Why choose this course?

The International Master’s Degree in Neuroscience (International Master’s Degree in Neuroscience) was established in 2003 as a Master’s in Neuroscience and was the first of its kind in Italy. Since 2008, thanks to funding from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region to internationalise university pathways, it has become an international programme taught entirely in English. It currently belongs to the Network of European Neuroscience Schools and is considered the national reference programme for Neuroscience. Teaching is delivered by staff from the University of Trieste alongside lecturers from the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste. The programme’s core lecturers have all attained at least C1 level in English to guarantee quality and alignment with international standards. To be admitted, students must possess English at level B2 or higher. Students enrolled in the International Master’s Degree in Neuroscience are required to attend in person at least two-thirds of the classes for each module in order to be admitted to the corresponding examinations.

The aim of the Degree Programme is to provide multidisciplinary knowledge ranging from cellular and molecular neuroscience to cognitive and clinical neuroscience. Students receive training in the most advanced investigative techniques to understand how the brain governs movement, physiological functions, emotions, memory, learning and creative abilities. Graduates will acquire advanced scientific and professional abilities and competences for work in universities and research bodies and in numerous national and international productive sectors in areas typical of the biologist’s profession.

The degree programme lasts two years and is structured into four semesters. The first semester focuses on the anatomy of the vertebrate nervous system and on the cellular and molecular bases of neurobiology, neurophysiology and neuropharmacology. The second semester centres on the development and integrated functioning of the nervous system in physiology and pathology. The third semester offers advanced courses with a choice between a Molecular Neuroscience pathway (NeuroMol track), a Cognitive Neuroscience pathway (NeuroCog track), or a personalised mixed pathway. The study plan also offers numerous elective in-depth courses in neuroscience, with practical classes on various methods, including the use of major programming languages for computational data analysis. The educational offer is further enriched by courses taught by Visiting Professors, giving students the opportunity to meet renowned neuroscientists from prestigious Italian and international universities. Since 2009, the International Master’s Degree in Neuroscience has organised a professionalising course taught by professionals from industry and small and medium-sized enterprises to align training with sector needs. Since 2024, a theoretical/practical professional course has also been offered on techniques of scientific communication (conferences, seminars) and public engagement for the wider public.

Educational objectives

Knowledge and Understanding

Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Students acquire advanced knowledge of cellular neurophysiology and molecular and developmental neurobiology, enabling them to understand fundamental physiological functions such as communication between excitable cells and the plasticity of the nervous system. Students gain knowledge of the biophysical bases of excitable membranes, ion channels and receptors. They also learn the molecular mechanisms that govern the main functions of vertebrate neuronal and glial cells, transmission at central and peripheral synapses, neuronal diversity, the functional organisation of nerve cells, and the activities of neurotrophic molecules. By studying the main stages of embryonic development of the brain and spinal cord, graduates acquire knowledge of the cellular mechanisms that regulate the formation of the nervous system and the creation of complex neural networks.

Integrative and Cognitive Neuroscience
Students acquire knowledge of the principles governing sensorimotor integration, cognitive abilities, and processes related to sensation and perception.

Translational Neuroscience
Students acquire the fundamental tools for understanding the pathophysiological, symptomatic and diagnostic bases of major human neurodegenerative diseases. They become familiar with the experimental procedures employed to replicate these aspects in appropriate experimental models so as to appreciate their translational potential on the clinical side. In addition, students learn the principles governing the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of molecules acting on the nervous system and the actions of such substances in pathological and therapeutic contexts. Finally, they gain advanced knowledge of the physical and physiological bases of modern technologies used for non-invasive mapping of the human brain and of the (including statistical) procedures for analysing the resulting signals.

Interdisciplinary training for research
Because teaching is delivered in English, students gain command of the language in scientific and technological fields. During preparation of the Master’s thesis, they acquire further practical laboratory experience and skills relevant to both basic research and the labour market. In this context, a substantial period of practical activity in a research laboratory (placement of at least eight months) is envisaged, in university or extra-university scientific facilities, in Italy or abroad, allowing engagement with new topics and broader contexts than those offered by the Degree Programme, including professional environments in industry and production. Through preparing the dissertation and discussing original experimental data before a committee of lecturers and researchers, students learn to present scientific arguments.

 

Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding

Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Thanks to lectures and practicals introducing the scientific method, graduates will have acquired the ability to apply—in appropriate experimental contexts—methods for preparing, culturing, transfecting and performing morphometric analyses of neurons and skeletal muscle cells in vitro, as well as procedures for acquiring, recording and analysing electrophysiological signals in preparations of invertebrate and vertebrate nervous systems.
The modules include assessment methods in written or oral form, or both.

Integrative and Cognitive Neuroscience
Advanced knowledge of the composition and function of motor and sensory systems will enable graduates to define the functional uniqueness of sensorimotor systems in relation to interactions with the external world. In addition, graduates will be able to develop psychophysical investigative methods and apply them in appropriate contexts of experimental analysis.
The modules include assessment methods in written or oral form, or both.

Translational Neuroscience
Graduates will be able to associate the various aspects of nervous-system diseases in their clinical presentation with the most appropriate and up-to-date strategies for their diagnosis and therapy. Graduates will also be able to design and perform procedures for the acquisition, processing and analysis of brain-activity imaging data and will be able to use the competences acquired to understand issues related to the methodologies used and to propose solutions.
The modules include assessment methods in written or oral form, or both.

Interdisciplinary training for research
Graduates will be able to understand and read critically scientific articles in journals in the relevant fields. In addition, they will be able to write scientific and project-based texts in English. They will be able to tackle scientific problems and work autonomously in a laboratory. They will have experience of teamwork and will therefore be able to interact with others to achieve common goals. Graduates will be able to communicate scientific topics in both written and oral form.

Career Prospects

Employment and professional opportunities for graduates

Biologist
Holders of the Master’s Degree in Neuroscience may access, directly or through further training or professional qualification, a wide range of employment and professional fields, in particular:

• in universities and other public research institutes and bodies;
• in private research institutes and bodies;
• in facilities of the National Health Service, university hospitals, specialised public and private laboratories;
• in pharmaceutical, chemical and biotechnological companies;
• in public and private research centres or diagnostic laboratories;
• in organisations providing services for scientific communication and public engagement;
• following the State examination, they may register with the Professional Register for the Biologist Profession, Section A, and may carry out the activities defined for the professional title of Biologist.

Graduates in Neuroscience who intend to perform a professional role coordinating research activities need to acquire greater levels of responsibility and autonomy through a third-cycle pathway, the PhD.

 

Competences Associated with the Role

Biologist
To perform their functions as a biologist, graduates in Neuroscience will have acquired the following specific competences:

• knowledge of physiology, pharmacology and pathology with particular reference to the nervous system;
• knowledge of the main investigative methodologies used in neuroscience at cellular, organ and systems levels;
• knowledge of the mathematical and statistical tools and the software used for data analysis;
• knowledge of protocols for the development of new drugs and of technology transfer;
• command of written and spoken English.
  They will therefore have the competences required to:
• perform practical experimentation in basic as well as applied research laboratories;
• use methodologies and instrumentation employed in the analysis of excitable cells and tissues;
• use experimental methodologies and specific instrumentation for the analysis of electrical signals at single-cell, organ and systems levels;
• organise and coordinate research activities in the laboratory;
• propose and plan scientific development pathways in their field;
• write, present and discuss projects and scientific reports in English;
• compete internationally and collaborate in team activities with colleagues with different competences.

 

Role in the Workplace

Biologist
This professional profile is characterised by the ability to carry out, with wide autonomy, basic and applied research activities in the biochemical, molecular biological, genomic, biomedical, microbiological and biotechnological fields. Graduates in this class may also assume managerial roles involving full responsibility for projects, facilities and personnel.
In particular, the Biologist designs and manages laboratory experimental protocols in the sectors of molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry and genetics of both animal and plant organisms. In this context, the graduate:

• designs and develops cellular and animal models to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying diseases;
• conducts and/or coordinates professional and project activities in industry, healthcare and public administration, with particular reference to laboratories of biological, molecular-genetic, immunochemical and microbiological analysis;
• drafts funding applications to public and private institutions;
• synthesises results in scientific publications;
• is able to manage, or contribute to the management of, molecular and cell biology laboratories.
  
   
• acts as a communicator addressing the general public to disseminate scientific culture and awareness of the importance of science within human activities;
• is able to promote and support the development of scientific and technological innovation in the same fields;
• works in public and private institutions engaged in managing the acquisition of research funds and in technology transfer, possessing a multidisciplinary education;
• takes part in activities promoting and developing technological and scientific innovation.

The Biologist also organises scientific communication and technology-transfer activities, in particular:

Final examination and degree

Characteristics of the final examination

To obtain the International Master’s Degree in Neuroscience, an original experimental thesis is required, conducted by the student under the guidance of a lecturer—normally a member of the Master’s Degree Programme—who serves as Supervisor of the dissertation; it is also possible to appoint a Co-supervisor and a Reader. As a rule, the thesis is carried out in a university department. The thesis work may also be conducted, with the agreement of the Degree Programme Board, in research laboratories of public or private bodies outside the University. The thesis is defended publicly in a session of a dedicated Examination Committee. The degree thesis is written and defended in English.