It is not surprising that students often choose to pursue higher education in Europe. It offers abundant history and a diverse array of universities from which international applicants can choose—Italy being one of the most notable European countries for education. In addition to its long history of academic excellence, this nation is also rich in culture and cuisine.
Moreover, many students who go on to study here also pursue language courses and become proficient in the country’s native language. To better understand all that Italian schools have to offer, this article reviews some of Italy’s best biology universities.
Top Schools Offering Biology in Italy
1. University of Padua
Situated in the northern Italian region of Veneto, the University of Padua is ranked among the best institutions for higher education in Europe. It was founded in 1222 by a group of students and professors who abruptly left the University of Bologna in search of more academic freedom. The first courses taught at this school focused on theology and law.
However, UNIPD has expanded over the centuries and now includes over 40 departments and a student body with over 60,000 members. One of the university’s most prestigious departments is the Department of Biology. Its scientific field encompasses the majority of fields in modern biology. The department’s programs are organized to include both experimental and theoretical work.
Thus, while receiving an exceptional theoretical education, students at this top-notch biology school can also use the rich collection of instruments and research facilities. As a result of this type of blended teaching, biology graduates have the chance to work in some of the most prominent research centers in Europe.
2. University of Florence
The University of Florence, locally known as Università degli Studi di Firenze, is a public research institution in the exquisite Italian city of the same name. This center for higher education’s roots go back to the Studium Generale, established by the Florentine Republic in 1321. At its beginning, UniFl centered on three core areas of study—civil and canon law, literature, and medicine.
During its existence, it expanded and became home to many world-renowned scholars, such as Giovanni Boccaccio, who lectured on the Divina Commedia. It is ranked among the best and largest Italian institutions, with numerous campuses scattered throughout Florence and beyond. Today, UniFl comprises various departments, including its esteemed Department of Biology.
At the undergraduate level, biology students can choose between two scientific programs —Biological Sciences and Natural Sciences. During these three-year programs, students acquaint themselves with the broadness of their respective research fields and gain crucial theoretical and practical knowledge. Thus, they are prepared to decide on their future specializations and graduate programs at the end of their undergraduate studies.
3. University of Milan
Another research institution worthy of mention is the University of Milan. Among the best biology institutions in Italy, it has consistently been considered the most prestigious. UNIMI is also the only one to be a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU). In addition to its academic prestige, it is among Europe’s largest schools, with over 60,000 students.
Because of its size and quality, the institution has been home to prominent alumni such as former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Nobel laureate in physics Riccardo Giacconi. Students who wish to pursue a degree in biology may do so at the university’s Department of Biosciences. The main goal of the undergraduate program is to provide students with a solid basis in biological sciences.
Moreover, during their undergraduate years, students are also introduced to incremental methodologies and technologies in their scientific field. Once they have obtained a bachelor’s diploma, they may choose more specific fields of study during their graduate program. It is also crucial to note that the undergraduate and graduate programs at the department focus on providing an interdisciplinary education.
4. Sapienza University of Rome
The Sapienza University of Rome, commonly known as Sapienza, is a leading center for higher education in the Italian capital. The institution is also among the oldest in the world, having been founded in 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII as a Studium for ecclesiastical studies. It has been ranked the best for studying classics and ancient history in the past few years.
Due to its academic prestige, it has educated most of the Italian ruling class and many Nobel laureates, presidents of the European Parliament, and European commissioners. The Biology and Biotechnology Department “Charles Darwin” (DBBCD) is located on Sapienza University of Rome’s main campus. It educates undergraduate and graduate students and remains at the forefront of scientific innovation.
This department considers itself a multidisciplinary environment, as its teaching and research activities span two biological topics. In addition to those mentioned above, it is the top research center for microscopy and nanotechnologies.
5. University of Bologna
The University of Bologna has a centuries-old tradition of excellence in the Italian city bearing the same name. Founded in 1088, it is the oldest continuously operating institution worldwide. Unibo is also the first to be a higher-learning and degree-awarding institute. This school was the home of Bettisia Gozzadini, the first woman to earn a university degree and teach here.
Concerning its biological studies, it offers programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Its long history of excellence is evident in this field, as the Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences has graduated world-renowned experts in biological fields ranging from ecology to nanotechnologies and molecular biology.
The curriculum on all educational levels is multidisciplinary, thus allowing future biology experts to gain a comprehensive and all-encompassing higher education. That’s why the University of Bologna is among the best biology universities in Italy.
Biology is an essential field in many aspects of life, as it deals with understanding biological processes, from how one’s body works to what makes ecosystems what they are. Fortunately, studying in Italy can offer future biology students a well-rounded education while experiencing a rich, diverse culture and community. So, consider the universities above to pursue this field’s degree in the country.
We hope this article on Italy’s best biology universities was insightful and helpful to you. To learn more about studying in this country or Europe, feel free to check out our Italy Page and some of the Available Programs for International Students in Europe.
