Master of Science in Biological Chemistry

The MSc programme in Biological Chemistry focuses on important areas of human, animal, and plant health, from the organismal to the molecular and cellular level.

Updated on
About the programme
Duration

2 years (4 semesters)

Language of instruction

English

ECTS credits

120

Start of studies

August every year

Photo: Tia Tidwell

Our world is facing major challenges, and sustainable solutions will be central to our future development.  Do you want to contribute to solving today's and tomorrow's challenges? This is your opportunity to get a a deeper understanding of the limitations and opportunities that lie within the world of biology. In the first year, you will receive a solid foundation in core courses that prepare you for the second year, which consists of a nine-month real research project. During your research project, you can choose to work in one of the laboratories at the University of Stavanger, with the public sector or in the private sector.  

By the end of the programme, you will have acquired practical and theoretical skills in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and protein biochemistry. You will also get experience with many analytical techniques and research methods. Furthermore, you get skills in presenting scientific results.  

This course is designed so that Norwegian and international students' study together. The lectures are therefore in English.  

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.

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 (PDF)

Study plan and courses

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

  • Electives or exchange studies 2nd semester - 30 points

    • Courses at UiS 2nd semester

      • Recommended electives

      • Other elective course

        • Environmental Biotechnology and Bioprocessmodeling

          Year 1, semester 2

          Environmental Biotechnology and Bioprocessmodeling (MLJ640)

          Study points: 10

    • Exchange 2nd semester

Application and admission

Student life at UiS

Meet our former students

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: Alina Fandieieva.

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

Higher Executive Officer
51832125
Faculty of Science and Technology
Faculty Administration TN
Kontor for utdanningsadministrative tjenester
Professor
51834493
Faculty of Science and Technology
Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering