Biological Chemistry - Master of Science Degree Programme


Study programme description for study year 2024-2025

Facts

Credits (ECTS)

120

Studyprogram code

M-BIOENG

Level

Master's degree (2 years)

Leads to degree

Master of Science

Full-/Part-time

Full-time

Duration

4 Semesters

Undergraduate

No

Language of instruction

English

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.

Study plan and courses

  • Compulsory courses

  • Electives or exchange studies 2nd semester - 30 points

    • Courses at UiS 2nd semester

      • Recommended electives

      • Other elective course

        • MLJ640: Environmental Biotechnology and Bioprocessmodeling

          Year 1, semester 2

          Environmental Biotechnology and Bioprocessmodeling (MLJ640)

          Study points: 10

    • Exchange 2nd semester

Student exchange

Schedule for the exchange

Students can go on a study abroad experience during the 2nd semester of the master's programme in Biological Chemistry.

During the exchange semester you should choose courses related to your field of study. The courses you want to take abroad must be approved by the department. It is important that the courses from abroad do not overlap with courses you have already taken.

More opportunities

In addition to the recommended universities listed below, The University of Stavanger has a number of agreements with universities outside Europe that are applicable to all students at The University of Stavanger, provided that they find a relevant subject offering. Within the Nordic region, all students can use the Nordlys and Nordtek networks.

Find out more: https://www.uis.no/en/outbound-exchange-network-and-agreements

Contact your study adviser at the Faculty if you have questions about guidance and pre-approval of courses: Alina Fandieieva.

General questions about exchange:

Go to the exchange guide in the Digital student service desk

Student exchange

  • All countries

    Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg

    Spend your exchange studies at the University of Oldenburg and discover Germany's charming Northwest.

    Ghent University

    Grip muligheten til å studere ved ett av de beste universitetene midt i Europa. Ghent University ligg sentralt til i Belgia, i den vakre historiske byen Gent, kun 30 min fra Brussel, Antwerpen og Brygge.

    University of Otago

    Oseania er mer enn Australia. Hva med et studieopphold på New Zealand? University of Otago er New Zealands eldste og ledende forskningsuniversitet. Universitetet ble grunnlagt i 1869 og er internasjonalt anerkjent. Campus ligger i sentrum av den livlige og multikulturelle studentbyen Dunedin sør på New Zealand.

    University of Twente, Enschede

    Opplev Europa og det internasjonale studiemiljøet i Nederland. University of Twente er UiS` partneruniversitet i ECIU-nettverket og tilbyr utvekslingsmuligheter for mange studenter ved UiS. Det er et moderne og innovativt campus-universitet som satser stort på entreprenørskap.

    University of Ulm

    Universitetet i Ulm ble grunnlagt i 1967 og ligger i den tyske delstaten Baden-Württemberg ved Donau, så både beliggenhet og fagtilbud gjør dette universitetet til et attraktivt studiested.

  • Belgia

    Ghent University

    Grip muligheten til å studere ved ett av de beste universitetene midt i Europa. Ghent University ligg sentralt til i Belgia, i den vakre historiske byen Gent, kun 30 min fra Brussel, Antwerpen og Brygge.

  • Nederland

    University of Twente, Enschede

    Opplev Europa og det internasjonale studiemiljøet i Nederland. University of Twente er UiS` partneruniversitet i ECIU-nettverket og tilbyr utvekslingsmuligheter for mange studenter ved UiS. Det er et moderne og innovativt campus-universitet som satser stort på entreprenørskap.

  • New Zealand

    University of Otago

    Oseania er mer enn Australia. Hva med et studieopphold på New Zealand? University of Otago er New Zealands eldste og ledende forskningsuniversitet. Universitetet ble grunnlagt i 1869 og er internasjonalt anerkjent. Campus ligger i sentrum av den livlige og multikulturelle studentbyen Dunedin sør på New Zealand.

  • Tyskland

    Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg

    Spend your exchange studies at the University of Oldenburg and discover Germany's charming Northwest.

    University of Ulm

    Universitetet i Ulm ble grunnlagt i 1967 og ligger i den tyske delstaten Baden-Württemberg ved Donau, så både beliggenhet og fagtilbud gjør dette universitetet til et attraktivt studiested.

Admission requirements

A bachelor´s degree within one of the following disciplines is required:
- Biological Chemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry

The degree must include at least:
- 90 ECTS credits in chemistry and molecular biology/biology
- 10 ECTS credits in mathematics/statistics/calculus

Admission to this master's programme requires a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (according to ECTS Standards) in your bachelor's degree. Applicants with a result Second-class lower Division or lower are not qualified for admission.

Contact information

Faculty of Science and Technology, telephone (+47) 51 83 17 00, E-mail: post-tn@uis.no

Study Adviser: Alina Fandieieva