The graduation theses discussed at the University of Florence are preserved in the reference libraries of the various degree courses.
The catalogue of degree theses, edited by the University's IT system, contains the list of so-called modern theses, discussed from 1976 to 2013, while in Onesearch around three thousand historical theses (discussed between 1877 and the 1960s) have been cataloged so far.
The reunification of the collection
At the end of 2022, following a rigorous reorganization and rearrangement work, both the modern and historical degree theses of the former Faculty, now School, of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, were aggregated in a special fund located in the library of the Polo Scientifico of Sesto Fiorentino.
Until today, only the Mathematics theses are still kept in the homonymous seat of the Science Library, in the premises of Viale Morgagni.
With the establishment of the Polo Scientifco Library in 2000, the theses of the degree courses in Chemistry and Physics converged there, to which were added in 2009 (following the transfer of the entire library collection) also the theses of Astronomy previously preserved at the Garbasso Institute in Arcetri.
At the end of 2017, the collection of the Library of Animal Biology also moved to Sesto from the historic headquarters of Palazzo Torrigiani, in Via Romana. The degree theses in Biology collected there were also moved. Finally, between 2021 and 2023, the collection was completed with the inclusion of the theses previously located in the Anthropology, Botany and Geomineralogy branches.
How to consult the degree theses
All the informations can be found on the Degree theses consultation page (in italian) of the SBA website..
In particular, it is possible to find more information on the historical theses kept at the University of Florence on the page "Historical" degree theses (prior to 1976) and on the page Availability of paper degree theses in individual libraries (both pages are in italian).
The consultation of paper theses is governed by a University Regulation, currently under review to adapt it to the online theses consultation methods..
In 2018 a project to enhance historical theses discussed by the first women graduated in Florence led to the digitization of a part of these and to an exhibition whose catalog was published by Firenze University Press in 2022.
