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

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish degree of at least 180 credits (i.e. three years of full-time studies), in biology, (bio-)medicine, biotechnology, pharmacy, pharmaceutical bioscience, (pharmaceutical)chemistry, medical science, agriculture, animal science, veterinary medicine or international education giving relevant knowledge in cell biology, genetics (bio)chemistry and molecular biology.

English proficiency, normally attested by means of an internationally recognized test such as TOEFL or IELTS.

Layout of the programme

The first year contains four courses, which together give theoretical knowledge and experimental insight about viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi and their molecular mechanisms when interfering with their hosts and the immunological defence against microbes. During the second semester, the assimilated facts constitute the basis for more applied topics, such as the biology of infectious diseases in humans and animals, diagnosis, treatment and molecular mechanism of antimicrobial therapy and development of resistance. Practical lab work is an integrated part during the first year of the programme. Three major areas, Intervention, Ecology and evolution and Infection control constitutes semester three. During this period, the education consists mainly of lectures, seminars and group discussions. Students with a specific interest in research will be given the option (pending application) to perform parallel research projects. The degree project during the fourth semester is performed within the area of infection biology at academic department/company/other agency in Sweden or abroad. To encourage internationalisation, students will get support to establish contacts with suitable research groups abroad.

Instruction

The education includes lectures, lab training, seminars and project works. All lectures are deeply rooted in current international research and include presentations on ongoing 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 ongoing 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 side by side with graduate students in the research laboratory. 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.