International Master’s Programme in the Conservation Biology and Management of Large Marine Vertebrates – University of Bologna (Italy)

Call for Applications for the Academic Year 2025/2026

The University of Bologna, in strategic partnership with the Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences (DiBEST), at the University of Calabria (Italy) and the Egas Moniz University School of Health and Science (Lisbon, Portugal), announces the new edition of its internationally oriented Master’s Programme in Large Marine Vertebrates Sciences.

This advanced academic programme is designed to provide rigorous interdisciplinary training in the conservation biology, management, and health sciences of marine mammals (cetaceans, pinnipeds, sirenians), elasmobranchs (selaceans), and marine turtles (testudines). It aims to bridging fundamental scientific knowledge with applied conservation practice in both in situ and ex situ contexts.

The curriculum covers a comprehensive spectrum of disciplines critical to the conservation and sustainable management of large marine vertebrates, including:

- Comparative anatomy and physiology

- Behavioral ecology and ethology

- Pathology, emerging diseases, and veterinary considerations

- Marine biodiversity policy and legislative frameworks

- Conservation medicine and animal welfare under human care

- Population monitoring and spatial ecology

- Environmental impact assessment and human-marine vertebrate interactions

- Scientific communication and conservation outreach

The programme draws on the expertise of a distinguished faculty composed of academics from the coordinating institutions, guest lecturers from prominent international universities, and seasoned professionals actively engaged in conservation practice.

Conservation Emphasis and Experiential Learning

A core strength of the programme lies in its applied, field-oriented approach, ensuring that participants gain direct experience with methodologies and tools critical to modern marine conservation science. This includes a mandatory international field expedition to the Roatán Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS), in Honduras, hosted in collaboration with the Dolphin Communication Project (DCP), Dr. Kathleen Dudzinski.

This intensive fieldwork, embedded within the programme’s pedagogical structure, facilitates hands-on training in the behavioral monitoring, acoustic ecology, and habitat assessment of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in semi-natural settings.

Additionally, the course includes a 500 hour internship (20 CFU) with approved scientific or conservation institutions, enabling students to integrate theoretical learning with professional field application.

Programme Structure and Admission Criteria

- Duration: 18 months (January 2025 – June 2026)

- Language: English

- Structure: Modular coursework (January–September 2026), followed by internship and final dissertation

- Location: University of Bologna and University of Calabria, with international mobility for fieldwork

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must hold a first or second cycle degree in one of the following or related fields: Biology, Environmental Sciences, Biotechnology, Animal Sciences, or Veterinary Medicine (Italian classifications: L-13, L-32, L-38, L-2, LM-6, LM-9, LM-42), or an equivalent degree obtained abroad. 

Candidates with alternative qualifications demonstrating relevant scientific background may also be considered upon review by the Admissions Board.

Enrollment Cap: A minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 candidates will be admitted.

Tuition Fee: €7,500 – includes all costs associated with the Roatán field trip.

Application Information:

You can check all information at these websites: Large Marine Vertebrates Sciences — Professional Master's Programme 1st Level  and https://www.unibo.it/en/study/phd-professional-masters-specialisation-schools-and-other-programmes/professional-master/2025-2026/large-marine-vertebrates-sciences-1. 

All instruction for enrolment to the selection can be found at the following link https://www.unibo.it/en/study/phd-professional-masters-specialisation-schools-and-other-programmes/professional-master/information-on-professional-master/information-for-international-students

Non-Italian students can find information on titles at the following page https://www.unibo.it/en/teaching/enrolment-transfer-and-final-examination/declaration-of-value-translation-and-legalization.

This Master’s programme represents a unique opportunity for emerging conservation professionals, marine biologists, and wildlife veterinarians to acquire the theoretical foundation and applied competencies necessary to address the growing conservation challenges faced by marine megafauna in an era of rapid environmental change.

For additional information or clarifications, please feel free to contact the programme coordination team: annalisa.zaccaroni@unibo.it or master.lmvs@unibo.it.