PODOLOGIA (ABILITANTE ALLA PROFESSIONE SANITARIA DI PODOLOGO) Degree Programme Profile
Basic Information
Qualification awarded
Bachelor Degree in PODOLOGIA (ABILITANTE ALLA PROFESSIONE SANITARIA DI PODOLOGO)
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. STEFANO MARCHETTI
Email stefano.marchetti1@unipi.it
Department of DIPARTIMENTO DI RICERCA TRASLAZIONALE E DELLE NUOVE TECNOLOGIE IN MEDICINA E CHIRURGIA
Internationalization Coordinator (CAI):
Prof. Gianfranco Natale
Email gianfranco.natale@med.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 Bachelor Degree in Podology prepares health operators who are involved, alone or in collaboration with a physician, in the treatment of foot pathologies.
He cooperates to the diagnosis and therapy of foot diseases, related to mechanical, postural, dysmetabolic, traumatic, infective and inherited pathologies, both in children and adults.
He also contributes to the prevention and medication of the foot ulcers and warts. Moreover, the Podologist assists individuals at risk to develop foot pathologies. He is deputed to perform foot orthesis. He addresses to the physician those cases which deserve specialised treatments. In particular, the Podologist after foot examination, directly treats with non-surgical, orthetic, and hydromassotherapic procedures, callosities, hypertrophic, deformed and ingrowing nails, and painful foot.
Key Learning Outcomes
Graduates in Podiatry will be able to demonstrate:
- Advanced knowledge of biomedical sciences for the understanding of physiological and pathological processes connected with the state of health and disease breech of interest to people at different ages of life; deepening the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects, with particular attention to aspects of specific expertise
- Knowledge of science ethical, legal and sociological understanding of the organizational complexity of the healthcare system, the importance and usefulness to act in accordance with
regulations and directives and respect for human values and ethical dilemmas.
- Advanced knowledge of hygiene and preventive sciences for understanding the determinations of health, risk factors, prevention strategies in order to promote the safety of health workers and users, with an emphasis on radiation protection.
- Ability to language skills with special emphasis on the English language for the understanding of the scientific literature.
- Awareness of the limits of knowledge, and how these affect the analysis and interpretation derived from knowledge.
- Learn the basics of methodology and research to develop research programs in order to improve the quality of treatment.
Occupational Profile/s of Graduates
The Podiatrist performs the following functions:
-Prevention of disorders of the foot and ankle and / or originating from the foot and ankle in children, adolescents and adults
-Treatment of diseases of the foot and ankle and / or originating from the foot and ankle in 'evolutionary, adult and geriatric age
-Rehabilitation in diseases of the foot and ankle and / or originating from the foot and ankle in children and adolescents, adults and the elderly
-Functional Evaluation of foot, ankle and related districts in childhood, adult and geriatric
Access to further study
The Laurea Degree in PODIATRY 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 6 ECTS are allocated, will consist in the
discussion of a written text and in a practical exam aimed at
demonstrating that the candidate has acquired the essential professional
skills and competencies related to the professi