Neuroscience

Course Description

Level: Second Level Degree

Degree Class: LM-6 R - Biology

Department: BIOLOGY

Admission: Free

Duration: 2 years

The Master’s Degree Course in Neuroscience trains graduates to understand and experimentally investigate the functioning of the nervous system, both at the molecular and cellular level and at the level of integrated circuitry, under physiological conditions or genetic or pathological alterations. The course is open to students with different backgrounds, not only in biology, as long as they can prove that they are adequately prepared. It provides interdisciplinary education including: in-depth knowledge of the general morphology of the nervous system, its development, functioning and coding modesin-depth knowledge of the biochemical-molecular and cellular processes of neural functions and the neurobiological, biochemical and genetic basis of diseases of the nervous systemknowledge of methodological and technological aspects useful for studying the nervous system and its functioning under normal and pathological conditionsfamiliarity with experimental and statistical methodologies necessary to master the scientific methodTo acquire the skills described, the course includes lectures, tutorials and laboratory activities.

Content in Italian
Gli studenti che intendono iscriversi al Corso di Laurea Magistrale in "Neuroscience" devono essere in possesso di un diploma di Laurea di primo livello nella classe delle Lauree Triennali in "Scienze Biologiche" (L-13) o di altro titolo conseguito all'estero, riconosciuto idoneo in base alla normativa vigente.
Per l'accesso al Corso di Laurea Magistrale in "Neuroscience" i laureati in altre classi di laurea dovranno dimostrare il possesso di requisiti curriculari corrispondenti ad adeguati numeri di CFU in specifici settori scientifico-disciplinari che saranno definiti nel regolamento didattico. É richiesta inoltre un'adeguata preparazione su discipline fondamentali quali matematica, fisica, chimica (generale, organica e fisica), informatica e sulle discipline biologiche di base relative alla organizzazione degli organismi animali, vegetali e microbici ed ai loro rapporti ecologici. Gli studenti devono possedere conoscenze relative agli aspetti funzionali, cellulari e molecolari alla base della organizzazione dei viventi e dei meccanismi cellulari e molecolari che regolano l'ereditarietà, la riproduzione e lo sviluppo. Gli studenti per l'accesso alla laurea magistrale devono inoltre possedere adeguata conoscenza della lingua inglese (livello B2)
La verifica del possesso di tali conoscenze, e dell'adeguatezza della preparazione personale avviene secondo modalità definite nel Regolamento Didattico del Corso di Studio.

In order to be admitted to the Master's Degree Course in Neuroscience, candidates must meet specific curricular requirements and have an adequate initial preparation.

Curricular requirements:

1. Bachelor's degree in class 12 or L-13, or

2. a four-year or five-year degree in Biological Sciences, or

Bachelor's degree in a different class from those indicated in points 1 and 2, Second Degree, Master's degree,

old-system degree, provided that they have acquired at least 60 CFUs in the following disciplines:

- both scientific academic disciplines of Biology: all BIO fields (BIO/01 to BIO/19), MPSI/01, MPSI/02, MPSI/03, MED/01, MED/03, MED/04, MED/05, MED/07, MED/25, MED/26, MED/27, MED/36, MED/37, MED/39, ING-IND/34, ING-INF/06, FIS/07;

- and other scientific academic disciplines: all FIS fields (FIS/01 to FIS/08), all MAT fields (MAT/01 to MAT/09), INF/01, ING.INF/05, CHIM/01, CHIM/02, CHIM/03, CHIM/06, SECS-S/01, SECS-S/02, SECS-S/03, SECS-S/05, MPSI/03.

Of these 60 CFUs, at least 24 must be obtained in three different scientific disciplinary fields among the Biology fields indicated above and at least 18 in the scientific disciplinary fields among the other fields indicated above.

4. or a qualification obtained abroad and recognised as suitable.

The evaluation of the initial preparation consists of a potential written test and an oral examination, conducted by a dedicated commission, to assess the possession of adequate knowledge of the disciplines related to the above-mentioned “Biology” scientific academic disciplines.

The written test will be carried out at the discretion of the Commission according to the number of applications for admission to the Master's Degree Course.

The oral test will also aim to assess the level of English language proficiency, therefore, it will be conducted entirely in

English.

Only students who already hold the required qualification can take the test/s.

Only students who pass any written test and who meet the curricular requirements can take part in the oral test.

Based on the result of the oral test, the following situations may occur:

- unconditional admission to the Master's Degree Course, or

- non-admission to the Master's Degree Course, or

- admission subject to passing specific training activities (up to a maximum of 40 CFUs). In this case, students will be enrolled in Single Transition Courses to reach the required level of preparation.

Evaluation

Contacts

Presidente del Corso di Laurea
Federica Gemignani
Email: federica.gemignani@unipi.it

Referente didattico
Valeria Ribechini
Tel. (+39) 050 2211515
Email: valeria.ribechini@unipi.it
Unità Didattica del Dipartimento di Biologia: https://www.biologia.unipi.it/unita-didattica-biologia.html
Orario di ricevimento: E' possibile concordare un appuntamento per un ricevimento in presenza o telefonico scrivendo a: didattica@biologia.unipi.it

Study Plan

For students enrolled in the academic year 2026/2027

Required
Salute e sicurezza in laboratorio (1 CFU)
Elective classes (9 CFU)

The course offerings from previous years can be viewed at Course Catalogue.

Career opportunities

Graduates can find employment in both academic and industrial research, particularly in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.   They can also be employed in the field of medical device manufacturing and diagnostics, neuroprosthetics and neuropsychology, or in the field of dissemination of scientific knowledge and institutional communication

Enrolment

To enrol, you must hold:

  • a university degree recognised as suitable under current legislation
  • the curricular requirements specified in the regulations of the degree courses
  • adequate personal preparation, assessed according to the procedures defined in the regulations of the degree course.

Admission requirements

Procedures and deadlines

Pre-registration for the academic year 2027/2028