MarineSciences

MASTER’S DEGREE · UNIVERSITY OF MILANO-BICOCCA

Marine Sciences

A two-year interdepartmental Master’s programme in English dedicated to the knowledge, protection, management of the marine and coastal environment.

University of Milano-Bicocca · DISAT · Class LM-75

CFU

YEARS

ENGLISH

HOW TO APPLY

EXPLORE STUDY PLAN

THE PROGRAMME

A multidisciplinary approach to marine sciences

The programme provides a solid methodological background in biology, chemistry, ecology, Earth sciences, law and geography, all applied to marine and coastal environments.

2 Years

Full-time Master’s degree

120 CFU

72 from exams,
28 final dissertation,
4 additional language,
4 from internship,
12 for elective activities

English

All courses are taught in English

Blended

In-person teaching,
e-learning, fieldwork and laboratory work

Bio-Ecological Area

Advanced training in marine biology, biodiversity, ecology and resource management. Develop skills in environmental monitoring, conservation and sustainable use of marine living resources.

Marine Biology

Microbiology

Ecology

Biodiversity

Fisheries

Geo-Environmental Area

Geological and geophysical survey techniques in the marine environment. Geomorphological mapping and risk assessment. Geobiology and carbonate production, biogeochemical flows and climate change.

Marine Geology

Ocean Monitoring

Geomorphology

Coastal protection

Palaeobiology

Geographic and Legal Area

International law of the sea, integrated coastal zone management and maritime spatial planning. Understand legal frameworks governing marine resources and human activities.

Int’l Law of the Sea

Ocean Policy

Geopolitics

Coastal Tourism

How You’ll Learn

Students learn through field activities, laboratory work, internships, Erasmus+ opportunities and project-based approaches to marine and coastal studies.

Field Activities

Lab Work

Internship

Erasmus+

STUDY PLAN

Course Structure

The programme consists of 120 ECTS credits delivered over two years. Year 1 focuses on compulsory core courses, while Year 2 allows students to specialise through elective courses, internships and the final examination.

COURSE	CFU/ECTS	TYPE
Chemistry of the Marine Environment	6	Compulsory
Fundamentals of Marine Biology	6	Compulsory
Marine Geomorphology	6	Compulsory
Biogeosciences and Global Changes	6	Compulsory
Biodiversity and Marine Ecology	12	Compulsory
Physical Oceanography	6	Compulsory
International Law of the Sea	6	Compulsory
Coastal and Marine Hazard and Resilience or Environmental Justice and Geopolitics of the Sea	6	Elective
1 course from: Marine Invertebrate/Vertebrate Zoology, Applied Micropaleontology and Biomonitoring, Applied Geomorphology and Habitat, Marine Bioprospecting, Human Geography, Ocean Affairs Law and Policy	6	Elective

COURSE	CFU/ECTS	TYPE
Elective Courses (2 courses chosen from a wide list / below)	12	Elective
Free-choice Activities / Practical Training / Erasmus	12	Free Choice
Mandatory Internship (Traineeship)	4	Compulsory
Further Linguistic Knowledge	4	Compulsory
Final Dissertation (experimental thesis, in English)	28	Compulsory
Year 2 elective options include: Coastal and Marine Botany, Management of Aquatic Resources: Fisheries, Marine Molecular Biology, Marine Environmental Microbiology, Applied Marine Geology, Conservation Paleobiology, Ocean Monitoring and Data Analysis, Coastal Risks and Dynamics, Coastal and Maritime Tourism, Climate Change Impacts on Marine Ecology, Multidisciplinary Marine Lab, Underwater Scientific Methodologies for Ecological Studies, Communication Skills and Interpersonal Relation Management.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Where will you work?

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of professional and research careers in the public, private and third sectors.

ISTAT Professional Profiles: Geologists · Geophysicists · Biologists · Zoologists · Ecologists · Environmental Planners · Earth Sciences Researchers · Biological Sciences Researchers · Cartographers

Environmental Agencies

ARPA, ISPRA, IOC/UNESCO, Marine Protected Area management bodies, research institutes.

Private Companies

Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, marine waste management, environmental consultancy, offshore industries.

International Organisations and NGOs

UN bodies, international research networks, environmental NGOs and intergovernmental organisations.

Environmental Consulting

ARPA, ISPRA, Marine Protected Area management bodies, research institutes and natural history museums.

Research and Academia

Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, marine waste management, environmental consultancy, offshore industries.

Professional Register

UN bodies, international research networks, environmental NGOs and intergovernmental organisations.

ADMISSIONS

How to Apply

The programme is open to Italian and international students. Admissions for the 2026/27 academic year are for first-year entry only.

Bachelor’s Degree
Required: L-32 (Environmental Sciences), L-34 (Geological Sciences), L-13 (Biological Sciences) — or equivalent foreign degree. Students from other degree classes may apply with at least 24 CFU in CHIM/*, BIO/* or GEO/* disciplines.

English Proficiency
Minimum B2 level (CEFR), certified by a university-accredited institution. Not required if your degree was entirely taught in English.

Admission Interview
Conducted in English, covering chemistry, biology-ecology, geology and geography. Exempt if Italian degree ≥ 99/110 or foreign GPA ≥ 3.7. Remote interviews available upon request.

Italian Language (Int’l Students)
International students must pass a B1 Italian language test offered free of charge by the University.