Biological Chemistry - Master of Science Degree Programme

The Master’s programme in Biological Chemistry is an international programme where the teaching language is English. The principal aim of the programme is for the student to obtain advanced knowledge in Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Biochemistry. The study programme comprises 120 ECTS in total, taken over 2 years.

Programme content, structure and composition

The programme consists of a course part and a research part. The course part consists of a basic core of 30 ECTS of compulsory courses followed by 30 ECTS elective courses. The research part, resulting in a master’s thesis, gives 60 ECTS. The student is to conduct a supervised, original scientific research project; including planning, experimental work, data collection, theory and method development, analysis and discussion, as appropriate for the field of study. The student shall also acquire knowledge in how to report and present scientific results.

Learning outcomes

After having completed the master’s programme in Biological Chemistry, the student shall have acquired the following learning outcomes, in terms of knowledge, skills and general competences:

Knowledge

K1: The candidate has acquired advanced knowledge within the basic areas in biological chemistry, and specialized knowledge within a focused area through working with the thesis.

K2: The candidate has a broad knowledge of the field’s scientific and instrumental methods and theories and can apply his/her expertise with respect to new scientific challenges and challenges within the subject area.

K3: The candidate can use databases and search tools/engines to obtain relevant information about a subject, technique, or problem within the field.

Skills

S1: The candidate can conduct and present a larger scientific project within the field.

S2: The candidate can work independently in the laboratory, use standard laboratory equipment, modern instrumentation and classical techniques to conduct experiments.

S3: The candidate has knowledge of timely laboratory techniques and can apply them; such as cloning techniques, cell-tissue culture methods, methods to analyse metabolites, DNA, RNA, and proteins, immunological methods, microscopy, mass spectrometry, real-time PCR, isothermal micro-calorimetry, absorption- and fluorescence spectroscopy.

S4: The candidate understands the aim of various analytical methods, can conduct experiments and document and analyse results.

S5: The candidate has knowledge of appropriate procedures for keeping healthy and secure conditions in a laboratory.

S6: The candidate is able to communicate research results both orally and in written form in a precise way using scientific terminology.

General Competence

G1: The candidate has developed a general competence/expertise within biochemistry/biotechnology/bioinformatics/molecular biology/biomedical sciences, and how environmental factors influence organisms and their physiology.

G2: The candidate has the ability to reflect over central ethical and scientific issues in relation to her/his own and others’ work.

G3: The candidate is capable of developing new competence/ expertise within the field’s subject areas and contribute to innovation processes within these areas.

Career prospects

Candidates qualify for work in various research and industrial companies, within a wide range of positions. This can be public and private research institutions, laboratories, hospitals, aquaculture, oil industry, food processing, academic institutions, or consulting service.

Graduates with a strong academic record can also qualify for a PhD position in Molecular Biology or related research area at The University of Stavanger, other universities in Norway or overseas.

Course assessment

Schemes for quality assurance and evaluation of studies are stipulated in Quality System for Education.