Bioinformatics

Degree programme choice orientation

Incoming Student Orientation

SOrT is Sapienza’s integrated Orientation Service. The service has a central office at the main university campus and additional help desks located within each Faculty. At the SOrT desks, students can receive more specific information about Faculties and degree programmes, as well as support in making informed decisions.

The central office and Faculty-appointed orientation officers coordinate activities related to incoming student orientation and tutoring. They manage relations with upper secondary schools and guidance teachers, offer support during the delicate transition from school to university, assist current students, and provide information on academic offerings and administrative procedures for course enrolment.

Orientation initiatives and projects:

1. “Porte aperte alla Sapienza” (Open Days at Sapienza)
   This annual event at the main campus is the most important appointment for prospective students. During the three orientation days, students can meet professors and current students, receive information, and attend presentations of all the University’s Faculties in the Aula Magna.
   The initiative is aimed at anyone interested in enrolling in Bachelor’s, Single-cycle Master’s, or regular Master’s Degree programmes at Sapienza, with a particular focus on students in their final years of high school.
   The event gives all stakeholders the opportunity to discover Sapienza’s academic offerings, study spaces, cultural and social venues, and the many services available to students (libraries and study halls, museums, student residences, sports facilities, university theatre).
   Besides academic information, participants can obtain guidance on general and programme-specific administrative procedures for enrolment and admission tests.
   To promote inclusive environments and access to higher education, the Office for Relations with Students with Disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs) offers support spaces to manage university careers through personalised learning plans and academic, financial, and/or logistical assistance for vulnerable students.
   The office also guides students through the support request process and the clinical certifications required.

2. Sapienza Orientation Portal
   To support students in choosing their study programme, the University has created an online portal (https://orientamento.uniroma1.it/index.html) that offers an immersive preview of university life:

   • Explore the campus, classrooms, labs, libraries, theatre, and spaces for music and sports through interactive videos and images.

   • Access online learning modules covering key subjects taught in the courses.

   • Assess and enhance preparation for entrance exams or knowledge assessments.
     The portal is also the main access point for information about orientation events organised by Faculties and Departments throughout the year and hosts videos introducing Faculties and new Degree Programmes.
     All orientation initiatives are promoted through the University’s social media channels to reach potentially interested students.

3. “A Bridge between School and University” Project
   This project aims to support a smoother transition from secondary school to university life. It includes two initiatives:
   a) Sapienza Presents Itself – Presentation sessions by Sapienza professors with sample lessons targeting secondary school students in each subject area.
   b) Sapienza from the Students’ Perspective – Presentations delivered in schools by trained senior student mentors, showcasing university services and sharing personal experiences.

4. “Know Yourself” Project
   This initiative involves students completing a self-assessment questionnaire to effectively support their decision-making process when choosing a degree programme.

5. “Online Orientation” Project
   A project focused on orientation and aligning basic knowledge levels. It includes a preparatory course with two phases: the first delivered online and the second as intensive in-person classes.
   It targets high school students preparing to access limited-enrolment programmes in the biomedical, health, and psychology fields.

6. PCTO – Cross-curricular Skills and Orientation Pathways (formerly school-to-work alternation)
   A teaching method combining theoretical and practical experience, helping high school students consolidate their knowledge and test their aptitudes, while enhancing their education and guiding their academic choices.

7. Next Generation Orientation (ONG)
   A joint project by all universities in the Lazio Region, funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). It supports high school students in making informed choices about their post-secondary education and future career paths.
   The programme, delivered by Sapienza faculty, includes 15 hours of training across five 3-hour modules (ideally over five consecutive days unless otherwise agreed with schools):

   • Module A – Why is studying important?

   • Module B – What is studying like at university?

   • Module C – How can I best prepare for university studies?

   • Module D – Who am I and who will I become?

   • Module E – What careers can I aspire to?

8. Incoming Tutoring
   Tutoring activities are available for students throughout all five years of secondary school.
   To assist students with disabilities or SLDs in choosing a study path and learning about available services, Sapienza organises meetings with schools and individual orientation sessions.
   The University also supports students with disabilities/SLDs in the crucial stages of orientation, assessment, and admission. The ‘Students with Disabilities and SLDs Office’ evaluates the need for customised arrangements for entrance exams based on submitted certifications.
   For admission to limited-enrolment degree programmes (local or national), students with disabilities may request compensatory measures (e.g., dedicated rooms, extra time, reader tutor, support tutor, LIS interpreter, calculator), following the procedures outlined in the programme announcements.
   Likewise, for programmes with entrance tests managed by CISIA (TOLC or TOLC@CASA), students with disabilities/SLDs can request support measures according to the administrative rules and deadlines.
   Finally, the office also offers welcome services for new students in vulnerable situations, with the help of specialised tutors, peer tutors, and LIS interpreters.

Degree Programme Activities
In addition to the initiatives mentioned above, the Bioinformatics Degree Programme faculty are actively engaged in collaboration with secondary schools.
They organise meetings specifically for students who are in the process of choosing their university path. These sessions aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the Bioinformatics degree and the professional role of the bioinformatician. They include informational and demonstrative sessions designed to clarify students' questions and spark interest in this multidisciplinary field.