Teaching and subject areas
The degree course produces professionals capable of: ascertaining and protecting the health and well-being of pets and livestock; preventing and treating infectious and parasitic diseases of animals; carrying out clinical, medical, surgical and obstetric operations in animals; managing genetic selection schemes and aspects relating to breeding technology, nutrition and reproduction; inspecting and dealing with the health of animals, with particular reference to zoonoses, verify the compliance and supervising the production and marketing of foodstuffs of animal origin, carrying out managerial and management functions in public and private health organizations.
The training course, which requires compulsory attendance, is divided into 5 years and includes three phases: a first phase involving the acquisition of knowledge of the basic sciences (biochemistry, physics, botany, zoology, anatomy and physiology), followed by a second phase of specific subjects (genetics, zootechnics and animal nutrition, infectious and infective diseases, anatomical-pathological and inspection-veterinary disciplines, clinical, surgical and gynaecological veterinary disciplines) regarding related subjects of agronomics and economic management, and a third and final phase of the internship, aimed at acquiring appropriate practical preparation in professional areas, linked to the preparation of the qualification exam for the profession of Veterinarian over four distinct areas: clinical practice, animal husbandry technics, infectious diseases, pathological anatomy and food inspection.
Three-year and master’s STPA
The syllabus of the three-year Degree Course in STPA is in continuity with that of the Master’s Degree Course of the same name, which completes the study programme. The three-year training course covers the basic and professional technical and socio-economic knowledge required for the understanding and management of the production, transformation and marketing of products of animal origin. This is associated with the correct enhancement of natural resources and the demands of a society in a constant state of evolution, of planning also linked to the enhancement of agricultural policies and for the development of rural areas. The master’s degree, in addition to deepening the scientific knowledge of the various fields of quality and safety of production processes in the field and animal husbandry, as well as the processing of food and derived products, analyzes the certification systems and aspects necessary for access to the profession. The offer of the master’s degree is oriented towards two study paths: the first focused on sustainability throughout the animal production chain (responsible companies, management of sustainable livestock farms, environmental management, reuse of by-products and alternative food sources, innovative production systems) and on the management of farms aimed not only at the production of food goods but also at services useful to the community (multifunctionality) and to the usability of rural land.
TAAEC
The degree Course in TAAEC, the only course of study in Italy of its kind, prepares graduates for the activity of dog breeder and educator. Students are trained in the understanding and optimum management of the human-animal relationship and in the design and development of innovative services and practices, also in connection with the support policies available at national and EU level in this specific area.
The training provided to students also enables them to operate, once graduates, as technicians supporting the veterinarian in outpatient activities and as managers of public and private kennels. Passing the state exam for ‘agro-technician’ gives access to the profession.
Strengths
Veterinary Medicine
New graduates express a high degree of satisfaction with the overall effectiveness of the Degree Course in Veterinary Medicine of the University of Pisa.
The Almalaurea surveys show a good employability rate one year after graduation. Employability increases up to 80% three years after graduation.
Three-year and master’s STPA
The three-year and Master’s Degree Course in STPA as a whole is distinguished by the link with the productive characteristics of Tuscany and a unique master’s course regarding the national territory, focused on agro-zootechnical multifunctionality, the integrated development of rural areas and support of the growing demand for quality and use of services expressed by contemporary society. In this perspective, the path combines company production activity and the development of the territory with activities related to personal services, human-animal interaction with social farming practices and assisted interventions with animals, environmental and food education and safeguarding biodiversity. There is an urgent need to develop attitudes and production approaches regarding ethical aspects, especially in the field of animal production, for example, the welfare of farm animals, environmental and social sustainability, as well as economic factors. For this reason, the degree course trains professionals capable of interpreting and facing the challenges of sustainability and putting them in operation in the real world.
TAAEC
The course produces professionals able to deal with the technical, hygienic and economic management of animal breeding, selection and genetic improvement, nutrition, legislation, animal health and welfare, veterinary biomedical laboratory techniques and the behavioural education of the dog so as to promote the development of appropriate socialization. The course also develops skills that can be transferred to urban contexts for the development and the design of specific policies for the promotion and enhancement of human-animal relationships.
Professional outlet
Veterinary Medicine
Following the national qualification to practice the profession, the veterinarian can carry out their work within the context of:
- veterinary clinics and hospitals for the care of companion and non-conventional animals;
- livestock farms, equestrian centers, veterinary clinics and hospitals for the care of farm animals and horses;
- veterinary functional areas of the National Health Service (Area A: Animal health – Area B: Hygiene of production, processing and transport of food of animal origin – Area C: Hygiene of farms and livestock production);
- national public bodies such as universities, CNR(National Research Council), Zooprophylactic institutes, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italian National Institute of Health), Ministries, regional authorities, the Armed Forces, European Union and international cooperation bodies.
- livestock industries, pharmaceutical sector, feed and food processing sectors of animal origin.
To access work activities in most public bodies, a specific postgraduate training course is required.
The master’s degree course in Veterinary Medicine gives access to third-cycle studies such as the PhD and Specialization Schools and to other second-level university masters.
Three-year and master’s STPA
Graduates in STPA work as a technician (three-year graduate) and as a specialist technician (master’s degree) in the following occupational fields:
- agro-zootechnical,agro-food, agro-fauna and aquaculture companies, feed industries and food analysis laboratories for zootechnical use,
- companies that produce and distribute products of animal origin, food analysis laboratories of animal origin,
- trade associations, services, public, regional, national and EU bodies, non-governmental organizations with technical, socio-economic and planning support functions within the agro-zootechnical and rural development context,
- public and private research institutes and teaching activities in secondary schools(master’s degree).
The three-year graduate who passes the state exam for agrotechnician or the master’s degree postgraduate who passes the state exam as agronomist can work as a self-employed professional or consultant.
TAAEC
Graduates are able to carry out professional activities as a technician in various fields, such as:
- breeding of domestic animals and in particular of dogs, with reference to technical, hygienic and economic management, genetic improvement, nutrition, legislation, health and well-being, behavioural education of the dog and management of a correct intra and interspecific interaction;
- dog education schools where the graduate can independently carry out behavioural education activities;
- kennels, shelters and protection associations, as a technician in the health and hygiene management of the institution and environmental hygiene in collaboration with a veterinarian;
- educational school projects to improve the relationship with dogs in collaboration with teaching staff and veterinarians;
- collaboration with municipalities in the field of animal welfare protection, design, planning and management of interspecific coexistence problems in the urban context.
- technologies for the production of food for livestock use, in the feed industry, in their quantitative, qualitative and hygienic aspects, with particular reference to dogfood products.
Relations with companies and with the local territory (theses carried out in companies and similar)
Veterinary Medicine
The degree course participates locally with its facilities in organising initiatives of scientific dissemination. The Anatomical Museum of the Department acts as an exhibition space and cultural training area for schools and the local community, and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) provides services available to citizens in solving health problems of the local animal population.
Furthermore, relations with the local area are developed through assistance for private clinical/agro-zootechnical facilities and professional surgeries, providing advice and, through specific agreements, consolidating the preparation of future veterinarians.
Three-year and master’s STPA
The two degree courses cooperate with agro-zootechnical, food and wildlife companies, trade associations, laboratories, professional firms, mainly in the local area, for the carrying out of pre-professional training and theses.
Relations with the world of work are maintained through practical activities (off-site lessons), provided within the context of teaching, and through seminars for students held by various professional figures belonging to different production fields including graduates in STPA already actively working in various production sectors.
Student meetings are also organized annually with the Order of Agronomists and the College of Agricultural Technicians.
TAAEC
Relations with the local professional and working realities are maintained in the link with private companies and professional firms, providing consultancy and, through specific agreements, consolidating the preparation of future graduates in disciplines relating to cynophilia.
The TAAEC also works with the Veterinary Anatomical Museum, which students can use to enhance their morphological and behavioural knowledge of the various canine species.
International relations (agreements and educational cooperation , joint degrees and similar)
The Department of Veterinary Sciences offers four types of cooperation:
– Erasmus programs: we have 28 agreements with as many universities, with the distribution of:
64.3% in the Mediterranean area
28.6% in Eastern Europe
7.1% in Northern Europe
– Summer School. The department has activated two initiatives:
- Food and Innovation in Rural Transition: the Tuscany case
- Insects as Feed and Food (from 2021)
– Joint title. Since 2010, the Master’s Degree Course in STPA has activated the double degree with the International Master on Rural Development coordinated by the University of Ghent (IMRD Consortium)
– Framework agreements, in which work mobility and research activities are envisaged:
Agreement of Cooperation between the University of Pisa and the Amol University of Special Modern Technologies
Agreement of Cooperation between the University of Pisa and the Vyatka State Agricultural Academy