Academic year 2019/2020

SCIENZE NATURALI ED AMBIENTALI Degree Programme Profile

Basic Information

Qualification awarded

Bachelor Degree in SCIENZE NATURALI ED AMBIENTALI

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. GIANNI BEDINI
Email gianni.bedini@unipi.it

Department of 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 Environmental and Natural Sciences is designed to introduce students to the knowledge, enhancement and protection of the environment, on the whole of its different biotic and abiotic components. The specific objective of the course is to provide adequate theoretical and practical training that allows the students to understand the different problems of the natural and human environments, contributing to actions for their conservation and sustainable use.

Key Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Programme will be able to demonstrate:
An essential knowledge on basic sciences in perspective of their future professional application.
The knowledge of Zoological, Botanical taxonomy and the basic elements of Geology and Mineralogy.
The ability to critically detect and evaluate the impact of human activities on the environment.
The knowledge of biological and abiological processes aimed at the conservation and restoration of biocenosis animal and plants.
Basic knowledge of molecular methods in taxonomy.
Basic knowledge of hazardous natural phenomena (earthquakes, volcanoes etc.).

Occupational Profile/s of Graduates

Graduates in Natural and Environmental Sciences have the preparation to perform the following roles:

- Teaching the overall vision of the natural phenomena that allows them to act as a liaison between the scientific disciplines.
- The protection of nature (in parks and nature reserves, in botanical gardens, etc.).
- The naturalistic research in Universities, Museums, Public Research Institutions, Botanical and Zoological gardens.
- Territory planning among government agencies
- Application of scientific methods to environmental investigations.
- Environmental assessments and remediation of contaminated sites.
- Monitoring of the environment.

Access to further study

The Degree in NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL 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 dissertation, to which 4,5 ECTS are allocated, must demonstrate the knowledge of the above-mentioned professional skills.

Course structure diagram

Available courses, 2019/2020