Master's Programme in Biopharmaceuticals
Academic year 2023/2024
- 120 credits
- Autumn 2023, Uppsala, 100%, Campus
- Programme syllabus and outline
Innovative therapies such as novel vaccines, immunotherapies, and gene and cell therapy are examples of strategies used in a growing field of academic research and the biotech industry. In our Master's Programme in Biopharmaceuticals, you will follow the entire life cycle of biopharmaceuticals, from design to production, testing and usage. The programme provides you with a foundation for future academic research or biotech industrial career paths.
Why this programme?
Biopharmaceuticals allow the treatment of previously difficult-to-treat targets, but the increased complexity comes with its own set of problems. The design and production of biological drugs differ from small molecular drugs, and you will study different strategies and the limitations and possibilities of these.
Through the courses in this Master's programme you will learn about:
- design strategies
- production of recombinant proteins
- in silico analysis of biologics
- pre-clinical and clinical testing
- regulatory approval procedures
- health economy.
The programme is run by active researchers at the Faculty of Pharmacy at Uppsala University. It is closely tied to world-renowned research groups within the field of peptide and protein drugs, pharmaceutical modulations and proteomics at Uppsala University. It is also run in collaboration with biotech companies in Sweden and will have dedicated mentoring moments throughout the programme.
Student profile
The programme will consist of 30-50 national and international students. The students in the programme will hold a Bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical sciences, cell biology, biotechnology, physiology, biomedicine, chemistry or biology. This allows you to learn from and build a network of people with different nationalities and a wide range of experience from diverse fields.
Degree
The programme leads to a Master of Pharmaceutical Science (120 credits) with Drug Discovery and Development as the main field of study.
Name: Nivetha Dayanidhi
From: India
How did you choose your programme?
– I wanted to study and research drug development and discovery, where biopharmaceuticals is part of it. It is currently the most up-and-coming form of therapy in the pharmaceutical industry.
What is something special about your programme?
– It is the study of vaccines, antibodies and hormone therapies. This is what present and future health care needs, targeted therapy with fewer side effects. It is a new programme!
What is it like to be an international student?
– Uppsala is the most welcoming place for all international students. I felt at home and safe. The entire city is for students and for their feasibility to live.
What is the best thing about studying at Uppsala University?
– Uppsala University has unique and future-looking programmes. It is a place of innovation and research. All my hidden creative ideas came out of me after joining Uppsala university. Uppsala University showed me that listening to lectures is not the only way to study, group work, assignments and presentations also help to gain knowledge.
– Group work and presentations are the best part of studying, with a lot of research on biologics. I feel that I have gained so much more knowledge after coming to Uppsala. I gained a lot of friends from different countries, from the group work.
Do you remember your first impression of Uppsala? Please tell us!
– Uppsala was very lively and colourful when I arrived in the summer. A lot of events and activities took place to entertain new students.
Name some things you are doing this week!
– There is group work for a theoretical lab presentation, and guest lectures from industries.
What is your reason for studying, or your ultimate goal?
– To become a scientist in biologics for Epilepsy. I am planning to do a PhD after my Master’s and continue my research in biologics.
Three quick questions:
What is your favourite place in Uppsala?
– V-dala nation, a place where a lot happens.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
– As a scientist with a post-doctoral.
Where is the best place to study?
– BMC and the library.
Spring 2023.
Programme
In the first year, you will attend mandatory courses, starting with a foundation course covering relevant topics aimed to give all students the same starting point for the programme. You will read courses on design, life cycle analysis, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of biopharmaceuticals. You will also learn methods for pre-clinical testing of biological drugs, techniques for in silico analysis of biopharmaceuticals and strategies and methods for production.
During the second year, you will be able to choose courses, either from recommended tracks focused on production, test design or regulatory aspects of biologics or free from relevant courses at the University. Finally, you will do your master thesis for either 30 or 45 credits within a research group at Uppsala University or another University, a regulatory body or a biotech company.
Courses within the programme
Year 1
Orientation course for Biopharmaceuticals, 7.5 credits
Biologics, 7.5 credits
Life cycle analysis of Biopharmaceuticals, 7.5 credits
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of biologics, 7.5 credits
Pharmaceutical protein drug development, 7.5 credits
Development of biologicals, 7.5 credits
Proteomics for drug development, 7.5 credits
Computer based pharmaceutical modelling, 7.5 credits
Year 2
Elective courses for 15 or 30 credits - either from recommended tracks or other suitable courses at the University.
Master's thesis for either 45 or 30 credits.
Learning experience
Teaching occasions will be in the form of lectures, practical projects, case studies and seminars. Practical exercise sessions are often connected directly to ongoing research in different labs or from the recent scientific literature.
Our lecturers are active researchers in their respective fields, associated with academic research, the biotech industry or working closely with biologics in the clinic.
The programme is taught entirely in English and will run on campus in Uppsala.
Career
The pharmaceutical industry is in constant demand for new and enthusiastic graduates with in-depth knowledge of the biological drug discovery and development process. This Master's programme will provide you with an excellent platform to pursue a career in, for example:
- pharmaceutical industry
- biotechnology companies
- public authorities
- regulatory bodies
- PhD studies in medicine, pharmacy and biotechnology.
During the programme you will start building your professional network through networking symposia, invited lecturers and the collaboration with Testa Centre. You will also build an academic network through the mentor programme, course leaders and invited lecturers.
Career support
During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career. Learn more about UU Careers.
Admissions
Below you will find details about eligibility requirements, selection criteria and tuition fees. For information on how to apply and what general documents you need to submit, check the application guide. Besides the general supporting documents, you also need to submit one programme-specific document: an Application Summary Sheet (including your statement of purpose).
Master's Programme in Biopharmaceuticals
120 credits
Autumn 2023, 100%, Campus
Location: Uppsala
Application deadline: 16 January 2023
Application code: UU-M3078 Application
Language of instruction: English
Requirements:
Academic requirements
A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.
Also required is 90 credits in in one or a combination of the following subjects: pharmaceutical sciences, cell biology, biotechnology, physiology, biomedicine, chemistry, biology.
Language requirements
Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.
Selection: Students are selected based on:
- an overall appraisal of previous university studies; and
- a statement of purpose.
Tuition fee-paying students and non-paying students are admitted on the same grounds but in different selection groups.
Fees:
If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees. Fees cover application and tuition only and do not cover accommodation, academic literature or the general cost of living. Read more about fees.
Application fee: SEK 900
Tuition fee, first semester: SEK 72,500
Tuition fee, total: SEK 290,000
Contact and further resources
Contact
For questions regarding admission, admission requirements, and general questions, please contact study counsellor Christina Ceder.
For programme-specific information, please contact programme coordinator Jamie Morrison.
For admissions-related or general information, please contact our applicant support team:
www.uu.se/education