Sapienza University of Rome

Master of Science in Biochemistry

The Master’s Degree programme in Biochemistry is divided into three main learning areas: (1) Structural and Functional Biochemistry; (2) Cellular Biochemistry, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology; (3) Biochemical Methodologies and Biotechnologies. It also includes a fourth Specialisation Area (4) consisting of a panel of elective courses organized into three fields, within which students must choose at least one course:

Area 1. Structural and Functional Biochemistry:

• Bioorganic chemistry, metabolic biochemistry, enzymology
• Structure and function of biological macromolecules, physicochemical methodologies
• Bioinformatics, statistical methods and data analysis

Area 2. Cell Biochemistry, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology:

• Cellular biochemistry, molecular basis of physiological and pathological processes, pharmacology
• Biochemistry of microorganisms and plants

Area 3. Biochemical Methodologies and Biotechnologies:

• Molecular biology techniques, nucleic acids and protein purification and characterization
• Pharmaceutical and microbial biotechnologies applied to industry and medicine

Area 4. Specialisation Area:

• “Advanced Biochemistry”: enzyme kinetics and biophysical chemistry
• “Medical and Pharmaceutical Field": nanotechnologies, pharmaceutical chemistry, biochemical and molecular diagnostics, functional biochemistry
• “Nutritional and Agro-industrial Field”: nutritional biochemistry and food technology, sustainable crop protection, biotechnologies applied to the preservation of the environment

Besides the biochemical and biotechnological learning areas described above, students will acquire knowledge of bioethics, patenting and regulation (Ethical and Regulatory Aspects of Scientific Research). Furthermore, students will acquire skills in writing and speaking scientific English – with a particular focus on writing scientific papers and grant proposals - and in the oral presentation of scientific data (Communication skills).

At the end of the first year of the programme, students will be oriented in the choice of their internship for the preparation of their experimental thesis by attending, for a short time, different laboratories specialised in various research topics, and using different methodological approaches (Laboratory Rotation). In the second year of the programme, students will start the preparation of their experimental thesis through an internship in a chosen laboratory, either within Sapienza University or in other Italian or foreign research laboratories and industries (Laboratory Placement). At the end of the experimental internship, students will be required to write a thesis in English and take their final exam consisting of a thesis defence in English (Final Examination).

First-year

First semester

• Bioorganic Chemistry
• Cellular Biochemistry
• Structure and Function of Macromolecules
• Microorganism and Plant Biochemistry

Second semester

• Physiopathology and Pharmacology
• Bioinformatics and Data Handling
• Biochemical Methodologies
• Biochemical Biotechnologies I

Second year

First semester

• Biochemical Biotechnologies II
• Ethical and Regulatory Aspects of Scientific Research
• Elective course

Second semester

• Communication Skills
• Laboratory Placement
• Final Examination

Learning outcomes

The Master's Degree programme in Biochemistry aims to create a new cultural and professional profile, namely the Biochemist, endowed with a strong multidisciplinary character but focused on the biochemical approach to the study of biomolecular disciplines. This professional figure will be able to operate at the interface between biology and chemistry, generating an advancement of knowledge and technology for both scientific research and the production of goods and services.

The opportunity to create such a profile, which is distinguished from those of the other degree programmes in Biotechnology (LM-9) for its multidisciplinary character and its focus on the biochemical approach for the study of biomolecular disciplines, emerged in the consultations with several national and international research organizations and biotechnology companies. The delivery of the course in the English language is specifically aimed at forming a professional profile with international traits.

The objective of the Master's Degree in Biochemistry is to train a graduate student with a versatile profile, able to tackle a wide range of scientific and experimental problems at the biomolecular level, in areas ranging from structural and functional biochemistry, cell biochemistry, bioinformatics, medical, pharmaceutical, agricultural and food biotechnologies, up to molecular diagnostics. This ability derives from the in-depth knowledge of molecular and cellular systems held by the graduate student in Biochemistry, and from his ability to apply chemical-physical methods, mathematical and computational models, and analytical methodologies to the resolution of complex biological problems. To this aim, the course is designed to provide in-depth theoretical knowledge in the main fields of biochemistry, biochemical methodologies and biotechnologies, but also a solid practical preparation thanks to the presence of dedicated teaching laboratories. Practical skills will be further developed during the internship aimed at the preparation of the final dissertation - a mandatorily experimental thesis - which shall be carried out at Academic facilities, research institutions and industries, with the possibility to participate, in part or in full, in international programmes. Students will be guided in the choice of their dissertation topic through a short internship that involves attending laboratories specialized in various research topics and using different methodological approaches (Laboratory Rotation). In-class activities will involve innovative teaching methodologies that place the student, with an active role, at the centre of the learning process.

The student’s educational path toward the Master's Degree in Biochemistry is divided into learning experiences (such as lectures, laboratory activities, and individual and group work) aimed at the acquisition of in-depth knowledge regarding the following topics:

• Bioorganic chemistry, metabolic biochemistry and enzymology
• Structure and function of biological macromolecules
• Cellular biochemistry, molecular basis of physiological and pathological processes, pharmacology
• Biochemistry of microorganisms and plants
• Methodologies applied to analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology
• Statistical and bioinformatics methods
• Microbial, industrial, pharmaceutical, and medical biotechnologies
• Bioethics and regulation

The training course is also integrated with seminars held by specialists from other public and private bodies and institutions.

The employment possibilities concern roles of responsibility in the fields of research, production, and marketing in pharmaceutical, biomedical, agricultural, and food industries, with particular attention to those oriented toward sustainable biotechnological processes, which will offer the greatest opportunities for employment in the future. Also, the structures of the public and private health service offer concrete opportunities for job integration. Furthermore, the professional opportunities concern scientific consulting within companies and bodies that deal with the regulation of health-related devices (such as drugs and pesticides), monitoring of clinical studies (for example, as a Clinical Monitor, following adequate training required by law), intellectual property, and technology transfer. An additional career opportunity - a logical consequence of the program - concerns the field of scientific research in the Academic world, and public research Institutions. In this regard, the studies undertaken during the Master's Degree in Biochemistry find their natural continuation in Ph.D. programs in Biochemistry and Biological and Biotechnological disciplines. The ability to relate in English to the research and biotechnology industry world allows graduate students in Biochemistry to broaden their employment prospects at an international level, by turning to foreign research laboratories and multinational companies.

Graduate students in Biochemistry can participate in the Italian State exam for the profession of Biologist, enroll in the professional National Order of Biologists, and are allowed to participate in public competitions in the medical-health field.

Graduates in Biochemistry can apply to the admission tests for training courses for the habilitation as teachers in the secondary school education system (subjected to the acquisition of sufficient credits in appropriate sector groups, as required by current legislation).