Download The Medical Faculty of the University of Milano

The Medical Faculty of the University of Milano
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Courses offered by the Faculty of Milan include most of the area of health care education. They include
undergraduate “core” courses in Medicine and Surgery and Dentistry, as well as 20 3-year courses in the
areas of direct care, rehabilitation, technical support, prevention, and medical biotechnology.
In addition, are offered to graduate students :
- 55 Specialization Schools —all the types recognized by the European Union — are active within the
Faculty. A very large network of hospitals, covering most Lombardy, is organized around the
Specialization Schools system .
- 2 postgraduate courses:
1) Medical biotechnology and molecular medicine (40 students each year) includes the curricula in internal
medicine, neurosciences, oncology issue engineering and transplants;
2) Infermieristica is aimed at preparing members of staff in charge of the organization and management of
nursing services in hospitals and in health care structures.
- 20 PhD programs are currently active within the Faculty. They cover basic sciences (such as cell and
molecular biology, physiology, pharmacology) and pathophysiology areas (such as oncology or
ageing): each program enrolls on average 5-10 postgraduate students each year. Some programs are
run in collaboration with other Universities and involve non Italian teaching staff: an example is Advanced
School In Molecular Medicine just started in collaboration with the “Federico II” University of Naples.
Corso di Laurea specialistica in Medicina e Chirurgia
1. General description and aims
The University course in Medicine and Surgery (Corso di Laurea specialistica in Medicina e Chirurgia) is open
to students who have completed a five years high school cycle and have been awarded the corresponding
degree. It lasts six years and requires 360 credits (credit of the the Italian university is a measure of the work,
including personal study, that a student having an adequate initial background, is supposed to spend in order
to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes defined by the educational rules of the course; it corresponds to
25 hours of student’s work, whose at least 50% must be allowed for personal study; a lower percentage of
time can be dedicated to personal study in the case of training activities having a highly experimental or
practical content ). At the end of the courses the degree “Laurea specialistica in Medicina e Chirurgia”,
recognised within the European Union (EU) , is awarded.
The Corso di Laurea is aimed at forming graduates possessing the working method, the culture and
operational autonomy necessary to gain access to Scuole di specializzazione, to perform as surgeon in the
different roles and to efficiently perform in continuing medical education.
The training plan to reach the degree, besides the acquisition of essential theoretical knowledge of basic
sciences and of physiopathology of diseases in man also provides for the acquisition of the ability of noticing
and critically evaluating the state of health or disease of a subject; stimulating the attention direct as well to the
behavioral aspects of illness, socioeconomical factors and ethical considerations that may impinge on medical
management. The training plane also gives ables to clearly and kindly communicate with patients and their
relatives. In order to help the student to reach these aims, the course provides also for training activities useful
to acquire specific professional skills in the areas of internal medicine, general surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics
and gynaecology, and medico-surgical specialities for 60 credits.
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2. Admission to the Corso di Laurea specialistica
Owing to the strongly professional character of the Corso di Laurea specialistica and in accordance to the
indications of EU the number of students admitted to the course is planned each year depending by available
teaching and hospital resources. In the last years, this number has been fixed at 300 places for European
Union citizens and foreigners resident in Italy, plus 10 places reserved to non European Union citizens non
resident in Italy.
Candidates are selected through an admission test, that is the same in all Italian Public Universities and takes
place on the same day (usually at the beginning of September) in the whole country.
Information on the enrolment to the admission test can be obtained
Programs of the test are defined by the Italian Ministry of Instruction, University and Research and can be
found at the internet address: http://www.miur.it/
3. Organization in teaching poles (Poli didattici) and teaching tracks (Linee di insegnamento)
The Medicine and Surgery course includes 5 pre-clinical and 7 clinical semesters. The Corso di Laurea is
organized in teaching poles , based on 3 groups of hospitals, each hosting a complete teaching course,
and in teaching tracks (linee di insegnamento): each track is based on its own hospital facilities and students
are enrolled in it from the beginning of the Course. Hospital structures available for the course in Medicine and
Surgery include both general hospitals (5) and specialized structures (cardiological, oncological, orthopaedical,
etc.). During the pre-clinical phase, students are divided in 4 classes (the “Central” pole includes two classes).
During the clinical phase, the “Central” pole students are further divided in three classes, in order to offer the
best student/hospital structure ratio.The overall students:teaching staff ratio is 5.To make sure that available
hospital facilities are most efficiently used , teaching is based on the tutorial given to small group of students.
The total average number of in-patients available for clinical practice to medical students is just above 2,450,
giving an overall patient:student ratio of 2.
Poles and tracks operating and available places in each track are the following:
Pole
Hospital and address
Track
Places
Sacco-Vialba
•

Ospedale Luigi Sacco - Via G.B. Grassi, 74
Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi
A
80
San Paolo



Ospedale San Paolo - Via Di Rudinì, 8
Istituto Oncologico Europeo
Istituto Clinico Humanitas
B
80
Centrale






Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico - Via F. Sforza, 35 C and D 75+75
Istituti Clinici di Perfezionamento
Istituto Gaetano Pini
Istituto Cardiologico Monzino
Ospedale San Donato
Ospedale San Giuseppe
A course takes place at the Vialba and S. Paolo Poles; for the Central Pole, courses of the first five terms are
held at the facilities of “Città Studi”.
An additional teaching track, open to a maximum of 30 students of the Central Pole (tracks C and D), is active
at the S. Donato Hospital. This track begins on the second term of the third year when the clinical phase
begins.
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Finally, an experimental track, for a maximum of 20 voluntary students of the S. Paolo Pole (track B), is
running at the Istituto Clinico Humanitas. This track, that begins at the second term of the third year, is based
on innovating teaching methods, it includes an almost complete horizontal integration among courses of each
term, clinical tutorial teaching at a tutor:student ratio of 1:1-1:2, problem based learning with small group
discussions, seminars and a strong reduction of formal lectures (to see an example click here). Learning
evaluation is performed through a single theoretical and practical examination covering all the objectives of the
term.
4. Teaching plan
Academic activities begin on the last week of September. Each academic year is divided in two terms, lasting
approximately 13 weeks. Each term is followed by an exam session, lasting approximately 6 weeks; a third
session, of three weeks, takes place in September.
During the first and the second session are set at least two exam dates. For the first and the third session, an
additional date is set respectively, immediately after Easter and at the beginning of November,
During the examination sessions, teaching activities can not take place.
5. Teaching activities of the curriculum the Corso di Laurea specialistica
The curriculum of the Corso di Laurea specialistica includes the following types of teaching activity:
courses of the core curriculum: represent the compulsory part of the training program; they may last one or
more terms, may be taught by one or more teachers having different competences, and include both formal
lectures and non formal teaching (small groups discussing and solving problems, practical works, etc.);
they end up with a single examination. 270 credits over the six years are devoted to these courses.
professional training: practical activities personally performed by the students, in health care facilities under
the supervision of a tutor, aimed at acquiring specific professional competences. Each student spends 60
credits over the six years course.
electives: different learning activities (seminars, internships, field experiences, etc.) chosen by the students
among several proposals offered by the Board of Professors or directly proposed by the student (by
previous agreement of the Board of Professors). 15 credits over the six year course are provided for these
activities.
preparation of the degree thesis: practical research work performed by the student under the supervision of
a teacher. A student must spend 15 credits in this work.
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6. Teaching organisation of the Corso di Laurea specialistica in Medicina e Chirurgia
The curriculum of the Corso di Laurea provides for 34 compulsory courses, each engaging the student for the
number of credits indicated in brackets in the following table. Credits are awarded to the student when he
passes the corresponding exam, independently of the obtained mark.
Year
I
II
1st semester
Human anatomy 
Introduction to Medicine (4) 
Histology and Embryology (7.5) 
Medical physics 
Chemistry and biochemical propaedeutics (6.5) 
Biological chemistry (12) 
Biology and genetics (11) 
English for science and medicine( 5) 
III
General pathology and pathophysiology (12) 
Human physiology (18) 
Communication and relation in Medicine 
IV
Semeiotics and systematics II (23) 
Medico-surgical specialities (6) 
Communication and relation in Medicine 
General diagnostics (4.5) 
V
Clinical medicine 
General surgery 
Pathology 
Diseases of the nervous system (7.5) 
Medical pharmacology (9) 
Psychiatry and clinical psychology (5.5) 
Clinical medicine 
General surgery (17.5) 
Paediatrics (8) 
Pathology (7.5) 
VI
2nd semester
Human anatomy (16) 
Biology and genetics 
Medical physics (6) 
Human physiology 
General pathology and pathophysiology 
Microbiology (6) 
Immunology and immunopathology (4) 
Semeiotics and systematics I (23) 
Statistics and evaluation of evidence in medicine (9) 
Communication and relation in Medicine 
General diagnostics 
Medical pharmacology 
Infectious diseases (6) 
Diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy (6) 
Dermatology (4.5) 
Public health (7.5) 
Communication and relation in Medicine (9.5) 
Clinical medicine 
General surgery 
Pathology 
Occupational medicine (6) 
Obstetrics and gynaecology (7) 
Orthopaedics and traumatology (6.5) 
Clinical medicine (26.5) 
Medico-surgical emergencies (8) 
Forensic medicine (4) 
Notes: the symbol  after the name of a course indicates the end of the course and the corresponding
examination; the symbol  indicates that the course continues in the following term.
7. Compulsory attendance
To be admitted to the corresponding examination, students must have attended at least 75% of formal and
non formal teaching planned for each course. In case of courses spread over several terms, this provision
applies to each term separately.
Each teacher can choose how to verify student’s attendance.
Students who have not complied with the obligation of attendance, are automatically enrolled as repeating
students for the following academic year.
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8. Propaedeutics and rules governing student progression
In order to guarantee a progressive and balanced cultural growth of the student, the following propaedeutics
and blocks are provided for.
Propaedeutics
Students must have passed the examination of:
Histology
Chemistry and biochemical propaedeutics,
Medical physics,
Introduction to medicine
Human anatomy,
Biochemistry,
Biology and genetics
Human physiology,
General pathology and pathophysiology,
Immunology and immunopathology,
Microbiology
Semeiotics and systematics I,
Semeiotics and systematics II
in order to be admitted to the examination of:
Human anatomy
Biology and genetics,
Biochemistry
Human physiology,
General pathology and pathophysiology,
Immunology and immunopathology
Semeiotics and systematics I
Semeiotics and systematics II
Medico-surgical specialties
Infectious diseases
Dermatology
Diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy
Diseases of the nervous system
Medical pharmacology
Psychiatry and clinical psychology
Occupational medicine
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Orthopaedics and traumatology
Paediatrics
Pathology
Medico-surgical emergencies
Clinical medicine
General surgery
The order of the remaining examinations is left to the student’s choice.
If the above rules concerning propaedeutics are respected, repeating students who did not pass the precedent
examination (debt), can sit for exams at all dates fixed for other students; additional dates reserved to
repeating students may be arranged , also during the term periods.
Blocks
First year
Students who, at the 30th of September, have a debt of 20 or more credits are temporally enrolled as second
year until the last exam date of the third session of examinations (first week of November). If by this date the
debt remains, they are enrolled as 1st year repeating students for the whole following academic year. During
this academic year students are not allowed to attend courses or training activities planned for following years,
but can attend elective courses.
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Second year
Students who have, at the 30th of September, a debt of 25 or more credits are temporally enrolled as third year
till the last exam date of the third session of examinations (first week of November). If by this date the debt
remains, they are enrolled as 2nd year repeat students for the whole following academic year. During this
academic year students are not allowed to attend courses or training activities planned for following years, but
can attend elective courses.
Third year
Students who have, at the 30th of September, a debt of 30 or more credits are temporally enrolled as fourth
year till the last exam date of the third session of examinations (first week of November). If by this date the
debt remains, they are enrolled as 3rd year repeating students for the whole following academic year. During
this academic year students are not allowed to attend courses or training activities planned for following years,
but can attend elective courses.
9. Examinations
Each course of the curriculum is followed by a single examination, which the student is individually evaluated
in. Marks range is between 0 and 30, with laude.
Examinations take place in periods free from other teaching activities (examination sessions).
According to choices of the examining commissions, examinations may include written parts (quiz, questions
with open answer) and/or practical tests, and/or oral colloquias.
Oral examinations must be public; for written examinations the possibility of verifica most be provided for.
During written examinations students are allowed to withdraw through the whole length of the examination; in
case of oral examinations, withdrawal can take place before the recording of the result.
The board of examiners must communicate to the student the result of the examination before recording it.
Student can refuse the proposed evaluation and to withdraw.
Once the result of an examination has been recorded, the examination cannot be repeated and the mark be
can not be modified.
In the first and in the second exam session must be set two examination dates, divided by at least three
weeks; in the third, only a single date. If, in the first and/or in the second session, more than two dates are set,
the period between the first and the last must last at least three weeks.
Dates must be set at least with a 60 days notice. Each date must last long enough to allow all the students
who have planned to sit for the examination in that date to do so. Provided that rules concerning attendance
and propaedeutics are complied with, students can sit for an examination in any session, as from the session
immediately following the end of the relevant course.
A student who have failed an examination can repeat it in a subsequent date, after three or more weeks.
There is no limit for the number of trials to pass an examination, but rules concerning propaedeutics, blocks,
and credit obsolescence must be respected.
For repeating students, as well as for sixth year students who have attended all the training activities planned
by the curriculum, exam dates can be also set outside normal examination sessions.
10. Elective courses
To be allowed to sit for the final examination, students must have spent 15 credits in attending training
activities (elective courses) offered each year by the Board of Professors or submitted by the student to the
approval of the Board of Professors.
There are 4 different types of elective courses :
- seminar courses, requiring additional study by the student;
- experimental laboratory activities, requiring a a little time of additional study;
- practical activities or experiences, requiring almost no additional study work;
- internships in biological or clinical departments.
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Electives courses require between 5 (0.2 credits) and 40 hours (1.6 credits), including personal study.
Students can plan to spend as they like the 15 elective courses credits over the six years, but no more than
4.1 credits are acquired in each single year.
11. Programme of exchange
Within the frame of European Union mobility programs (Socrates-Erasmus programme), students are allowed
to spend at a University in a different EU country up to two terms, beginning from the second year.
According to present rules, students willing to exploit this possibility must submit to the Socrates Commission
of the course an application describing the work they are planning to perform at the foreign University (learning
contract). Acceptance of the application is submitted to rules fixed by Socrates agreements.
Training activities performed abroad are fully recognized as part of the curriculum and the corresponding
credits are recognized according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Examinations passed at the
foreign University are fully or partially recognized as if they were passed at the University of Milan. Marks
recorded in different scales are transformed in the 0-30 scale according to the ECTS rules.
Of course, during their stay abroad, students are exempted form attending training activities planned by the
course in Milan. Remark: all the courses are taught in Italian: In future also English-language courses will be
included into the programme. Italian language courses are organised (free of charge) for EU students in the
Erasmus programme
12. Final examination
To obtain the laurea specialistica, students, who have spent 270 credits in curricular courses, 15 credits in
elective courses, 60 credits in professional training, for a total of 345 credits, must discuss a degree thesis
To do it, students must have spent 15 credits in preparing thesis under the supervision of a tutor.
Students interested in preparing their thesis in a Department or Institute of the Medical Faculty must submit to
the Director of the Department or Institute a formal application including their curriculum. The Director, if
working space is available, accepts the application and entrusts a teacher, possibly suggested by the student,
with the responsibility of supervising him during the preparation of the thesis. This teacher, at the moment of
the discussion of the thesis, will act as “Relatore”.
Students planning to work for their thesis in non-University facilities must apply to the President of the Board of
Professors, indicating where he is planning to work, the subject of the thesis, the name of the external tutor
responsible of the supervision. This tutor, during the discussion of the thesis, will act as “Correlatore”. The
President will entrust a Faculty member with the duty of supervising the work of the student and to act as
“Relatore” when the thesis will be discussed.
13. Control of non-expiration of acquired credits
Non-expiration of credits acquired by passing an examination must be verified nine years after they have been
acquired. Non-obsolescence of acquired credits must therefore be verified in the following cases:
a) students who have completed the attendance to all courses of the curriculum for more than three years;
b) sixth-year students who have interrupted their enrolment for more than three academic years;
c) sixth-year students who have been enrolled as repeating students for three or more years.
Students can choose between two procedures for the control:
a) an ad hoc Commission, including at least a teacher for each course of each term, globally verifies the
non-expiration of the credits acquired with the courses of that term, on the basis of the examination programs
set for the year which the control is performed in, possibly through a written examination;
b) the normal examining commission for each of the examinations of a given term re-examins the students
for the corresponding subject.
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Corso di Laurea specialistica in
Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine
1.
General description and aims
The University course in Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine is open to students who have been awarded the degree in
Medical Biotechnology at the University of Milano or other degrees whose training plan is considered equivalent by the Faculty. The
course lasts two years and provides for a total amount of 300 credits (CFU).
The training plan provides for the acquisition of the essential theoretical knowledge of the relationship between function and
structures of biomolecules and biosystems at cellular, tissue and whole body level in both physiologic and pathologic conditions; the
comprehension of economic, ethic and forensic issues linked to medical biotechnology research. The course gives a basic
knowledge of the main biotechnology tools and, the necessary biotechnological expertise that is acquired with a prolonged laboratory
training.
2. Admission to the Corso di Laurea specialistica
The number of students admitted to the course is planned each year depending by available teaching and laboratory resources. In
the last years, this number has been fixed at 40 places for European Union citizens and foreigners resident in Italy, plus 5 places
reserved to non European Union citizens non resident in Italy. Candidates are selected through an admission test, that usually takes
place in October. The final admission will be based on the curriculum (20%) and on the admission test results (80%).
3. Teaching plan organization
Academic activities begin on the first week of November.
The teaching plan consists of a two common semesters and two semesters with teaching activities specific for each of four different
curricula. Curricula include: Internal Medicine, Neurosciences, Oncology, Tissue Engineering and Transplants.
Each semester is followed by an exam session, lasting approximately 6 weeks; a third session, of three
weeks, takes place in September.
During the first and the second session are set at least two exam dates. For the first and the third session, an
additional date is set respectively, immediately after Easter and at the beginning of November,
During the examination sessions, teaching activities can not take place.
Since the beginning of the second semester, laboratory research activities will be personally performed by the students under the
supervision of a tutor. Laboratory training is aimed at acquiring specific professional competences and to perform the experimental
thesis to be discussed during the final exam.
The choice of the laboratory will be performed on the basis of the programs proposed by laboratories participating to experimental
training, cultural interests and curriculum studiorum of the student. 42 CFU will be provided over the whole period of this activity plus
6 CFU for the preparation and public discussion of experimental thesis.
The organization of the courses of each semester is reported in the following tables.
First Year-1st semester
Course
English
Medical and molecular
genetics
Bioinformatics
Cellular and Molecular
Biology , Physiology and
Pharmacology
Morbid Anatomy
Content
Scientific English
The course is organized in two modules. The topics covered by first module regard human
genome organization (genes, pseudogenes, intervening sequences, duplications, repetitive
sequences) and the regulation of gene expression in human cells. The second module regards
the molecular mechanisms at the basis of Mendelian and complex human diseases and their
diagnostic and counselling approaches.
Informatics applied to biomedicine.
This course is intended to introduce students to some of the many diverse and complementary
paths by which modern cell scientists approach their research. The instructors will present
current research from their own areas of expertise. Topics include: molecular structure and
function of membranes, calcium imaging, patch-clamp techniques, optic, electronic and confocal
microscopy and fluorescence techniques, cell fractionation, intracellular molecular trafficking,
mechanisms of signal transduction and intracellular signalling, cell adhesion molecules and cell
motility, polarity of the cells, genetics and genomics in development of new drugs.
The course in Morbid Anatomy provides the general information pertaining a diagnostic
CFU
3
5
2
6
1
9
laboratory of pathology and subsequently focuses on the modern application of biotechnology
to human specimens. Specifically the course provides information on the use of human
samples to obtain DNA and RNA suitable for the most common diagnostic technique. The
course also provides basic information on mutation detection and gene expression evaluation,
including modern quantitative techniques. Principles of storage and preservation of samples
are discussed.
Laboratory Practice
Course
Total CFU
Laboratory practice of the fundamental biotechniques.
11
28
First Year-2nd semester
Course
Content
CFU
Physiopathology: from the
cell to the clinics
Molecular and cellular mechanisms at the basis of human pathologies.
5
Immunology
The course on Immunology covers a selection of arguments of both innate and acquired
immunity. Students are expected are requested to integrate basic notions on immunology on
selected topics of fore front research activity. Arguments include pathogen recognition and
killing, soluble mediators, antigen processing and presentation, lymphocyte activation and
polarization, tumor immunology. A particular attention is dedicated to molecular and cellular
aspects, as well as to methods and technologies of relevance. Reference to clinical
implications is also provided.
2
Gene therapy and use of “biological” drugs for therapy
3
Management of a research laboratory
Ethic principles of biotechnology applied to humans
2
2
Training in a research laboratory
18
Elements of gene and cell
therapy
and
clinical
pharmacology
Management
Bioethics
Laboratory
research
training
Total CFU
32
Second Year
Common activities for all curricula
Activity
Content
CFU
Cellular Models
Course of Experimental
models in biotechnology
The cell culture model: advantages, directions (instructions) and limits
Primary cultures, cellular lines and immortalized cells
Examples of cellular models
Techniques to maintain cell cultures
Techniques to check-up cell cultures
Cell banks
Animal Models
Introduction to the animal models: drosophyla, zebrafish, xenopus, mouse
Characteristics, advantages and disadvantages
Stem cells ES: embryologic origin and potentiality
Molecular strategies for genetic modification in knock-out mouse: Knock-in, Conditional
knock-out; Transgenesis; ENU mutagenesis; Gene-trap.
Animal models for pathology
2
Course
of
Technologies
Basics of optics
Electromagnetic spectrum. Atomic structure. Interaction of radiation with matter. Lenses
(converging and diverging). The formation of images. Polarization. Detectors. CCD.
Introduction to optical microscopy
Objective and ocular. Numerical aperture. The condenser. Illumination techniques (bright
field, dark field). Transmission microscopy. Phase contrast microscopy. Confocal microscopy.
Manipulation techniques.
Fluorescence techniques.
Fluorescence and phosphorescence. Epifluorescence microscopy. Time resolved
fluorescence techniques. FRET.
Physical techniques for the measurement of ligand-receptor interactions
3
Physical
10
Evanescent-wave techniques: TIRF, surface plasmon resonance. TIRF microscopy
Courses chosen by the students among different proposals offered each year by the Board of
Professors or directly proposed by the student (by previous agreement of the Board of
Professors).
Electives
Laboratory
training
Final exam
Total CFU
research
3
Training in a research laboratory
31
Thesis preparation and public discussion
6
60
Curriculum Neurosciences –1st semester
Course
Neurobiology
Neural networks and
artificial intelligence
Psychology and
Psychobiology
Total CFU
Content
The course of Neurobiology is intended to offer an integrated view of the nervous system,
from the cellular and molecular basis of neural excitability and synaptic transmission to the
complex hierarchical organization of the brain. The molecular understanding at the cellular
level is integrated to higher brain functions such as mechanisms of sensory perception,
reflexes and motor function, learning, memory, and biorhythms. Students will be introduced to
the insights, methods, and questions specific to the particular areas of research.
Historical notes on the development of neural networks models and artificial intelligence
concepts. Neuronal Models. Neural Netwoks Models. Learning by examples: the perceptron
and the multilayer perceptron. Some applications
The basis of experimental psychology and of behaviour
CFU
5
1
1
7
Curriculum Neurosciences –2ndsemester
Course
Neuropsychopathology
Imaging Diagnostics
Biotechnological
diagnostics
Neuropsychopharmacolog
y
Total CFU
Content
Nervous system disease; psychiatric disease; genetic base of psychiatric disease.
Modern techniques for in vivo non invasive imaging of human brain and methods for the
preparation of biotechnology tools for imaging
CFU
3
Application of biotechnology to the diagnosis of genetic and non genetic nervous pathologies
1
Mechanism of action of chemical and biotechnological drugs affecting the nervous system
and their behavioural effects
3
1
8
Curriculum Internal Medicine –1st semester
Course
Molecular Epidemiology
Biotechnological
diagnostics I
Total CFU
Content
The primary goal of the course is to introduce participants to the concepts and methods of
molecular epidemiology that are relevant to studying the causes of complex human diseases.
Class topics include: the theoretical advantages of biomarkers, criteria for evaluating potential
markers, sample collection and storage, laboratory quality control considerations, issues in
epidemiologic study design and analysis, and ethical/legal concerns. Basis of genetic
epidemiology, including concepts of quantitative and qualitative traits, Hardy-Weinberg
equilibrium and linkage disequilibrium, genetic risk models, methods for haplotype estimation.
Study designs and methods will be illustrated with examples derived primarily from research
and applications on cancer, infectious diseases, forensic medicine, and environmental health.
CFU
3
Introduction and overview of forensic sciences. Basic concepts of the law of
criminal procedure and rules of evidence as applied to forensic biology.
Basic knowledge of proper collecting, and preserving physical evidence at
the scene of crime. Genetic marker analysis and their applicability to forensic
science. Evaluation of current developments in laboratory technology utilised
to identify, analyse, and compare evidence in criminal, paternity testing and
remains identification cases.
Diagnostic setting of single disease and molecular diagnostics laboratory
5
8
11
Curriculum Internal Medicine –2nd semester
Course
Biotechnological
diagnostics II
Biotechnological therapy
Total CFU
Content
Cytogenetic diagnostics and gene data banks management
Gene therapy and biotechnology in fertility
CFU
2,5
4,5
7
Curriculum Oncology –1st semester
Course
The neoplastic cell
Epidemiology, prevention
and statistics applied to
oncology
Tumor etiopathogenesis
Diagnosis of cancer
Content
The cellular and molecular characteristic of neoplastic cells. Stem cells as target of tumor
transformation. Analogy between stem cell and cancer cell. Tumor stem cells. Signaling
pathways playing a role in development and deregulated in cancer: the hematopoietic system
as example.
Features of the tumor cell: genomic instability, genomic check point, DNA damage signaling
and repair, telomeres, ploidy and cell fusion control, mitotic catastrophe); Cooperation
between genomic instability and apoptosis resistance; anomalies in chromatin structure
(methylation and acetylation).
CFU
1
1
Genetics and cancer. Tumor agents. Viruses and cancer. Tumor immunology.
The course is divided in three main fields:
-radiochemistry of radiopharmaceuticals and the use of radiolabeled compounds and imaging
techniques in the diagnosis, staging, follow-up and the study of tumors
-circulating tumor markers: measurement, analysis, reliability and interpretation.
-evaluation and study of minimal residual disease in onco-hematology (cytometry, molecular
biology) and clinical application.
Total CFU
3
2
7
Curriculum Oncology –2nd semester
Course
Elements of oncological
treatment
Innovative therapies in
oncology
Total CFU
Content
Elements of Surgical Oncology: clinical and surgical staging in oncology; choosing the
surgical strategy after multidisciplinary evaluation; surgical aspects of primary and secondary
prevention in Oncology; biotechnology application in Surgical Oncology.
Elements of Radiotherapy in Oncology: radiosensitivity and radioresistance (definition and
clinical impact); radiosensitivity modified through physics and chemistry (importance of
combined treatments); dose fractionation (elements and impact on clinical practice);
identifying target volumes through morphological and functional imaging; an optimal dose
distribution can increase local control and / or reduce complications.
Elements of Radiobiology and the use of radiodrugs: the treatment of thyroid disease; the
treatment of bone metastases; cancer treatment with targeted radiotherapy; the treatment of
lymphomas with radiolabelled monoclonal antibodies.
Elements of Chemotherapy and pharmacological Targets: experimental drugs; toxicity of
antiblastic drugs; drug resistance; chemotherapeutic drugs; biological treatments; genomic
treatments; antiangiogenetic and antikinasic treatments.
Palliative Care in Oncology: palliative care and pain treatment in advanced patients;
biotechnological implications for palliative care.
Selective chemotherapeutics, Hormone-therapy, biotherapy, Gene Therapy, Bone marrow
Transplantation.
CFU
4,5
3,5
8
Curriculum Engineering and Transplants –1st semester
Course
Immunolgy of organ
transplantation
Biological and clinical
principles of organ injury
and failure
Content
HLA locus, molecular mechanisms of graft rejection, pharmacologic immunosuppression of
organ transplantation.
Gross anatomy, structure and development of: heart, liver and kidney
The pathological aspects of the complex scenario of organs failure are the math of debate of
the other part of the course.
Three main themes are developed: hearth failure, liver failure and kidney failure. These were
chosen in order to facilitate the comprehension of the problem of organ transplantation,
CFU
3
3
12
Experimental models of
transplant
In vitro mammalian cell
culture
Total CFU
which, for these examples, is a concrete and real possibility. Among these issues the main
disease are considered: left and right hearth failure, ischemic cardiopathy, valvular disease,
liver cirrhosis, liver neoplasms and kidney cystic disease.
Animal models of allotransplantation, xenotransplantation, bio-artificial and bio-mimetic
structures, animal models of cell grafting, transgenic animals.
Embryonal cells, somatic cells, pluripotent cells, differentiated cells.
2,
2
10
Curriculum Engineering and Transplants –2nd semester
Course
Legal principles and
bioethics in
transplantology and
tissue engineering
Stem cell manipulation
and transplantation
Tissue engineering
Total CFU
Content
CFU
Legislation of organ transplantation, bioethics of transplantology and tissue engineering,
industrial features of transplantology and tissue engineering, legislation of animal
experimentation.
1,5
Stem cells are increasingly used in human medicine. The main expectation is that targeted
manipulation of these precursor cells will result in an efficient and reliable production of tissuespecific cells, which can be safely employed for therapeutic purposes.
Main topics of this course are:
Manipulation and in vitro culture of keratinocytes, chondrocytes and bone cells.
Techniques developed to engineer the hematopoietic stem cell graft: these techniques include
the removal of cells which cause graft-versus-host disease, the eradication of cells which
might cause relapse, the expansion of donor cells when there is an inadequate cell dose, and
the addition of selected cells to improve graft function.
Source of mesenchymal stem cells for experimental and clinical applications as well as for
tissue engineering.
Dendritic cell generation for clinical application. Principles of gene-therapy
Use of hematopoietic stem cells as therapeutic modalities for neurodegenerative diseases and
the expanding role of stem cell transplants in cardiology. Organization of a “Cell-factory”
Biocompatible and bioactive material; informatic models and scaffolds; management of a
tissue engineering laboratory.
3,5
3
8
4. Compulsory attendance
To be admitted to the corresponding examination, students must have attended at least 75% of formal and non formal teaching planned
for each course. In case of courses spread over several terms, this provision applies to each term separately.
Students who have not complied with the obligation of attendance, are automatically enrolled as repeating students for the following
academic year.
5. Examinations
Each course of the curriculum is followed by a single examination, which the student is individually evaluated in. Marks range is
between 0 and 30, with laude.
Examinations take place in periods free from other teaching activities (examination sessions).
According to choices of the examining commissions, examinations may include written parts (quiz, questions
with open answer) and/or oral colloquies.
Examination dates must be set at least with a 60 days notice. Each date must last long enough to allow all the students who have
planned to sit for the examination in that date to do so.
6. Programme of exchange
Within the frame of European Union mobility programs (Socrates-Erasmus programme), students are allowed to spend a period at a
University in a different EU country.
According to present rules, students willing to exploit this possibility must submit to the Socrates Commission
of the Faculty an application describing the work they are planning to perform at the foreign University
(learning contract). Acceptance of the application is submitted to rules fixed by Socrates agreements. Training
activities performed abroad are fully recognized as part of the curriculum and the corresponding credits are
recognized according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Examinations passed at the foreign
13
University are fully or partially recognized as if they were passed at the University of Milan. Marks recorded in
different scales are transformed in the 0-30 scale according to the ECTS rules.
During their stay abroad, students are exempted from attending training activities planned by the course in
Milan.
Remark: all the courses are taught in Italian. In future also English-language courses will be included into the
programme. Italian language courses are organised (free of charge) for EU students in the Erasmus
programme
14
The Medical Faculty 3 year courses
Courses
Area of direct care
Nursing
Midwifery
Area of rehabilitation
Logopedy
Occupational therapy*
Orthoptic and
opthalmological assistance
Physiotherapy
Podology
Health and rehabilitation
education
Psychiatric rehabilitation
students
per year
classes
hospitals
535
50
10
2
10
2
25
30
15
1
1
1
1
1
1
90
20
50
3
1
1
3
1
-
25
1
1
* the sole Italian University course recognized by the Word Occupational Therapy
Organisation
Area of technical support
Audiometry
Audioprosthesis
Cardiovascular reperfusion
Dental hygiene
Dietetics
Laboratory tecnhicians
Neurophysiopathology
Radiology
Area of prevention
Health assistance
Prevention in working places
and enviroments
15
15
15
30
30
45
15
30
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
3
1
1
25
1
-
25
1
-
15
Medical Biotechnology
80
1
-
16