed by the teacher. The students choose which of the appelli they wish to respond to. In most cases, it is obligatory to sign up before the specified date.
Requirements (regulations) to obtain the qualification
During the final dissertation, to which 15 ECTS are allocated, the student must demonstrate knowledge of the above-mentioned professional skills.