Description of the School

The School aims to train specialists with solid theoretical, scientific, and professional knowledge in areas such as: nutrition, food composition and quality, analytical methods, hygiene and nutritional certification, the impact of technologies and biotechnological processes, energy and nutritional requirements, nutritional surveillance services, and collective catering.

Specialists will acquire expertise in food safety control, population nutritional health monitoring and promotion, nutrient–drug interactions, nutraceuticals, agri-food supply chains, and food law.

Within the training programme, trainees will learn the scientific foundations of the School’s discipline in order to achieve full professional competence, including the ability to critically interpret scientific innovations. Opportunities may include participation in meetings, conferences, production of scientific publications, and training periods in qualified Italian and international institutions.

The programme lasts four years, non-reducible, and confers the title of Specialist in Food Science, for a total of 240 ECTS (approximately 60 ECTS/year).
At least 168 ECTS are reserved for professionalising activities, including practical experience and internships aimed at developing the required professional skills.

Upon completion, specialists in Food Science can pursue careers in:

• Hospital and territorial services dedicated to dietetics and clinical nutrition
• Collective catering and public health services
• Food and nutraceutical industries, focusing on quality control, safety, and innovation
• Scientific research and academia
• Private practice and consultancy

The School thus serves as a bridge between university education, professional practice, and the labour market, providing comprehensive and up-to-date training in a field central to population health and well-being.

Applicants eligible to compete for admission must hold a Master’s Degree in Biology (LM-6), Agricultural and Food Biotechnology (LM-7), Industrial Biotechnology (LM-8), Medical, Veterinary or Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (LM-9), Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy (LM-13), Chemistry (LM-54), Veterinary Medicine (LM-42), or Human Nutrition Science (LM-61), as well as the corresponding old-system degrees, and must possess professional licensure.