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 biomedicine, medicine, pharmacy, biology, or a similar field of study that gives relevant knowledge in cell and molecular biology, chemistry and biochemistry, pharmacology, physiology and neurobiology.

Also required is knowledge and practical experience of laboratory experiments in life sciences.

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.

Aims

The theme of the programme is "From the ailing body and the ailing brain to the discovery and development of new drugs".

The Master programme offers courses giving in-depth knowledge in medical cell and molecylar biology, physiology and neurobiology as well as how normal and pathological processes are regulated in the development of major diseases. The students are given skills to use bioinformatic tools to identify drug targets.

The programme aims to prepare the students for independent work within research, development, investigation, production, control, project management or information within medical or biomedical sectors. It also is a good option for students who want to go into academic research and do a PhD. The students will get methodological skills and an in-depth knowledge of the subjects, as well as an ability for independent critical thinking.

Learning outcomes

In order to obtain the degree of Master of Medical Science (120 credits) with Biomedicine as main field of study, a student should have deep and broad theoretical knowledge within the field. The student should also possess advanced knowledge and practical experience of relevant experimental techniques. With this knowledge, the student shall:

• Within the field be able to indepently perform complex scientific investigations and use results from different areas to find solutions to complicated problems, even in the absence of full background information. To do this, the student has to demonstrate an in-depth theoretical and methodological knowledge, show an understanding for the limits of this knowledge, be able to independently develop their knowledge and have an ability to independently perform empirical investigations.
• Be able to critically and correctly summarize the level of knowledge in biomedicine and related fields when it comes to methods, results and applications. The student must therefore possess a considerable level of theoretical knowledge, be well acquainted with literature and databases and be able to formulate and present their conclusions both orally and in writing in different national and international contexts.
• Demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work.
• Demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used.

Layout of the programme

The courses are given at the advanced level. They are a continuation of studies at the Bachelor's level and will provide a broader and deeper understanding of the field of study. The student is further expected to work independently to a high degree and take responsibilty for their own learning process.

Semester 1

Homeostasis and Endocrine Disorders with a Focus on Major Diseases, 15 credits

Advanced Neurobiology, 15 credits

Semester 2

During the first half of the semester, the student will choose one of these options:

Drug Discovery and Development, 7,5 credits

Computational Medicinal Chemistry, 7,5 credits

or

Drug Discovery and Development, 7,5 credits

Molecular Neurodegeneration, 7,5 credits

or

Immunology, 15 credits

During the second half of the semester, all students take the course Preparation for Research with Focus on New Drug Targets, 15 credits.

It is possible to finish the programme after the first year with a Master of Medical Science (60 credits) with Biomedicine as the main field of study, in which case at least 15 credits of the courses in the second semester are exchange for a thesis within the field of biomedicine.

Semester 3

The third semester consists of an eligible period. Some common choices are:

Clinical Drug Development, 30 credits

Laboratory Project in Biomedicine 15 or 30 credits

Research Training in Biomedicine and Laboratory Animal Science, 15 credits

Master's Degree Project in Biomedicine, 45 credits (with or without Laboratory Animal Science)

Other alternatives are courses within any of the other Master's programmes at Uppsala university or at other universities.

Semester 4

Master's Degree Project in Biomedicine, 30 or 45 credits

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars, journal clubs, laboratory practicals, group work and projects.

The programme is provided in English.

Degree

The programme leads to a Degree of Master of Medical Science (120 credits) with Biomedicine as the main field of study.