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Study plan for MAMD-MEDBI Biomedical Sciences, Master's, 2 years, fall 2024

Name of qualification

Master of Science in Biomedicine

ECTS Credits

The Master's Programme in Biomedical Sciences accounts for 120 ECTS and is estimated to 2 years of studies.

Full-time/Part-time

Full time

Language of Instruction

English

Semester

Autumn

Objectives and content

The field of Biomedicine has a central role in shaping tomorrow's medicine. The Master's Programme in Biomedical Sciences presents a medical approach to physiology and molecular biology and offers you the opportunity to engage in biomedical research and to be an active member of an international research group.

The curriculum starts with a comprehensive exposure to methodological approaches used by scientists with in the field of biomedicine, from molecular and cellular biology, to human physiology and biomedical imaging.

From the very start students are placed in an active research environment and trained in relevant methodology. The theoretical courses focus on understanding cellular and physiological mechanisms, providing knowledge required for understanding human disease mechanisms and for future development of methods, diagnostics and therapies. Throughout the programme students are extensively educated in ethical aspects as well as "soft skills" such as scientific writing and dissemination skills. The major master project can be conducted in basic or translational research groups at the Faculty of Medicine.

We encourage all students to go on exchange to our international partners. We are part of a Nordic network (NordBioMedNet) with the following universities; the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), the Karolinska Insitutet (Sweden), the University of Turku and the University of Eastern Finland (both Finland).

Required Learning Outcomes

After completion of the Master´s Programme in Biomedical Sciences students should be able to:

  • Critically analyze central theories, methods and results within the field of Biomedicine, and work independently with practical and theoretical problem solving.
  • Carry out an independent research project under supervision and in line with established ethical norms and regulations.
  • Produce scientific articles/text according to established research ethics.
  • Apply knowledge and skills acquired during the study to new areas and fields in order to carry out advanced tasks and projects.
  • Communicate biomedical problems, analysis and conclusions in a scientific manner, both orally and in writing.
  • Explain the role of basic research in modern medicine.

Admission Requirements

This Master´s Programme is open to self-financing applicants. is aimed at students who have a bachelor's degree in biomedicine, molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology or equivalent. You also need to document an average grade of minimum C. Equivalent to Norwegian grade C: https://www.uib.no/en/education/62545/academic-system#grading-scale.

Admission requires a minimum of 80 credits in relevant courses, where:

- Minimum 20 SP in cell/molecular biology

- Minimum 20 credits in chemistry and/or biochemistry

- 40 credits in other relevant courses that can be included are: biology, biotechnology, anatomy, physiology, medical laboratory courses, mathematics, computer science, image science, nanotechnology and physics. Practical laboratory experience in biochemical or cell biological methods equivalent to 10 SP.

All applicants will be assessed individually. The selection of students will be based on the following criteria:

- Depth and relevance of educational training

- Academic results

- English proficiency

- Year of completion of academic degree (should not be older than 5 years). Exceptions from this rule may be considered on an individual basis.

You need to be physically able to perform practical work in the laboratory in order to be accepted to the programme.

Language proficiency: Applicants who do not have an education from a Norwegian university or college must document sufficient English language skills (see English language requirements for master's programmes taught in English | Education | UiB).

More information about how to apply you can find here: How to apply for a master's degree | Education | UiB

Compulsory units

  • HELVIT300: Introduction to Philosophy of Science and Research Ethics
  • BMED320: Methods in Medical Cell Biology

Specialisation

In the second semester you will be able to choose from a range of elective courses according to your interest and the direction of your studies. In the third and fourth semester you will work on a master project.

Recommended electives

  • BMED326: Protein structure determination, validation, and analysis
  • BMED330: Cell Communication and Intracellular Signaling
  • BMED331: Tumour Biology
  • BMED340: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • BMED365: Computational imaging, modelling and AI in biomedicine
  • BMED370: Computational methods for drug design
  • BMED380: Seminar Series
  • CAREIN: Course in Animal Research in Norway, Laboratory animals, theoretical, Function A,B, and D
  • ELMED219: Artificial intelligence and computational medicine
  • HUIMM307: Basic course in flow cytometry
  • HUIMM320: Basic Immunology
  • HUMGEN301: Human Molecular Genetics
  • HUPAT301: Basic Human Pathology

Sequential Requirements, courses

1. Semester

In the first semester you will attend two mandatory courses, providing a general, yet advanced biomedical basis for further studies.

2. Semester

In the second semester you will be able to specialize by choosing elective courses equalling 30 ECTS.

3. and 4. Semester

In the 3rd and 4th semester you will be working on your own independent research project, the Master's Thesis (equalling 60 ECTS). You will be participating in an active scientific community through daily contact with researchers and peer students.

Shortly after the start of the semester we will provide information about available master projects at the Faculty of Medicine. You are free to look for a project on your own, but remember that all Master's projects must be approved by the Programme Committee for the Master's Programme in Biomedical Sciences.

Study period abroad

We encourage students to take parts of their curriculum at foreign educational institutions. The Master's programme in Biomedical Sciences is a partner in the Nordic Biomedical Master Network which includes four partner universities; The Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, Turku University in Finland, University of Eastern Finland and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. You may go on exchange to take courses at these partner universities, lab projects and also the experimental part of the Master's project.

You can also go on exchange to other European universities where we have exchange agreements.

For more information, please visit http://www.uib.no/en/biomedisin/63531/student-exchange#

Teaching methods

Lectures, demonstrations, self-study, group work, laboratory work.

Assessment methods

Typical assessment methods will be:

  • Written (school) exam
  • Oral exam
  • Home exam/written assignments
  • Oral/practical presentations
  • Assessment of laboratory work (practical)
  • Final oral examination (Master's exam)

Grading scale

At the University of Bergen the grading system has either:

  1. a descending scale from A to E for passes and F for fail
  2. pass/fail

Grading A-F is most commonly used.

Diploma and Diploma supplement

You can order your diploma after having finished your degree at this website: https://www.uib.no/en/student/49190/transcript-records-and-diploma-registry#order-a-diploma

Access to further studies

With a Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences you are qualified for applying for PhD fellowships. A doctoral degree allows for an academic career, but do also provide opportunities within the bio-industry, administration and/or various research-related positions in the private sector.

Employability

A Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences qualifies you for various career paths:

  • Scientific research (see above) and other academic positions.
  • Technical positions in laboratories, for example in research laboratories, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies.
  • Lecturer within the education sector.
  • Administrative consultant in various public and private businesses.
  • HSE (Health, Security and Environment) consultant.
  • Research communicator.

Evaluation

The Master's programme is continually evaluated in accordance with the guidelines for quality assurance at UiB. You can find course and programme evaluations at kvalitetsbasen.uib.no

Programme committee

The Programme Committee in Biomedicine is responsible for the scientific content and the quality of the study programme.

Administrative responsibility

The Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biomedicine.

Contact information

Feel free to contact the Section for Student Affairs at the Department of Biomedicine if you have any queries:

E-mail: med-ibm-studiesaker@uib.no

Tel: (+47) 55 58 60 24