Typology
Bachelor’s degree courses
Access methods
Free
Duration
3 years
Location
Varese
Language
Italian
Structure
Department of Biotechnologies and life sciences
Credits: 180

Course description

Biology has a prominent role in modern research and is characterised by a strongly innovative approach.

This degree programmes will allow you to gain a solid grounding in the different fields of biology and also to become familiar with the methods, theories and new technologies applicable in different fields of research and production.

The modules of this degree programme include the study of modern biomolecular disciplines, which are essential to understand all biological phenomena. The programme offers numerous practical workshops starting from the first year.

Halfway through the second year, students will choose between two different streams that provide specialised training:

  • the biomedical curriculum aims at understanding biological issues relating to human health;
  • the cells and organisms curriculum focuses on studying fundamental cellular processes, also from an evolutionary standpoint.

The degree programme in biology trains modern, versatile professionals who can choose to continue their studies or access the labour market. If you chose not to continue your studies in our second cycle programme, you will find job opportunities in biological labs that undertake research, analysis or quality control, where you will be offered mainly technical positions. Otherwise you might choose to sit the State Exam to become a Junior Biologist and work as a free-lance consultant in the areas envisaged by the laws in force.

Lessons are held in Italian.

What you need to know

The Degree Program has a limited number of places available. Taking into account the number of faculty members and the capacity of teaching facilities and laboratories, the maximum number of admissions for the academic year 2025/2026 has been set at 300. This figure includes non-EU international students as well as the quota reserved for the 'Marco Polo' and 'Turandot' projects.

JUNIOR BIOLOGIST

Role in the workplace:
Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences can perform technical and operational support activities, including:

  1. Planning and organizing experimental activities in the biological field;
  2. Conducting experimental activities with technical duties related to analysis (including diagnostic analyses);
  3. Monitoring and quality control of production processes;
  4. Presenting biological instruments and technologies to third parties.

Skills associated with the role:
Operational skills related to knowledge of biological systems and basic scientific approaches, with particular reference to the application of broad-spectrum biological and instrumental analysis techniques, aimed at both research and monitoring/control activities.

  • Ability to operate with a certain degree of autonomy and to integrate promptly into a work team.
  • Competence in using tools for continuous updating of one’s knowledge.
  • Skills in communication, management, and exchange of scientific information, both written and oral, in an official European Union language other than Italian.

Employment sectors:

  • Laboratories and/or public and private entities conducting analysis for quality control and environmental protection, operating in sectors such as food, pharmaceutical, biotechnological, zootechnical, and fishery industries;
  • Public and private research institutions operating (both at productive and research levels) in food, pharmaceutical, biotechnological, zootechnical, and fishery fields;
  • Public or private entities involved in classification, management, and utilization of living organisms and their components;
  • Scientific communication, dissemination, and editorial activities in the biological and naturalistic fields.

Bachelor’s degree graduates in Biological Sciences are eligible to register in Register B of the National Order of Biologists (as Junior Biologists), upon passing the corresponding State exam.

The degree prepares for the following professions (ISTAT codes):

  1. Biochemical Laboratory Technicians – (3.2.2.3.1)
  2. Food Product Technicians – (3.2.2.3.2)

Sources: Frames A2.a and A2.b Sua-CdS

If you are a EU National, you may stay in Italy for as long as you like: you only need a passport or ID card.
If you are a NON-EU National, you'll have to carry out some formalities.

Find out more

At the University level, various Services are organized to complement and support your student life. To learn more, please consult the section: Infostudenti – Student Information Service.

Each Study Program appoints faculty tutors for each academic year. The tutors are responsible for liaising with students to identify any issues related to the delivery and organization of the study program. Additionally, at the beginning of the academic year, tutors, in collaboration with faculty members and administrative staff, organize a welcome meeting for first-year students to present the Study Program.

The purpose of the Tutoring service is to support students throughout their university journey, helping them overcome any difficulties encountered during their studies. The service offers guidance and assistance to newly enrolled and continuing students through various initiatives and activities promoted by the Study Program.

Faculty members, together with the administrative staff’s Academic Quality Managers (MDQ), also organize additional meetings throughout the academic course to support students’ learning path.

Tutor:

Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences
Via J.H. Dunant 3, 21100 Varese - Italy
e-mail: didattica.dbsv@uninsubria.it

Infostudenti - Information service for students

Curricula and study plans

To consult teaching courses of previous Academic Years, at the top of this page click on "Course data sheet", then choose the Academic Year of your enrollment and click on "Study plans".

Opportunities and support

For information on scholarships and other benefits, consult:

Scholarships

Among the extracurricular activities offered by the degree program is the Honor Path.
This initiative is intended for high-achieving second-year students who, after the teaching break at the end of the first semester, have passed more than five exams with an average grade of at least 27/30.

The Honor Path consists of a series of seminars focused on core topics in modern Biology, offering participants an opportunity to deepen their understanding beyond the standard curriculum.
Students who take part in the Honor Path during their second and third year will receive formal recognition and one additional point upon graduation.

Participation in the seminars is also open to all students, including those not selected for the Honor Path, as well as to the general public.

Accommodation
Italian language course

Enrollment

Do you think that this course fits you? Enroll and start studying with us!

Enrollment procedures and tuition fees

Attending classes

In the Academic Year 2025/2026, first-semester classes will begin as follows:

  • First-year students: September 29, 2025
  • Second- and third-year students: September 22, 2025

Second-semester classes for all years will begin on February 23, 2026.

  • All lectures will be held in person.
  • Laboratory activities will also take place in person.
  • To access lecture materials and promptly view announcements published by instructors, you must be enrolled in the relevant course on the university's e-learning platform.
    If the course you are looking for does not appear in your personal catalog, you can find it in the general list and enroll manually.

Please note: If your enrollment process is not yet complete, you will not be able to access student services or systems.

Class schedules are available in the following ways:

Alternatively, you can consult:

Once you open the link, you will see the current week. To view the upcoming weeks, use the arrows at the top right of the screen.

Please check the timetable frequently: any changes, including class cancellations or rescheduled sessions, are updated directly in the online calendar.

You may also be interested in:

Specific instructions and updates regarding university closures, holidays, and the academic calendar of the program are available at:

Notices
Solemnities and University set closures

To attain the degree you must complete a stage or internship and produce a final report.
Find out more on the DBSV Internship page.

Stage e tirocini - informazioni per gli studenti (in Italian)
Stage e tirocini - informazioni per i laureati (in Italian)

Studying, taking exams and graduating

To consult the teaching material:

  1. go to https://elearning.uninsubria.it/ 
  2. log in with your university credentials: email username and password (without typing the @studenti.uninsubria.it part)
  3. choose the courses of your study plan in the I miei corsi (My courses) section
  4. there you will find all the materials that the teacher makes available.
Find out more (in Italian)

Leganto provides easy access to the reading lists of all degree courses.
You can access reading lists:

  • via the E-learning platform.
    Follow the instructions published in the section “Teaching material on the E-learning platform”. 
    On the main page of every course you can find the link “Vai alla bibliografia sul portale Leganto” (view the reading list on the Leganto Course Readings platform);
  • via the Course Catalogue (or section “Curricula and study plans” in this page)
    On the main page of every course, in the “Bibliografia” section, you can find the link to access the reading lists published on Leganto Course Readings platform.

If you need help or further information, please contact: leganto@uninsubria.it 
More about Leganto Reading Lists:

Leganto Reading Lists (on Library Service website)

To consult the exam dates and times go to the Servizi Web Segreterie studenti (Student Secretariat Web Services)

https://uninsubria.esse3.cineca.it/ListaAppelliOfferta.do (in Italian)

In the Menu select one or more options:

  • the day scheduled for the exam
  • the teaching structure, i.e. your Department or your School
  • the course of study, i.e. your degree course
  • the teaching course, i.e. the title of the teaching
  • the teacher.
     

To submit your examination entry, you must access your personal area of the Student Secretariat Web Services.

Go to the reserved area 

  1. Log in with your university credentials: email username and password (without typing the @studenti.uninsubria.it part)
  2. Esami > Appelli
    Then, select the exam session you want to submit your entry for and proceed following the instructions.
Exams: rules and enrolment

• Consult the general University rules relating to the Degree application: Domanda di Laurea (in Italian)
• Submit the application respecting the administrative deadlines. See Conseguimento titolo on-line (in Italian)
• Register for the last internship registration session before the graduation session, respecting the instructions given in the session notes
• Check the dates of the graduation sessions and the rules for submitting the thesis on the page Graduation Exam - Biological sciences
• The diploma (or parchment) is delivered during the graduation session.
Only for the possible collection of diplomas from before 2020 that are still in stock, consult Ritirare il diploma di laurea (in Italian)

Student services

Libraries
App Uninsubria
Student Office online service
Medical Care and Health Insurance Guide

For all resources, services and opportunities dedicated to registered students, see: Student.

Keep on with us!

Would you like to continue studying with us? Have a look at:

With the opportunity to obtain a Double degree.