Study TAAEC Study programmes, academic regulations The course programmes are available in the University of Pisa Course Catalogue. The organisational aspects of the Degree Programme and the educational offer are described in the Academic Regulations. Prerequisites Prerequisites are an essential part of the study programme and must be fulfilled. Further details can be found in the Academic Regulations. Working students and parents-students According to the University Academic Regulations, the status of working student (Art. 27) and student parent (Art. 23, paragraph 9) may be recognised, for which certain concessions in the course of study are provided. The tutors for working students are Professor Angelo Gazzano and Dr Lisa Guardone. Transfers from other institutions For students transferring from other universities, or for the recognition of academic qualifications obtained abroad, the University establishes the number of available places and the admission procedures each academic year. Additional information is available on the University website. Entry level knowledge assessment and additional learning obligations (OFA) All students admitted to the degree program are required to have adequate initial preparation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, text comprehension, and elementary logic, as reported on the CISIA website. To verify your initial knowledge, you must take the TOLC-AV, a non-selective test organised by CISIA, which can be taken remotely or in person.Once you have taken the TOLC-AV, the CISIA certification (reporting your scores in the various sections of the test) must be sent to the Degree Course President. The knowledge assessment is passed if a score of 3 or higher is achieved in the biology section; those who do not achieve the minimum score acquire OFA (Additional Learning Obligations). OFAs must be completed within the first academic year, using one of the following methods: Pass the exam for the integrated course in Biology and Anatomy of Pets or pass the exam for the Biology module of the same integrated course; Pass the “filter semester” Biology exam. Failure to complete the OFA requirements will result in the inability to take the second and third academic year exams. Class schedule and exam sessions Class Schedule Exam Timetable Students can register for exams through the University’s Valutami portal. After logging in with your credentials, simply enter the name of the instructor and the course to find the exam session relevant to your degree programme. Within the Valutami portal, it is strongly recommended to complete the course evaluation questionnaires at the end of the course. It is also possible to fill out the teaching evaluation questionnaires without registering for the exam. Compulsory courses and activities To graduate, students are required to complete compulsory courses and activities designed to develop transversal skills that support their academic and professional growth. IT skills All Degree Courses in the Department of Veterinary Sciences require students to acquire computer skills through self-learning activities. SAI@UNIPI – teaching modules The University of Pisa developed the SAI@UNIPI project, an e-learning platform that supports students in distance learning and certification activities. The programme is divided into several training modules (2 or 3 ECTS credits). Depending on the requirements of their Degree Course, students acquire the required skills by completing one or more modules. ECDL FULL As an alternative to the SAI@UNIPI project, the ECDL Full certification is also recognised. Test Centre DSV For several years, the Department of Veterinary Sciences (DSV) has operated its own Test Center, affiliated with the University and accredited by AICA, to provide certification services. Already qualified to issue ECDL certifications, the Test Center continues to support students through the SAI Project. Further information on the methods for acquiring IT skills is available on the dedicated Test Center, SAI, ECDL page. Language skills Students can earn 5 CFU for knowledge of a foreign language (English or any official EU language) at level B2. Linguistic skills can be acquired at the Interdepartmental Language Center (CLI). Language eligibility To meet the language requirement, students should access the CLI portal under the “University Eligibility” section and follow the instructions provided. For registration, authentication on the CLI e-learning platform must be carried out using your University credentials. The registration of ECTS (=CFU) credits is carried out directly by the Student Offices, upon prior email notification to Ms. Patrizia Lenzi, indicating the last name, first name, student ID number, and exam date. Recognition of foreign language qualification Students who hold a foreign language certificate at level B2 or higher, issued by a recognised certifying institution, should submit a request to the Teaching Unit. The request should be submitted using the provided form, including a copy of the certificate, and sent by email to didattica@vet.unipi.it along with a valid ID. Workplace safety courses The workplace safety course, offered by the University, is mandatory for all degree students and must be completed before the internship. For details on the modules and upcoming test dates, please visit the dedicated page. Elective ECTS credits To obtain the academic degree, it is necessary to earn 180 university credits (CFU), of which 15 CFU are designated as “elective credits,” in accordance with the Regulations. Elective credits (CFU a scelta) may also be earned by taking exams in other degree programmes within the Department or the University, subject to authorisation by the Degree Council of Animal Breeding Techniques and Canine Education. The appropriate TAAEC form – Request to take exams in another degree programme must be used, specifying the name and code of the exam and attaching the syllabus of the exam to be taken. SAI Exam Authorization Request Students can also acquire optional credits through the following activities, all subject to final evaluation: Passing elective exams offered by the Degree Programme; Passing exams included in the alternative curriculum study plan; Achieving a higher level in a foreign language or completing additional SAI@UNIPI modules; Attending seminars organized by the Degree Programme and passing the final test to acquire the corresponding credits. Specifically, 1 credit is awarded for the November seminar and 1 credit for the May seminar, for a total of 6 credits earned over the three-year course. Participating in external events and courses relevant to the study programme that allow students to develop transversal skills. In particular: An 8-hour course with a certificate but no final test is worth 0.5 credits. An 8-hour course with a certificate and a final test is worth 1 credit. Additional internship activities: It is possible to carry out a longer internship during the programme and/or a longer final internship. Any credits earned beyond the standard amount (2 credits for the internship during the programme and 3 credits for the final internship) will be counted as optional credits Even acquiring a single additional credit from the final internship allows the student to receive an extra point in the final degree grade. Specifically, to earn elective ECTS credits by passing exams from courses in the alternative curriculum, the following is required: ◆ to take the exam for the entire course, not just the individual modules. ◆ the course must not include topics already covered in exams from the student’s main curriculum. Requests for the recognition of elective credits (CFU a scelta) must be submitted to the Teaching Unit by email to didattica@vet.unipi.it, using the appropriate forms: TAAEC – Request for Recognition of Elective Credits and TAAEC – Summary of Elective Credits Requested. A valid form of identification and copies of all certificates of participation in seminars, conferences, courses, etc., which the student intends to use for credit recognition, must be attached. Academic tutoring The academic tutoring aims to guide and support students, encourage their active participation in the study programme, and help overcome any difficulties they may encounter during their academic journey. At the Department of Veterinary Sciences, various types of tutoring activities are available, which can be carried out by both teachers and students. Teacher Tutor Until the 2019/2020 academic year, the University’s tutoring regulations assigned each first-year student an individual Teacher Tutor, who would remain their reference throughout their studies. Starting in 2020, following a resolution by the Academic Senate, Departments were authorized to experiment with new organizational approaches to teacher tutoring. Since the 2022/2023 academic year, the Degree Programme in TAAEC assigns each student a limited number of teacher tutors per year, selected also according to the student’s chosen curriculum. This way, when moving from one year to the next, students may have different Teacher Tutors, but they always retain a reference aligned with their study path (TV or AEC curriculum) and the specific educational needs of that year. Academic Year 2025/2026 For the AEC curriculum: Professor Francesca Cecchi, Professor Andrea Pirone, Dr Simona Sagona, Professor Alberto Elmi, Dr Lucia Casini. For the TV curriculum: Professor Francesca Cecchi, Professor Andrea Pirone, Dr Simona Sagona, Professor Federica Salari, Dr Ilaria Lippi. Academic Year 2024/2025 For the AEC curriculum: Professor Andrea Pirone, Professor Alberto Elmi, Dr Lucia Casini. For the TV curriculum: Professor Andrea Pirone, Professor Federica Salari, Dr Ilaria Lippi. Academic Year 2023/2024 For the AEC curriculum: Professor Roberta Ciampolini, Professor Mario Forzan, Dr Lucia Casini. For the TV curriculum: Professor Francesca Cecchi, Professor Valentina Virginia Ebani, Dr Lorella Giuliotti. Academic Year 2022/2023 For the AEC curriculum: Professor Angelo Gazzano. For the TV curriculum: Professor Francesca Cecchi. The tutors for working students and student parents are Professor Angelo Gazzano and Dr Lisa Guardone. In the event of the temporary unavailability of the Tutor, students may refer to the members of the Tutoring Committee. Student Tutor A student tutor helps first-year students in the Veterinary Medicine Degree Programme. They are current students who have likely already faced the main challenges of the academic path and can offer guidance and support based on their own experience. Peer Tutoring The Peer Tutoring Service, available to students from all degree programmes within the Department of Veterinary Sciences, aims to provide guidance and support throughout their course of study. Useful Information and FAQ Accessing the Student Record (Exams, Fees, etc.) Students can access their electronic student record through the ALICE portal using their University credentials. The portal allows students to view completed exams and the status of tuition fee payments. If an exam you have already taken does not appear in the system, please contact Ms. Patrizia Lenzi. Contacting teachers For communications regarding your university studies or to request information, please refer to the lecturer’s personal profile. Note: It is essential to use your official University email address (username@studenti.unipi.it). Emails sent from private addresses may not receive a response.