Master's Programme in Medical Biology

Objectives and content

Important note!

Two of the study tracks will be merged by start-up in August 2015, Medical Cell Biology and Human Physiology, thus providing a wider scope of study for international students in Medical Biology.

Updated information will be published successively during the autumn semester 2014.

The Master's programme in medical cell biology focuses on the interface between cell biology and medical science. If you are looking for intimate knowledge about cellular, biochemical and molecular biological processes, and how scientific findings in these areas provide information about pathological processes and conditions - thus contributing to improved therapy, this is the study for you. The programme aims to give the student a broad and thorough understanding of modern medical cell biology while providing training in experimental laboratory work and scientific thinking.

The first semester of the study programme starts with a course in scientific theory and ethics, followed by an intensive training course in practical laboratory techniques and methods. The course in methodology is integrated in the laboratory work of existing research groups, giving the students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with ongoing cell biological research. A course in cell communication and intracellular signalling initiates the second semester. Combined, these courses account for 40 ECTS in the total degree and are all mandatory. Additionally, the student chooses elective courses which must equal at least 20 ECTS in total volume.

Regarding the research leading up to writing the Master's thesis, the student may be part of a research group dealing with basic research or translational research, depending on personal academic interest. The student will also be participating in an active scientific community through daily contact with researchers and peer students.

Reading List: Several courses use "Molecular Biology of the Cell" (Alberts et al.) as part of the curriculum. Additionally, other books, review articles and original articles will comprise the theoretical curriculum for the study programme.

Study period abroad

It is possible to take parts of the study programme at a foreign educational institution. We have a close Nordic collaboration with four partner universities, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, Turku University in Finland, University of Eastern Finland and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. You may go on exchange to take courses at these partner universities, lab projects and also the labpart of the Master's thesis (last year).

In 2014 we arranged a summer school at Seili island in the Finnish archipelago called "Omics in Drug Screening and Discovery" (5 credits). The summer school was a huge success and we will try to make similar arrangements in the future.

You can also go on exchange to other European universities.

Professional Prospects

A Master's degree in Medical Biology brings up many different career paths:

Research
After completing the Master's degree it is possible to proceed with a doctoral degree (PhD). This is a paid position with a duration of three or four years, and involves independent research. A doctoral degree allows for an academic career, but also provides opportunities within the bio-industry, administration and/or various research-related positions in the private sector.

Laboratory work
Many of our students get jobs as a department engineers, research engineers or scientists after graduation. Such positions may be at laboratories affiliated with universities, colleges, research institutes, hospitals, fisheries and food production centers.

Education and public proceedings
Opportunities are great for work outside the lab as well, such as consulting food safety authorities, or as a lecturer in biological sciences. It is also possible to work with development and consulting in various public agencies working with the overseeing of bio-related affairs.

Private sector
Within the private sector there are plenty of opportunities within a wide spectrum of fields, such as HSE, food processing, or pharmaceutics. The program allows you to work within these areas anywhere in the world.

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Interview with former student

Research position, Bionor Pharma: http://www.uib.no/biomedisin/en/Vitnesbyrd/straight-into-work

Semester

Start-up each August

Application procedyre

The study track is aimed at people who have a bachelor's degree in Molecular and/or Cell biology, Biomedicine, Physiology, Biotechnology or the like. You should have a minimum of 80 ECTS in relevant courses, including a minimum of 20 ECTS in chemistry or biochemistry and 20 ECTS in molecular and/or cell biology. Other relevant courses include biology, biotechnology, anatomy, physiology and medical laboratory courses.

All applicants will be assessed individually. The selection of students will be based on the following criteria:

• Depth and relevance of educational training
• Academic results
• English proficiency
• Year of completion of academic degree (should not be older than 5 years).

Non-native English speakers must document their English language proficiency. For more information:

https://www.uib.no/education/admission/master/international-applicants-residing-abroad/english-language-requirements

For all students, admission to the programme requires that you are in upper secondary division or higher.

Application deadline is 1 December every year for all international applicants who need a visa to come to Norway. You apply for admission at this website:

http://www.uib.no/en/education/48766/admission-masters-degree-programmes

Applicants from the Nordic courtries, the EU/EEA area and Switzerland may apply within 15. April. The same goes for international applicants residing in Norway (with a valid residence permit and a Norwegian ID number) You apply at soknadsweb.uib.no

We do not accept late applications.

For further details, please contact the Department of Biomedicine: studie@biomed.uib.no.

Who may apply

Self-financing degree students.

Applicants for the Quota Scheme with education from our partner institution, Makerere University, Uganda. We do not accept quota applicants from any other university.

For further information, please follow the link:

http://www.uib.no/education/admission/master/international-applicants-residing-abroad

More information

Department of Biomedicine

studie@biomed.uib.no / (+47) 55 58 64 39/40

Name of qualification

The programme leads to a master degree in Medical Biology - Medical Cell Biology. It is a two-year programme (120 ECTS).

Language of Instruction

English

Semester

Start-up each August

Objectives and content

Important note!

Two of the study tracks will be merged by start-up in August 2015, Medical Cell Biology and Human Physiology, thus providing a wider scope of study for international students in Medical Biology.

Updated information will be published successively during the autumn semester 2014.

The Master's programme in medical cell biology focuses on the interface between cell biology and medical science. If you are looking for intimate knowledge about cellular, biochemical and molecular biological processes, and how scientific findings in these areas provide information about pathological processes and conditions - thus contributing to improved therapy, this is the study for you. The programme aims to give the student a broad and thorough understanding of modern medical cell biology while providing training in experimental laboratory work and scientific thinking.

The first semester of the study programme starts with a course in scientific theory and ethics, followed by an intensive training course in practical laboratory techniques and methods. The course in methodology is integrated in the laboratory work of existing research groups, giving the students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with ongoing cell biological research. A course in cell communication and intracellular signalling initiates the second semester. Combined, these courses account for 40 ECTS in the total degree and are all mandatory. Additionally, the student chooses elective courses which must equal at least 20 ECTS in total volume.

Regarding the research leading up to writing the Master's thesis, the student may be part of a research group dealing with basic research or translational research, depending on personal academic interest. The student will also be participating in an active scientific community through daily contact with researchers and peer students.

Reading List: Several courses use "Molecular Biology of the Cell" (Alberts et al.) as part of the curriculum. Additionally, other books, review articles and original articles will comprise the theoretical curriculum for the study programme.

Required Learning Outcomes

After completion of the Master´s Programme in Medical Biology - Medical Cell Biology the student should be able to:

Knowledge

• Present advanced knowledge about central cellular processes in eukaryote cells, as well as about the methods used within the field.
• Present niche/specialized knowledge within a limited research field (the subject matter of the Master´s thesis).

Skills and competences

• Critically analyze central theories, methods and results within medical cell biology, and resolve problems of theoretical and practical nature in a mature and independent fashion.
• Carry out an independent, specified research or development project under academic supervision and in accordance with current norms for research ethics and methods.
• Apply knowledge and skills aquired during the study programme on new areas to carry out advanced work tasks and research projects.
• Communicate and convey cell biological problems, analyses and conclusions in a scientific fashion, both orally as well as in writing.
• Explain the role of basic research within modern medicine.

Compulsory units

The following courses are mandatory:
BMED310 - Philosophy of Science and Research Ethics (5 credits)
BMED320 - Methods in Medical Cell Biology (25 credits)
BMED330 - Cell Communication and intracellular signaling (10 credits)
BMED395 - Master's Thesis in Medical Biology (60 credits)

All mandatory courses, and 20 elective credits approved by the programme committee, must be passed before you can take the final master's exam. You also need to complete two progress reports (oral presentation) during the study period. The Master's thesis must be delivered no later than 1 June in the fourth semester.
The programme is governed by a master agreement.

Recommended electives

Students must take 20 credits of elective courses. Some courses are recommended, meaning that you do not have to apply to the programme comitteeto have them included in you degree:

• BMED331 - Tumor Biology (10 credits)
• BMED381 - Biomedical Nutrition Physiology (5 credits)
• HUPAT301 - Basic Human Pathology (5 credits)
• HUIMM303 - Human immunobiology (10 credits)
• HUMGEN301 - Human Molecular Genetics (5 credits)

For other courses you should send an email to studie@biomed.uib.no and apply to have the course included in the degree. These courses may be taken at another department, faculty or higher education institution (university/ college). Please note that the topic must be relevant to the study and approved by the programme committee. Examples of such courses might be:

• HUIMM307 - Basic Course in Flow Cytometry (5 credits)
• HUIMM308 - Advanced Course in Flow Cytometry (5 credits)
• MOL310 - Structural Molecular Biology (10 credits) 
• INF282 - Methods in Bioinformatics I (10 credits)
• BMED380 - Seminar series (5 credits)
• BMED339 - Neurochemistry (5 credits)
• NUCLI362 - Genetic disorders in nutrient metabolism (5 credits)
• HUIMM306 - Molecular and Cellular Methods in Immunology (5 credits - overlapping with 5 credits for BMED320)
• Pharmaceutical Bioinformatics (7,5 credits), Internet based course from Uppsala University- www.pharmbio.org

Sequential Requirements, courses

The master degree in Medical Cell Biology is comprised of two main components: The first year consists of compulsory and elective courses totalling 60 ECTS. During the second year the student works on a practical research project and writes up the master thesis (thesis: 60 ECTS).

1. Semester
BMED310 - Philosophy of Science and Research Ethics (5 credits)
BMED320 - Methods in Medical Cell Biology (25 credits)
2. Semester
BMED330 - Cell Communication and intracellular signaling (10 credits)
Optional courses (20 credits)
3. and 4. Semester
Master's Thesis (60 credits)

Shortly after starting the first year, students will be informed about available projects. They should then choose a project, at the latest by the end of the second semester. The student will normally be affiliated to a research group at the Department of Biomedicine, but can also choose a project at other departments at the faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. All projects must be approved by the programme committee.

The written master thesis, which must be completed by the end of the fourth semester, consist of an introductory part, description of the materials and methods and a presentation and discussion of the obtained results (totalling 60-80 pages).

Study period abroad

It is possible to take parts of the study programme at a foreign educational institution. We have a close Nordic collaboration with four partner universities, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, Turku University in Finland, University of Eastern Finland and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. You may go on exchange to take courses at these partner universities, lab projects and also the labpart of the Master's thesis (last year).

In 2014 we arranged a summer school at Seili island in the Finnish archipelago called "Omics in Drug Screening and Discovery" (5 credits). The summer school was a huge success and we will try to make similar arrangements in the future.

You can also go on exchange to other European universities.

Teaching methods

Lectures, demonstrations, self-study, group work, laboratory work.

Assessment methods

Written and oral examinations, written and oral presentations.

Grading scale

Pass/fail grading system, or A-F

Access to further studies

With a completed master's degree you are eligible for admission to the PhD program (PhD). Note that most doctoral scholarships require that the grade on the final master's exam is high.

Evaluation

The programme is continually evaluated by a programme sensor, in line with guidelines for quality assurance at UiB.

Administrative responsibility

The Department of Biomedicine: studie@biomed.uib.no