Master of Science in Biological Chemistry

Do you want to work in the forefront of cell biology, environmental adaptation of plants and microorganisms, cancer research, computational biology and synthetic organic chemistry? As student at the University of Stavanger, you will become a part of research groups targeting these fields.

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About the programme
Duration

2 years (4 semesters)

Language of instruction

English

ECTS credits

120

Start of studies

August every year

Biologisk kjemi partikler

The first semester in the Master program in Biological Chemistry, the students will attend compulsory courses. Upon starting the second semester, the students will choose between elective courses.

A substantial feature of this Master's programme is a nine month research project (thesis), where the students have the opportunity to perform their MSc project in one of the labs at the University of Stavanger, collaborators in the public sector or in a lab in the private industry sector.

By the end of the programme the students will have acquired practical and theoretical skills in molecular biology, practical bioinformatics, protein biochemistry or organic chemistry. They will also have experience in various analytical techniques and research methods, and get training in the presentation of scientific results.

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.

Interview with former students

Learning outcomes

All study programmes at the UiS have a set of defined learning targets. Read more about the learning outcome for this study programme.

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.

Academic 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.

Supplementary rules for admission

Application and admission

Deadlines

and other admission requirements

Frequently asked questions

See some of the most common questions about this study programme.

Which student organizations can I join?
KIS is the organization if you are studying a bachelor's or master's degree in chemistry, biological chemistry or a master's degree in environmental engineering.

How do I find my way around campus?
Our electronic map solution (MazeMap) takes you straight to the room or auditorium you are looking for! The map also contains other important information about buildings and outdoor spaces.

Does UiS have an overview of laboratories and lab equipment? What kind of microscope is there?
The URLabs platform gives you a good overview of what equipment is available in the various laboratories at UiS. Here you can also book an appointment and review manuals and videos about the various tools.

Study plan and courses

Already a student? Find the full study programme description and study plan here

Student exchange

By going on exchange to one of our partner institutions abroad as part of your studies, you will have an opportunity to get a unique education. In addition to improving your career opportunities, you grow as a person and gain the ability to greater reflect on the topics you study as part of your degree. All about 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: Hege Bakken.

 

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.

Contact

Førstekonsulent
51831111
Faculty of Science and Technology
Faculty Administration TN
Kontor for utdanningsadministrative tjenester
Professor i biologisk kjemi
51834493
Faculty of Science and Technology
Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering
Our department

Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering

The department is focused on research, innovation, and education in the natural and life sciences.

The Department of Chemistry, Bioscience, and Environmental Technology is part of the Faculty of Science and Technology.

The department has the following three main missions: Research, Innovation, and Education. 

Research activities are broad ranging from synthetic chemistry to molecular biology. The department aims at being a partner in regional, national and international research, and holds facilities with state of the art equipment for cross-disciplinary research collaborations.

Innovation is key in the technical sciences. The department strives towards new ways of thinking, the development of new methodologies and being up to date on current research within our fields of interest.

Education represents the cornerstone in society. In research and in life, ignorance is not a virtue. The department aims to provide first-class education from undergraduate to postgraduate research training. We are also involved in public outreach activities, informing the general public of our research and educational areas.  

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