SCIENZE BIOLOGICHE Degree Programme Profile
Basic Information
Qualification awarded
Bachelor Degree in SCIENZE BIOLOGICHE
Qualification Type/Level
EHEA First cycle; EQF Level 6
Number of Years/credits
3 years; 180 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. FEDERICA GEMIGNANI
Email federica.gemignani@unipi.it
Department of DIPARTIMENTO DI BIOLOGIA
Internationalization Coordinator (CAI):
Prof. Massimo Dal monte
Email massimo.dalmonte@unipi.it
Language of Teaching
Italian
Admission Requirements
Formal Requirements
Certificate of completion of Italian upper secondary school or an 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 Degree Programme in Biological Sciences aims to prepare students with a solid background in the different fields of Biology, along with an overall expertise in scientific base disciplines. The aim is to have graduates who are able to understand and employ the scientific method in the field of biological sciences and then to develop their formation in these fields of study and/or to enter in the work environment.
Key Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the First Cycle Degree Programme in Biological Sciences will be able to demonstrate:
- a solid knowledge of the basic aspects of the different fields of biological sciences;
- knowledge of operational and application ability in biological sciences, with particular reference to the techniques of biological and instrumental analysis;
- ability to work in a group, to operate with defined degrees of autonomy and to enter in the work environment;
- possess the competences and tools for the communication and the management of the information, including the ability to use at least another EU language;
- possess of the cognitive tools for the continuous updating of the knowledges.
Occupational Profile/s of Graduates
Most of the graduates carry on their studies onto the second level degree programme in Biological Sciences; the degree course is a methodologic course. The first level graduates who opt to leave their study may find occupation in the different fields of application of the biological sciences: public and private laboratories of analysis; museums of natural history, botanical gardens, parks or reserves natural and other protected areas; public agencies for the analysis of the biodiversity and for environmental monitoring.
Access to further study
The degree in BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES normally gives direct access to the corresponding Second Cycle degree programme. It also gives access to some other Second Cycle degree programmes, in which case extra work may be necessary for admission.
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 final exam, to which 3 ECTS credits are allocated, foresees the preparation and discussion of a short written report on a biological matter, and must show that the candidate has acquired the basic knowledge of the different fields of biological sciences