Introduction
Molecular Medicine is a growing field that strives to understand normal body functioning and pathogenesis at the cellular and molecular levels, allowing researchers to use that knowledge in the design of specific tools for disease diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention.
Within this field, a biomarker is a characteristic at the cellular or molecular level that can be objectively measured as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes or as a pharmacological response to a therapeutic intervention.
For example, the molecule PSA is a known biomarker for preliminary diagnosis of prostate cancer.
At the University of Skövde, we offer "Biomarkers in Molecular Medicine", a Master's programme in which you will learn how to identify, verify and validate biomarkers in Molecular Medicine by the use of different Systems Biology methods.
The master’s programme starts in the autumn semester. It is offered in two academic years (four semesters).
The focus of your studies
The programme involves in-depth research-oriented studies in the areas of Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology. Independent laboratory work and computer-based analysis of experimental biological data are prominent parts of the studies. During the first part of the programme, you will study advanced courses in Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics.
In the next part of the programme, you will continue with advanced courses in Systems Biology, Expression Analysis, Multivariate Analysis, Next Generation Sequencing, and Biomarkers – analysis of data. The focus during this part is an analysis of experimental biological data, mainly to identify, verify and validate biomarkers in Molecular Medicine, by the use of different Systems Biology methods. By using multivariate techniques, you will also learn how to combine biomarkers to diagnose diseases.
The programme is concluded with a master's degree project work (45 credits) during the last year. During the project work, you will expand your theoretical and laboratory knowledge and solve a relevant research problem in Systems Biology (with a focus on Biomarkers in Molecular Medicine). The project work is performed individually under the direction of a qualified supervisor at the University of Skövde, at one of our fifteen partner companies, or externally at another university or company.
Upon completion of your studies
After completing the programme you can for example work in pharmaceutical companies or at hospitals. You can also continue with Ph.D. studies or another kind of research at governmental and private research laboratories.
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Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the program a Bachelor’s Degree (equivalent to a Swedish Bachelor’s Degree) with a major in the biological or medical area is required. The biological area can be defined as e.g. Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology or Physiology. The medical area is here defined as Biomedicine but can also include subjects like Pharmacology.
A further requirement is proof of skills in English equivalent of studies at upper secondary level in Sweden known as English course 6 / English course B. This is normally demonstrated by means of an internationally recognized test, e g IELTS or TOEFL or the equivalent.
