Decisions and guidelines

The program is established by the faculty of medicine, following decision by the vice chancellor at Uppsala University July 1, 2008.

The program must fulfil the general goals for advanced university education stipulated in the Higher Education Act.

This advanced level program is available to students with a BSc in e g, biology, (bio)medicine, biotechnology, pharmacy, pharmaceutical biosciences, pharmaceutical chemistry, biochemistry, medical sciences, agricultural sciences, animal sciences or veterinary medicine.

General goals

Based on a general knowledge about biological and chemical processes regulating the life of microbes, the program will convey advanced understanding of infection biology, with a strong anchorage in ongoing research within the area. Students with a Master's degree in infection biology should have gained methodological experience and proficiency, as well as profound insight in infection biology, of sufficient quality and quantity to embark work within the area in research, development or investigations, in trade and industry, authorities, self-employment or post graduate studies.

Goals as expected results of the studies

To obtain an approved Master's degree the student must extensive knowledge in infection biology. In addition, advanced insight and practical experience of experimental systems and techniques of relevance for the area are required. Together, the student should be able to use this knowledge to

• Identify and analyse problems from complex contexts, define strategies and practical approaches to address and solve problems, push and carry through scientific investigations and critically analyse and evaluate obtained data.

• Follow scientific progress, collect, interpret and evaluate new information in scientific material and summarise and present conclusions orally and in written text.

• Evaluate global problems in infection biology from economical, ecological and ethical perspectives

• Pursue projects, investigations and developmental work, in cooperation with others or as responsible project leader, and coherently communicating results to third party.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. The main field of study must be in biology, (bio)medicine, biotechnology, pharmacy, pharmaceutical bioscience, (pharmaceutical) chemistry, medical science, agriculture, animal science, veterinary medicine, or a similar field of study, that gives relevant knowledge in cell biology, genetics (bio)chemistry and molecular biology.

Also required is knowledge and previous experience of laboratory work.

Language requirements

All applicants need to verify English language proficiency that corresponds to English studies at upper secondary (high school) level in Sweden ("English 6"). This can be done in a number of ways, including through an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS, or through previous upper secondary (high school) or university studies.

The minimum test scores are:

• IELTS: an overall mark of 6.5 and no section below 5.5
• TOEFL: Paper-based: Score of 4.5 (scale 1–6) in written test and a total score of 575. Internet-based: Score of 20 (scale 0–30) in written test and a total score of 90
• Cambridge: CAE, CPE

Layout of the programme

The first year of study will provide a deep understanding of the molecular processes that control the interaction between viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi and their hosts. The processes governing the infection process are described based on the immunological defense, but also on the infecting organism's strategies to escape this defense. This knowledge is the basis for more applied issues concerning infectious diseasesin animals and humans regarding among other, zoonotic infections. The first year ends with the study of molecular processes in antimicrobial therapy and resistance development, diagnosis and the clinical picture of symptoms from the perspective of infections of different organs.

Year two will provide knowledge about the origin, evolution and distribution of infectious diseasas well as tools for the control, surveillance and prevention at the local and global level. A specific focus will be on food-borne infections and the role of infectious diseases from a global perspective, with special attention to the problems in developing countries. Microbial diversity in different ecosystems and in depth practical work using current laboratory analysis methods in microbiology and infectious biologyl is part of the last course of the third semester.

The programme is completed by an independent project during the fourth semester corresponding to 30 credits, which alternatively may begin during the third semester and then constitute 45 crdits. Selected topic must fit within the field of infection biology and can be performed at academic unit, company or public sector in Sweden or abroad.

Instruction

The education includes lectures, lab training, seminars and project works. All lectures are deeply rooted in current research and include presentations on on-going research at the departments as well as by invited scientist. The seminars are designed to develop the ability to understand, interpret and critically evaluate scientific literature. This also includes exercises to discuss results and choice of methods and to summarise facts and hypotheses both orally and in writing. The increasing depth of theoretical knowledge is measured at the examination of sub-courses. The ability to analyse, evaluate and draw conclusion from scientific data is judged at specific seminars and theoretical tasks.

Practical lab exercises are integrated and compulsory parts of the first year sub-courses and are connected to on-going research projects. They may even be designed to illuminate questions to which the answer has not yet been found. To some extent the lab work will be performed in the research laboratories. Practical experience of experimental strategies and scientific questions are emphasised. Obtained results are discussed at seminars to practice evaluation of approaches, interpretation of results and how to solve upcoming problems.

The program language is English.

Degree

Master of Medical Science (120 credits) with Infection Biology as the main field of study.

Other directives

The program follows a regulated progression, which means that the courses must be taken in the decided order.