Decisions and guidelines

Decision to organise the education program

The syllabus was established by the Board of the Faculty of Science and Technology on November 11, 2014 to be applied as of July 1, 2015. The Master Programme in Bioinformatics (UFV 2008/1204) is in effect as of July 1, 2009, according to a decision by the Vice-Chancellor.

English translations

The English translation of Magisterexamen is Degree of Master of Science-One Year.

The English translation of Masterexamen is Degree of Master of Science-Two Years.

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Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish degree of at least 180 credits (i.e. three years of full-time studies). Knowledge of mathematics (e.g. algebra, analysis, differential equations and mathematical statistics) corresponding to approximately 20 weeks of full-time study. Knowledge of computer science and scientific computing (e.g. numerical analysis, algorithms, data structures and programming) corresponding to approximately 20 weeks of full-time study.

Proof of skills in English to a level corresponding to English B in the Swedish secondary school. This is normally attested by means of an internationally recognised test with the following minimum scores:

• 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

Learning outcomes

Goal of the Degree of Master of Science-Two Years

The Higher Education Act

Ch. 1, 9 § The Higher Education Act; The basic higher education shall, in addition to knowledge and skills, provide students with the capacity for independent and critical assessment, the ability to independently solve problems as well as the ability to follow the development of knowledge related to the particular area of education. The education should also develop the students' ability to exchange information on a scientific level.

The Higher Education Ordinance

According to the degree system of the Higher Education Ordinance, the following objectives apply for a degree of Master of Science-Two Years

Knowledge and understanding

For a degree of Master of Science-Two Years, the student must

-demonstrate knowledge and understanding within the main area of study, including both broad knowledge of the area and significantly deeper knowledge of parts of the area, as well as in-depth understanding of current research and development work, and

-demonstrate in-depth knowledge of methods within the main area of education.

Skills and abilities

For a degree of Master of Science-Two Years, the student must

-demonstrate an ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyse, assess and manage complex phenomena, questions and situations even with limited information,

-demonstrate an ability to critically, independently and creatively identify and formulate questions, to plan and implement qualified tasks with appropriate methods in a timely manner, thereby contributing to the advancement of knowledge, and to evaluate this work,

-demonstrate an ability to, in both national and international contexts, orally and in writing clearly explain and discuss his or her findings and the underlying knowledge and arguments in dialogue with different groups, and

--display such skills required to participate in research and development work or to work independently with other qualified activities.

Assessment ability and attitude

For a degree of Master of Science-Two Years, the student must

-demonstrate an ability to, within the main field of study, make judgments with regard to relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects and show awareness of the ethical aspects of research and development work;

–demonstrate insight on the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and people's responsibility for its usage, and

-demonstrate an ability to identify his or her need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for such development.

Local goals for the Master Programme in Bioinformatics at Uppsala University

The local goals for the program are found at http://www.teknat.uu.se/student/ in connection with the program syllabuses.

Layout of the programme

Description of education

Plan, General

The technical Master programmes at Uppsala University are coherent two-year programs with the possibility to graduate with a degree of Master of Science after one year. The programs contain recommended courses of study to assure the quality of the degree, presenting students with a choice of courses closely aligned with the learning goals of the Higher Education Ordinance. There are also designated elective courses with opportunities for specialisation through successive selections of courses. The education ends with a degree project.

Each academic year is divided into four study periods, two during the autumn semester and two during the spring semester.

Advanced level courses involve a considerable amount of independent work and responsibility for one’s own learning. This signifies increased depth and complexity within the main field of study. It also leads to students acquiring a sound ability to communicate in Swedish and English, both orally and in writing.

Programme-specific plan

The aim of this cross-disciplinary Master programme is to train students in the subject of bioinformatics. Bioinformatics encompasses molecular biology, genetics and genomics and their applications in research and development, as well as applications of computer science, mathematics and mathematical statistics within these areas. The students acquire both theoretical and practical skills in bioinformatics and its applications. The courses are mainly based on subject areas with a strong research representation at the University, and these courses are characterised by their close proximity to research. The program also offers courses that prepare for a career in industry and government.

The degree project is performed at a company, government agency or within the University. The Degree of Master of Science-Two Years offers two degree project options; 30 ECTS credits or 45 ECTS credits. To receive the Degree of Master of Science-One Year, a degree project of 15 ECTS credits is required.

Program courses

Study plan

The designations of level/depth in the study plans signify the course level and depth in relation to degree requirements.

The following designations are used

G1N Undergraduate level, the course does not require previous higher education studies.

G1F Undergraduate level, the course requires previous higher education studies, fewer than 60 ECTS credits.

G2F Undergraduate level, the course requires previous higher education studies, at least 60 ECTS credits.

G2E Undergraduate level, degree project for Bachelor of Science and Bachelor’s degree

A1N Advanced level, the course requires only courses at undergraduate level

A1F Advanced level, the course requires previous courses at advanced level

A1E Degree project for Degree of Master of Science – One Year

A2E Degree project for Master of Science and Degree of Master of Science – Two Years

Degree project

Common guidelines and instructions for degree projects apply to all technical programmes at Uppsala University. Forms and instructions for students are available on the Faculty website http://www.teknat.uu.se/student .

Main Area

Education in the main area of Technology is available at both undergraduate and advanced level, in technical courses in Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Programmes, as well as independent courses.

For a technical degree at undergraduate level, i.e. Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Science, only the main area of Technology is used.

For a technical degree at advanced level, the main area of technology is used for Master of Science. For courses within technical Master programmes, specific main areas at advanced level are available. These are bioinformatics, renewable electric power engineering, embedded systems, industrial engineering and molecular biotechnology. They are connected to the main specialisations of the programs and used for Master of Technology/Master of Science. The main areas constitute a specific part of the broader main field of technology and thereby fulfil the requirements for the main area of technology.

The main area of Bioinformatics (advanced level)

The main field of Bioinformatics is interdisciplinary and includes the development and use of computer calculations and algorithms for the analysis of biological, molecular biological and biomedical data. The main area covers analysis, modelling and visualisation of biological data and systems for the organisation and management of large and complex datasets.

A course can and should be classified as belonging to the field of Bioinformatics if the largest part deals with:

• Methods for analysis, modelling and visualisation of biological data as well as systems for the organisation and management of large and complex datasets or equivalent for components in such systems. The components need not be physical, but can take the form of algorithms or software.

• Methods for the efficient organisation of processes involved in the implementation of the operations stated in the above paragraph. Examples of courses within this category are quality engineering, production management and technology-based business development.

Degree

Regulations for examinations

To obtain a degree at advanced level requires at least a three-year general degree at undergraduate level, or at least a three-year vocational degree.

Degree of Master of Science-One Year

The degree of Master of Science-One Year is obtained after completed courses at advanced level comprising a total of 60 ECTS credits (1 year of full-time study). 15 ECTS credits may refer to courses at undergraduate level, excluding such courses included in the basic degree at undergraduate level. The exam should include a main area with courses at advanced level of at least 30 ECTS credits. In the main area should be included an independent degree project of at least 15 ECTS credits.

Degree of Master of Science-Two Years

The degree of Master of Science-Two Years is obtained after completed courses at advanced level comprising a total of 120 ECTS (2 years of full-time study). 30 ECTS credits may refer to courses at undergraduate level, excluding such courses included in the basic degree at undergraduate level. The exam should include a main area with courses at advanced level of at least 60 ECTS credits. In the main area should be included an independent degree project of at least 30 ECTS credits (i.e. 15 ECTS credits + 15 ECTS credits is not allowed).

Other directives

Admission requirements

General admission requirements

The general admission requirement to the Master programmes is a degree at undergraduate level of at least 180 ECTS credits. The English-speaking programs require knowledge of English corresponding En B (a Swedish Bachelor’s degree fulfils the English requirement)210B

Specific admission requirements

Specific admission requirements to the program:

Knowledge of mathematics (e.g., algebra, analysis, differential equations and mathematical statistics)

equivalent to 30 ECTS credits.

Knowledge of computer science and scientific computing (e.g. numerical computational methods,

algorithms, data structures and programming) equivalent to 30 ECTS.

Admission to later part of program

Admission to a later part of a technical Master programme normally requires at least 15 ECTS credits from relevant advanced level courses, in addition to a Bachelor’s degree, having been approved by the time of application. Application to a later part of the programme should be submitted no later than May 1 for the autumn semester and no later than December 1 for the spring semester.

Grades and examination

The form of examination and grading scale are shown in the syllabus.

A student has, unless special reasons apply, the right to have a test corrected and graded within a maximum of 25 days, however at least 14 calendar days before a retest. A student who has failed a test twice shall, if the student wishes, be offered another moderator or another form of examination. The right to a new test in order to achieve a passing grade may only be restricted by virtue of decision by the Vice-Chancellor. (According to "Guidelines for student working conditions at Uppsala University" UFV 2009/902).

Transfer of course credits towards Degree of Master of Science

Some courses may not be included in the degree at the same time, due to too much overlap of content. The content is shown in each course syllabus and the Office of Degree Administration decides which courses may be included in the degree.