Cultural heritage conservation science

In this light, the master degree aims to transmit an in-depth knowledge of the methods and technologies that the mathematical, physical and natural sciences make available today for the preservation of cultural heritage; moreover, it aims to provide the scientific skills allowing further development in these research fields. It aims to train future Conservation Scientists, i.e. experts in science and technology applied to cultural heritage with a high interdisciplinary educational background. Since there are many types of cultural heritage, it is appropriate to specify that the course will focus on the historical-artistic, archaeological, architectural, on museums and on information storage media, because they are the ones deeply rooted in the cultural tradition of the proposers and, in view of the future professional opportunities for graduates, the most relevant for the research field and the employment market. Therefore, the master degree will prepare professional profiles of: 1 - experts in diagnostics and application technology to historical and artistic cultural heritage, with particular reference to wall and on wooden paintings and textile supports; 2 - experts in diagnostics and technology applied to archaeological cultural heritage (geoarchaeologists and archaeometres); 3 - conservation experts applied to museum cultural heritage; 4 - experts in diagnostics and technology applied to information storage media.
In addition to theoretical courses, numerous laboratories are provided to support the notions with the necessary applications, in order to make the interface with the research and professional worlds stricter. The training offer proposed is composed of courses for each area envisaged by the ministerial educational system (Conservation Sciences and Technologies, Earth and Nature Sciences, Interdisciplinary Training), corroborated by supplementary courses, as well as by the internships and the final dissertation. Through this offer the students will be oriented and guided to finalize their training to achieve one of the proposed professional profiles.
The master degree aims to transmit the wide range of knowledge necessary to operate at the level of excellence in the field of cultural heritage diagnostics and conservation, taking as a cultural reference the interdisciplinary nature of the professions of the research field.
In particular, the master graduated will acquire in-depth theoretical, methodological and experimental skills in the Conservation Sciences applied to Cultural Heritage, in order to identify new theoretical developments and to operate at decision-making level in all areas of the sciences applied. to Cultural Heritage.
Work Context
The master graduated in Cultural Heritage Conservation Science carries out functions of high responsibility in the areas of the conservation of historical-artistic heritage, both in terms of diagnostics (in support of restoration) and of protection and development:
- carrying out research activities in public and private institutes responsible for the conservation of cultural heritage (museums, art galleries, galleries, private collections);
- coordinating activities related to the scientific knowledge of cultural heritage performed by experts from different sectors, in the context of conservation / restoration campaigns;
- carrying out freelance activities the conservation of movable property belonging to public institutions and private collections;
- carrying out dissemination activities in the field of sciences applied to diagnostics and conservation of historical and artistic heritage;
- collaborating in the creation of scientific apparatus for temporary exhibitions and displays;
- examining and harmonizing the analytical results of specific diagnostic campaigns, on behalf of public and private institutions involved in the conservation of the historical and artistic heritage.
Skills Associated to the Role
The master graduated in Cultural Heritage Conservation Science has specific knowledge of the most modern applications of the biological, chemical, physical, geological and IT sciences used in the field of the conservation of historical-artistic heritage, in different contexts related to specific environmental or provenance conditions. He is aware of the ethical and legislative aspects of the restoration of the artworks of public and private institutions.
Career Opportunities
- universities and public research agencies;
- public and private biological, chemical, physical, geological and IT analysis laboratories;
- superintendences, museums, and art galleries;
- private museums;
- scientific journalism, specifically linked to the dissemination of scientific analyzes related to the study and conservation of historical and artistic heritage;
- freelance activities in the field of laboratory analysis on historical and artistic heritage.
2 - Experts in diagnostics and technology applied to archaeological cultural heritage (geoarchaelogists and archaeometres)
Work Context
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Bachelor's graduates in Science and Technology for Studying and Preserving the Cultural Heritage and Information Storage Media (class L-43) can access the Master's degree programme in Cultural heritage conservation science. Graduates from other eligible programmes, both in Italy and abroad, can also be admitted, if they meet skills requirements.
Curricular requirements
Access to the Master's degree programme requires solid foundations in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, earth sciences, agricultural disciplines, and a total of at least 60 CFU across the following areas: AGR, BIO, CHIM, FIS, GEO, ICAR, INF, ING-INF, IUS, L-ANT, MAT, SECS, of which at least 6 CFU in three out of five of the following areas: BIO, CHIM, FIS, GEO, INF.
For further details please refer to the ADMISSION PROCEDURE section of the Study Programme.
In order to get these grants, students must contact a professor of this program who will scientifically supervise the exchange. Every topic related to this program is suitable. Two types of grants are available:
Erasmus+, for attending courses and carry out research activities (refer to the call in the Geological Sciences area).
Erasmus+ Traineeship (see Placement on unimi.it website), exclusively for internships.
For Erasmus+, see the call on the Geology area in the unimi.it website. Among other agreements, please have a look at the undergraduate and graduate courses offered by TEI, Technological Educational Institute, Atene (Grecia), who has a special agreement with this program.
The call for Erasmus+ Traineeship is published on the unimi.it website for all programs. In the recent past, Traneeship partners were: Cergy-Pontoise (France), Poitiers (France), Santiago de Compostela (Spain) and Ghent (Belgium). Anyway, new agreements with other universities or research centers can be signed if a professor of this program has some scientific collaboration with them. Apart from courses and exams, any activity carried out at the abroad institution is worth 5 credits (CFU) per month.
The "learning agreement" between professors at the home and abroad institution will define the activities the student will carry out. This document, together with the transcript of the exams and other research activities, will allow for the acknowledgment of such activities by this program.
To attend courses and take exams abroad has many advantages. In addition to being an unconventional experience in a student's life, it offers a big opportunity to practice in the local language. The students will also experience and compare different teaching systems, gaining more flexibility in their studying activities. Finally, the study abroad experience is in some cases a good opportunity to use facilities otherwise not available (for example, special equipment for experiments), work with large research groups on a cosmopolitan scale.
Highly recommended, not mandatory.
Courses list
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
English proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | Italian | Undefined | |
Final exam | 33 | 0 | Italian | Undefined | |
Training | 12 | 0 | Italian | Undefined |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Physic techniques applied to cultural heritage: laboratory | 6 | 48 | Italian | year | FIS/07 |
Calorimetry and thermal analysis, laboratory | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | CHIM/02 |
Analytical methods for the environmental degradation of cultural heritage | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | CHIM/01 |
Conservation and valorization of scientific instruments | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | FIS/07 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Advanced analytical methods in mineralogy and petrography for cultural heritage, laboratory | 6 | 68 | Italian | First semester | GEO/06 GEO/07 |
Applied geology for the preservation of archaeological and architectonical heritages | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | GEO/05 |
Sedimentology and cultural heritage | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | GEO/02 |
Archaeobotany | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | BIO/02 |
Geophysics applied to cultural heritage | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/11 |
Palaeontology and vertebrate palaeontology, museological aspects | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/01 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colorimetry and color management for cultural heritage | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | ING-INF/05 |
Computing technologies applied to cultural heritage | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | INF/01 |
Integrated course of advanced biotechnologies applied to cultural heritage: laboratory | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | AGR/11 AGR/12 AGR/16 |
Movie restoration | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | INF/01 |
Site managment and preventive archaeology | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/10 |
Courses or activities | ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Analysis and diagnostics of architectural cultural heritage | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | AGR/10 |
Topographic techniques and equipment for archaeological and architectonical survey | 6 | 48 | Italian | First semester | ICAR/06 |
Formation processes in archaeological sites | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/04 |
Microclimatology applied to cultural heritage | 6 | 48 | Italian | Second semester | GEO/12 |
Le attività nelle aule attrezzate si svolgono presso i laboratori dei seguenti Dipartimenti: Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Dipartimento di Chimica, Dipartimento di Scienze per gli Alimenti, la Nutrizione e l'Ambiente (Scienze Agrarie e Alimentari), Dipartimento di Fisica, Dipartimento di Informatica.
- Ufficio per la Didattica
Via Luigi Mangiagalli, 34 piano terra stanza n. 26
https://www.unimi.it/it/corsi/corsi-di-laurea/scienze-la-conservazione-e-la-diagnostica-dei-beni-culturali
sportello.beniculturali@unimi.it
ricevimento studenti martedì e giovedì dalle ore 09.30 alle ore 11.30 - Prof Luca Trombino
Via Mangiagalli 34 - II piano
luca.trombino@unimi.it
Quando disponibile o su appuntamento - Segreteria Studenti
Via Celoria, 18 - 20133 Milano
https://www.unimi.it/it/node/359
+390250325032
https://www.unimi.it/it/node/360 - Biblioteche
Scienze e tecnologie per la conservazione e la diagnostica dei beni culturali
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/biblioteche
The tuition fees for students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments with different calculation methods and payment schedules:
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Admission
Application for admission: from 10/03/2020 to 28/08/2020
Application for matriculation: from 17/06/2020 to 15/01/2021