Corso di laurea in Marine Sciences and Blue Biotechnologies

To be admitted to the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Marine Biology and Blue Biotechnologies, the following is required:
a) possession of a secondary school diploma or other qualification obtained abroad, recognised as equivalent by the University’s competent bodies;
b) native-level proficiency in English or appropriate certification or attestation of English language proficiency at a minimum B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), certified by public bodies or private institutions in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Education, Universities, and Research (MUR)  (https://piattaformaenticert.pubblica.istruzione.it/pocl-piattaforma-enti-cert-web/elenco-enti-accreditati).
The Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Marine Biology and Blue Biotechnologies includes a compulsory assessment of basic knowledge in biology, mathematics, chemistry, and physics expected at the end of upper secondary education. Failure to pass this assessment results in the student being assigned Additional Educational Requirements (OFA). These OFA requirements must be fulfilled in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Academic Regulations.

The preliminary assessment procedures regarding the eligibility for enrolment of students holding foreign qualifications are conducted in accordance with the guidelines contained in Rectoral Decree Prot. No. 25758 of February 28, 2024

The Marine Biology and Blue Biotechnology programme offers a curriculum designed to ensure that future graduates acquire a solid theoretical and practical foundation in the fields of basic biology, marine biology, and marine sciences. This foundation enables graduates either to continue their studies by focusing on specific aspects of marine biology or to enter the labour market in technical and operational roles.

With regard to the educational objectives defining the degree programme, reference is made to the principles of European harmonisation, which require that the competences of graduates align with the specific requirements identified by the Dublin Descriptors system for Degree Class L-13. In particular, graduates in Marine Biology and Blue Biotechnologies possess an adequate basic knowledge of the various sectors of the biological sciences; they acquire disciplinary research methods; operational and applied skills in the field of marine biology; appropriate skills and tools for communication and information management; and they are able to work in groups and operate with varying degrees of autonomy, as well as conduct bibliographic research using databases and computer networks. They are also able to make effective written and oral use of a language of the European Union in addition to English.

The Bachelor’s degree programme in MarBioTec, consistent with the core educational objectives of the Biological Sciences degree category, aims to provide a solid foundation in the various fields of Biology, Marine Biology, and Marine Sciences, enabling students to pursue studies in Master’s degree programmes and/or first-level Master’s programmes, as well as providing the opportunity to enter fields of application related to the role of a Junior Biologist.

Graduates acquire disciplinary research methods, competences, and practical skills in the field of marine biology across a broad range of applications, from study design to sampling and analysis of results. Graduates of the MarBioTec programme acquire: a) a solid foundational knowledge in basic biology and adequate scientific and practical training in the various sectors of marine biology, with particular emphasis on the disciplines characteristic of the programme and, more specifically, on those with content more closely related to marine biology and ecology; b) operational, applied, and managerial skills in the fields of marine biology and ecology, with particular regard to coastal and transitional environments, aquaculture facilities, marine parks, and protected marine areas, as well as marine biotechnology in general; c) a good command of the scientific method of investigation and the main methodologies used for the study, monitoring, and protection of coastal environments (oceanographic surveys, fishing surveys, environmental impact assessments); d) a solid foundation in experimental methodologies and technologies applicable to marine biology and ecology and to environmental impact assessment; e) knowledge of supporting mathematical and computational tools; f) a good command of a European language, both written and spoken, with particular reference to disciplinary terminology.

The various disciplines of the degree programme, which consists of three years organised into semesters and divided into two pathways in the third year (Physical and Natural Biology and Marine Resources and Sustainability), not only provide foundational knowledge in physics, mathematics, and chemistry—with particular emphasis on aquatic systems and the ocean—but also offer more advanced knowledge in biology through the study of cell biology, general zoology, the anatomy of marine animal organisms, their systematics, and their diversity. The programme provides knowledge of ichthyology, conservation, and pathology of wild aquatic organisms, as well as the causes of disease and pathogenic agents. In the botanical field, graduates acquire knowledge of the structure, function, and biodiversity of marine plant organisms. Finally, courses in biochemistry, biomolecular science, and genetics allow students to enrich their educational pathway by studying biological macromolecules and the principles of heredity, as well as the cellular and molecular organisation of microorganisms. In physiology, students are able to explore the physiological foundations of animal organisms and their responses to changes in environmental parameters and the presence of pollutants. In pharmacology, students acquire the principles of marine pharmacology and an understanding of the pharmacological potential of molecules of marine origin. Through ecology courses, students acquire key concepts of marine ecology and the functioning of marine ecosystems, as well as knowledge of the anthropogenic impacts threatening the marine environment. In microbiology, students acquire knowledge of general microbiology and its application to marine environments, the structure and function of marine microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, and eukaryotic microorganisms), and their biotechnological potential.

Through the core, related, and supplementary courses offered in the curriculum, students have the opportunity to acquire broader expertise in the field of Marine Sciences.

During the course of study in the Physical and Natural Biology curriculum, students acquire knowledge of marine biochemistry and toxicology, learning the molecular mechanisms of adaptation to the environment, respiration, and metabolism of marine organisms, as well as defence mechanisms against pollution, integrated with knowledge of marine toxicology and the risks associated with the exposure of marine ecosystems to toxic substances. Through courses in chemistry and geology, students acquire the knowledge necessary to understand the equilibria and characteristics of marine environments, in terms of the chemical and physical parameters of water bodies, chemical and physical phenomena in marine environments, coastal formation and protection, and data analysis.

Throughout the Marine Resources and Sustainability curriculum, students gain knowledge regarding the sustainable use of marine resources and national and international law on the protection of the marine environment. In the field of biochemistry, students learn the principles of marine biochemistry, the molecular mechanisms involved in organisms’ adaptation to the environment, respiration, and metabolism, supplemented by knowledge of marine-derived nutraceuticals. In pathology, graduates gain an understanding of the causes of disease onset in farmed marine animals, the identification of major pathologies and their causative agents, and knowledge and understanding of model organisms used in experimental research. Finally, in fisheries biology, students acquire the ability to identify fish species and assess fish stocks.

The degree programme also requires, in order to complete the educational pathway, an internship to be carried out at external institutions—national, European, or international—affiliated with UniMe, so as to allow each student to gain initial professional experience, working in a team or independently, in a potential work setting.

Dublin Descriptors: I – Knowledge and Comprehension

Graduates acquire a basic knowledge of mathematics and elements of statistics applicable to biology and physics, which are essential for the study and mastery of biological disciplines and marine sciences, as well as for understanding marine biological and environmental systems.

Through chemistry courses, students acquire knowledge of the structure and composition of matter, inorganic substances, the structure of organic molecules, the chemical composition of the oceans, chemical behaviour in aqueous solutions, standard analytical methods, and the major biogeochemical cycles.

Through biology courses, graduates master the fundamental concepts of animal and plant cells and marine organisms in all their aspects. They acquire in-depth knowledge of cytology and developmental biology. They learn the basic principles of marine botany and zoology, the biodiversity of marine plant and animal species, and their conservation and phylogeny. They master the fundamental principles of marine organism physiology and marine pharmacology, and become familiar with the major diseases affecting marine organisms.

Graduates acquire knowledge of the structure and functions of biomolecules and the molecular basis of genetic information, as well as biochemical methodologies for the identification, characterisation, and analysis of biomolecules.

Through ecology courses, students gain knowledge of ecological terminology, the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems, and the relationships between organisms and between marine organisms and their surrounding environment. They acquire knowledge of environmental monitoring, the use of ecological bioindicators, and the main issues related to human impact on ecosystems. In the field of microbiology, students acquire knowledge of general microbiology and its application to marine environments, the structure and function of marine microorganisms, as well as their biotechnological potential.

They acquire knowledge of marine toxicology and the hazards associated with the contamination of marine ecosystems. They also acquire knowledge of the coastal environment, its management and protection, the processes governing the dynamics and evolution of coastal areas, and issues related to their vulnerability and defence. They acquire knowledge of the physical, chemical, and geochemical phenomena influencing the marine environment, anthropogenic disturbances and pollution processes, as well as their effects on the marine environment.

They acquire knowledge of marine-derived nutraceuticals and the study of bioactive molecules of marine origin. They acquire knowledge of diseases in farmed marine animals and the use of experimental models. Finally, students acquire knowledge of, and the ability to identify, fish species and the principles of fisheries biology.

Graduates acquire proficiency in a European language, both in written and spoken form.

The knowledge and skills required to understand the above are acquired through participation in lectures, laboratory activities, internships at external institutions affiliated with the University, study abroad periods, and participation in specialised seminars led by expert academic staff and/or qualified personnel. Course materials include university textbooks and scientific articles recommended by academic staff. Assessment of the acquisition of this knowledge and these skills takes place through ongoing assessment, quizzes, coursework, and exams, which are conducted in written and/or oral form depending on the requirements of each course.

II - Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

Graduates of the MarBioTech programme acquire the following competences:

• clearly and rigorously present their acquired mathematical knowledge and apply it to marine biological systems;  
• solve stoichiometric problems, understand chemical transformations, and define the behaviour of substances in solution; 
• evaluate the effect of variations in chemical and physical parameters on aquatic systems; 
• apply basic analytical methodologies from the chemical sciences in a biological context, such as marine water analysis, identification of classes of organic molecules, and their reactivity in biological and environmental settings; 
• understand the biological phenomena that regulate life in aquatic environments, as well as the organisation of animal and plant organisms at cellular, biomolecular, and functional levels; 
• identify marine plant and animal species using traditional and innovative methods; 
• analyse biodiversity and evaluate conservation strategies; 
• use instruments such as stereomicroscopes and optical microscopes and prepare samples for cytological, histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analyses; 
• identify the main diseases affecting wild aquatic organisms; 
• conduct sampling and collection, process, and analyse marine biological samples; 
• describe the physiological mechanisms of adaptation in marine organisms in response to the environment; 
• apply basic principles and techniques of marine pharmacology; 
• acquire expertise in the criteria for studying marine ecosystems; 
• analyse marine biodiversity, populations, and communities; 
• design and implement monitoring and data collection activities and apply sampling methods; 
• apply basic microbiological and biotechnological investigation techniques; 
• apply basic biochemical methodologies and the main marine toxicology tests; 
• investigate the processes underlying the dynamics of sandy and rocky coasts; 
• acquire the tools for an integrated understanding of the physicochemical phenomena influencing the marine environment; 
• acquire skills in marine resource management and sustainability; 
• acquire techniques for the identification, characterisation, and analysis of biomolecules of marine origin and their biotechnological exploitation; 
• identify the main diseases affecting farmed marine organisms; 
• use experimental models; 
• assess trends in fishery resources. 

In general, MarBioTech graduates are also able to:

• consult electronic database archives; 
• work in teams; 
• read and understand scientific texts and laboratory protocols. 

The ability to apply knowledge and understanding is acquired through various types of teaching activities such as lectures, classroom exercises, and laboratory exercises, and is further developed during the external internship/practicum. The acquisition of these skills is assessed through ongoing assessment, exams, tests, and discussion of the results obtained during the internship.

III - Independent Judgment

The MarBioTech degree programme produces graduates who work confidently in the collection of biological and environmental data and in laboratory experimentation, demonstrating informed autonomy in data analysis and the interpretation of results; who operate with confidence in the field and in the laboratory, demonstrating knowledge of the principles of professional ethics and a responsible approach to bioethical issues. Independent judgement is acquired through attendance at lectures, seminars, practical exercises, and laboratory sessions, as well as fieldwork during the internship period and the preparation of the final thesis. Teaching performance is evaluated regularly, and the principles of professional ethics and a responsible approach to bioethical issues are incorporated into the syllabi of courses where these topics are most relevant. Assessment of the attainment of sound independent judgement is included in midterm exams and final exams, the drafting of reports and thematic papers, and the final exam. The solid scientific training acquired enables graduates to understand and critically address topics of a marine-biological nature, both in the workplace and as they continue their education (Master’s Degree, Master’s Programme), in Italy and abroad.

IV - Communication Skills

Graduates of the Marine Biology and Blue Biotechnologies programme acquire the necessary skills and tools for written and oral communication in English, as well as for scientific dissemination, using graphic and formal language in national and international contexts; presenting experimental data using computer-based tools, including within a workgroup, for example during lab meetings; and organising, transmitting, and disseminating information on current marine biology topics. At the same time, graduates also develop the ability to work in teams.

These skills are acquired through the educational activities associated with most courses and assessed through successful completion of the corresponding exams.

Proficiency in a European foreign language is achieved through dedicated courses and enhanced both by activities organised by the University Language Centre and through internationalisation experiences funded through specific grants, such as Erasmus mobility programmes. The acquisition of communication skills is assessed through written and/or oral exams, at the conclusion of internships, through submission of a written and/or oral report, and through the completion and defence of the final thesis. Graduates possess the necessary communication tools to integrate quickly into work environments, both within and outside Europe, as they already hold English language certification and proficiency in a European language in addition to English, as well as strong communication and information management skills.

V - Learning Abilities

Graduates in Marine Biology and Blue Biotechnologies acquire appropriate skills for the development and deepening of further competences (consultation of bibliographic material, databases, and other online information; basic cognitive tools for the continuous updating of knowledge) and for the continuation of their educational and professional pathways in all fields of application of biology, marine biology, and marine sciences. Practical and laboratory activities promote direct interaction with academic staff and the implementation of guided learning experiences, while the external internship encourages group interaction in a professional setting.

The acquisition of these skills is assessed through exams, individual evaluation of practical assignments at the conclusion of exercises and courses, and a final exam at the end of the programme.

The final exam, which marks the culmination of the programme, consists of the public defence of a thesis based either on a literature review or on an experimental study conducted in the supervisor’s laboratory or in an external laboratory where the student completed their internship.

Professional status conferred by the degree.
Junior Biologist

Whether in the public or private sector, or as a freelancer, graduates in Marine Biology and Blue Biotechnologies will find career opportunities in various fields of application, such as laboratory-based production and technological activities (marine ecology, bio-health, industrial biotechnology, veterinary science, research institutions, and service providers), as well as services related to analysis, quality control, management, and safety; in all public and private sectors where animal and plant organisms and/or their derivatives must be classified, managed, and utilised, and where the relationship between development and environmental quality must be managed; in multidisciplinary professional firms engaged in the development of projects for conservation, environmental restoration, and biodiversity protection; as technicians in the monitoring and protection of the coastal marine environment and its resources, within the framework of current EU and national legislation; as technicians in the management of marine protected areas, with expertise in the conservation and monitoring of marine species; and as aquaculture technicians, managing marine species farms in inshore, offshore, and lagoon environments, overseeing reproductive cycles, feed, and the maintenance of optimal water quality in the farms and of the final product. Graduates will be able to work in public administration (municipalities, provinces, and regions) and the private sector, in other public agencies and private companies, in the management of marine parks and protected areas, and in public and private research laboratories involved in marine-related activities, marine pollution, fisheries and aquaculture management, and environmental impact assessment.

Role in the workplace.
Junior Biologist

The Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Marine Biology and Blue Biotechnologies prepares graduates to enter the labour market directly to perform professional roles (as independent practitioners) and technical roles (as public or private sector employees) in various fields of application, such as laboratory-based production and technological activities (marine ecology, bio-health, industrial, veterinary, food, and biotechnology, research institutions, and service providers), services involving analysis, monitoring, and management; classification, management, and use of biological material; management of the relationship between development and environmental quality; conservation, environmental restoration, and biodiversity protection; and in industries and companies involved in food processing and production, dealing both with the technical and analytical aspects and with consultancy on food safety and product quality control.

IV - Communication Skills

Graduates in Marine Biology and Blue Biotechnologies acquire the skills and tools necessary for written and oral communication in English, as well as for scientific dissemination, using graphic and formal language in national and international contexts; presentation of experimental data using computer-aided tools, including within a workgroup, for example during lab meetings; and organising, transmitting, and disseminating information on current marine biology topics. At the same time, graduates also develop the ability to work in teams.

These skills are acquired through the educational activities associated with most courses and assessed through successful completion of the corresponding exams.

Proficiency in a European foreign language is achieved through dedicated courses and enhanced both by activities organised by the University Language Centre and through internationalisation experiences funded through specific grants, such as Erasmus mobility programmes. The acquisition of communication skills is assessed through written and/or oral exams, at the conclusion of internships, through submission of a written and/or oral report, and through the completion and defence of the final exam. Graduates possess the necessary communication skills to integrate quickly into work environments, both within and outside Europe, as they already hold certification in English and proficiency in a European language in addition to English, as well as strong communication and information management skills.

Skills associated with the role.
Junior Biologist

Graduates of the MarBioTech programme will serve as Junior Biologists capable of carrying out technical tasks independently or within companies and/or laboratories in the fields of research, the environment, the pharmaceutical industry, and quality control. The skills acquired during the programme enable graduates to perform technical-operational tasks and provide professional support in various fields of application: environmental, industrial, pharmaceutical, scientific information, and basic and applied research at public and private institutions. The newly proposed degree programme also enables future graduates to carry out all activities typical of the professional role of Biologist (Section B of the professional register) and in all specific fields of application as governed by current regulations. Furthermore, the MarBioTech degree programme provides a broad range of educational competences necessary to pursue further studies in related Master’s degree programmes and Level I Master’s programmes. In accordance with Presidential Decree 328/01, graduates may take the State Examination to qualify for the practice of the profession as a Junior Biologist and consequently obtain registration with the National Order of Biologists (Section B).

The Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Marine Biology and Blue Biotechnologies requires a compulsory assessment of basic knowledge in biology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and logic, as expected upon completion of upper secondary education. Failure to pass the assessment results in the student being assigned Additional Educational Requirements (OFA). These OFA requirements must be fulfilled in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the Academic Regulations, consistent with the provisions of the University Regulations. The assessment of the initial preparation of all enrolled students (pursuant to Article 6, paragraph 1 of Law 270/04) is carried out through the administration of the national CISIA TOLC-F test (F-1 Biology + F-2 Chemistry + F-3 Mathematics + F-4 Physics + F-5 Logic). Enrolment in the degree programme is not contingent upon the outcome of the basic preparation assessment. The student must provide 15 correct answers out of the total number of questions (50) included in the test. The test is considered passed if the student answers at least 3 questions correctly in section F-1 (Biology), 3 in section F-2 (Chemistry), 4 in F-3 (Mathematics), 3 in F-4 (Physics), and 2 in F-5 (Logic). If the assessment of initial preparation is not positive, additional academic requirements (OFA) will be assigned to be fulfilled during the first year of the programme. This academic requirement may be fulfilled by passing remedial tests (OFA-CISIA tests), which are valid locally and are administered throughout the year. In this regard, the degree programme organises remedial courses in mathematics and logic, chemistry, physics, and biology for first-year students. These courses are held before classes begin in September and are taught by academic staff from the relevant scientific disciplinary sectors (SSD) affiliated with the degree programme. The OFA deficiency may also be remedied, depending on the subject(s) of the identified OFA deficiency, by passing the exam corresponding to one of the disciplines of the MAT, FIS, BIO, or CHIM academic departments, administered during the first year of the programme. If the OFA requirements are not met by the end of the first year of the programme, the student will be enrolled in the first year as a repeat student. For full details (TOLC structure, national calendar, registration, deadlines, costs, syllabi), please refer to the UniMe website https://www.unime.it/didattica/tolc-test-online-cisia and the CISIA website (https://www.cisiaonline.it/) in the ‘TOLC’ section. For information regarding the degree programme (administration, validity, recognition, useful contacts), please refer to the institutional website of the CHIBIOFARAM Department (http://www.unime.it/it/dipartimenti/chibiofaram) in the “Basic Knowledge Assessment Test” section. https://www.unime.it/didattica/tolc-test-online-cisia

The information has been added to the menu of the “Study with us” page for international users and is also accessible under “English version” in the “TOLC” section in Italian
https://international.unime.it/study-us/tolc-test-online-cisia

The basic knowledge syllabi can be viewed at the link below.

Basic Knowledge Syllabi

The degree programme in Marine Biology and Blue Biotechnologies offers an educational pathway designed to ensure that future graduates acquire a solid theoretical and practical foundation in the fields of basic biology, marine biology, and marine sciences. This foundation enables graduates either to continue their studies by focusing on specific aspects of marine biology or to enter the labour market in technical and operational roles.

With regard to the educational objectives defining the degree programme, reference is made to the principles of European harmonisation, which require that the competences of graduates align with specific requirements identified by the Dublin Descriptors system for Degree Class L-13. In particular, graduates in Marine Biology and Blue Biotechnologies possess an adequate basic knowledge of the various sectors of the biological sciences; acquire disciplinary research methods; operational and applied skills in the field of marine biology; appropriate skills and tools for communication and information management; and are able to work in groups and operate with varying degrees of autonomy, as well as conduct bibliographic research using databases and computer networks. They are also able to make effective written and oral use of a language of the European Union in addition to English.

The Bachelor’s degree programme in MarBioTec, consistent with the core educational objectives of the Biological Sciences degree category, aims to provide a solid foundation in the various fields of Biology, Marine Biology, and Marine Sciences, enabling students to pursue studies in Master’s degree programmes and/or first-level Master’s programmes, as well as providing the opportunity to enter fields of application related to the role of a Junior Biologist.

Graduates acquire disciplinary research methods, competences, and practical skills in the field of marine biology across a broad range of applications, from study design to sampling and analysis of results. Graduates of the MarBioTec programme acquire: a) a solid foundational knowledge in basic biology and adequate scientific and practical training in the various sectors of marine biology, with particular emphasis on the disciplines characteristic of the programme and, specifically, on those more strictly related to marine biology and ecology; b) operational, applied, and managerial skills in the fields of marine biology and ecology, with particular regard to coastal and transitional environments, aquaculture facilities, marine parks, and protected marine areas, as well as marine biotechnology in general; c) a good command of the scientific method of investigation and the main methodologies used for the study, monitoring, and protection of coastal environments (oceanographic surveys, fishing surveys, environmental impact assessments); d) a solid foundation in experimental methodologies and technologies applicable to marine biology and ecology and to environmental impact assessment; e) knowledge of supporting mathematical and computational tools; f) a good command of a European language, both written and spoken, with particular reference to disciplinary terminology. The various disciplines of the degree programme, which consists of three years organised into semesters and divided into two pathways in the third year (Physical and Natural Biology and Marine Resources and Sustainability), not only provide foundational knowledge in physics, mathematics, and chemistry—with particular emphasis on aquatic systems and the ocean—but also offer more advanced knowledge in biology through the study of cell biology, general zoology, the anatomy of marine animal organisms, their systematics, and their diversity. The programme provides knowledge of ichthyology, conservation, and pathology of wild aquatic organisms, as well as the causes of disease onset and pathogenic agents. In the botanical field, graduates acquire knowledge of the structure, function, and biodiversity of marine plant organisms. Finally, courses in biochemistry, biomolecular science, and genetics allow students to enrich their educational pathway by studying biological macromolecules and the principles of heredity, as well as the cellular and molecular organisation of microorganisms. In the field of physiology, students are able to explore the physiological foundations of animal organisms and their responses to changes in environmental parameters and the presence of pollutants. In the pharmacological field, students acquire the principles of marine pharmacology and an understanding of the pharmacological potential of molecules of marine origin. Through courses in the ecological field, students acquire key concepts of marine ecology and the functioning of marine ecosystems, as well as knowledge of the anthropogenic impacts threatening the marine environment. In the microbiological field, students acquire knowledge of general microbiology and its application to marine environments, the structure and function of marine microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, and eukaryotic microorganisms), and their biotechnological potential.

Through the core, related, and supplementary courses offered in the curriculum, students have the opportunity to acquire broader competence in the field of Marine Sciences.

During the course of study in the Physical and Natural Biology curriculum, students acquire knowledge of marine biochemistry and toxicology, learning the molecular mechanisms of adaptation to the environment, respiration, and metabolism of marine organisms, as well as defence mechanisms against pollution, integrated with knowledge of marine toxicology and risks associated with the exposure of marine ecosystems to toxic substances. Through courses in chemistry and geology, students acquire the knowledge necessary to understand the equilibria and characteristics of marine environments, in terms of the chemical and physical parameters of water bodies, chemical and physical phenomena in marine environments, coastal formation and protection, and data analysis.

Throughout the Marine Resources and Sustainability curriculum, students gain knowledge regarding the sustainable use of marine resources and national and international law on the protection of the marine environment. In the field of biochemistry, students learn the principles of marine biochemistry, the molecular mechanisms involved in organisms’ adaptation to the environment, respiration, and metabolism, supplemented by knowledge of marine-derived nutraceuticals. In the field of pathology, graduates gain an understanding of the causes of disease onset in farmed marine animals, the identification of major pathologies and their causative agents, and knowledge and understanding of model organisms used in experimental research. Finally, in the field of fisheries biology, students acquire the ability to identify fish species and assess fish stocks.

The degree programme also requires, in order to complete the educational pathway, an internship to be carried out at external institutions—national, European, or international—affiliated with UniMe, so as to allow each student to gain initial professional experience, working in a team or independently, in a potential professional setting.

Junior Biologist

Role in the workplace:

The Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Marine Biology and Blue Biotechnologies prepares graduates to enter the labour market directly, where they can pursue professional roles (as independent contractors) and technical roles (as employees in the public or private sector) in various fields, including laboratory-based production and technology (marine ecology, bio-health, industrial, veterinary, food, and biotechnology, research institutions, and service providers), services involving analysis, monitoring, and management; classification, management, and use of biological material; management of the relationship between development and environmental quality; conservation, environmental restoration, and biodiversity protection; and in industries and companies involved in food processing and production, dealing both with the technical and analytical aspects and with consultancy on safety and product quality control.

Skills associated with the role:

The MarBioTech graduate will be a Junior Biologist capable of carrying out technical activities independently or within companies and/or laboratories in the fields of research, the environment, the pharmaceutical industry, and quality control. The skills acquired during the programme enable graduates to perform technical-operational and professional support activities in various fields of application: environmental, industrial, pharmaceutical, scientific information, and basic and applied research at public and private institutions. The newly proposed degree programme also enables future graduates to carry out all activities typical of the professional role of a Biologist (Section B of the professional register) and in all specific fields of application as governed by current regulations. Furthermore, the MarBioTech degree programme provides a broad range of educational competences necessary to pursue further studies in related Master’s degree programmes and Level I Master’s programmes. In accordance with Presidential Decree 328/01, graduates may take the State Examination to qualify for the practice of the profession as a Junior Biologist and consequently obtain registration with the National Order of Biologists (Section B).

Career opportunities:

Whether in the public or private sector, or as a freelance professional, graduates in Marine Biology and Blue Biotechnologies will find career opportunities in various fields of application, such as laboratory-based production and technological activities (marine ecology, bio-health, industrial biotechnology, veterinary science, research institutions, and services), as well as services related to analysis, quality control, management, and safety; in all public and private sectors where animal and plant organisms and/or their derivatives must be classified, managed, and utilised, and where the relationship between development and environmental quality must be managed; in multidisciplinary professional firms engaged in the development of projects for conservation, environmental restoration, and biodiversity protection; as technicians in the monitoring and protection of the coastal marine environment and its resources, within the framework of current EU and national legislation; as technicians in the management of marine protected areas, with expertise in the conservation and monitoring of marine species; aquaculture technicians, managing marine species farms in inshore, offshore, and lagoon environments, overseeing reproductive cycles, feed, and the maintenance of optimal water quality in the farms and of the final product. Graduates will be able to work in public administration (municipalities, provinces, and regions) and the private sector, in other public agencies and private companies, in the management of marine parks and protected areas, and in public and private research laboratories involved in marine-related activities, marine pollution, fisheries and aquaculture management, and environmental impact assessment.