Cell and molecular biology
Cell & molecular biology
The cells are the smallest units of all living organisms. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the function, reproduction and communication of cells is fundamental for the understanding of multi-cellular animals and plants. Molecular biology is a basic tool in modern biology that provides you with knowledge of the biological systems at the molecular level.
The combination of cell and molecular biology in this specialisation permits you to develop a deep insight into biological systems, from molecular interactions at the subatomic level to complex systems and their interactions in cells and organelles.
Information about the specialisation
There is a joint starting course for the specialisations in Cell and Molecular Biology and Immunology and Microbiology. The course name is Trends in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, reflecting that it should build on knowledge from bachelor studies and cover modern applications of molecular biology. The starting course also contains a general introduction to the master programme. Thereafter, courses such as RNA: structure, function and biology, Structure and function of macromolecules or Genes, brain and behaviour can be chosen.
In the second mandatory course Molecular Cell Biology 15 hp (first course in spring term) you will delve much deeper into the structure and function of the cell. In this course the lectures will be intertwined with the seminars and laboratory exercises to give you an overall knowledge about cells and cellular processes, and how to work with cells. Together with some of your classmates you will choose a topic for deeper studies and present and discuss this topic at a symposium concluding the course.
Your choice of different course combinations in addition to these two courses will permit you to prepare for you thesis work as well as a career outside the university during your master studies.
During the second year you can choose additional courses or combine a research training period and a degree project of 30 or 45 hp credit points.
Specialisation content
Career opportunities
The master’s degree is an entry port for Ph.D. training in Sweden as well as abroad. Your most important merit in that respect is your degree project. With a careful choice of the courses and topic for your degree project you will leave this program with a solid theoretical knowledge regarding molecular processes in cell as well as practical knowledge of the methods you need to study them.
Most likely your primary work area will be in research and development in academia or industry, for instance in pharmaceutical industry and biotechnical industry, forensic medicine, diagnostics and agriculture industry. The training provided in applying solid theoretical knowledge to applied problems and projects, accounting for projects and studies orally and in writing, and being able to work in projects both individually and in groups, is valuable in all these areas of work.
Contact
Programme director: Anssi Laurila (master@ibg.uu.se)
For questions concerning application and admission: Fredrik Sundström (master@ibg.uu.se)