Entry 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.

Aims

The main aims for the students in this Master's program are:

• to gain a deeper understanding and develop applicable skills in the subject of Biopharmaceuticals, for different disease settings and therapeutic strategies.
• to understand the entire process from therapeutic design to production and use.

The programme includes courses in preclinical and clinical trials, as well as regulatory, ethical and health economy aspects on the development and use of

biopharmaceuticals in healthcare. The education aims to prepare the student for independent professional practice within the area of research and development,

production and clinical trials, as well as quality control of biopharmaceuticals. The programme provides an excellent platform for students who wish to further their academic education as doctoral students in pharmacy, medicine and biotechnology.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, combining both broad aspects and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field.
• Demonstrate a broad knowledge and understanding for the perspective of different agents and their needs with regards to biopharmaceuticals on the topic of
• development, production, clinical trials, regulatory issues and usage. Demonstrate a broad knowledge of current research and development in the field of
• biopharmaceuticals.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge in the areas of development, design, preclinical and
• clinical trials, as well as regulatory and health economy aspects of biopharmaceuticals.

Skills and abilities

• Demonstrate significant practical and theoretical skills in development, design,
• preclinical and clinical trials, as well as regulatory and health economy aspects of
• biopharmaceuticals.
• Demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge, analysing, assessing and adjusting to complex phenomena regarding issues related to development, clinical trials and use of biopharmaceuticals, even when provided with limited information.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively.
• Demonstrate the ability to plan and undertake advanced tasks, using appropriate methodology, within predetermined time frames, thus contributing to the formation of knowledge of biopharmaceuticals, as well as the ability to evaluate this work.
• Demonstrate the ability to critically reason on the merits and limitations of different biopharmaceuticals with regards to treatment options, safety, cost and benefit.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate knowledge and arguments, clearly reporting and discussing derived conclusions, to different audiences both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate a significant skill in finding, evaluating and critically examining relevant information on the development and use of biological drugs to be able to analyse and solve problems

Judgement and approach

• Demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the field of biopharmaceuticals by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues, while demonstrating awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work.
• Demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of biopharmaceuticals, focussing on its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Layout of the programme

The first year consists of mandatory courses, to give the students a foundation in Biopharmaceuticals. The programme starts with an introduction course with parallel tracks, covering different topics to cater to the needs in a diverse student body. This is followed by courses on design, life cycle analysis, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of biopharmaceuticals. The students will also read courses onmethods for pre-clinical testing of biological drugs, techniques for in silico analysis of biopharmaceuticals and strategies and methods for production.

During the second year, the students will elect courses for 15 or 30 credits, either from recommended tracks focused on production, test design or regulatory aspects of biologics, or freely from relevant courses at Uppsala University. This allows for an increased complexity with regards to scientific mindset and knowledge of the field. Finally, the students will do a master thesis for either 30 or 45 credits. where they will further train their independent analytical skills and their ability to communicate science.

The students will refine their skills and professional development throughout the programme, via the use of modules in all courses. The purpose of this is to create space for knowledge that is not directly tied to a certain topic, but is regarded as important for the students to master during the programme. The list below provides examples of modules that will be covered in the program:

- Ethics

- Oral and written presentations

- Critical thinking

- Scientific writing

- Reference handling

- Mentor programme

Instruction

Instruction is conducted in a range of formats including lectures, seminars, group assignments, laboratory sessions and independent project work. The programme is given full-time, daytime with certain exceptions for the elective courses. The programme is given in English.

Courses in the programme

The aim and contents of the courses are evident from respective course syllabi. At beginning of each course, detailed instructions about teaching and examination are given. Compulsory attendance is required at sections that are stated as compulsory in respective course syllabi. Certain courses may be given in parallel.

Degree

Degree of Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Science with a major in Drug Discovery and Development is achieved after 120 credits, of which one must achieve at least 60 credits in the main field of study including at least 30 credits for a degree project.

Other directives

Program courses can be exchanged in the event that a student has already read one of the courses and/or has the equivalent knowledge from earlier education.