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Overview

Info 2025/2026

Course code 11906
Degree type MASTER'S DEGREE (D.M. 1649/2023)
Duration 2 years
CFU 120
Class LM-11 R
CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE
Access Free access
Locations GENOVA
Language Italian
Teaching mode In-person
Head of programme
Department DIPARTIMENTO DI SCIENZE DELLA TERRA, DELL'AMBIENTE E DELLA VITA
Documents
Information about this Course for previous years is available here

The course in brief

Presentation

The degree course aims to train researchers and experts in the field of diagnostics, conservation and restoration of cultural heritage, integrating scientific and art-historical skills. The didactics concerns the chemical and physical characterisation of materials and their degradation processes, the study of artistic techniques and those of prevention and restoration, and the knowledge - theoretical and practical - of the main applied analytical methodologies.

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Learning by doing

Active participation in non-invasive diagnostic analysis campaigns (XRF, IR, Raman) on works of art, including those belonging to the Athenaeum's artistic heritage, generally on site and with state-of-the-art portable instruments, is envisaged. The courses include classroom exercises, laboratories and study of collections. Technical visits and internships at restoration laboratories and sites, museums, quarries, and trade fairs are organised. Seminars on restoration techniques are also offered.

Professional outlets

The cultural heritage scientific expert may carry out activities in:

  • universities and public and private research bodies
  • institutions of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism responsible for the protection of cultural heritage
  • museums, libraries, archives
  • restoration workshops
  • auction houses
  • diagnostics associated with the mobilisation of works of art

What you will learn

chimica per i beni culturali

caratterizzazione dei materiali di interesse e loro uso in conservazione, consolidamento e restauro

metodologie fisiche per la conservazione

tecniche fisiche più utili nello studio e nella conservazione dei beni culturali

mineralogia, petrografia per i beni culturali

origine, classificazione, metodi di analisi, degrado di rocce e building materials; archeoceramici

storia e tecnica del restauro

restauro di pittura e scultura in Italia e in Europa; diagnostica per immagini

botanica, zoologia e microbiologia per i beni culturali

classificazione, presenza, distribuzione degli organismi e interazione con i beni culturali

storia delle tecniche pittoriche

caratteri e storia dell'uso di coloranti e leganti, alla base di tutte le tecniche pittoriche

laboratorio di mineralogia e petrografia

metodi di analisi di materiali inorganici (MOLP, XRPD, SEM-EDS) e loro applicazione

metallurgia

natura e proprietà dei materiali metallici, tecniche di indagine di acciai e leghe metalliche, microstrutture

tecniche analitiche delle sostanze organiche

identificazione della struttura di molecole organiche con tecniche spettroscopiche (UV, IR, NMR, MS)

Did you know that.

Gli studenti hanno sempre uno o più tutor a disposizione

Vengono organizzati seminari professionalizzanti

Tesi e tirocini sono occasione per interagire con istituzioni e imprese esterne all'Università

Abbiamo attivato stage Erasmus+ con sedi di eccellenza nel settore

I laureandi possono prendere in prestito per la tesi alcuni strumenti portatili

Contents

The degree course is aimed at training experts in the field of diagnostics for the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage.

The lectures provide solid knowledge on the characterisation of materials and their degradation processes and on analytical techniques useful for research, preventive conservation and restoration. Fundamental notions of chemistry, physics, biology, mineralogy, geology and archaeometry enable the master's degree student to solve technical-scientific problems in the conservation and restoration of artefacts, including polymeric artefacts and in different environmental contexts. The strong>historical-artistic, archival and library science background enhances his work as a technologist.

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The Conservation Scientist possesses, at the end of his/her studies, a good knowledge of the historical-artistic and/or archaeological disciplines, a valid methodological and operational mastery of the scientific techniques applicable to the conservation of cultural heritage and the skills to design complex interdisciplinary diagnostic protocols, preparing high-tech conservation interventions.

Master's graduates possess the prerequisites for access to higher education - school of specialisation, doctorate - and advanced scientific research in the applied sciences of conservation and restoration.

Coordinator

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9009_Pietro Marescotti

Welcome to the Master's Degree Course in Methodologies for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage. We hope to provide a stimulating, multidisciplinary, up-to-date and student-friendly course. We wish to share the results of our research with particular regard to new technologies and trends in the sector, with the aim of training competent professionals capable of successfully entering the world of work.

Pietro Marescotti

Where we are

The courses are held in the following departments

Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences - DISTAV
Corso Europa 26
16132 Genoa
www.distav.unige.it

Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry - DCCI
Via Dodecaneso 31
16146 Genova
www.chimica.unige.it

Department of Physics - DIFI
Via Dodecaneso 33
16146 Genova
www.difi.unige.it

Department of Italianistics, Romanistics, Antiquarianism, Arts and Performing Arts - DIRAAS
Via Balbi 6
16126 Genova
www.diraas.unige.it

Contact