Biomedical Sciences (Master's)
The master’s programme in Biomedical Sciences will help you understand the health and functions of the human body on the molecular, cellular and physiological level. Biomedical research has a central role in shaping tomorrow's medicine, through the development of new drugs and understanding disease.
- Duration
- 2 year
- Study places
- 20
- ECTS credits
- 120
- Start of study
- Autumn
- Teaching language
- English
What will you learn?
With a master’s degree in biomedical sciences, you’ll learn to understand body function and health.
Throughout the program, you will develop the ability to:
- critically analyse 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
- apply knowledge and skills acquired during the study to new areas and fields to carry out advanced tasks and projects.
The impact of new discoveries in biomedicine is significant: we develop technology that can lower the production costs of medicine, we analyse cancer development and progression and develop molecular imaging techniques. Fighting infectious diseases through new therapies and vaccines can also affect life in developing countries.
Student life
In the initial year, you’ll be busy with courses, reading theory, getting to know other students, and gradually familiarizing yourself with various research groups.
The second year you’ll work in the laboratory and become integrated in the research group matching your master’s project. You will get assigned an office space to work on your project, shared with other master’s students at the department. You’ll write your master’s thesis including theoretical work and laboratory work with your research group. This will amount to a full working week.
This master’s programme demands both independent work and cooperation in groups with other students and staff in the research group. You will be trained in soft skills like scientific writing and dissemination skills.
Career
The Master’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences will qualify you for various career opportunities, including:
- Scientific research and academic positions.
- Technical positions in research laboratories (Staff engineer).
- Lecturer positions within the education sector.
- Administrative consultancy, both in public and private businesses.
- HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) consultancy.
- Research communication roles.
92 percent of alumni with a master’s degree from the Faculty of Medicine report finding relevant work within two years of graduating.
Admission requirements and how to apply
Students with citizenship from countries outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland must pay tuition fees. Some applicants may be exempted from this rule.
Follow these links to find the general entry requirements and guidelines on how to apply:
Citizens from outside the European Union/EEA/EFTA (Application deadline: 1 December).
Citizens from within the European Union/EEA/EFTA (Application deadline: 1 March).
Nordic citizens and applicants residing in Norway
(Application deadline: 15 April).
You will also have to meet the programme-specific entry requirements.
Teaching language
Teaching language: English
Study structure
The Master’s programme in Biomedical Sciences is a two-year full-time programme, starting in August each year. The field of biomedicine deals with questions like:
What are the cellular mechanisms/pathways of diseases and disorders?
How is the genotype of different diseases?
How do genes and the environment interact?
How can we improve/enhance therapeutic efficacy?
How does the brain work?
First semester
In the first semester, you will have 40 hours of lectures and laboratory work per week. Most of it is mandatory.
Mandatory courses:
HELVIT300 - Theory and ethics of Science (5 ECTS)
BMED320 - Methods in Biomedical Research (25 ECTS)
Choose the topic for your master’s project.
Second semester
In the second semester, you will have around 10 hours of lectures and other activities per week. This varies depending on the courses you choose. Normally, the lectures are recommended and other activities are mandatory.
The semester consists of elective courses relevant to your research field, 30 ECTS in total. You can choose other courses (both at UiB and other institutions) if they are approved by your supervisor and the Programme Committee.
Recommended electives
BMED326 - Protein structure determination, validation, and analysis (5 ECTS)
BMED330 - Cell Communication and Intracellular Signaling (10 ECTS)
BMED331 - Tumour Biology (10 ECTS)
BMED340 - Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (10 ECTS)
BMED365 - Computational imaging, modelling and AI in biomedicine (10 ECTS)
BMED370 - Computational methods for drug design (5 ECTS)
BMED380 - Seminar Series (5 ECTS)
CAREIN - Course in Animal Research in Norway, Laboratory animals, theoretical, Function A,B, and D (8 ECTS)
ELMED219 - Artificial intelligence and computational medicine (6 ECTS)
HUIMM307 - Basic course in flow cytometry (5 ECTS)
HUIMM320 - Basic Immunology (5 ECTS)
HUMGEN301 - Human Molecular Genetics (5 ECTS)
HUPAT301 - Basic Human Pathology (5 ECTS)
Third and fourth semesters
BMED395 - Master’sThesis in Biomedical Sciences
You can choose from the available Master’s topics or find a project on your own. The project must then be approved by the Programme Committee.
You will meet your supervisor on a regular basis. You will be guided as the research project progresses in the lab, and especially when you are writing your thesis.
Study abroad
There are several options if you want to spend some time abroad. As a member of the Nordic Biomedical Master Network, we have agreements with universities in Sweden, Finland and Denmark.
You can take courses (semester 3), and undertake lab projects and the experimental part of the Master's project (semester 3 and 4).
Further studies
You can apply for a PhD degree at UiB or other institutions if you are interested in pursuing a career in research.
Questions about the study?
Phone hours are weekdays from 12.00 - 14.00.
Study plan
A study plan is a formal document between you as a student and the University of Bergen. The study plan must provide a clear framework for the study, describe the learning goals you will achieve and how the study is structured.