Postgraduate School of Animal Nutrition
The Post-Graduate School in "Animal Nutrition" is included in the Veterinary area, Hygiene class for Breeding and Zootechnical Production. It has a duration of 3 years and issues the title of Specialist in Animal Nutrition, recognized for access to tenders relating to 3 functional areas of the National Health Service. Veterinary Medicine graduates are admitted to the school in a number established each year by the School Council. In addition to the applicants, a reserved number is established for Veterinarians who are permanent employees of National Health Service with whom agreements are stipulated in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Access to the School is subject to an admission contest, by examination and by qualifications. The admission exam consists of a written test with multiple-choice questions relating to the disciplinary area of the School. The selection procedures are defined in the competition announcement. Candidates who, in relation to the number of places available, are placed in a useful position in the ranking of suitable candidates are admitted attending the School.
To obtain the specialization diploma, the trainee is required to pass all the exams required for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of the course. The specialization diploma is awarded after passing a final test which consists in the discussion of the specialization thesis and considers the results of periodic evaluations deriving from any ongoing tests, as well as the judgments of the teacher-tutors.
The specialization course includes lectures on a weekly basis from February to June. Attendance is compulsory, with a minimum limit set at 70%. The trainee will also have to carry out practical-application activities that can also be carried out at public and private facilities operating in the field of animal nutrition and upon activation of an agreement with the School.
The specialization in "Animal Nutrition" provides for the training of a fundamental figure in ensuring the food safety of products of animal origin intended for human consumption, as well as in orienting their dietary characteristics. The specialist in Animal Nutrition must, therefore, have acquired theoretical, scientific, and professional knowledge relating to the nutrition and feeding of animals of zootechnical interest, to acquire specific skills regarding:
- Knowledge of the chemical-nutritional and health characteristics of feedstuffs;
- The formulation of diets suitable for expressing the genetic potential of animals;
- The maintenance and improvement of the state of health of the animals, as well as the prevention of pathologies through adequate nutritional interventions.
- Knowledge of the chemical-nutritional and dietary characteristics of products of animal origin, as well as the food-related measures capable of conferring health and safety requirements on feedstuffs.
For further information, visit the UNIMI page.