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InternationalUniversity of Siena is offering the following degree courses taught entirely in English.
- Economics and Management
Economics and Management (E&M) is a three-year degree program focusing on the acquisition of multidisciplinary expertise in management, banking and economics. Its purpose is to prepare students to understand how consumers, firms and organizations work and operate in the increasingly complex social and economic environment they face. The course addresses the fundamentals of accounting and management, of financial intermediation within the banking industry, of the insurance sector and financial markets, together with a sound training in all the core economic disciplines, both at the microeconomic and the macroeconomic level, including the historical perspective and the statistical methods for data analysis of social sciences.
Students can choose among three different curricula: Banking and Finance, Business and Management, Economics and Social Sciences
- Economics
The MSc in Economics is a two year graduate programme that aims to provide an advanced level of education in economics. The program is built on four core courses — mathematics, microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics — in order for students to acquire advanced tools for economic analysis, and offers a wide array of specialized topics in most fields of modern economics. The programme is designed to give our students the ability to approach a wide variety of economic and social issues. Moreover, the cultural tradition of the Department of Economics in Siena has always favoured a pluralistic approach to the analysis of economic problems, in the belief that exposure to competing theoretical perspectives facilitates understanding of economic phenomena. In the same spirit, Siena has always encouraged "contamination" of the economic approach with other disciplines, such as other social sciences, history, law, as well as biology, psychology, etc.
Department of Economics and Statistics
School of Economics and Management
- Finance
The MSc in Finance will provide knowledge in three main fields:
- Quantitative Area. Students study in deep the methods used in financial markets to price financial securities: basic principles of stochastic calculus, no-arbitrage principle and risk neutral (martingale) pricing, derivatives pricing, interest rate derivatives, stochastic volatility models, financial econometrics.
- Economic Area. Students are exposed to the theoretical framework of modern financial economics: microeconomic models for business and finance, models with asymmetric information and decision under uncertainty, monetary economics and central banking approaches;
- Management Area. Our fundamental courses will provide the knowledge to study financial behaviour of financial and non-financial firms and financial markets.
Department of Economics and Statistics
School of Economics and Management
- International Studies, curriculum European Studies
The Master of Science in International Relations aims to provide knowledge of the methodology and content of cultural, scientific and vocational training in the following areas of learning: historical, economic, law, political science, linguistic. These skills are designed to help students develop the ability to understand and analyze issues concerning the international dimension of political, economic and social phenomena. The specific objectives of the programme are:
- provide analytical tools and institutional knowledge aiming to understand, evaluate and manage issues relating to contemporary societies, the complex relationships among the states, the processes of democratization and protection of human rights;
- provide, focusing on tools and comparative analysis method, knowledge about the dynamics of the processes of structural change occurring in the international arena, as well as basic knowledge of the methodologies used by the bodies of multilateral cooperation for the development of programs development cooperation.
Curriculum in European Studies
Department of Political and International Sciences
- International Accounting and Management
The course intend is to form graduates that will be able to assume roles of directional responsibility inside companies, in staff functions as well as in line management; start an independent entrepreneurial activity, including that of the execution of the professions and activities of consulting (accounting and company); assume roles of responsibility in institutional organisms (Chamber of Commerce, Associations of category, Local bodies, international organisations). The course offers training to develop highly skilled management professionals, able to take effective action in a dynamic global environment.
Particular attention is devoted to the recent evolution and major changes of the firms' operating environment in order to provide students with adequate competencies related to the government, managerial, and organizational processes in different types of firms, operating in diverse businesses (public and private sectors), at both the national and international level.
The in-class experience includes simulations of management decision-making processes, broad interaction between the faculty and the students, personal communication and presentation skills enhancement, and team-working.
Disciplinary areas are articulated as follows: Business studies, Economics, Law, Statistical Mathematics.
Department of Business and Law
School of Economics and Management
- Public and Cultural Diplomacy, curriculum Public Diplomacy; curriculum Cultural Diplomacy
The MSc in Public and Cultural Diplomacy aims to provide the necessary understanding and skills to work in the fields of international and inter-cultural cooperation, international communication and foreign public engagement. This program focuses on the following areas:
- the evolution of diplomacy from classic state-to-state relations, to public diplomacy and now to cultural and global diplomacy, in different geo-political areas;
- the emergence of a multi-cultural approach in the practices of planning and management of cultural heritages;
- the expansion of professional skills in the management and communication of international projects.
To address these topics the course will adopt a multi-disciplinary perspective. Students are asked to master the political, economic, legal and historical backgrounds of the geographical areas in which they want to operate. Students will be exposed to a wide set of innovative theoretical and methodological approaches to international relations, including soft and smart power strategies, strategies of communication in international relations, mediation techniques, conflict management in areas of crisis.
Stemming from a common core of topics, on the second year students can choose among two different curricula. One (curriculum in Cultural Diplomacy) will provide the relevant skills to work and understand the role of cultural diplomacy, with particular reference to the management of the cultural heritage. The other (curriculum in Public Diplomacy) will focus on strategies and techniques for understanding, communicating and influencing international audiences in public, scientific and cultural diplomacy.
Department of Social, Political and Cognitive Sciences
- Language and Mind: Linguistics and Cognitive Studies, curriculum Linguistics and Cognition; curriculum Philosophy and Cognition
The Master program is articulated in two curricula: Linguistics and cognition and Philosophy and cognition.
Two modifications are introduced on the preceding MA activated in the same class. The first modification aims to stress the already highly international character of the master program so as to favor the access of international students and the interaction between Italian and foreigner students; the opportunity to access international doctoral programs; the capacity of the students to actively participate in international conferences and seminars; the possibility to access job opportunities abroad. The second modification – also in view of the migration of some courses of the previous master program of which the present one is a modification into a different MA - aims to build a formation that is at the same time coherent and diversified, in which a predominant number of common courses are present in the first year of the program and the second year is devoted to an in depth study in one of the two directions.
Department of Social, Political and Cognitive Sciences
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Artificial intelligence and automation engineering, curriculum Intelligent systems; curriculum Robotics and automation
The MSC in Artificial intelligence and automation engineering aims at providing high-level competences for the design, management, development and innovation in the fields of advanced hardware and software architectures, and of control systems and robotics. In particular, the program is focused on human-machine interaction in a wide sense, spanning topics such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, high performance processing of massive data collections, human-robot interfaces, and systems for production automation. The program provides advanced competences in the area of computer and automation engineering.
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Electronics and Communications Engineering, curriculum Telecommunication for the digital society; curriculum Electronics for smart industry
The Master's Degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering aims to form a graduate with advanced skills in processing and information-transmission systems of and to provide more specific knowledge in the design of devices and electronic systems. It provides the skills and methodological tools needed to design and develop systems for signal and image processing, antenna design, microwave systems and devices, analog and digital electronic design with applications in the fields of electronics, telecommunications. The program provides methodologies of advanced mathematical calculus, in particular functional and complex analysis, in order to introduce the necessary tools to model and formalize the solutions of complex information engineering problems.
- Applied Mathematics
The Master of Science in Applied Mathematics aims at training specialists that, besides a solid basis in the fundamentals of mathematics, have also an extensive knowledge of problems and methods in related areas of science and technology.After broadening their knowledge of theoretical aspects of mathematics with advanced courses in logic, algebra, geometry and calculus, and of application-oriented areas such as statistics, mathematical modeling, numerical analysis and optimization, the students will complete their plan of study with subjects related to more applied fields, like data analysis or the study of complex systems. These specialists will therefore be able to analyze problems not only within the mathematical domain but also in related sectors, to identify the mathematical instruments necessary to formalize and solve them, and to interact effectively with experts of other disciplines (computer science, engineering, economics and experimental sciences).
- Engineering management
The MSc in Engineering Management provides high-level competences for modeling, optimization, decision making and management of organizations. The study programme is focused on industrial economics and marketing, planning of innovation processes and project management. The course also provides fundamentals of mathematical modeling, data and decision analysis and optimization of complex systems.
- Medical Biotechnologies
The Master degree in Medical Biotechnologies at the University of Siena has incorporated key features to prepare the modern Medical Biotechnologist for future challenges, by focusing on those concepts and theories which are mostly important for creating a stable platform to develop technical know-how and skills. The technical skills of the student begin with learning in a controlled laboratory environment. As students progress, they will be taught to think and solve problems analytically through modules that were specially designed for them to make independent decisions. Furthermore, the University of Siena is particularly skilled in the field of medical and pharmaceutical sciences, Finally, the Faculty members are already engaged in active research work, providing a suitable environment for the student to experience the thinking, planning, application and discussion related to research.
- Genetic Counsellors
The Master Degree in Genetic Counsellors is the first degree program in Italy that trains the professional figure of the genetic counsellor through the acquisition of the principles and practices of clinical, medical and laboratory genetics. Genetic counsellors are non-medical health figures that work closely with medical geneticists in both public and private medical genetics services. They support the medical geneticist in the main areas of genetic counseling and independently conduct genetic counseling whenever a clinical evaluation/diagnosis of the patient is not required. Among the various areas of activity are the prenatal, pre-conceptional and infertility settings, and the cancer genetics setting. The course will be divided into lectures and practical activities.
- Biotechnologies of Human Reproduction
The Master Degree aims to prepare graduates with good theoretical and practical knowledge on reproductive biology and biotechnology. The graduates have the skills to apply the most up-to-date techniques to handle, in vitro fertilize and growth gametes and embryos, in addition to the most recent procedure for cryopreservation, genetic profiling, physiological and functional analyses. Ethic and low in assisted reproduction complete graduate’s preparation. At the end of the biennium, graduates will be competent to operate in laboratories of assisted reproduction and biobanking for reproductive cells and tissues.
- Dentistry and Dental Prosthodontics
The main goal of the new Undergraduate Program in Dentistry Dentistry and Dental Prosthodontics is to graduate doctors with high clinical skill, sound knowledge and high responsability on taking care of the oral health of patients. The students will take courses on basic sciences, such as phisiology and pathology of oral environment, medical topics related to dentistry, and all dental topics such as restorative dentistry, endodontics, periodontology, oral surgery, implantology, prosthodontics, orthodontics, gnatology, etc. Each topic will be shown by class and practical parts, in order to increase and improve the knowledge, proper behavior, practical skills and adequate comunication of our students.
The undergraduate program is based on the reccomendation of ADEE (Association of Dental European Education) and of the Italian Minister of Education. During the last year, all students must work on patients daily, using also new digital dentistry devices and new dental materials.
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Biodiversity, Conservation and Environmental Quality
The master's degree in Biodiversity, Conservation and Environmental Quality (BCEQ) prepares the highly qualified figure of environmental biologist expert in the multiple aspects of biodiversity, aimed at nature conservation and the assessment of environmental quality.
The BCEQ graduate therefore deals with the analysis and protection of biodiversity, environmental monitoring, research, scientific dissemination, education, thus meeting the national and international demand for experts in biodiversity.
Graduates in BECQ can continue their studies by accessing a PhD program, and can take the state exam for Biologists.
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Chemistry
The Master Degree prepares students with an advanced knowledge and skills in the most important areas of Chemistry (Physical, Inorganic, Organic and Biochemistry). These studies will prepare the student for a wide range of professional activities as well as continued doctoral studies. Lessons are complemented with specific lectures on subjects related to chemistry for life science or for sustainable development. The second year activity includes with 300 hours of internship in companies working in all fields of chemistry. The students complete their studies by participating in a high level research project (6-8 months) within international research groups at the University of Siena or other public or private institutions. Students have the opportunity to apply for an international double degree.
- Sustainable Industrial Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
The Master's Degree in Sustainable Industrial Pharmaceutical Biotechnology is intended to train a new expert in the pharmaceutical biotechnology sector that will have advanced scientific and professional skills, endowed with a strong interdisciplinary character, in different areas of the biotechnological industry. The new hybrid and multicompetent professional figure will be able to hold roles of increasing responsibility in the research, development and management fields of a crucial industrial sector.
The enrolled student of the new Master's Degree in Sustainable Industrial Pharmaceutical Biotechnology is therefore a student who will have to develop highly multidisciplinary knowledge, based on advanced bio-molecular scientific and technical basis on the most innovative and sustainable features of the industrial biotechnology field. A master student that will also acquire knowledge on international managerial skills as well as on the European directives and regulations to allign pharmaceutical biotechnological companies to sustainable development. Lastly, a graduate who will hold, at the end of her/his master's course, the 10 top skills as recommended by the third World Economic Forum.