XXXVIII ciclo (ITA) - XXXVIII cycle (ENG)

The PhD Program in Agricultural Technologies and Biotechnologies promotes advanced doctoral training by combining high-level research and quality teaching through multidisciplinary educational tracks. It aims at training highly qualified professional profiles in the different fields of agricultural sciences. The PhD fosters its international dimension by pursuing objectives of mobility and internationalization through: the exchange of professors and doctoral students; the presence in the faculty board of members affiliated to foreign universities; places reserved for candidates with degrees obtained abroad; dissemination of the call for applications on international platforms; participation in international projects.

The PhD program, focused on the agri-food and environmental systems, codified in Horizon 2020, has objectives related to sustainable agriculture, food safety and quality, animal welfare, green economy and environmental law. The PhD program is organized into three curricula: Sustainable Plant Production and Protection; Food Science, Technology and Biotechnology; Welfare, Biotechnology and Quality of Animal Production. The program is intended to be the continuation of first and second level degree courses (Agricultural Science and Technology; Food Science and Technology; Environmental Science and Forestry) offered by the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences. The PhD program aims to provide students with specific skills and the expertise required for the development of sustainable agriculture ensuring the quality and safety of food from plants and livestock, food security, soil and environment protection, through innovative biotechnical and biotechnological means; also for the development, evaluation and monitoring of research and innovation projects of the agri-food sector. The educational goals of the program are designed to address the needs of basic and especially applied research (see notes in the curricula). The doctoral program includes courses, seminars and workshops also on soft skills (management of funds, financial and human resources; information management; planning ability; fund raising; conceiving and preparing research and innovation projects; problem solving). The Curriculum Sustainable Plant Production and Protection aims to provide professionals with the skills and expertise required when developing new technologies for the sustainable exploitation of agricultural resources, for the sustainable management of forest and agricultural ecosystems, and for the protection of biodiversity by reducing chemical inputs in agricultural ecosystems (Horizon 2020).
The Curriculum Food Science, Technology and Biotechnology aims at training professionals who are able to develop and apply the newly acquired scientific knowledge in the field of food processing, preservation and evaluation and to promote research and innovation in the field of food production processes.
The Curriculum Welfare, Biotechnology and Quality of Animal Production aims to provide professionals with the skills and expertise ensuring the professionals’ capability to compete in the area of animal production in order to develop biotechnological and technological innovation for optimizing animal production, health and welfare and upgrading products derived from animals.

The doctoral course will train public and private management executives, and highly qualified specialized professional figures. The expected employment opportunities are the following: in the research and training sector at universities and public and private research bodies (CNR, CREA, ISS, ENEA, etc.); at foreign research sites; in the system of agri-food and livestock enterprises; and in public administration (Local Authorities, Chambers of Commerce, Ministries, Departments, Local Public Health Units, Schools). The prediction is based on the positive results of the numerous PhD graduates who have attended previous doctorate degrees offered by the Department, from the 8th cycle to date, and have been employed at Universities, CNR, former CRA, Ministries, Companies, Private Research Bodies and Schools. Further opportunities are arising from the new production areas deriving from the Horizon 2020 guidelines, and relating, for example, to: 1) new defense systems for agricultural production, based on the use of new technologies alternative to the use of chemical substances, which can generate start-ups and spin-offs; 2) the "Sustainable Food Security" Focus, concerning production systems, the health and functional characteristics of foods and food safety; 3) innovation fostering rural development and combating the impoverishment of areas devoted to agri-food production, also through the implementation of adequate agricultural policies and strategies.