Programme description

Content
The Master’s Degree Programme in medical biology is an international two-year programme. The programme is offered by the Institute of Medical Biology and reflects the research conducted by the institute, represented by research areas such as physiology, microbiology, immunology, virology, biotechnology, biochemistry, pharmacology, genetics and cell biology. The programme is to be completed in four semesters, and all teaching will be in English. The Master’s Degree Programme counts for 120 study points. (One study point corresponds to 1 ECTS credit point). This includes 60 study points of biology courses at master degree level (3000-level) and a research project worth 60 study points. The project is conducted with supervision from one of the departments at the Institute of Medical Biology.

A thesis is to be submitted based on the project work. This thesis is to be evaluated by an examination committee and defended orally before the same committee at the final exam. The thesis is marked individually, in addition to marks given for individual exams. The thesis is to be submitted after completion of the exams for the individual curses, and no later than 4 weeks before the end of the 4th semester.

The final mark for the Master's Degree in Medical Biology is calculated based on the study points of the different components (individual courses and thesis). The marks are letter marks or pass/fail.

Objectives
Students will be given sufficient theoretical and practical training to form a vantage point from which to prepare a master's thesis. During their studies, students will practice accessing information from international publications and will learn to utilize such information and innovation in their own work. They will also learn and practice laboratory techniques and methods of data analysis used in modern medical biological research.


Program structure diagram
The Master’s Degree Programme is organised with a relatively high degree of choice where the student and the supervisor together decide which biology courses will be included in the degree. The background, interests and Master Degree project of the individual student will determine which courses are included. The courses are chosen from the course portfolio at IMB. The students will attend the ordinary exams for the individual courses, but the exam will be conducted and completed in English for these students.



Student exchange
The Master program is structured such that the student can spend shorter or longer periods studying abroad.

Qualification awarded/Access to further studies:
A masters degree in biology can give access to further studies at PhD-level in the field