Student's Guide
Biology of extreme environments
Degree class
LM-6
Degree required
Laurea I Livello
Admission
Libero
Language
ENG
Department
Biologia
The programme at a glance
The program at a glance
The graduate program in Biology of Extreme Environments is the first of its kind both in Italy and in Europe and aims to prepare the next generation of biologists that will work to unravel the role of extreme environments in controlling planet habitability, contribute to biogeochemical cycling, provide new biotechnological resources and contribute to space exploration. To reach these goals we are training the explorers of tomorrow, integrating multiple disciplines, focusing on hard to ask big questions and providing hand-on training and research experience. The program has found extensive support from National and International biotechnological and biomedical companies, research institutes and space agencies, including the International Society for Extremophiles, the Earth-Life Science Institute, the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana and the NASA Astrobiology program.
Job opportunities
Job opportunities
The master’s degree course will train figures of high cultural and professional depth, whose activity can range from basic research, aimed at a greater understanding of biological phenomena in extreme and extraterrestrial environments, to the development of scientific and technological innovation, and the exploitation sustainability of the resources present in these. Graduates of the class will have specific training that will enable them to carry out professional and managerial activities within public and private research centers, national and international space agencies, and companies specialized in the field of genetic, biochemical, biological and technological exploration of extreme environments, such as polar, geothermal, and extraterrestrial ones, with a view to exploration, exploitation and colonization of the aforementioned environments. Currently, professional figures with this preparation are required both by national and international research centers, by space agencies and by biotechnological and biomedical industries, with an increase in demand expected in the next decade.
Admission and prerequisites
Admission to the programme and prerequisites
To access the Master’s Degree course in Biology of Extreme Environments, possession of a three-year university degree or diploma is required, or another qualification obtained abroad, deemed suitable in the opinion of the Course Council, or the possession of three-year degrees in the class L-13 (Biological Sciences), L-32 (Sciences and Technologies for the Environment and Nature), L-2 (Biotechnologies) or corresponding in the former Ministerial Decree 509/99. For graduates in other classes, the requirements consist of possessing an adequate number of CFU for SSD, of which at least 30 CFU BIO/*, MED/04, MED/42, 6 CFU between MAT/01-MAT/09, ING-INF/05, INF/01, 6 CFU between FIS/01-FIS/08, 6 CFU between CHIM/01-CHIM/04, CHIM/06, CHIM/12.
For graduates from foreign universities, the adequacy of the curricular requirements is assessed case by case based on the coherence between the programs carried out in the different disciplinary areas, the training bases deemed necessary for the advanced training offered by the course of study, as well as the knowledge linguistics.
The methods for verifying preparation will be defined in the teaching regulations of the study course and in any case verified only after verification of possession of the curricular requirements. In any case, the required skills must be possessed before registration.
The course is taught in English, so the student must have adequate knowledge of it (minimum level B2 required). The verification of knowledge of the English language consists in the presentation by the student of an internationally recognized B2 level certificate or through an interview, the methods of which will be indicated from time to time by the CCD.
How to enrol
In order to become a student of the new master program you will need to be Admitted to the program and then Enroll. These are two different procedures that need to be done in sequence. The ADMISSION procedure is common to all the students of any nationality, and it is mandatory in order to verify the requirements and to confirm your knowledge of English. The ENROLLMENT procedure is different depending on if you are an Italian, EU or Extra-EU prospective student. Please see below the appropriate section.
Admission Procedure – common to ALL the students (Italian, EU and Extra-EU)
In order to apply to the Admission procedure you will need the following documents:
> your Bachelor Diploma
> Transcript of Records (ToR) with a detailed description of the courses attended and the exams passed to obtain the final degree (only for foreign students)
> a copy of your passport (only for foreign students)
> an updated CV
> the certificate of English language (when available/necessary)
> other relevant documents
Once you have gathered all the documents fill in the online form available at:
https://forms.gle/6DNRdeKQ4m5FQEkUA
Download, fill in, sign and upload again the FORM 1 – Recognition of Foreign University Title available at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12hlNFzHTCPyfK_8H_jRYN3dZIiUeTFdj
And upload all the documents as a SINGLE PDF file in the Admission form.
At the end of this procedure you will obtain a Pre-Acceptance Letter from the program coordinator to be used for the Enrollment procedure and to request the VISA (when necessary).
Following the Admission Italian Students and Foreign Students will have to follow different enrollment procedure. Briefly, Italian and EU Students will need to enroll using SegrePass while Extra-EU Students will need to enroll through https://www.universitaly.it/.
Please refer to our Frequently Asked Question file for the appropriate procedure.
If you have any question please contact the program by writing to bioextreme@unina.it
The study plan in detail
Study plan
Curriculum “Biological resources”
I Year
I semester
Introduction to Earth System Sciences, GEO/02, 6 credits
Microbiology of extreme environments, BIO/19, 8 credits
Biodiversity and primary productivity in extreme environments, BIO/01, 6 credits
Chemistry of biopolymers and metabolites from extreme environments, CHIM/06, 6 credits
II semester
Biochemistry and molecular adaptation to extreme environments, BIO/10, 8 credits
Ecology of extreme environments, BIO/07, 6 credits
Applied microbiology of extremophiles, BIO/19, 6 credits
Optional course, 6 credits
II Year
I semester
Extreme Environments and Public Health, MED/42, 6 credits
Discovery and applications of extremophilic enzymes, BIO/10, 6 credits
Omics data analysis, BIO/18, 6 credits
Optional course, 6 credits
Other activity / Italian language *(*for international student), 6 credits
Thesis, 24 credits
Curriculum “Astrobiology”
I Year
I semester
Introduction to Earth System Sciences, GEO/02, 6 credits
Microbiology of extreme environments, BIO/19, 8 credits
Extreme environments: Earth and Space, BIO/07, 6 credits
Astrochemistry and prebiotic process, CHIM/06, 6 credits
II semester
Biochemistry and molecular adaptation to extreme environments, BIO/10, 8 credits
Astrobotany, BIO/01, 6 credits
Physiology and Nutrition in Space Conditions, BIO/09, 6 credits
Optional course, 6 credits
II Year
I semester
Microbial metabolism and planetary habitability, BIO/19, 6 credits
Emergence of life and exobiology, BIO/10, 6 credits
Omics data analysis, BIO/18, 6 credits
Optional course, 6 credits
Other activity / Italian language *(*for international student), 6 credits
Thesis, 24 credits
Optional courses
Astrophysics of life, FIS/05, 6 credits
Advanced methodologies for biosignatures detection and analysis in space environments, CHIM/06, 6 credits.
Traineeship opportunities
Traineeship opportunities
Students enrolled in the Degree Program may decide to carry out internships or training periods with organisations or companies that have an agreement with the University. Traineeship and internship are not compulsory and contribute to the award of credits for the other training activities chosen by the student and included in the study plan, as provided for by Art. 10, par. 5, letters d and e, of Ministerial Decree 270/20041.
- The modalities and characteristics of traineeship and internship are regulated by the CCD with a specific regulation.
- The University of Naples Federico II, through the tranship student office (http://www.unina.ut/didattica/tiricini-studenti) ensures constant contact with the world of work, in order to offer students and graduates of the University concrete opportunities for internships and work experience and to promote their professional integration.
International exchange programmes - Erasmus programme
International exchange programmes (Erasmus program)
Students enrolled in the Degree Program may decide to carry out internships or training periods with organisations or companies that have an agreement with the University. Traineeship and internship are not compulsory and contribute to the award of credits for the other training activities chosen by the student and included in the study plan.
The modalities and characteristics of traineeship and internship are regulated by the CCD with a specific regulation.
Graduation thesis and final exam
Graduation thesis and exam
The master’s degree in ‘Biology of Extreme Environments’ is achieved after passing a final test which consists in the discussion of the results achieved during activities carried out in a research laboratory, both in university facilities and in research centres, companies, or external bodies, including international ones, according to the methods established by the CCS. The thesis discussion will take place in the presence of a commission appointed for this purpose and may include the use of audio-visual aids. To be admitted to the final test, the student must have obtained all the training credits required by the course’s teaching regulations, excluding those reserved for the final test.
Final evaluation
The judging commission for the final test, once the pass has been verified, establishes the degree mark, expressed in one hundred and tenths, considering the curriculum, the thesis and the presentation. The Commission, in the case of reaching a mark of 110/110, can assign honours with a unanimous decision.
Graduation procedure and important deadlines are available at the following link: http://www.dipartimentodibiologia.unina.it/courses/biology-extreme-environments/assegnazione-tesi-e-controrelazioni-4/
Orientation to incoming students
Orientation to incoming students
The incoming orientation activity is aimed at three-year biology graduates from our University and from other national and international universities. It aims to provide information on the educational offer of the Master’s Degree in Biology of Extreme Environments, on the cultural profiles that are sought to be trained and on the professional opportunities associated with the different curricula.
The orientation activities for the Course are coordinated by the SPSB School through a teacher responsible for the Department (Prof. Carmen Arena) and a teacher responsible for the Course (Prof. Patrizia Contursi). The ‘panel’ of guidance teachers from the various Departments belonging to the SPSB work in close cooperation with each other for the preparation of information material and for the overall organization of guidance initiatives.
The calendar of orientation initiatives can be consulted at the link: http://www.dipartimentodibiologia.unina.it/orientamento-in-ingresso/
Tutoring and counseling
Tutoring and counseling
The Course is equipped with a Tutoring Commission, direct by Dr. Arianna Mazzoli who also uses a dedicated TEAMS channel (aq5msmk) to simplify consultations with students and create an archive of easy-to-use documents access. The tasks of this commission are reported below:
- a) provide personalized support to students who, during their training, encounter logistical-organizational or study method obstacles;
- b) collect information from students on general or personal difficulties and inefficiencies encountered in carrying out teaching activities;
- c) evaluate the need for services, or detect the presence of disservices in carrying out teaching activities as well as in relations between users and offices;
- d) provide guidance for a culturally correct educational path;
- e) produce and/or update information material on cultural fields and employment opportunities;
- f) collaborate with the Sinapsi University centre. The contact person for the students of the Department of Biology with Sinapsi is Professor Valeria Spagnuolo.
Career orientation and job placement
Career orientation and job placement
Outgoing orientation and job placement initiatives are active at the University and School facilities.
The University has an active desk for outgoing orientation and placement accessible through the portal http://www.orienta.unina.it/, from which information can be obtained on initiatives and opportunities for professional placement.
The Master in Biology of Extreme Enviroments organizes outgoing orientation and placement initiatives in close coordination with the other study courses of the Department, School, and University. The calendar of outgoing orientation initiatives can be consulted at the link https://www.orientamento.unina.it/
Application timeline
Application timeline
Enrolment and enrolment in subsequent years normally take place from 1 September to 31 October of each year, with methods that are made known in a specific Guide to enrolment and payment of fees published at the URL: https://www.unina.it/didattica/sportello-studenti/guide-dello-studente
Further deadlines (deadlines for the submission of study plans, deadlines for the submission of ERASMUS applications, etc.) are reported on the Study Course website: http://www.dipartimentodibiologia.unina.it/courses/biology-extreme-environments/
Courses and exams
The Degree Program calendar can be found on the Department’s website well in advance of the start of the activities.
http://www.dipartimentodibiologia.unina.it/courses/biology-extreme-environments/lectures/
Timetable
Academic Calendar: courses and exams
The detailed calendar, updated in real time, can be consulted at the following link: http://www.dipartimentodibiologia.unina.it/courses/biology-extreme-environments/exame-schedule/
Graduation dates
Graduation dates
Sessions for Academic Year 2023/2024:
- 11th June 2024
- 16thJuly 2024
- 24th September* 2024
- 22nd October 2024
- 17th December 2024
- 25th March 2025
*Date of September: the request for graduation needs to be submitted by the student by the 31st of July 2024.
The detailed calendar, updated in real time, can be consulted at the following link: http://www.dipartimentodibiologia.unina.it/courses/biology-extreme-environments/assegnazione-tesi-e-controrelazioni-4/
Contact persons
Arianna
Mazzoli
Contact person for Tutoring and Admission081679165
arianna.mazzoli@unina.it
Website
Other persons
Contact person for thesis assignment and training activities: Dr. Angelina Cordone; tel. 081- 679040; e-mail: angelina.cordone@unina.it
Contact person for student orientation: Prof. Patrizia Contursi; tel. 081- 679166; e-mail: patrizia.contursi@unina.it
Representative of the student body: Martina Ferrara; e-mail: martina.ferrara5@studenti.unina.it
Student Administration Offices: Dr. Gianluca Esposito; e-mail: gianluca.esposito4@unina.it
Services for students with special needs and with specific learning disabilities: https://www.sinapsi.unina.it/home_sinapsi
Directions
Site: University of Naples Federico II “Monte Sant’Angelo Campus, Via Vicinale Cupa Cintia, 26, 80126 Naples (NA)
Department of Biology: Building 7
Connections:
EAV: Operates buses, cable cars, and trains commonly called “cumana”. Tickets can be bought on the App EAV, at designated selling points, or using Tap & Go.
To MSA Campus: line 7 Cumana (Stop: Mostra)
ANM: Operates buses, trams, cable cars and metro (line 1 & 6). Tickets can be bought at designated selling points or using Tap & Go (only for metro L1).
To MSA Campus: buses 180, R6, and S1 (From Campi Flegrei to MSA), S2 from Vomero to MSA.
UNICOCAMPANIA: Consortium that gathers the 14 Campania public transport companies. One ticket to rule them all. Offers yearly subscriptions: free for students residing in Campania and discounted for non-local students less than 26 years old.
Links
Degree programme website: http://www.dipartimentodibiologia.unina.it/courses/biology-extreme-environments/
Department website: http://www.dipartimentodibiologia.unina.it/
School website: http://www.scuolapsb.unina.it/
University website: www.unina.it
Website: https://www.orientamento.unina.it/
Social networks:
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