Description and educational objectives

The objectives of the PhD in Molecular Medicine are to provide the doctoral students with skills for the development of research topics concerning the pathophysiological processes underlying diseases, in particular cardiovascular diseases,  tumours, inherited and acquired metabolic diseases and infectious diseases, defining their pathogenesis at the molecular level and thus develop and test innovative preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The acquired training will enable Research Doctors to carry out high-level research and development activities at public and private, national and foreign Institution such as Universities, Research Centers, Pharmaceutical Industries engaged in medical sectors, biological and biotechnological, as well as qualifying for the exercise of the professions in the context of the proposed research themes. The aim of the PhD in Molecular Medicine is to provide the doctoral students with the skills and abilities to organize and carry out lectures, communications at meetings and national and international congresses in English, on transdisciplinary issues of Molecular Medicine. Each PhD student will have a Tutor Lecturer who will teach, guide and test PhD’s acquired skills and knowledge. The doctoral candidate must draw up a written report and discuss in a seminar (held annually), the progress of his research activity, the lectures, courses and seminars attended, and the supplementary teaching activities carried out. The report will be reviewed by the Collegio. The student of the PhD in Molecular Medicine will acquire skills and experimental technical-practical skills in the laboratories of the Department of Medicine and Surgery, in the laboratories of the other departments of the University of Parma under the responsibility of the Tutor, in foreign research Institutes and Universities as agreed with the Tutor. Students have free access to the services of the "Ottaviani" Medical Library of the Department of Medicine and Surgery. The student, in the first year, will acquire skills and knowledge in Cardiac Pathophysiology, Molecular Biology, Clinical Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Human Anatomy, Histology, Motor and Sports Sciences; in the second year in clinical disciplines such as General Pathology and Clinical Pathology, Medical Oncology, Clinical Microbiology, Pathological Anatomy, Forensic Medicine and Forensics, Clinical Psychology. The third year students will acquire advanced biomedical research skills and knowledge in Cardiovascular Diseases, Dentistry, Maxillofacial Surgery, Visual System Diseases, in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, in Anesthesiology.