Bionics engineering

Course Description

Level: Second Level Degree

Degree Class: LM-21 R - Content in Italian
Ingegneria biomedica

Department: INFORMATION ENGINEERING

Admission: Programmed

CFUs: 120

Duration: 2 years

Website: http://www.bionicsengineering.it/

The Master’s Degree Course in Bionics engineering trains highly qualified professionals who are able to advance research in the field of bionics by integrating the principles of biomedical engineering, biorobotics and neural engineering. And capable of developing a new generation of biorobotic and biomimetic devices, as well as new, more patient-centred healthcare technologies. The course is divided into two curricula:
  • Neural Engineering, focused on the design and development of new neuroprostheses and innovative sensory systems, as well as the development and operation of robotic systems capable of interacting with humans
  • Biorobotics, focused on the development of human and animal robotic models, robotic devices for surgery and robotic rehabilitation
The course delves into the study of disciplines such as:
  • Applied brain science, Bioinspired and Soft robotics
  • Neural prostheses, Bionic senses, Wearable robotics
  • Interactive systems and affective computing
  • Design principles for bionic tissue engineering 
  • Advanced interventional and therapeutic technologies
  • Rehabilitation and assistive technologies.

Admission to the course requires the possession of the curricular requirements listed below, and a personal background guaranteeing fundamental knowledge of Industrial Bioengineering and Electronic and Information Bioengineering.

Proficient knowledge of English at least at level B2, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, is also required.

Curricular requirements

A minimum of 90 CFUs is required, to be distributed as follows:

i) At least 42 CFUs in the following SSDs (academic disciplines): MAT/02, MAT/03, MAT/05, MAT/06, MAT/07, MAT/08, MAT/09, FIS/01, FIS/02, FIS/03, FIS/07, CHIM/07, CHIM/03.

ii) at least 12 CFUs in the following SSDs (academic disciplines): ING-INF/06, ING-IND/34.

iii) At least 12 CFUs in the following SSDs (academic disciplines): ING-INF/01, ING-INF/05, ING-INF/04, ING-IND/ 13, ING-ING/14, ING-IND/15.

(iv) In addition to the CFUs mentioned in (i-iii), at least 24 CFUs belonging to the specific SSDs for Class L-8 or L-9.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDATES WITH A FOREIGN DEGREE

If a candidate possesses a foreign degree, the CIV Panel will review the curricular requirements by considering the duration of each course and the content of the corresponding exams.

Proficient knowledge of English at least at level B2, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, is also required

FOR ALL CANDIDATES.

In addition, a personal preparation test will be carried out as specified in the Academic Regulations of the Course of Study.

In order to be admitted to the competition procedure, candidates must have acquired at least 90 CFUs by the application deadline, distributed as follows:

i) At least 42 CFUs in the following SSDs (academic disciplines): MAT/02, MAT/03, MAT/05, MAT/06, MAT/07, MAT/08, MAT/09, FIS/01, FIS/02, FIS/03, FIS/07, CHIM/07, CHIM/03.

ii) At least 12 CFUs in the following SSDs (academic disciplines): ING-INF/06, ING-IND/34.

iii) At least 12 CFUs in the following SSDs (academic disciplines): ING-INF/01, ING-INF/05, ING-INF/04, ING-IND/ 13, ING-ING/14, ING-IND/15.

(iv) In addition to the CFUs mentioned in (i-iii), at least 24 CFUs belonging to the specific SSDs for Class L-8 or L-9.

SSDs for the L-8 class are as follows: ING-INF/01, ING-INF/02, ING-INF/03, ING-INF/04, ING-INF/05, ING-INF/06, ING-INF/07. SSDs for the L-9 class are as follows: ING-IND/01, ING-IND/02, ING-IND/03, ING-IND/04, ING-IND/05, ING-IND/06, ING-IND/07, ING-IND/08, ING-IND/09, ING-IND/10, ING-IND/11, ING-IND/12, ING-IND/13, ING-IND/14, ING-IND/15, ING-IND/16, ING-IND/17, ING-IND/17, ING-IND/18, ING-IND/19, ING-IND/20, ING-IND/21, ING-IND/22, ING-IND/23, ING-IND/24, ING-IND/25, ING-IND/26, ING-IND/27, ING-IND/28, ING-IND/29, ING-IND/30, ING-IND/31, ING-IND/32, ING-IND/33, ING-IND/34, ING-IND/35.

If the student fully meets this requirement, they may participate in the selection process and, if selected, will have no additional coursework debts. If the student only partially meets this requirement, they will have coursework debts and, if selected, will need to address them by taking additional exams and achieving the aforementioned CFUs. If these debts total 40 CFUs or more, the student does not meet the minimum requirement and is ineligible to take part in the selection process.

Foreign students must hold a degree issued by a foreign university after completion of at least three years of study. During the evaluation phase, the Panel will determine whether the foreign degree is equivalent or not, solely for the purposes of this competition, if selected. Admission of candidates with a foreign degree obtained in a non-EU country is always subject to the condition of verifying the legitimacy of the qualification, as officially declared by the competent Italian diplomatic representations.

For the competition section reserved for non-EU and EU candidates, participation is also open to candidates who do not yet hold a Bachelor’s degree. In this case, the candidate is accepted on condition that they will eventually obtain the Bachelor’s Degree and that they submit the relevant documents by the deadline specified in the call for applications.

Apart from the academic qualifications specified in the preceding paragraphs, candidates are required to have a sound understanding of the English language, at a minimum intermediate level (Level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). The level of knowledge of the English language will be ascertained by the Panel during the assessment interview.

Course Evaluations

Contacts

Presidente del Corso di Laurea
Alessandro Tognetti
Email: alessandro.tognetti@unipi.it

Referente didattico
Barbara Conte
Tel. (+39) 050 2217642
Email: barbara.conte@unipi.it
Unità Didattica del Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Informazione: https://www.dii.unipi.it/didattica
Orario di ricevimento: Previo appuntamento telefonico (+39) 050 2217642/692 o via e-mail: didattica@dii.unipi.it

Study Plan

For students enrolled in the academic year 2025/2026

Biorobotics

Required
Free choice (12 CFU)

Neural engineering

Required
Free choice (12 CFU)
The course offerings from previous years can be viewed at Course Catalogue.

Career opportunities

Graduates are able to carry out professional activities in:
  •  Industry for the design, development and operation of neuroprosthetic, biorobotic and biomimetic platforms and devices, for rehabilitation, for minimally invasive therapy, for limb replacement and functional assistance, for telerobotics
  • Public and private healthcare companies
  • Research, focusing on the development of new frontier topics in biorobotics and neural engineering.

Enrolment

The selection process is managed by the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna. Please refer to the dedicated page for more information.