Laurea Magistrale (Second cycle degree/Two year Master - 120 ECTS) in Sciences and Management of Nature

The Degree Programme aims at training professionals able to analyse, restore and conserve biotic and abiotic components of natural and artificial ecosystems, working for entities, institutions and companies, and operating as experts in educational centres, addressing ecological and environmental issues connected with global changes and the social and technical implications caused by these changes. Additionally, the Degree Programme provides the methodological and cultural foundations for a solid education and the basics of scientific research in natural science sectors. With specific reference to the programme, offered entirely in English, environmental sustainability is the model used to develop an integrated approach to the economic and social use, conservation and valorisation of natural resources in a context characterised by constant global changes.

This Degree Programme aims at providing graduates with adequate knowledge tools to help them address and solve complex issues such as those connected with global changes that affect different disciplinary fields and may have an impact on strictly natural and environmental areas, or carry additional social, economic and technological implications.

Therefore, Natural Environment Management and Conservation Experts do not focus strictly on protecting natural systems, but must also:
1) be able work on systems derived from anthropic activities (for example, agricultural areas), which are intrinsically unstable and, therefore, require constant controlling and monitoring. To meet the needs of this second aspect, the Italian learning path is based on laboratory work that provides up-to-date and immediately spendable knowledge together with activities that strengthen students' culture and allow them to develop an adequate critical attitude. The overall aim of this learning path is, in fact, centred around the combination of the two above-mentioned categories of activities.
2) be able to work on systems modified by phenomena connected with global changes. To this end, the learning programme, offered in English, uses a combination of competencies that blend the typical topics of natural and environment science with those pertinent to the economic and social impact produced by global change, as well as the political actions linked to their effects.

Learning path overview:
In brief, the degree programme aims at training professional figures able to bring together the solid culture of naturalistic studies – which in Italy have a great and successful tradition – with the need for monitoring, protecting and restoring natural and anthropic environments. This learning path also aims at setting the natural and/or anthropic environment in a context that includes the effects connected with global changes, and divides it into two curricula that analyse in depth the management and conservation of nature (in Italian) and the ecological dynamics and social and economic aspects linked to global change (in English).
For the above-mentioned purposes, the learning path is organized in blocks of disciplines with study programmes and laboratory work involving multiple fields: biogeography, bio agriculture and ecology, geoenvironmental studies, and social and economic management.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Graduates will:

• possess a broad and in-depth knowledge of issues related to nature management, protection, and conservation, as well as an understanding of the ecological and social dynamics associated with global change;
• demonstrate a solid understanding of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and of the strategies required to achieve them.

These outcomes are achieved through lectures, practical exercises, laboratory activities, fieldwork, and a significant amount of time dedicated to individual study and in-depth exploration.
Learning outcomes are assessed mainly through written and oral examinations, as well as reports on laboratory and field activities, where applicable.

An important role is assigned to the preparation of the final thesis, during which high-level knowledge and skills are acquired, particularly through individual study and participation in research projects within academic or external research groups and laboratories.

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Graduates will be able to:

• apply statistical and computational methods to the analysis of environmental data and biodiversity assessment;
• use biological and ecological techniques, including georeferencing, digital cartography, and GIS tools, for both physical and biological components;
• assess environmental and global change impacts using bioindicators;
• interpret environmental legislation relevant to nature conservation;
• design educational materials in the field of environmental and nature education;
• identify integrated solutions to mitigate the effects of global change and promote sustainable practices;
• develop appropriate methodological approaches to achieve specific goals related to global change challenges.

These skills are developed through:

1. learning activities with a strong practical component, including exercises and laboratory work requiring independent contributions from students;
2. field-based applications carried out during the experimental thesis project, which carries a substantial number of credits and requires a combination of advanced knowledge and practical application.

Such competences are primarily assessed through the activities carried out during the thesis work.

MAKING JUDGEMENTS

Graduates will:

• have an integrated understanding of environmental and territorial systems;
• be able to assess environmental quality;
• understand the causes and consequences of global change in an integrated manner;
• be capable of critically evaluating scientific and technological innovations;
• make informed and ethical judgements, based on the comprehensive analysis of scientific and non-scientific aspects related to environmental issues;
• connect scientific research with environmental education through an interdisciplinary and innovative approach.

Judgement skills are developed particularly through practical activities, laboratory sessions, and fieldwork.
They are especially exercised during the final thesis project, under the supervision of a faculty advisor.
Assessment of these skills is based on the student’s study plan and on the evaluation of the work carried out in preparation for the final examination.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Graduates will:

• be able to effectively present and communicate their integrated knowledge through written, graphical, and multimedia outputs;
• be proficient in both written and spoken Italian and English;
• demonstrate problem-solving abilities;
• show a strong attitude towards teamwork, and possess good skills in managing and coordinating multidisciplinary project teams;
• work with a high level of autonomy;
• communicate complex information, ideas, issues, and solutions at an advanced level in the field of nature and environmental sciences, in both Italian and English;
• adapt to new and evolving contexts.

These skills are developed and assessed through group work and the preparation of the final thesis, which provides an opportunity to further develop and demonstrate students’ abilities in analysis, synthesis, and communication of the work carried out.

LEARNING SKILLS

Graduates will:

• be able to independently study and interpret new scientific findings published in the literature;
• be capable of consulting bibliographic sources, databases, and other online resources;
• demonstrate the autonomy needed to undertake advanced studies (such as PhD programmes or second-level professional master's degrees) or enter the workforce at a high level of responsibility.

These skills are developed and assessed throughout the programme, during course-specific learning activities and examinations.
Students are encouraged to move beyond textbook-based learning and instead engage with primary scientific literature to support their study and exam preparation.