Studying at the University of Verona
Here you can find information on the organisational aspects of the Programme, lecture timetables, learning activities and useful contact details for your time at the University, from enrolment to graduation.
Academic calendar
The academic calendar shows the deadlines and scheduled events that are relevant to students, teaching and technical-administrative staff of the University. Public holidays and University closures are also indicated. The academic year normally begins on 1 October each year and ends on 30 September of the following year.
Course calendar
The Academic Calendar sets out the degree programme lecture and exam timetables, as well as the relevant university closure dates..
| Period | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| I semestre | Oct 1, 2019 | Jan 31, 2020 |
| II semestre | Mar 2, 2020 | Jun 12, 2020 |
| Session | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Sessione invernale d'esame | Feb 3, 2020 | Feb 28, 2020 |
| Sessione estiva d'esame | Jun 15, 2020 | Jul 31, 2020 |
| Sessione autunnale d'esame | Sep 1, 2020 | Sep 30, 2020 |
| Session | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Sessione estiva di laurea LM9 | Jul 14, 2020 | Jul 14, 2020 |
| Sessione autunnale di laurea LM9 | Oct 9, 2020 | Oct 9, 2020 |
| Sessione invernale di laurea LM9 | Mar 12, 2021 | Mar 12, 2021 |
| Period | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Festa di Ognissanti | Nov 1, 2019 | Nov 1, 2019 |
| Festa dell'Immacolata | Dec 8, 2019 | Dec 8, 2019 |
| Vacanze di Natale | Dec 23, 2019 | Jan 6, 2020 |
| Vacanze di Pasqua | Apr 10, 2020 | Apr 14, 2020 |
| Festa della Liberazione | Apr 25, 2020 | Apr 25, 2020 |
| Festa del lavoro | May 1, 2020 | May 1, 2020 |
| Festa del Santo Patrono | May 21, 2020 | May 21, 2020 |
| Festa della Repubblica | Jun 2, 2020 | Jun 2, 2020 |
| vacanze estive | Aug 10, 2020 | Aug 23, 2020 |
Exam calendar
Exam dates and rounds are managed by the relevant Science and Engineering Teaching and Student Services Unit.
To view all the exam sessions available, please use the Exam dashboard on ESSE3.
If you forgot your login details or have problems logging in, please contact the relevant IT HelpDesk, or check the login details recovery web page.
Should you have any doubts or questions, please check the Enrolment FAQs
Academic staff
maurizio.boscaini@univr.it
alessandramaria.bossi@univr.it
045 802 7946 (Studio) - 045 802 7833 (Laboratorio)
Study Plan
The Study Plan includes all modules, teaching and learning activities that each student will need to undertake during their time at the University. Please select your Study Plan based on your enrolment year.
| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
|---|
| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
|---|
1° Year
| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
|---|
2° Year activated in the A.Y. 2020/2021
| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
|---|
| Modules | Credits | TAF | SSD |
|---|
Legend | Type of training activity (TTA)
TAF (Type of Educational Activity) All courses and activities are classified into different types of educational activities, indicated by a letter.
Research inspired laboratory (2019/2020)
Teaching code
4S003669
Credits
6
Coordinatore
Language
English
Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)
BIO/10 - BIOCHEMISTRY
The teaching is organized as follows:
d [1° turno]
d [2° turno]
e
c [1° turno]
c [2° turno]
b
a [1° turno]
a [2° turno]
d [3° turno]
c [3° turno]
a [3° turno]
Learning outcomes
The course is divided into 5 interdisciplinary laboratory modules focused on a topic of biological relevance. The main purpose of the course is to offer the student tools to focus on the problem, by using different highly complementary techniques. The GENETICS module aims to provide expertise on experimental approaches and bioinformatics analysis necessary to identify genetic variants associated with specific pathological conditions and their validation. The module of PROTEIN ENGINEERING aims to provide to the students with specific information on the principles and techniques used in protein engineering, with particular reference to the production of recombinant proteins in heterologous systems (construction and expression of foreign gene in prokaryotic and eukaryotic host cell). The BIOINFORMATICS module aims to introduce the computational methods used today to predict the effect of variants associated with diseases on the structure/function of proteins. At the end of the course, the student must demonstrate that he is able to use state-of-the-art computational methods to predict the effect of mutants from the sequence and structure of proteins. The module of EXPRESSIONAL PROTEOMICS aims to acquire laboratory skills for the preparation of an experiment in differential proteomics. The experiment can be aimed at the comparison of a pathological sample with a control sample for the identification of potential biomarkers of clinical use, or aimed at the comparison of a cellular sample treated or not with a drug for the recognition of the mechanism of molecular action of the drug itself. The traslational genetics module aims to familiarize students with the embryological and molecular methodologies used to study in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos, the effects of specific genetic alterations associated with human disorders.
Program
-----------------------
The goal of the genetics module is the identification of single nucleotide gene variants associated or causative of specific pathological conditions. Competences acquired will be: how to select the subject of the study, how to identify the genes associated with the disease, how to select the most appropriate target enrichment technique, how to perform the steps from sequencing to bioinformatics analysis, and how to validate the new markers identified.
------------------------
The Bioinformatics module will be entirely developed in a computer laboratory. The module is based on the seminal article: Predicting the Effects of Amino Acid Substitutions on Protein Function by Pauline C. Ng and Steven Henikoff and published in: Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics. The techniques reviewed in the article will be briefly introduced to the students. Then the students will put their hands on the problem by using those methods to assess the effects on mutants on human Calmodulin. The methods include: Sequence-based methods: - Sift - PolyPhen - Panther - PSEC Structure-based methods - Analyse the wild-type structure using the Pymol program - Introduce the mutants - Analyse the lost/gain interactions upon mutation - Study of the electrostatic potential on the surface of the protein (wild-type and mutated) Annotation-based methods: Pfam
------------------------
Protein engineering module: Definition of recombinant protein. Production of recombinant proteins (cloning, expression, purification). Introduction to protein engineering. Acquisition of the required information (theoretical and experimental) to carry out the process of engineering of a protein function/structure. Experimental approaches to study and modulate the protein functionality. Protein characterization (Site directed mutagenesis, Gel electrophoresis, ANS Fluorescence,).
------------------------
The functional genetics module will allow the student to have an overview of the most updated technique to study in animal models the alterations associated with pathogenic mutations. The practical experiences will focus on the analysis calmodulin1 zebrafish (Danio rerio) mutants generated with the CRISPR/cas9 methodology. From a practical point of view, the students will apply different techniques such as the whole-mount in situ hybridization and bright field microscopy, to detect phenotypical and functional alterations in calmodulin1 zebrafish mutant embryos.
------------------------
The expressional proteomics module includes key issues for a proteomics laboratory, for example, methods for protein quantification before a proteomic analysis, separation of proteins by two-dimensional electrophoresis, the detection of the proteomic profile by different staining (colorimetric and/or fluorescent), image acquisition of proteomic profiles, and an introduction to the identification of deregulated proteins by mass spectrometry.
------------------------
Bibliography
| Activity | Author | Title | Publishing house | Year | ISBN | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| c | Josip Lovric | Introducing Proteomics: From concepts to sample separation, mass spectrometry and data analysis | Wiley | 2011 | 978-0-470-03524-5 | |
| c | Josip Lovric | Introducing Proteomics: From concepts to sample separation, mass spectrometry and data analysis | Wiley | 2011 | 978-0-470-03524-5 | |
| c | Josip Lovric | Introducing Proteomics: From concepts to sample separation, mass spectrometry and data analysis | Wiley | 2011 | 978-0-470-03524-5 |
Examination Methods
The verification of the acquisition of concepts and protocols inherent to the thematics of the research inspired laboratory, will be through a global exam, subdivided into 10 open questions based on the 5 modules (2 questions for bioinformatics; 2 for biochemistry; 2 for expressional proteomics, 2 for genetics and 3 for translational genetics) to be replied in 3 hours.
All the questions aim at verifying the acquisition of the knowledge of the practicals and of the inherent theories discussed over the course.
Type D and Type F activities
| years | Modules | TAF | Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2° | Python programming language | D |
Maurizio Boscaini
(Coordinatore)
|
Career prospects
Module/Programme news
News for students
There you will find information, resources and services useful during your time at the University (Student’s exam record, your study plan on ESSE3, Distance Learning courses, university email account, office forms, administrative procedures, etc.). You can log into MyUnivr with your GIA login details.
Further services
I servizi e le attività di orientamento sono pensati per fornire alle future matricole gli strumenti e le informazioni che consentano loro di compiere una scelta consapevole del corso di studi universitario.
Graduation
Deadlines and administrative fulfilments
For deadlines, administrative fulfilments and notices on graduation sessions, please refer to the Graduation Sessions - Science and Engineering service.
Need to activate a thesis internship
For thesis-related internships, it is not always necessary to activate an internship through the Internship Office. For further information, please consult the dedicated document, which can be found in the 'Documents' section of the Internships and work orientation - Science e Engineering service.
Final examination regulations
Students earn the Master’s degree in Molecular and Medical Biotechnology after successfully completing the final examination, for which students are required to write a dissertation in English, to be presented in front of a Graduation Committee. By writing the dissertation, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills acquired. The dissertation shall be an experimental research work on a specific topic, to be carried out in university research laboratories, or in public or private institutes recognised in the biotechnology sector.
The dissertation shall be written by the student under the guidance of a Supervisor. In order to be admitted to the final examination, the student must have acquired all CFU credits in the training activities included in the Study Plan, except those specifically awarded upon completion of the dissertation.
The Graduation Committee shall evaluate each candidate, based on their achievements throughout the entire degree programme, carefully assessing the degree of consistency between educational and professional objectives, as well as their ability for independent intellectual elaboration, critical thinking, communication skills and general cultural maturity, in relation to the objectives of the programme.
40 CFU are awarded upon completion of the Master’s degree dissertation, which can be presented either in English or in Italian. Master’s degree dissertations can be either internal (written at the University or Verona) or in collaboration with an external institution/body.
For each dissertation, a Dissertation Committee shall be established: this will include one Supervisor, one or more co-supervisors (optional), and two examiners. Any professors belonging to a department of the School of Science and Engineering or the School of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Verona may act as Supervisor. Researchers working in external research institutes, research grant holders, post-doctoral fellowship holders and PhD students may act as co-supervisors. The examiners, who must be professors of either the School of Natural Sciences and Engineering or the School of Medicine and Surgery, shall be appointed by the Graduation Committee at least 25 days before the final examination, once the student's eligibility to take the final examination has been verified.
The activities of the Dissertation Committee are not subject to official invitations and will take place by agreement between the persons concerned no later than 15 days before the graduation ceremony, at which time only the awarding of the Master’s degree will take place.
At the end of the examination, the Dissertation Committee will draw up a brief evaluation note giving a summary mark (from 0 to 8 points). This note shall be sent to the relevant Teaching and Student Services Unit, no later than the day before the graduation ceremony, for the subsequent formulation of the final grade by the Graduation Committee, which shall then award the degree.
Evaluation of the dissertation
Students will be given about 30 minutes to present their dissertation. The Dissertation Committee will evaluate the work based on the following criteria:
- level of in-depth analysis in relation to the most recent developments in the Molecular and Medical Biotechnologies areas;
- scientific and/or technological outcomes of the dissertation;
- student’s critical thinking;
- student’s experimental development;
- student’s ability to carry out independent work (this point will not be assessed by the examiners);
- value of the methodologies used;
- accuracy in planning and writing the dissertation;
- communication skills in presenting the dissertation.
Graduation mark
The graduation mark (based on a 110-point scale) is a whole value between 66/110 and 110/110 and is calculated by adding together the following elements (then rounding the result to the nearest whole number, e.g. 93.50 => 94; 86.49 => 86):
- 1) the average of the marks gained in the modules, weighted according to CFU, converted to a 110-point scale;
- 2) evaluation of the dissertation and the oral presentation during the final examination, based on the following methods:
- a) a maximum of 11 points will be awarded for the presentation and the dissertation. These will count as follows: 8 points awarded by the Dissertation Committee, which will evaluate the dissertation and presentation by assigning each of the points 1-8 listed above a coefficient between 0 and 1 (fractional coefficient with one decimal place);
- b) 3 points will be awarded by the Dissertation Committee by unanimous decision, based on the student’s curriculum vitae. Specifically, in order to award the final mark, the Committee will take into account the following: any cum laude honours obtained in the exams taken during the degree programme; participation in internships officially recognised by the University; elective modules; and the achievement of the degree in a time that is shorter than the normal duration of the degree programme. Students who are awarded less than 11 points for their dissertation may be awarded 2 extra points, if: - they have earned at least 12 CFU credits by taking part in international mobility programmes; - they graduate within the normal duration of the degree programme.
- c) the sum of the points resulting from (a) and (b).
If the resulting score is 110/110 or above, the Graduation Committee may decide to award cum laude honours, in which case the student must have:
- a minimum weighted average mark of 104/110 (without rounding up) or
- a minimum weighted average mark of 102/110 (without rounding up) and must have been awarded cum laude honours in at least 3 modules during the degree programme. Under the current legislation, cum laude honours are conferred by unanimous decision of the committee.
External dissertations
An external dissertation is a work carried out in collaboration with an institution/body other than the University of Verona. In this case, the topic of the dissertation must be agreed in advance with a Supervisor from the LM-9 degree programme. In addition, the student must indicate at least one co-supervisor belonging to the external institution/body, who will support the student during the work on the dissertation. The Supervisor and the co-supervisors must be indicated in the online graduation application. The scientific outcomes of the dissertation will be available to all parties involved. In particular, the contents and results of the dissertation are to be considered public.
List of theses and work experience proposals
| theses proposals | Research area |
|---|---|
| Thesis proposal for CdLM in Molecular and medical Biotechnology - LM9 | Analytical chemistry - Analytical chemistry |
| Thesis proposal for CdLM in Molecular and medical Biotechnology - LM9 | Biochemistry and molecular mechanisms of signal transduction - Biochemistry and molecular mechanisms of signal transduction |
| Thesis proposal for CdLM in Molecular and medical Biotechnology - LM9 | Spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques - Spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques |
| Studio delle proprietà di luminescenza di lantanidi in matrici proteiche | Synthetic Chemistry and Materials: Materials synthesis, structure-properties relations, functional and advanced materials, molecular architecture, organic chemistry - Colloid chemistry |
| Stampa 3D di nanocompositi polimerici luminescenti per applicazioni in Nanomedicina | Synthetic Chemistry and Materials: Materials synthesis, structure-properties relations, functional and advanced materials, molecular architecture, organic chemistry - New materials: oxides, alloys, composite, organic-inorganic hybrid, nanoparticles |
| 3D-bioprinting biofabrication laboratory | Various topics |
| Organ on-a-chip | Various topics |
Attendance
As stated in the Teaching Regulations for the A.Y. 2022/2023, attendance is not mandatory. However, professors may require students to attend lectures for a minimum of hours in order to be able to take the module exam, in which case the methods that will be used to check attendance will be explained at the beginning of the module.
Please refer to the Crisis Unit's latest updates for the mode of teaching.
