SCIENZE AMBIENTALI Degree Programme Profile
Basic Information
Qualification awarded
Master Degree in SCIENZE AMBIENTALI
Qualification Type/Level
EHEA Second cycle, EQF level 7
Number of Years/credits
2 years; 120 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. MONICA BINI
Email monica.bini@unipi.it
Department of DIPARTIMENTO DI SCIENZE DELLA TERRA
Internationalization Coordinator (CAI):
Prof. Luigi Folco
Email luigi.folco@unipi.it
Language of Teaching
Italian
Admission Requirements
Formal Requirements
Italian First cycle qualification (Laurea) or foreign equivalent in the same or related subject area, with possible extra work if required competences are lacking.
Possible assessment prior knowledge and competences
Compulsory entrance exam for orientation purposes (non-selective.
Required knowledge and competences support programmes
Students whose curricula show lacunas may need to take extra first cycle course units before admission.
General Information
Programme Profile
The Degree Programme in Environmental Science is aimed at preparing students with a robust scientific background and the skill of applying it to the resolution of environmental problems. Students will be able to evaluate the interactions between the different components of the environmental systems and to employ the suitable methods and technologies for environmental protection. A specific Climatological Curriculum can be chosen, focused on climate-relevant topics dealt with in a geological perspective.
Key Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Programme are expected to be able to operate in the fields of:
- environmental monitoring and impact assessment. They will be able to set up monitoring networks for natural systems and industrial processes, in order to assess their degree of impact on the environment.
- environmental quality assessment. They will be able to provide public institutions and private companies with official assessment of their adherence to environmental regulations.
- land rehabilitation. They will be able to plan rehabilitation procedures aimed at recovering the quality of polluted environments.
- sustainable developement, environmental planning and environmental resources management. They will be able to address planning matching the needs of present economic developement without compromising the environment for future generations.
- modelling of the climate system and performing of palaeoclimatic reconstructions.
- dissemination of the environmental culture and environmental policies. They will acquire a wide knowledge of environment-related topics for educational and dissemination purposes, in order to foster a critical and active consensus of citizens to environmental policies.
Occupational Profile/s of Graduates
The degree prepares students for the profession of environmental consultant, in the staff of public institutions and private companies operating in a variety of fields dealing with environment-related issues, such as:
- planning and strategic management of territorial development
- protecting the environment from the effects of the industrial production process
- energy production, with particular regard on renewable energies
- evaluation, protection and management of natural resouces
- communication of environment-related topics
- environmental basic and applied research
Access to further study
The Master's degree in Environmental Sciences 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
The student must complete his own curriculum, which will be evaluated by a committee during the final exam, when he will discuss a written text, prepared under the supervision of one of the components of the degree council, illustrating the results of an original research activity.