Biological Chemistry - Master of Science Degree Programme

Introduction:

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. The aim for the program 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, structure and composition of the program

Master of Science in Biological Chemistry 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 in the report writing. The thesis will be handed in at the end of the fourth term.

The course descriptions on the web informs about:

• Literature
• Working and teaching methods
• Evaluation method
• Topic evaluation method

Information regarding elective subjects

All elective courses may not be taught each year. The subjects in the course combination (study plan) below are recommended subjects. However, other subjects may also be approved on application.

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

K1: The candidate has acquired advanced knowledge within the basic subject areas of biological chemistry/molecular biology, and specialized knowledge within a focused area in connection with her/his master thesis work. Specialized subject areas include plant biochemistry/plant physiology, protein chemistry/enzymology, mathematical modeling/ bioinformatics, gene technology, biotechnology, biomedicine (especially related to Sjøgren's syndrome, Parkinson's disease, gene repair/cancer, forensic medicine), industrial microbiology (related to food processing), transmission- and scanning electron microscopy, NMR spectroscopy.

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 problems 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 under supervision plan, conduct and present a larger scientific project within the field biological chemistry/ molecular biology.

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 to timely laboratory techniques and can apply them, such as cloning techniques, cell-tissue culture methods, methods to analyze metabolites, DNA, RNA, and proteins, immunological methods (Western blotting), microscopy, mass spectrometry, Realtime PCR, isothermal micro-calorimetry, absorption- and fluorescence spectroscopy.

S4: The candidate is able to understand the aim of various analytical methods, conduct experiments and document and analyze results.

S5: The candidate has knowledge to the correct procedures for keeping proper health, security and environment conditions in a laboratory.

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

General Competence

G1: The candidate has developed a general competence/expertise within chemistry/biochemistry, biotechnology/bioinformatics/molecular biology, biomedicine 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 should be capable to develop new competence/ expertise within the field's subject areas and contribute to innovation processes within these areas.

Career prospects

Course assessment