Biological Chemistry - Master of Science Degree Programme

The master course is based on the Bachelor degree in Biological Chemistry or the Bachelor degree in Chemistry/Environmental Technology at the University of Stavanger, or equivalent studies from other teaching institutions (see ¿Entry requirements¿ below). The aim for the MSc course is to acquire skills in modern experimental methods to analyze and solve questions on the molecular and cellular level in biology and chemistry. Furthermore, the student will acquire profound knowledge and skills on a special subject, i.e. the master thesis. The student will learn to report and present scientific results.

Content and structure of the MSc course

The master course is a two-year programme with classroom teaching, laboratory courses, and a special research project. The research part is a 9-month full time project. The student will be supervised in his/her scientific work both in the laboratory and the report writing. The thesis will be handed in at the end of the fourth term.

The description of the different topics on the Internet has information regarding:

Literature

Working and teaching methods

Evaluation method

Topic evaluation method

Information regarding elective subjects

The subjects in the course combination (study plan) below are recommended subjects. However, other subjects may also be chosen.

Learning outcome

A candidate who has completed his or her qualification should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate has advanced knowledge within the area of biological chemistry/ molecular biology and specialized understanding within a limited area related to the candidate's thesis. Specialized subject areas will be within plant biochemistry/plant physiology, protein chemistry/enzymology, mathematical modeling/bioinformatics, gene- and biotechnology, biomedisine (especially related to Sjøgren's syndrome, Pakinson's disease and rectal cancer), industrial microbiology (related to food processing) as well as usage of advanced instrumentation/technology/methodology such as confocal microscopy, mass spectrometry, realtime PCR, biocalorimetry, transmission and scanning electron microscopy.

- has detailed knowledge about scientific theories and methods within biological chemistry

- is capable to apply knowledge within new areas of biological chemistry

- is capable to analyze subject-related problems in relation of biological chemistry's history, traditions, speciality, and placment within society.

Skills

The candidate can analyze existing theories, methods and interpretations within the program area and is able to solve problems independently both practically and theoretically.

- is capable to use relevant methods for research and development independently and critically

- is able to analyze different information sources and deal with them in a critical way and is able to formulate subject-related conclusions

- is capable to conduct a scientific investigation under supervision and write a research report in agreement with the norms, bith ethically and scientifically, related to the subject area.

General competence

The candidate can analyze relevant scientific and ethical problems

-can apply the obtained knowledge and skills within new areas to conduct advanced tasks and projects

- can disseminate own extensive work and is able to exercise the subject's special terminology

- can communicate scientific problems, analyses and conclusions within the subject area, both with experts and to laymen

- can contribute to originality and innovation within the subject area

Career prospects

Course assessment