HOW TO ENROL IN THE FACULTY

Students intending to enrol in the first year of a three-year Degree Course or of a Second Level Specialist Degree Course at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutritional and Health Sciences must submit an application (usually in August) to the University of Calabria specifying the Degree Course in which they are interested. A students’ merit ranking list for the available places in the faculty will be drawn based on students’ high school final mark.

Guidance
The Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutritional and Health Sciences, along with other Faculties of the University of Calabria, is involved in a number of activities and initiatives specifically addressed to high school students to highlight their aptitudes and interests and help them choose their university course. Among the activities, coordinated by the Commission for Freshmen Orientation of the University of Calabria, the Faculty deems the collaboration with Calabrian High Schools of great importance, in order to:
• provide an updated framework of the educational offer of the Faculty, by encouraging students to make accurate selections and responsible choices;
• offer high school students the opportunity to become familiar with issues related to science and scientific language by meeting university professors;
• follow school students who are interested in extracurricular activities, with the support of their school teachers;
• offer students the opportunity to participate in thematic mini courses to obtain educational credits that can be used at academic level in the Faculties.
For further details contact Professor Fiore Pasquale Nicoletta
Tel. 0984/493194-492121; fiore.nicoletta@unical.it

Scientific Information on Drugs
Introduction
Graduates in “Scientific information on drugs” will have sound practical skills enabling them to: work as medical representatives and use IT and statistical tools; organize analysis protocols and monitoring activities on the consumption of medicinal products and parapharmaceutical substances; plan public health prevention and educational measures in relation to toxicological aspects deriving from improper use of medicinal products; cooperate with other health operators in order to collect useful information for post-marketing surveillance.

Educational objectives
The Curriculum of the Degree Course includes theoretical and practical activities consisting in lectures and laboratory practice, as well as practical classes in computer science and English. At the end of the three-year course, the students have to prepare a final dissertation on health topics focusing in particular on pharmacological and toxicological characteristics of molecules of therapeutic interest. The objective of this Degree Course is to prepare professionals with competencies and skills to provide scientific information on the characteristics of medicinal products. This professional figure will be proactive and supportive to the National Health Service, thereby contributing to promulgate pharmaceutical and therapeutic guidelines and to pursue information activities so as to promptly respond to physicians’ requests concerning the kinetics, mechanism of action and toxicity of medicinal products. The training background provided by this degree course will also be of great support to professionals working in the pharmaceutical industry and in the distribution chain of medicinal products. Besides contributing to more careful management of resources, this new professional figure might start an interaction process between the pharmaceutical and the clinical settings. This interaction will be aimed at promoting a targeted use of drugs and at improving therapeutic monitoring measures developed by health teams, where the graduates from this Degree Course might play a key role. At the end of the curriculum students will attain a Degree in “Scientific information on drugs” and this qualification is suitable for working as a medical representative of drugs for human use (D.L.9/5/94; G.U. n.115 of 19/5/91)

Employment opportunities
The degree in “Scientific information on drugs” offers employment opportunities in the health sector, in chemical and pharmaceutical companies, food companies, cosmetic industry sector, study centers dealing with post marketing monitoring of drug effects, as well as universities and private research centers.

Nutritional Sciences
Introduction
Graduates in “Nutritional Sciences” will have broad practical knowledge enabling them to: perform physiological analyses of human nutrition, produce human diets according to the subjects’ pathologies, perform chemical, biological and microbiological analyses of food, control of food production processes; perform chemical, biological and microbiological analyses of raw materials used for the production of human food.

Educational objectives
The Curriculum of the Degree Course includes theoretical and practical activities consisting in lectures and laboratory practice carried out in the research laboratories of the Faculty, of the Departments and/or in external Companies; practical classes in computer science and English and professional practice periods prior to the preparation of the final course dissertations.
At the end of the curriculum students will attain a degree in “Nutritional Sciences” whose objective is to train professionals who can operate at any stage of the human nutrition process, prepare food and dietary products and analyze the chemical, biological and microbiological properties of food products.
Graduates in Nutritional sciences must above all have reliable practical knowledge that allows them to:
- plan physiologic control of human nutrition;
- formulate specific dietary regimes according to the subjects’ pathologies;
- perform chemical, biological and microbiological analysis of food;
- control food production processes;
- perform chemical, biological and microbiological analysis of raw materials used in the manufacture of human food products.
Since the official language in the field of Human Nutrition is English, graduates should demonstrate to master this language so as to be able to work in an international context.
The course lasts three years and includes a period of professional training in pharmaceutical centers or companies. Professional training lasts 225 hours (over a three-month period) and students will obtain 9 university credits. Students must also pass the degree examination consisting in the discussion of their final course dissertation.

Employment opportunities
The degree in Nutritional Sciences offers employment opportunities in:
1. Study Centers and Companies working in the food production sector;
2. Companies and institutions promoting technical or quality control certification standards;
3. Health centers;
4. Chemical and pharmaceutical companies;
5. Universities and other Public and Private Research institutions.
Graduates from this degree course can:
- formulate specific dietary regimes;
- perform chemical, biological, microbiological and toxicological analyses in compliance with quality certification standards;
- use multi-media and technical and health-related information tools.

Nutritional Sciences (Second level specialist degree course)
Introduction
The aim of the second level specialist degree course in Nutritional Sciences is to prepare professionals with interdisciplinary skills in all fields of Human Nutrition. In particular, graduates of the specialist degree course in Nutritional Sciences will have broad knowledge of:
the chemical composition, the analysis methods and the biological properties of nutrients and non nutrients in food products, as well as of their transformations as a consequence of technological processes;
the metabolic processes of nutrients in relation to the various physiopathological states;
human body composition in its fundamental subunits and of the dietary techniques to be developed in compliance with the different endocrine-metabolic condition of a patient;
the relationship between healthy nutrition habits and disease prevention.
At the end of the course students will attain a specialist degree in “Nutritional Sciences”. The course lasts two years and includes a period of professional training in Hospital facilities or Companies working in the agri-food and nutritional sector. Course attendance is compulsory. The total number of credits of this Course is 300 (including 180 credits obtained by the students in the three-year degree Course). Moreover, students must pass the degree examination consisting in the discussion of a thesis on advanced research topics related to the degree course’s subjects.

Environmental Toxicology
Introduction
Graduates in “Environmental Toxicology” will have sound practical skills and be able to: perform chemotherapeutical and/or radiopharmaceutical manipulation; play technical or professional roles in the field of Environmental Toxicology, and use IT and statistic tools; prepare analysis and monitoring protocols for pollutants in the environment (water, air and soil) and for food contaminants; assess the quality of thermal mineral waters by means of suitable analysis protocols; plan public health prevention and education measures related to the toxicological consequences of chemical and biological pollution in the environment; organize laboratory activities with the application of chemical/analytical, biological, microbiological and toxicological methodologies, in compliance with quality certification standards.

Educational objectives
The objective of the Degree in Environmental Toxicology is to train operators with specific knowledge to work in scientific-instrumental analysis laboratories where they can perform analytical, biological and toxicological control to guarantee environmental and food safety for public health.

Employment opportunities
The degree in Environmental Toxicology offers employment opportunities in:
centers performing chemotherapeutical and radiotherapeutical manipulation;
study centers for environmental toxicological surveys;
centers and institutions promoting technical regulations or working in the field of quality certification;
hospitals and related facilities;
chemical and pharmaceutical companies;
food companies;
cattle industry;
laboratories of applied biotechnologies;
universities and other public and private research centers.
Graduates of this degree course will be able to: monitor chemical and microbiological contaminants in water, air and soil, as well as in food products; develop methodologies to monitor environmental pollution; perform chemical, biological, microbiological and toxicological analyses in compliance with quality certification standards; develop methodologies – even biotechnologies – and apply them for environmental decontamination purposes; use multi-media tools and instruments related to technical-health information.

Technology of Cosmetic Products
Introduction
Graduates in Technology of Cosmetic Products will have sound practical knowledge to: play technical or professional roles in the various sectors of the applied cosmetic industry, also by means of IT and statistical tools; organize laboratory activities and perform quality control analyses such as chemical, analytical, biological, microbiological and toxicological control on the various health products.

Educational objectives
The objective of the Degree in Technology of Cosmetic Products is to train professionals with specific knowledge background to work in the cosmetic sector, use natural products in an innovative way and collaborate with private and public companies using cosmetic science for promoting human wellness.

Employment opportunities
The degree in Technology of Cosmetic Products offers employment opportunities in: research and production centers of companies working in the cosmetic industry; centers and institutions providing technical regulations or working in the field of quality certification; hospitals and related facilities; chemical and pharmaceutical companies; thermal facilities; beauty and wellness centers; universities and other public and private research centers. Graduates will perform the following activities: manipulate officinal raw materials for the manufacture of cosmetic products; perform chemical, biological, microbiological and toxicological analyses in compliance with quality certification standards; develop applicative methodologies for modern cosmetic science; use multi-media tools and instruments related to technical-health information.

Single Cycle Degree in Pharmacy (Specialist degree)
Introduction
Graduates in pharmacy are health professionals with multidisciplinary scientific and technological skills (in chemistry, biology, physiopathology, pharmacy, pharmacology, toxicology, legislation and ethics) who can play a key role in healthcare activities, thereby contributing to the attainment of the objectives envisaged by the National Health Service, with a view to respond to the ever-changing needs of public health and in particular: knowledge of the scientific survey methodologies applied to the sector; multidisciplinary knowledge that is fundamental for understanding the structure and activity of medicinal products and their interaction with the biomolecules at the cellular and systemic level and the activities of manufacture and testing of remedies in relation to their therapeutic objectives; chemical, biological and physiopathological information associated to the knowledge of pharmacoeconomic principles and to national and EU rules and regulations governing the activities of these professionals who may guarantee safety, quality and effectiveness of health products, as required by the WHO and by the national and European regulations; knowledge on the provision of pharmaceutical professional services in the framework of the national health system; competencies in the provision of services in the health care sector in the field of pharmacotherapeutical implications of therapies and competencies necessary for the interaction with other professionals working in the health-care sector; good knowledge of the scientific analysis methodologies.

Educational objectives
Graduates of the Specialist degree course in Pharmacy must associate scientific knowledge with practical and theoretical skills necessary for working as pharmacists and operate as experts of medicinal products and health related products (medical devices, sanitary items, cosmetic products, dietary products, herbal medicinal products, diagnostic products) in the relevant industrial sector.

Employment opportunities
After the attainment of the specialist degree and the subsequent professional qualification diploma, graduates – in compliance with directive 85/432/EEC– can work as chemists and are authorized to pursuit professional activities envisaged by the Specialist degree courses in Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy, included in the minimum range of activities listed hereinafter: the preparation of the pharmaceutical form of medicinal products; the manufacture and testing of medicinal products; the testing of medicinal products in a laboratory; the storage, preservation and distribution of medicinal products at the wholesale stage; the preparation, testing, storage and supply of medicinal products in pharmacies open to the public; the preparation, testing, storage and dispensing of medicinal products in hospitals (hospital pharmacies); the provision of information and advice on medicinal products; other professional activities carried out within the European Union in the field of pharmacy in the framework of the multiple interactions with the modern health context, so as to guarantee equal professional opportunities.

Single Cycle Degree In Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies (Specialist degree)
Introduction
The degree course in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies provides students with in-depth knowledge of the disciplines and methodologies related to the synthesis, formulation, metabolism and testing of medicinal products also in relation to the distribution of medicinal products and their relevant regulations. To attain this objective students must study basic disciplines in depth (e.g. chemistry, physics and mathematics) and subsequently acquire competencies in biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences and pharmacology, along with pharmaceutical and toxicological sciences that are all equally important to build the overall knowledge of graduates.
In this educational path, the manufacture of medicinal products by means of advanced chemical, physical, biological and biomedical methodologies is of paramount importance. Graduates in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies will be entitled to work as Chemists in Pharmacies or in the pharmaceutical industry in the field of medicinal products manufacturing and testing. Finally, graduates will also be suitably prepared to deal with the dosage of medicinal products and their metabolites to monitor their action in the clinical practice also in laboratory facilities of the National Health Service. Graduates of the Specialist degree course in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies will have the professional qualification to pursuit activities in agri-food manufacturing companies or biotechnology companies manufacturing dietary or special food products. The degree course lasts five years and includes six month professional training in pharmacies open to the public or in hospital pharmacies under the supervision of the pharmaceutical service.

Educational objectives
Graduates of the specialist degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies will be provided with the necessary scientific knowledge and theoretical and practical skills to be entitled to work as professional chemists and to operate as experts in medicinal products and health related products (medical devices, sanitary items, cosmetic products, dietary products, herbal medicinal products, diagnostic products) in the relevant industrial sector.

Employment opportunities
After the attainment of the specialist degree and the subsequent professional qualification diploma, graduates – in compliance with directive 85/432/EEC – can work as chemists and are authorized to pursuit professional activities envisaged by the Specialist degree courses in Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy, included in the minimum range of activities listed hereinafter: the preparation of the pharmaceutical form of medicinal products; the manufacture and testing of medicinal products; the testing of medicinal products in a laboratory; the storage, preservation and distribution of medicinal products at the wholesale stage; the preparation, testing, storage and supply of medicinal products in pharmacies open to the public; the preparation, testing, storage and dispensing of medicinal products in hospitals (hospital pharmacies); the provision of information and advice on medicinal products; other professional activities carried out within the European Union in the field of pharmacy in the framework of the multiple interactions with the modern health context, so as to guarantee equal professional opportunities.

POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL IN CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
The Postgraduate School in Clinical Pathology has been established at the University of Calabria, in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition and Health Sciences within the framework of EEC directives envisaging a more proactive role of graduates in Pharmacy and an enhancement of their competencies in the modern healthcare system. The postgraduate school complies with the general guidelines of Specialization Schools in the health sector ratified by EEC directives. The aim of the School is to provide specific professional skills in the field of medical laboratory diagnostic and of human pathologies prevention and in the organization of laboratory activities, as well as their relationships with clinical diagnostics. The school is open to graduates in Pharmacy, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies, and Biological Sciences. The school issues a title of Specialist in Clinical Pathology and the course lasts 5 years. The activity of the school is supported by the Faculty of Pharmacy, the Department of Pharmaco-Biology and the Department of Cellular Biology, the Health centre of the University of Calabria, along with NHS facilities – selected according to memorandums of understanding as per Art. 6 par. 2 of Decree 502/1992 – as well as by the University staff specialized in the scientific sectors or in the disciplines listed in Table A, and by the NHS managers of the corresponding functional and disciplinary areas.

MASTER’S COURSES
“APPLICATIVE ASPECTS OF CLINICAL FEEDING AND NUTRITION”
This Master’s course aims at the promotion of in-depth knowledge on the relationships between nutrition, lifestyle and human health. Students attending the course will improve their scientific knowledge concerning Nutritional science related to the practical application of specific dietary regimes according to the different functional needs or human pathologies. Over the last few years greater attention has been given to more balanced nutrition not only for the prevention of several pathologies, but also for the definition of specific dietary measures in particular physiological or pathological conditions. The Master’s course is open to graduates in Nutritional Sciences, Medicine and Surgery or graduates holding health related degrees obtained at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Biological Sciences, Natural Sciences, Biotechnological Sciences, Motor Science and Sport, Scientific Drug Information, Chemistry and Environmental Toxicology.

“PHARMACO-TOXICOLOGY OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE, ALCOHOLISM AND RELATED PATHOLOGIES”
This Master’s course aims at providing professionals working in Territorial Services in Italy and researchers with an interest in pharmaceutical substances, drug and alcohol addiction with ad-hoc multidisciplinary training concerning the most updated aspects of toxicology, diagnosis, medical, social and legal implications of drug addiction, the effects of old and new substances on the organism and the potential therapeutic approaches. The Master’s course will be carried out in cooperation with the S.E.R.T. (Italian Service for Drug Addiction) of the Health Service Agency No.4 of Cosenza and it is open for graduates in Medicine and Surgery, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Nutritional Sciences, Environmental Toxicology, Scientific Drug Information, Biological Sciences, Psychology and Nursing Science, Social Service Science and Educational Science.

“MEDICINE AND PHYTOTHERAPY”
The Master’s course aims at integrating the training in the various sectors of healthcare with the most up-to-date scientific knowledge in biopathology and phytotherapy. Interdisciplinary study of the topics dealt with in the Master’s course will enable health care professionals at various levels to develop considerable skills in the primary prevention and health education in centers providing medical and phytoterapic services.

“BIOLOGICAL NUTRITION SCIENCE”
Biological Nutrition is a scientific branch defining the type, quantity and metabolism of nutritional elements that are necessary for harmonious development of the organism. The aim of the Master’s course is to provide knowledge on the nutritional, therapeutic and toxicological potential of foods and integrators, as well as on the applicative potential of biological therapies in the field of nutrition. The complete and interdisciplinary program focuses on the following topics: chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology and clinical medicine and therefore offers integrated knowledge of the main natural methodologies, thereby enabling professionals at any level and in any field to efficiently operate with nutrition, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The Master’s course is open to graduates in Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Biological Sciences, Nutritional Sciences, Scientific Drug Information, Chemistry, Environmental Toxicology and Nursing Science.

“QUALITY CONTROL MANAGER OF THE BIOLOGICAL AND BIOTECHNOLOGICAL AGRICULTURAL FOOD CHAIN”
The course is addressed to graduates in Agricultural Sciences, Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Biological Sciences, Natural Sciences, Veterinary Sciences, Scientific information on drugs and Environmental Toxicology. The aim of the course is to train human resources with professional skills suitable for managing modernization processes in the agri-food system, especially in two main sectors: organic farming and genetic manipulation. The Master’s course is organized in lectures and practical classes; a one-month training period in an agri-food company is also compulsory.

PHD SCHOOL FOR ADVANCED EDUCATION IN TECHNOLOGICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL DISCIPLINES
The 8th course of the PhD School for Advanced Education in Technological and Pharmaceutical disciplines was held from September 22nd to 28th, 2008 for the academic year 2007/2008. The Course is open to graduates in Pharmacy, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Natural Sciences and Biotechnology. High qualified researchers in the field will hold lectures on the following topic «Liposomes, niosomes and vesicular systems: preparation, characterization and application».