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Medical Biotechnology – (M.Sc.)
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
School of Biotechnology (BIO)| Application Deadline: | January 16 | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | Free - ≈ € 16,180 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Stockholm / Sweden / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 24 months | Start Date: | August |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 120 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of KTH Royal Institute of Technology
The Master´s Programme in Medical Biotechnology aims to give a deep understanding of the biotechnological tools used in molecular biology with an emphasis on medical applications. The goal is to give a unique education where technology, biology and chemistry are combined to give a background for employment in the biotechnological- and pharmaceutical industries both in Sweden and internationally.
The programme contains courses presenting the latest techniques used within the field of genomics and proteomics, for analysis of cellular function on the DNA, RNA and protein level. Courses in bioinformatics are also included, which explain how to use computer-based methods to handle large quantities of biological data to be able to extract important information such as novel disease markers. The programme also contains courses describing how the three-dimensional structure of proteins are determined and how they are related to protein function. A course explaining how drugs are developed from the discovery of an active molecule to the final drug is also included.
The Master´s Programme in Medical Biotechnology will be organised by the School of Biotechnology.
Career prospect
The combination of technology, biology and chemistry taught in the Medical Biotechnology programme gives an attractive profile for a professional career in the biotechnological- and pharmaceutical industry or for further academic studies.
The biotechnological and pharmaceutical areas in Sweden are distinguished by intense research and an active industry. The Swedish labour market within these areas employs around 50000 persons of which half are located in the Stockholm- Uppsala region. These areas are characterized by a few large and several small companies and are among the fastest growing areas in Sweden. A master in Medical Biotechnology gives several opportunities for a career in companies involved in manufacturing of drugs, medical analyses, diagnostics and a lot more. Other career opportunities can be found in academic research, patent agencies, finance, research politics or as a journalist or consultant.
Contents
This two-year programme (120 ECTS) consists of courses at second cycle for 90 ECTS courses followed by a degree project, second level of 30 ECTS. The mandatory courses comprise 44 ECTS during the first academic year and 42 ECTS (of which the degree project, second level is 30 ECTS) during the second academic year. There is also a conditionally elective course (7,5 ECTS) during the second year. The rest of the ECTS to reach 120 should be chosen by the students from the list of recommended courses but some may also be chosen from elsewhere.
Course overview
* Genetics and genomics 10 credits
A basic knowledge of genetics is important to be able to efficiently use biotechnological tools. The genetics part of the course will give an overview of genetic variation between different organisms and explain how genetic variation arises, is inherited and develops from an evolutionary perspective. In the genomics part of the course, the fundamentals of functional genomics are taught. This part of the course will give a detailed picture of the recent advances in the analysis of whole genomes (genomics) and the analysis of total mRNA expression in different cells (transcriptomics).
* Industrial Management 6 credits
The goal of this course is to give theoretical knowledge as well as practical tools for the management of industrial organizations. Further, the course will describe how industrial organizations are structured, with a special emphasis on the biotechnological industry.
* Bioinformatics and biostatistics 7 credits
The bioinformatics part of the course will describe different types of biological data, where they originate from and the strengths and weaknesses they may have. Furthermore, both local and publically available databases will be presented and the use of common software to extract important information from them will be taught. The biostatistics part of the course will present the most important statistical tests to determine if a finding is significant and the strength or weaknesses the tests may have. After completing this course the student should be able to understand statistical analyses and critically evaluate the results. The student should also be able to perform such tests on experimental data and argue about strengths and weaknesses in the analyses.
* Structural biology 7,5 credits
The main goal is to teach the basics about three-dimensional structures of biological macromolecules (proteins and nucleic acids) and how the structure is related to function. An introduction to the determination of three-dimensional structures is also included in this course. The teaching is interactive to increase and deepen the students understanding of three-dimensional structures and the structure-function relationship. This means that the lectures are followed by computer simulations where the structure of a number of biological macromolecules is studied in detail.
* Scientific theory and research methodology, 7.5 credits
The course provides an introduction to the theory and methodology of science and is intended for the Master student or beginning PhD student. One aim is to supply the basic concepts needed for placing the techniques and knowledge acquired in the student’s other courses in the wider context of the natural sciences. Another aim is to provide the basic intellectual tools that allow for a reasoned and critical assessment of results and methods from the wide variety of disciplines that the student is likely to encounter during his or her continued career in research and/or in professional life.
The course is given by Division of Philosophy at KTH. 4.5 hp of this course is common for all the KTH’s programmes and 3 hp of the course is program specific.
* Proteomics 6 credits
This course focuses on different methods, technologies and strategies that are currently used in proteomics (for example to study all proteins expressed by a particular cell type). The lectures will give a theoretical background and explain current applications for classical methods such as 2D-gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Recently developed strategies based on antibody production in large scale, analysis of whole genomes, bioinformatics and structural biochemistry will also be included.
* Molecular Biomedicine 7,5 credits
The aim of the course is to provide the student with an overview of the use of molecular technologies in medicine. Invited lectures will present recent scientific achievements in infectious and complex diseases including cancer. After completing this course, the students should be able to: describe current technological trends in medical applications, discuss research trends in different diseases, suggest suitable technological approach for a molecular investigation of a disease, participate in a scientific discussion relating to biomedicine and critically evaluate the results from scientific publications.
* Drug development 6 credits
After completing this course the students should be able to describe the process of developing drugs and relate the different aspects of this process to each other. The aspects include for example to define important concepts, to indicate which types of studies are included and to describe which methods are used in the process. Further, the course aims to explain how administration, absorption, distribution and elimination influence the dosing of drugs, their equilibrium concentrations and how to draw dose-response curves for different types of ligands.
After completing this course the student should also have knowledge about which indications are commercially important, describe the common classes of drug targets and to make an analysis of why these areas are important. The student should also be able to describe and compare different classic strategies for generation of drug substances and strategies using combinatorial libraries. In addition, the student should also be able to identify important differences between different classes of substances (proteins, peptides and small organic molecules) based on pharmacokinetics, production, safety and use.
Degree project
Degree project, in Biotechnology, second level, 30 ECTS. Choice may be made of one of the available thesis projects at the School of Biotechnology
IELTS
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
Take testRequirements
General admission requirements
The general requirements are the same for all applicants to advanced level studies in Sweden.
1. Previous studies
A completed Bachelor's degree.
A completed Bachelor's degree, corresponding to a Swedish Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS), or equivalent academic qualifications from an internationally recognised university.
2. Language requirements
Applicants must provide proof of their English language proficiency which is most commonly established through an internationally recognised test.
TOEFL
* Paper-based test: total result of 575 (written test, grade 4.5)
* Internet-based test: total result of 90 (written test, grade 20)
English test results from TOEFL should be sent directly from the ETS test centre to University Studies in Sweden (code 9520).
IELTS
* A minimum overall mark of 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic Training accepted)
University of Cambridge/ University of Oxford Certificates
* Certificate of Advanced English
* Certificate of Proficiency
* Diploma of English Studies
GCE O-level
Minimum grade C.
Upper secondary education:
In some cases English proficiency can be fulfilled from upper secondary education, for example a German Abitur with English as first foreign language "Grundstufe" (ausreichend at least 5/15) or "Leistungsfach" or French students who have taken English as LV 1 in Série L (littéraire) Langue Vivante or Sèrie ES, Langue Vivante.
In most cases the requirement of English proficiency is fulfilled if you have studied English for eight years up to upper secondary education. Proof thereof must be enclosed in your application.
English proficiency tests are waived for the following:
* Students with a Bachelor's degree from a university where English is the only language of instruction, in accordance with the recommendations in the edition of the International Handbook of Universities that was current the year the degree was awarded.
* Students with a Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen) where English is the main subject.
* Students with a Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen) in Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Applications, Medicine, Pharmacy, Science or Technology from India or Pakistan.
* Students with 30 higher education (HE) credits from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland where the language of instruction of the course is English. The language of instruction must be clearly stated on official documents.
* Students with 30 higher education (HE) credits from Great Britain, Ireland, Malta, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, or English speaking parts of Canada. The language of instruction must be clearly stated on official documents.
* Students with a formal transcript or degree certificate where it is clearly stated that the language of instruction was English. Other documentation regarding language of instruction will not be accepted.
Specific admission requirements
Courses in cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology and gene technology/molecular biology corresponding to a total of at least 20 higher education credit, courses in chemistry of at least 30 higher education credits, as well as courses in mathematics, numerical analysis and computer science corresponding to a total of at least 20 higher education credits.
Selection process
The selection process for the Medical biotechnology programme is based on a total evaluation of the following criteria: university, grade point average (GPA), courses relevant to the programme, motivation letter, relevant work experience, references and English proficiency.
Required documents
All applications must be supported by documentation including Transcripts of Records, Degree certificate/Diploma, proof of English proficiency etc.
In addition, the following set of documents is required for the Master's programme in Medical Biotechnology:
* Curriculum Vitae
* Letter of motivation
* Letters of recommendation
* Relevant work experience, if any
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.5 |
| TOEFL Paper-based: | 575 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 90 |
Ask a Question
You can contact Torbjorn Graslund to ask a question about Medical Biotechnology at KTH Royal Institute of Technology.
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