MANIFESTO DEGLI STUDI A.A. 2025/2026
CORSO DI LAUREA MAGISTRALE in 11950 SUSTAINABLE POLYMER AND PROCESS CHEMISTRY (classe LM-71 R )
SUSTAINABLE POLYMER AND PROCESS CHEMISTRY
PLAN OF STUDIES (Sustainable poliMer And pRocess chemisTry, SMART first and second year)
The first-year students must mandatorily include one of the classes listed in Table 1 of the Didactic Regulations (6 CFUs) in their study plan; this class must be marked as “AFFINE ED INTEGRATIVO".
The second-year students must compulsorily include one of the classes listed in Table 1 of the didactic regulations (6 CFUs) in their study plan; this class must be marked as “student's choice (A SCELTA DELLO STUDENTE)”.
Students enrolling for the second year must also inform the lecturer in charge regarding the choice made for the Focus Group subject. Such subject can be eventually modified during the second year.
Regarding the 3 CFU of additional language skills, please note the following:
- Foreign students must compulsorily include, in their second-year curriculum, the class with the code 100274 "Italian language for foreign students (1 level)";
- Italian students must compulsorily include the class with the code 11446 "other training activities 3" in their study plan for the second year.
SELECTED RULES
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The learning outcomes and topics of the MSc are contained in the Teaching Regulations for the 2025/2026 cohort, which can be found at the links: https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/11950/, (bottom of the page, after selecting the year).
Further regulations and information can be found in the University Teaching Regulations and the Student Regulations (https://unige.it/regolamenti/area_studenti).
LECTURES AND EXAMS SCHEDULE
Examination dates will be scheduled in the following time slots: 26/01-22/02 2026, 13-20/06-31/07 2026, 01/09-21/09/2026. In the week after Easter Sunday, additional dates ARE scheduled ON APPOINTMENT, according to STUDENTS REQUEST; IN THIS WEEK, LECTURES ARE SUSPENDED.
STUDY PLAN (Sustainable polyMer And pRocess chemisTry, first year and second year.
It is mandatory for the students of the first year to include one of the classes listed in Table 1 of the Study Regulation (6 CFUs); this class must be marked as "complementary related" (AFFINI E INTEGRATIVI).
The second-year students must compulsorily include in their study plan one class (6 CFUs) from among those listed in Table 1 of the Teaching Regulations; this class must be labeled as “student's choice (A SCELTA DELLO STUDENTE)”. Students enrolling in the second year must also indicate the topic of the “Focus Group” to the lecturer in charge.
PREREQUISITE FOR ADMISSION
The prerequisite for admission to the Sustainable polyMer And pRocess chemisTry (SMART) degree course is a Bachelor's degree in the new or old academic system that is deemed suitable or another academic degree obtained in Italy or abroad that is recognized as equivalent. In addition, a certified B2 level (or higher) in English is required. The competencies required for entry concern mastery of the basic concepts and tools of mathematical, chemical and physical sciences as well as basic knowledge in the characteristic disciplines of the LM-71 class. To be admitted to the SMART Master's degree program, students must also demonstrate possession of the following requirements:
1) Curricular requirements: 15 CFUs (at least) in academic disciplines MAT/01-09, FIS/01-08, and INF /01, and 50 CFUs (at least) in academic disciplines CHIM/01-12 and/or ING-IND /21-27.
2) Requirements for adequacy of personal preparation in the following disciplines: general and inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, mathematics and physics. The chemistry disciplines also require a suitable level of practical experience gained through participation in classes involving laboratory activities.
Procedures for reviewing curricular requirements and adequacy of personal preparation are outlined in the MSc Teaching Regulations. Credits may also be earned by taking more than one course or by enrolling in individual classes.
English language proficiency at B2 level is also required for admission.
Admission requirements are reviewed by the Program Requirements Assessment Committee according to the procedures described in the MSc Teaching Regulations (https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/11950). In the case of graduates from abroad, the review of curricular requirements is carried out taking into account the equivalence between the courses indicated in the personal curricula and those indicated in the Italian regulations mentioned above. The review of personal preparation is carried out as described in the MSc teaching regulations. The validation of credits will be granted as a result of the recognition of:
- professional knowledge and skills individually certified according to the current legislation in force;
- other knowledge and skills acquired through educational activities at university level.
The Program Requirements Assessment Committee (https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/11950) manages the admissions and examination procedures for both curricular requirements and personal preparation according to procedures descried in detail in the teaching regulations(https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/11950). In the case of degrees obtained abroad or Italian degrees with non-credit systems, the Commission will assign a scientific-disciplinary field and a value in CFUs to each educational activity acquired in order to define the curricular requirements. As regards the requirements for the adequacy of personal preparation, admission to the MSc program in Sustainable polyMer And pRocess chemisTry is subject to a preliminary assessment by the Program Requirements Assessment Committee, which verifies the actual possession of the required knowledge and skills in an interview. Graduates of a three-year Italian degree program L-27 (formerly DM 270) or L-21 (formerly DM 509) with a final grade of 90/110 or better are exempt from the preliminary examination.
Special testing methods are available on request to meet the needs of disabled students and students with specific learning disabilities.
EDUCATIONAL AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The Master of Science degree program in Sustainable Polymer and Process Chemistry (SMART) offers an educational pathway that is characterized by an in-depth interdisciplinary knowledge and enables students to:
(a) receive a valid preparation in the various fields of chemistry, which raises and refines the level achieved in the previous Bachelor's program;
(b) acquire knowledge of the specific aspects and problems that characterize industrial chemistry and chemical processes, with particular reference to the relationships between the properties of the final product and the processes from which it is obtained;
(c) gain a thorough knowledge of the theoretical-applicative aspects of product synthesis and chemical process development and the ability to use this knowledge to interpret issues related to industrial production in different chemical sectors, with particular reference to product-process relationships, scale-up and sustainability;
(d) become qualified experts in the field of materials science, particularly in the area of polymeric materials for advanced applications;
(e) have in-dept knowledge and skills to characterize and define the structure-property relationships of chemicals and materials, particularly as polymer-based materials are concerned;
(f) be able to use current instruments to measure chemical and physical parameters and to analyze collected data by means of mathematical and computational methods;
(g) be proficient in the scientific method of investigation and laboratory instrumentation;
(h) be able to design and carry out experiments of high complexity;
(i) be able to handle chemicals both at laboratory and industrial scale in an environmentally sound manner and without physiological hazards;
(l) be able to assess the environmental impact of industrial production by taking the necessary precautions and identifying measures to remedy any adverse effects;
(m) know how to evaluate and manage the most appropriate techniques for the recovery and recycling of materials with a view to the circular economy;
(n) know how to evaluate and manage the end of life of materials and products;
(o) know how to carry out experimental studies according to scientific criteria and how to adapt them to the available resources;
(p) know how to deal with environmental remediation issues;
(q) know how to manage the industrialization of chemical processes from the laboratory scale;
(r) be able to design, plan and manage complex and/or innovative systems, processes and services taking into account the principles of environmental, social and governance (ESG) sustainability;
(s) be able to evaluate a chemical process from an economic, patent, safety and sustainability perspective;
(t) organize independently the pursuit of objectives in their field of work, including tasks with specific responsibilities.
The curriculum of the degree program is organized in such a way that the set objectives can be achieved. The contents of the classes are appropriately coordinated in their sequential development. In addition to the industrial aspects of chemistry, to which particular attention is paid, there is also room for contributions from other areas of chemistry. Lectures are complemented by classroom or laboratory exercises to enable effective learning and the acquisition of the necessary practical skills. Soft skills and the ability to analyze specific problems (Focus Groups) are developed through the preparation and presentation by the students of seminars open to the public on innovative topics and current technical-scientific issues, which are evaluated according to the criteria established in the Teaching Regulations. The topic of the seminars is freely chosen by the students. The introduction of this type of activity - carried out under the supervision of lecturers and/or PhD students - falls within the scope of innovative teaching (Flipped Classroom). Guided visits to laboratories and industrial plants are also organized to better understand the industrial reality and that of scientific and technological research. To match the educational pathway of students from different backgrounds, three types of other educational activities are planned, concerning:
- the harmonization of basic knowledge;
- the management of intellectual property;
- additional language skills (Italian for foreigners and advanced English for Italian students).
Finally, students' preparation will be enhanced by the opportunity to attend seminars organized by the MSc teaching board and held by experts from industry, academia and research centers on advanced research topics relevant to industrial chemistry, such as polymer science, industrial issues and end-of-life management of manufactured products. These seminars can be integrated within the lectures. Proper time is allowed for the preparation of the thesis. The MSc teaching board considers it an essential tool for acquiring experimental skills and becoming familiar with the methods of scientific investigation, as well as learning how to communicate the information gained effectively.
FINAL EXAMINATION PROCEDURE
The final examination requires the realization of an experimental work on an original topic, which can be carried out in the research laboratories of the Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry of the University of Genoa or, by request, in external, national or foreign institutions (universities, public or private laboratories or research institutes, public or private industries) under the guidance of a supervisor. The final examination includes a research or design activity carried out by the students in an original manner, demonstrating mastery of the topics covered and the acquisition of skills and the ability to work independently. The results of the activity are described and discussed in a written dissertation, which the students prepare in an original manner under the guidance of a supervisor and defend orally facing a panel of experts consisting of MSc lecturers. To begin the thesis, the students must have achieved a minimum number of credits in accordance with the final examination regulations, which also contain the rules for awarding the final grade.
The modalities for the final examination are described in the final examination regulations (https://corsi.unige.it/corsi/11767/laureandi-tesi-progetti). These regulations also set out the criteria for awarding the final grade. An overview of the topics available for the final dissertation can be found at the link: https://chimica.unige.it/node/777.
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE AND EMPLOYMENT
Industrial Chemist with a degree in Sustainable Polymer and Process Chemistry (SMART)
FUNCTION IN A PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
SMART graduated can find employment as professional freelancers or as employees in technical and managerial positions of high responsibility in the fields of research, innovation, development, production, advanced design, planning, programming, management of complex systems, quality control and trouble shooting and diagnostics in companies for the development, production and processing of chemicals, and material design. In addition, potentially filled positions include consultants or employees in service and consulting companies, in analytical laboratories of public and private companies and organizations, as well as in the fields of teaching, cultural education or science dissemination.
- Chemist responsible for research and development activities (processes and materials);
- Chemist in charge of analytical and quality control laboratories (both in industrial - e.g. pharmaceuticals, chemicals, petrochemicals - and food sectors);
- Chemist responsible for functional and composite materials characterization laboratories;
- Chemist responsible for formulation laboratories;
- Production/operation/maintenance manager;
- Prevention and Protection Service (PPS) manager;
- Head of the Safety and Environment Service;
- Commercial or technical sales support manager;
- Responsible for strategic planning activities;
- Lecturer in technical and scientific topics;
- Freelancer consultant in various fields such as environmental protection, laboratory and/or process safety REACH regulation;
- Chemist responsible for materials recycling, especially plastics;
- Chemist responsible for the sustainable development of new polymers and materials;
- Chemist responsible for material recovery and recycling facilities;
- Chemist responsible for environmental reclamation;
- PhD student.
SKILLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUNCTION
The MSc program is designed in such way that the graduated in Sustainable Polymer and Process Chemistry acquires both an proper mastery of scientific methods and scientific contents as well as a professionalizing knowledge.
For this reason, the MSc graduates are already able, in the first years of employment, to:
- carry out chemical laboratory analyses;
- characterize polymeric materials (chemically, physically and mechanically);
- design new functional polymeric materials;
- develop innovative and sustainable processes (with specific skills in industrial catalysis, industrial scale-up and reactor technology);
- developing innovative membrane separation processes;
- addressing and solving environmental issues;
- addressing and managing issues related to the recovery and recycling of materials and their end-of-life (circular economy);
- addressing and managing safety issues (laboratory and/or plant);
- developing pollution monitoring and control systems;
- developing quality and production control systems (both on-line and off-line technologies);
- developing process monitoring and control systems;
- addressing basic and applied research issues in a PhD program.
Employment
- Chemical industry (fine and commodity chemicals), oil & gas, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, formulations and food industry;
-industry for the production and processing of polymers and composite materials;
- manufacturing industry (mechanical engineering, electronics, iron and steel industry, concretes ...);
- recycling and waste recovery industry;
- recycling and recovery of polymers, inorganic materials and waste;
- private, corporate and public research and development centers;
- consultants (also through registration in the professional register of chemists).
- higher level training through participation to PhD programs (in Italy or abroad).
SMART graduated who have the credentials required by the current regulations can attend public competitions for access to the first and second of secondary school teacher training degrees.