The master's course consists of periods of lectures (teaching modules) alternated with periods of practical activity.

Each didactic module is followed by a period of practical training on the subjects dealt with in the module.

The practical activity carried out during the work placement is worth 20 credits, which corresponds to a minimum of 450 hours.

The work placement will take place at the S. Andrea University Hospital or at other public or private companies/institutions that already have an agreement with Sapienza or that intend to activate one.

Students who wish to carry out their work placement outside the S. Andrea University Hospital must indicate this at the time of enrolment, specifying the institution or company where they intend to carry out their placement.

The institution where the placement will take place must have the following characteristics:

• it must have a cytopathology laboratory with a workload of approximately 10,000 specimens per year, of which at least 80% must be cervical-vaginal
• the host institution must have a structured staff member with experience in cytopathology. If he/she is a biologist or cytotechnician, he/she must have a specific qualification (certificate of at least a six-month course in diagnostic cytopathology at a university or recognised scientific institute) or have passed the ECPT aptitude test or obtained a certificate from the International Academy of Cytology. He/she must also be working in a cytopathology/impacology laboratory at the time of the agreement and be willing to act as a tutor
• it must be willing to make the training material used during the placement available for the institutional teaching activities of the Master
• the host company tutor must undertake to guarantee and certify that the work placement activities are carried out in accordance with the training project proposed by the university and forming an integral part of the agreement
• the tutor of the host institution must undertake to guarantee and certify the execution of the practical training activities in accordance with the training project proposed by Sapienza University and forming an integral part of the agreement

In the absence of a specific agreement for training purposes between Sapienza University of Rome and the company chosen by the student to carry out theout the internship, it is the student's responsibility to take out an insurance policy.