Molecular Biomedicine

An MSc in Molecular Biomedicine enables you to do research within the field of biomedicine and to participate as a fully-fledged member of international research groups. The programme also provides you with the best foundation possible to continue your studies as a PhD student at world-leading universities and laboratories.

The programme is offered in English.

The curriculum is focused on experimental work with the molecular biology of human disease and is a joint effort between the two faculties of science and health, both on the same campus in Copenhagen.

During the two-year programme, the main focus will be on your independent laboratory work with a research project that runs for the duration of the programme. In addition, both compulsory and elective courses must be taken. The courses are running in parallel with the research project. Upon completion of the course programme, you will have the necessary background for stringent, scientific analysis of your own and other's experimental work.

Profile and Career

During the two-year MSc programme in Molecular Biomedicine, the main focus will be on your independent laboratory work with a research project that runs for the entire duration of the programme. This project gives you extensive knowledge on a particular field of experimentally based molecular biomedicine. The project also enables you to plan, execute and document laboratory experiments and to present the results in a professionally stringent way, both orally and in writing.

In addition to your research project, you have to follow both compulsory and elective courses. The courses are running in parallel with the laboratory project, and they extend your knowledge within molecular biology, pathophysiology, protein chemistry and cell biology. Upon completion of the course programme, you will have the necessary background for stringent, scientific analysis of your own and others' experimental work.

Career Opportunities

Our goal is to ensure that our graduates can participate as fully-fledged members of international biomedical research teams, and have the best possible training to continue with Phd studies at world-leading universities and laboratories. Thus, our graduates are also particularly well suited for jobs in in the biomedical industry, at hospitals and other research environments.

Master's thesis (60 ECTS credit points): You select a thesis supervisor, based on your own particular specific field of interest. In this process, you can seek the assistance of a master's advisor. After you have found a thesis supervisor, the two of you will formulate an independent research project that is part of the larger context in the supervisor's field of research.

The goal of your project will be to obtain new molecular biomedical insight in the particular field of study. You then join the supervisor's research group and laboratory, and remain associated with this group for the rest of your time in the master programme. During that time, you are expected to work in the laboratory whenever you are not busy with coursework.

You are also required to follow a number of courses during your master studies. Compulsory courses are in molecular pathology, bioinformatics and statistics. In addition, you must participate in elective courses totalling 30 ECTS credit points. Elective courses can cover such topics as bacterial pathogenesis or laboratory animal science, but you may also choose from a large number of courses offered throughout the University of Copenhagen (by many faculties)

As mentioned, all compulsory and many elective courses and exams are in English.

Programme structure:

Thesis: 60 ECTS
Electives: 30 ECTS
Compulsory courses: 30 ECTS:

• Theoretical Pathophysiology
• Statistics for Molecular Biomedicine
• Experimental Pathophysiology
• Bioinformatics of High Throughput Analyses

Methods of Teaching

Our academic year in Copenhagen is divided into 4 blocks. One block is nine weeks, and full time study in a block earns you 15 ECTS credit points.

Master's thesis

It is possible to do Master's thesis projects at a large number of molecular biology laboratories at the University of Copenhagen, at several research institutions and in the biomedical industry. The project work concludes with a written scientific report on the experimental work carried out (in English), and you present your findings at an oral exam that takes the form of a scientific defense, with 2 examiners responsible for questioning your results and conclusions.

Study Abroad

It is also possible to study abroad during your degree. You can choose to study abroad for one or two semesters or for a shorter period of time; e.g. take a summer school course.

(1) Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in molecular biomedicine from the University of Copenhagen may be admitted to the MSc programme.(2) Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Copenhagen may be admitted if their programme included min. 22.5 ECTS credits from courses in cell biology and 15 ECTS credits from courses in pathophysiology.(3) Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in medicine from the University of Copenhagen may be admitted if their programme included min. 30 ECTS credits from courses in molecular biology.(4) Applicants with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Copenhagen or other universities may be admitted to the MSc in molecular biomedicine if they have passed courses corresponding to min. 60 ECTS credits of formal classes in the fields of protein chemistry, cell biology, molecular biology and pathophysiology, of which min. 30 ECTS credits must be from courses in molecular biology. The applicant must also be able to provide documentation of relevant laboratory experience equivalent to min. 30 ECTS credits from courses, projects etc.(5) In addition, the Faculty may admit applicants who, after a thorough assessment, are deemed to possess educational qualifications equivalent to those required in (1)-(4).Prioritisation criteriaApplicants with Bachelor degrees in molecular biomedicine from the University of Copenhagen are guaranteed admission on the first MSc intake after graduation.Thereafter, applications will be prioritised according to ECTS credits in individual subjects. Each of the following subjects will be assessed individually until all applications have been prioritised:human/mammalian molecular biologyhuman/mammalian cellular biologyhuman/mammalian pathophysiologyprotein chemistryFinally, the extent of the applicant’s documented experience of relevant laboratory work will be assessed.Language RequirementsTo gain admission to an MSc in the English language, non-Danish applicants must document qualifications on par with the Danish secondary school ‘English level B'. The Faculty of Science accepts the following 3 ways of documenting this:English is your native language. The Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen, accepts The University of Purdue view that citizens of the following countries are exempted from taking an English Language Proficiency exam: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Dominica, Grand Cayman Islands, Grenada, Guyana, Irish Republic, Jamaica, Montserrat, New Zealand, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, & Wales and United States of AmericaIf you are citizen of one of the above countries, you are not required to submit any proof of English proficiency. Your copy of your passport will suffice as sufficient proof.Prior studies completed in the English language/in an English speaking country. For example, if you have studied your Bachelor degree in England you are not required to complete an English language proficiency exam. We ask such students to provide a signed statement from the Educational institution (with the institution's stamp on it) stating that English is the main language of instruction. Furthermore, applicants from Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland) do not need to provide proof of English language proficiency.Applicants with English as their second language (except Scandinavians) must pass an IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge Advanced English test before being admitted. The Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, accepts the following tests and scores:IELTS-test (British Council) with a minimum score of 6.5Computer-based TOEFL-test with a minimum score of 213 pointsPaper-based TOEFL-test with a minimum score of 560 pointsInternet-based TOEFL-test with a min score of 83 pointsLanguage tests older than 2 years are not accepted (from the application deadline) English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 560 TOEFL iBT® test: 83

The Faculty of Science will not be awarding any scholarships for the academic year 2014/2015.

Please note that many scholarships are offered by companies or organisations, it can be worthwhile to research your particular options from your home country.