Bio Sciences and Global Change

What is the objective of the course? What is it?
What does it train you for?

The Master’s Degree in Bio Sciences and Global Change is a bilingual programme (Italian and English) designed to train biologists capable of understanding and addressing the main environmental challenges related to global change, biodiversity loss, the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources, and ecosystem sustainability.

The programme integrates biological, ecological, environmental and paleo-geoclimatic disciplines in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the processes governing biosphere functioning.

The study programme is organised into two tracks, designed to meet different interests and professional perspectives.

The Biodiversity Monitoring and Management track prepares students to work in the field of biodiversity and habitat management and monitoring, providing skills relevant to environmental governance, species and habitat conservation and restoration, and the enhancement of ecosystems and their essential services.The Biosphere Dynamics and Climate Change track focuses on the understanding of past and present climate and environmental changes, biosphere–climate interactions and the processes regulating ecosystem resilience.

Overall, the programme prepares graduates for professional roles in environmental, management and technical-scientific fields related to contemporary global challenges, as well as for access to advanced training and research pathways.

What do you learn?

Students develop advanced knowledge and skills in biological, ecological and environmental sciences, with a strong focus on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity and climate change.

Shared courses provide the scientific foundations needed to understand ecological processes, Earth system functioning, anthropogenic pressures, and the tools used for environmental analysis and monitoring.

In the Biodiversity Monitoring and Management track, students deepen their understanding of animal and plant biodiversity monitoring, habitat management, invasive species, agri-environmental policies, and conservation and ecological restoration strategies, including the use of GIS and spatial analysis tools.

In the Biosphere Dynamics and Climate Change track, attention is given to past and present climate change impacts on biodiversity, biosphere–climate interactions, and the responses of organisms and ecosystems to environmental stress in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Both curricula integrate theory and practice, strengthening critical, methodological and communication skills essential for interpreting complex data and developing solutions to concrete environmental challenges.

The programme aims to train professionals capable of working at the interface between scientific research and applied environmental sustainability management.

What can you do with it?

The Master’s Degree in Bio Sciences and Global Change opens up a wide range of career opportunities in the fields of environment, biodiversity and sustainability.

The skills acquired enable graduates to work as Biodiversity Managers, involved in the monitoring and management of species, habitats and ecosystems, in collaboration with protected area authorities, public administrations, environmental consultancy companies and organisations engaged in nature conservation and territorial planning.

The programme also trains Environmental Biologists capable of analysing the quality of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, assessing the effects of anthropogenic pressures and climate change, and contributing to environmental studies, monitoring activities and technical assessments for public and private institutions.

Further career opportunities are found in scientific communication and environmental education, where graduates may work in science museums, botanical gardens, environmental education centres, and communication and awareness-raising projects focused on biodiversity and climate change.

Thanks to the solid scientific and methodological background provided by the programme, graduates may also enter academic and research contexts as qualified technicians or junior researchers in universities and public or private research institutions, participating in national and European research projects, or continue their education through a PhD programme.