In the master curriculum, and in particular by preparing their master thesis, the students deepen and specialise their knowledge and skills in the area of molecular life sciences. A particular emphasis of the program is to involve the students actively in research projects. The degree of „Master of Science (M Sc) in Molecular Life Sciences“ can lead to an employment in industrial, governmental and research settings or to a further education, e.g. to PhD studies.

Access  

The master program is open to students holding a B Sc degree of the University of Bern in Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or Chemistry and Molecular Sciences or to students holding equivalent B Sc degrees from Swiss or foreign Universities. Graduates from other programs may also apply, but their qualifications will need to be evaluated and additional learning requirements may be imposed.

Graduates from the above-mentioned B Sc programs of the University of Bern are admitted directly via the regular M Sc thesis selection process.

All other candidates must follow the process described in the admission page. An evaluation of their study documents will reveal whether they can enter the program directly or whether they first need to complete one of the three B Sc degrees mentioned.

Requirements

The master program has a workload of 90 ECTS points. It can be completed by full-time students in 3 (to maximally 5) semesters and is structured as follows:

• 30 ECTS points in formal learning units
  (15 from the selected specialisation area and another 15 from a wider list of learning units, including those of the entire master program and certain units of the BSc programs mentioned).

• 60 ECTS points in form of a master thesis
  This research work is carried out in one of the research groups of the selected specialisation area. 

When a student makes a major shift in specialisation between the B Sc and M Sc programs, he/she may be obliged to fulfill additional learning requirements (up to 60 ECTS points; see annex to study plan (pdf, 81 KB)). These consist of an individualised selection of learning units from one or several of the underlying B Sc programs.