Student's Guide

“Medical” Curriculum 

To view the study plan, refer to the “Path” section at the following link:
www.scienzebiotecnologiche.unina.it/mediche/med under the heading “Curriculum Medico” 

“Advanced Technologies” Curriculum 

To view the study plan, refer to the “Path” section at the following link:
www.scienzebiotecnologiche.unina.it/mediche/adt under the heading “Tecnologie Avanzate” 

“Bioinformatics” Curriculum 

To view the study plan, refer to the “Path” section at the following link:
www.scienzebiotecnologiche.unina.it/mediche/bin under the heading “Curriculum Bioinformatico” 

Optional Exams 

To view optional courses, refer to the “Attività 2025–2026” section at the following link:
www.scienzebiotecnologiche.unina.it/mediche/insopzionali under the heading “Elective Courses” 

Notes on the Study Plan  

The common educational activities of the three curricula aim to prepare highly qualified graduates with in-depth knowledge of the multidisciplinary techniques that characterize biotechnological operations in the human health field. Graduates will be capable of working effectively in real contexts, with solid knowledge of regulatory, ethical, and bioethical principles. 

The program offers numerous elective courses through which students may obtain the 10 CFU foreseen for free-choice activities. These electives enhance the graduate’s preparation in various sectors and according to personal interests. 

In the “medical” curriculum, the program ensures students acquire skills related to cellular and molecular aspects of major hereditary or acquired human diseases, as well as the ability to select and apply multiple biotechnological approaches to improve related diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. 

In the “advanced technologies” curriculum, the program provides advanced knowledge of highly innovative technologies applicable to basic or translational research and development in both academic and industrial settings. In this curriculum, all teaching is delivered in English, providing an added benefit to enhance employability at an international level. 

In the “bioinformatics” curriculum, students acquire computational skills to analyze and interpret complex biological data and images. These skills, integrated with advanced teachings in molecular biology, genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, and metagenomics, allow graduates to use multi-omics data for personalized medicine strategies. 

The preparatory activities for the final exam must be carried out by the graduate student with a high degree of autonomy, under the supervision of a faculty advisor. These activities may also be carried out at other universities (Italian or foreign) or at affiliated laboratories of public or private institutions, subject to approval by the Thesis and Internship Committee of the Study Program and the assignment of an internal advisor who will follow the student’s activities. The activities can also start in the first year of the degree program. 

Given the complexity of research activity in the biotechnological field at the international level, the Study Program recommends that students prepare their thesis in the same laboratory chosen for internship activities to have more time to adequately explore the issues addressed.
Support for carrying out training periods abroad is provided by the Thesis and Internship Committee, chaired by Prof. Rosa Marina Melillo, which includes Prof.sses Silvia Parisi and Elena Cesaro. This Committee works alongside the University’s Student Internship Office at the Study Program level. External internships are used by at least 20-30 students per year, are always supervised by a faculty member of the Study Program, and often lead to the preparation of an experimental thesis. Many scientific institutes and university departments in the Cappella dei Cangiani area host students for internships. Additionally, contacts with local biotechnology companies have been strengthened to offer internship periods with details to be defined. http://www.unina.it/didattica/offerta-didattica/tirocini-studenti. 

Assistance for international student mobility is provided by the Erasmus Committee, chaired by Prof. Gerolama Condorelli and including Prof.s Danilo Fiore and Raffaela Pero. Currently, 16 international agreements are active with European universities for Erasmus+ and/or Erasmus Traineeship programs within this Study Program. 

Details on training activities abroad and active exchanges, which are continuously updated, are available on the dedicated webpage of the University Portal in the Erasmus section of the departmental website and the Study Program Erasmus page.  

The study path, in addition to the core courses (common) and those characterizing each of the three curricula (curricular courses), requires the choice of 2 additional elective courses. The Didactic Coordination Committee proposes a list of courses aimed at deepening particular aspects of the disciplines that constitute the essential cultural background for each student. The courses can be taken in either the first or second year. 

The list of elective courses is particularly wide and varied and is updated during each academic year.  

The Master’s Degree in Medical Biotechnology is awarded after passing a final exam consisting of the discussion of a written report focused on a scientific issue resulting from experimental activity relevant to the Study Program’s fields. To access the final exam, the student must have acquired all university credits required by the didactic regulations, except for those reserved for the final exam itself.

The final exam includes the preparation of a written thesis and a public multimedia presentation describing the experimental activities carried out by the student. The Graduation Committee, formed according to University Regulations, discusses the results presented with the candidate and assigns the final grade according to current rules.

The Study Program organizes incoming orientation initiatives in close coordination with other study programs within the Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, the School of Medicine and Surgery, and the University. Particular attention is paid to using orientation opportunities as models for scientific dissemination. The Medical Biotechnology Degree also offers the possibility to request on-demand orientation activities from faculty delegated for school orientation.
Incoming orientation is also supported by the website: www.scienzebiotecnologiche.unina.it of the Biotechnology Didactic Area, which contains all information regarding Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree courses in classes  L-2R and LM- 9R

Regarding the Medical Biotechnology Study Program, Dr. Angela Canzio is the orientation desk contact at: angela.canzio@unina.it.

Orientation and ongoing tutoring

Experience accumulated over the years indicates no significant issues with ongoing orientation and tutoring regarding courses and exams, especially since many students are ‘experienced’ and some have already met the professors during their bachelor’s degree.

Orientation and tutoring are carried out by: a) the Study Program Coordinator; b) thesis supervisors (students spend 1-2 years part-time in laboratories for internships and thesis preparation); c) the Thesis and Internship Committee (see section B5); d) the Erasmus Committee.
A tutoring desk has been established at the School of Medicine and Surgery (https://www.medicina.unina.it/zit/smc.php?pag=tutorato.css#). Students needing tutoring for exam preparation can request it via email: tutormed@unina.it.

For international students (both Erasmus and foreign students enrolled at Federico II), the Study Program has activated a buddy program to help foreign students orient themselves within the new degree program. Students interested can send a request to: biotecnologiemediche@unina.it.

The Study Program organizes outgoing orientation and placement initiatives in close coordination with other programs in the Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology and the Health Biotechnologies Study Board. Outgoing orientation initiatives are advertised on the Degree Course website and its social channels.

Enrollment and registration for subsequent years take place from September 1 to March 31 each year, with procedures outlined in a specific Enrollment and Fee Payment Guide published at:

https://www.unina.it/didattica/sportello-studenti/guide-dello-studente

Additional deadlines (for study plan submissions, ERASMUS applications, etc.) are posted on the Study Program website: www.scienzebiotecnologiche.unina.it/mediche/

http://www.scienzebiotecnologiche.unina.it/mediche/attivita 

The compact study path organization foresees 5 exam sessions held at the end of the first (January-February) and second (June-July-September) semesters; thus, exams do not take place during teaching periods. Exceptions are special exam sessions (May and November) reserved for students who have completed all course attendance in the two-year program and for out-of-course students.
Exam sessions are typically scheduled at the beginning of the first semester (October) for the entire calendar year, and the exam calendar is promptly published and updated on the Study Program website and the Department website. 

Classes are held at the CESTEV building on the School of Medicine and Surgery Campus; typically, classes run from October to mid-January (1st semester) and from March to mid-June (2nd semester). The class calendar is published on the Degree Course website before the beginning of each semester, and updated in real time.  

Brief description of the final exam session calendar: sessions are distributed throughout the year. The detailed, real-time updated calendar is available at the above-mentioned links. Graduation sessions for the two-year Medical Biotechnology degree are scheduled in March, June, July, September, October, and December each year. The graduation session calendar is prepared well in advance and updated in real time on the Study Program website at the start of the academic year.