Master's Programme in Precision Medicine
120 credits
The right treatment for the right patient at the right time. How can treatment be tailored to an individual patient, and what will it look like in the future? The Master's Programme in Precision Medicine gives you theoretical knowledge and practical experience in how to generate, analyse and interpret large-scale biological data to diagnose patients and enable individualised treatment.
Autumn 2023 Autumn 2023, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, English
- Location
- Uppsala
- Pace of study
- 100%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Start date
- 28 August 2023
- Language of instruction
- English
- Entry requirements
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Academic requirements
A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. The degree must be in biology, biomedicine, molecular biology, pharmacy or chemistry. Also required is:
- courses in genetics, cell biology and molecular biology totalling 15 credits; and
- 5 credits in statistics.
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.
- 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.
- Application fee: SEK 900
- First tuition fee instalment: SEK 72,500
- Total tuition fee: SEK 290,000
- Application deadline
- 17 April 2023
- Application code
- UU-P3870
- Additional information
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In addition to the general supporting documents, you also need to submit one programme-specific document: a statement of purpose.
Check the application guide for information on how to apply and what other supporting documents you need to submit.
There are two admissions rounds for this Master's programme. The first admissions round is open to all international applicants at www.universityadmissions.se. The last date to apply is 16 January 2023. We strongly encourage all international students to apply in this first admissions round.
The second admissions round is primarily for Swedish applicants and students who are citizens of a country within the European Union, European Economic Area and Switzerland. The last date to apply is 17 April 2023 and the application should be submitted via www.antagning.se for Swedish-speaking applicants, or www.universityadmissions.se for non-Swedish-speaking applicants.
About the programme
The Master's Programme in Precision Medicine includes advanced courses in medical genetics, cancer biology and molecular diagnostics, with in-depth studies of large-scale molecular mapping and imaging technologies. Early in the programme, you will also learn basic programming and biostatistics, after which computer-based analysis runs throughout the programme.
You will learn the basics of machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques with a clear focus on their use in precision medicine. You also have the opportunity to select your own in-depth courses in areas that you are particularly interested in. Through collaboration with both clinicians and active researchers, you will be given the opportunity to analyse real patient data and establish contacts with future employers.
The programme gives you
- understanding and basic skills in the possibilities and current limitations offered by artificial intelligence and machine learning
- experience in basic programming and biostatistics
- competence in using and developing diagnostic tools that enable personalised care.
Student profile
The programme is given in English and is open to both Swedish and international students who have a Bachelor's degree in biology, biomedicine, molecular biology, pharmacy or chemistry including courses in genetics, cell biology or molecular biology and statistics. Around 20 students will be admitted to the programme ensuring high-quality education and tutoring. Most of the courses are programme-specific although the first courses will be read together with other Master-students at Uppsala University.
As a student in the programme, you are curious about how large-scale biological data together with computer-based analyses can be used to diagnose and treat individual patients. You are interested in natural science and medicine, have good analytical skills and are familiar with using computers.
Degree
The programme leads to the degree of Master of Medical Science (120 credits) with Precision Medicine as the main field of study.
Content
The first semester of the programme begins with a course in medical genetics where the focus lies on molecular mechanisms behind cancer, heritable diseases, and genetic contribution to the risk and development of common diseases. The first semester of the programme ends with courses in biostatistics and computer use with basic programming.
The second semester of the programme starts with a course in molecular technologies used for large-scale characterisation of DNA or RNA in relation to precision medicine. The course consists of theoretical parts with practical exercises where data is analysed by you. The second semester continues with courses where you learn how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to interpret data and make decisions in the care of individual patients.
The semester ends with an in-depth course on additional molecular technologies and image-based diagnostics. You will learn about technologies and methods that are currently used in cutting-edge research on genomics, proteomics, epigenomics, and metabolomics, but that will be available for clinical use within a few years. You will also learn about image analysis for automated diagnostics in, for example, cancer.
In the second year, the third semester starts with a project course where the focus is on independent work where you get to plan, carry out and report results from analyses of previously published data and real patient data. The projects will be carried out in collaboration with the Academic Hospital in Uppsala and research groups at Uppsala University, which allows you to create contacts before the degree project and get familiar with different possible future workplaces. The project work will also train your interdisciplinary communication skills.
The last part of semester three is optional. You can either choose to extend your degree project to 45 credits or to study in-depth or supplementary optional courses followed by a 30 credits degree project.
The fourth semester ends the programme with you completing a degree project (30 credits or 45 credits) in precision medicine in, for example, a research group at an academic institution, in regional operations or the industry in Sweden or abroad. The work is evaluated through a written report submitted for assessment as well as an oral presentation.
Courses within the programme
Semester 1
- Medical Genetics and Cancer - Molecular Mechanisms, 15 credits
- Introduction to R, 7.5 credits
- Biostatistics, 7.5 credits
Semester 2
- Molecular Techniques and Data Analysis in Precision Medicine I, 7.5 credits
- Introduction to machine learning and artificial intelligence in the life sciences, 7.5 credits
- Molecular Techniques and Data Analysis in Precision Medicine II, 15 credits
Semester 3
- Applied Precision Medicine, 15 credits
- Elective course (s), 15 credits, alternatively 45 credits degree project
Semester 4
- Degree project, 30 credits, alternatively 45 credits.
Learning experience
The teaching consists of lectures, laboratories, seminars, group exercises and project work. The programme is directly linked to ongoing research and clinical applications and our teachers are active researchers with deep specialist knowledge in the subjects. Some parts of the programme are compulsory where you are expected to actively participate. You are expected to take responsibility for your studies. Your acquired knowledge will be continuously evaluated during the training through oral and written presentations, seminars and exams.
Part of the teaching is done by specially invited guest lecturers who work in different environments outside the academy, for example, healthcare or industry. Through these lectures, you will not only gain an understanding of how your skills will be used in working life but also opportunities to make valuable contacts before the degree project and with future employers.
A mandatory seminar series with lectures on, among other things, research ethics, presentation techniques and bioethics is given during the first semester.
The programme is given in English and the studies are conducted full-time in Uppsala.
Career
Precision Medicine is a field on the rise and the students in the Master's programme in precision medicine are expected to have a broad job market both nationally and internationally. In the Master's programme in precision medicine at Uppsala University, you receive solid theoretical training coupled with hands-on practical experience in analysing and interpreting large-scale biological data in relation to precision medicine. When you have finished the program, your skills will make you attractive in a strongly growing job market in health and healthcare, the medical technology industry or for continued research training in academia, both nationally and internationally at organisations such as:
- Universities
- Hospitals
- Pharmaceutical companies
- The Swedish Medical Agency
- Clinical genetics
- Precision medicine centers
You will be able to work with, for example:
- Research and Development
- Patient data analyses
- Development of disease diagnostics
- Project management
- Drug development
- Management and analysis of Clinical trials
Precision medicine will play an increasingly important role in healthcare in the future. There will be an increased demand for personnel with training in the field and with practical experience in analysing the data that is produced. The need for training in precision medicine and data analysis in the healthcare sector is growing, as more hospitals and politicians realise the benefits of using computer-based diagnostics at an increasing degree.
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.
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