Master's Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences: Molecular Biotechnology and Diagnostics

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Master the exciting field of biotechnology!

The Master's Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences – Molecular Biotechnology and Diagnostics specialisation track will equip you for a career in the exciting field of biotechnology and translation research.

Through the programme in Molecular Biotechnology and Diagnostics you will obtain extensive theoretical and practical expertise on central concepts and techniques in modern molecular biotechnology and diagnostics.

You will also learn to apply the acquired knowledge in practice for the development of novel tools and methods for the detection of molecular substances. The education is focused on the key technologies of diagnostics and molecular biology with opportunities to apply this knowledge both to medical and other areas of diagnostics.

After graduation, you will be equipped with skills that enable you to join the industry, to pursue a career as a scientist, or to enter the public sector. In addition, the curriculum also gives a good foundation for those interested in entrepreneurship.

Programme Structure

The specialisation track Molecular Biotechnology and Diagnostic is a two-year programme of 120 ECTS credits. The curriculum is comprised of study modules:

• Molecular Biotechnology (20 ECTS)
• Diagnostics (20 ECTS)
• Practical exercises (20 ECTS)
• Master’s thesis and related courses (40 ECTS)
• Other studies including mandatory language studies (20 ECTS)

Major subject studies are track-specific but can be offered as selectable studies for all the study tracks of MDB in Biomedical Sciences. Each student makes a personal study plan which helps to select the courses that best suit for personal interests and background of the student.

Academic Excellence & Experience

Focus areas of research in the Molecular Biotechnology and Diagnostics studies are novel diagnostic concepts and technologies. The studies focus also on diagnostics applications in various areas such as medicine, environmental and food quality monitoring. Other research topics of importance include:

• Antibody and protein engineering.
• Fluorescence marker technologies.
• Nucleic acid detection techniques.
• Biomarker discovery.
• Development related to both communicable and non-communicable diseases of global importance.

Master's Thesis & Topics

The final project aiming for the Master’s thesis is based on an independent, experimental research project in a laboratory. The research work is made under the guidance of a supervisor.

The results obtained in the research project will be presented in a Master’s seminar using common procedures known from scientific meetings.

The Master’s thesis will be written based on the results from the experimental work and a review of relevant background literature.

Examples of thesis topics:

• Effect of codon usage of signal sequence on Fab fragment expression.
• Antibody Expression, Purification and Assay development for the detection of Malaria.
• Colorectal cancer specific CEA lectin nanoparticle assay.
• Lateral flow assay platform for infectious disease diagnostics.
• Utilization of skeletal Troponin I recognizing binders in immunoassay.
• Enhanced cancer-specificity of tumour markers by lectin-labelled nanoparticles.

Biomedical Sciences At Turku Universities

Turku has longstanding research traditions in the field of biomedicine. Especially the fields of drug discovery, diagnostics, and biological and medical imaging represent the top-level expertise of the University of Turku.

The Molecular Biotechnology and Diagnostics specialisation track is part of the Master’s Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences. The close co-operation of four specialisation tracks forms a unique educational combination of biomedical sciences in Finland and worldwide. Other specialisation tracks of the Master’s Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences are:

• Biomedical Imaging
• Drug Discovery and Development
• Medicinal and Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry

The Master’s Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences is organised in collaboration with two universities, the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University and managed together by the Faculties of Medicine, and Science and Engineering at the University of Turku.

The offered education is based on the true research strengths of the participating units:

• Department of Chemistry at the University of Turku
• Institute of Biomedicine at the University of Turku
• Department of Biochemistry at the University of Turku
• Department of Biosciences at the Åbo Akademi University

Competence Description

In the Programme, you will:

• Learn state-of-the-art and emerging techniques in modern molecular biotechnology serving the medical and other diagnostics fields.
• Gain the ability to apply the acquired knowledge in practice to create novel bio affinity tools and platforms.
• Gain in-depth knowledge of infectious diseases, cardiac and cancer diagnostics.
• Gain in-depth knowledge of biomarker discovery, proof-of-concept building and clinical validation.
• Learn the prerequisites for translating novel technologies into routine applications.
• Gain skills for co-operation in a multi-language laboratory environment.

Job Options

Molecular Biotechnology and Diagnostics specialisation track has close connections to the diagnostic and biopharmaceutical industry. Numerous industrial collaborators include both Finnish and major international players. An important partner in the development of the educational and research collaborations is the Indo-Finn Diagnostic Research Centre.

You will be equipped with skills that provide you with multiple career options. You will be able to join the industry in Finland or abroad, or to enter the public sector, for example, in various authoritative duties.

The biotech industry is among the fastest-growing industrial sectors globally. In Finland, there is a strong demand for biotechnology experts at the moment. Especially the diagnostic industry, which is the largest sector of the biotech industry in Finland, needs new professionals. The education in Molecular Biotechnology and Diagnostics also provides a good foundation for those interested in entrepreneurship.

Possible job titles are:

• Researcher
• Quality manager
• Product developer
• Product manager
• Project coordinator

Career in Research

The Master of Science degree completed in the Programme qualifies the graduates for PhD studies in Turku, elsewhere in Finland or universities worldwide.

Graduates from the programme are eligible to apply for a position in the University of Turku Graduate School, UTUGS. The Graduate School consists of doctoral programmes, which cover all disciplines and doctoral candidates of the University.

Together with the doctoral programmes, the Graduate School provides systematic and high-quality doctoral training. UTUGS aims to train highly qualified experts with the skills required for both professional career in research and other positions of expertise.

Several doctoral programmes at University of Turku are available for graduates:

• Drug Research
• Molecular Life Sciences
• Molecular Medicine
• Clinical Research

Entry Requirements

General Admission Requirements

General Requirement

You are an eligible applicant for Master’s-level studies if:

• you have a nationally recognized first cycle degree – normally a Bachelor’s degree – from an accredited institution of higher education,
• your degree corresponds to at least 180 ECTS (European credits) or to three years of full-time study,
• your degree is in a relevant field for the Master’s degree programme that you’re applying to. Please check the programme page for detailed degree requirements.

Language Requirements

Applicants must have excellent English language skills and a certificate that proves those skills. You can indicate your language skills by taking one of the internationally recognized English language tests.

Applicants must reach the minimum required test results to be considered eligible to the University of Turku. No exceptions will be made. Read more about the language requirements here.

Track-specific Admission Requirements

The degree on the basis of which you are applying to the MDP in Biomedical Sciences must be in a relevant field of study. For the Molecular Biotechnology and Diagnostics track such fields are:

• Biomedical sciences
• Molecular biosciences
• Biochemistry
• Other life sciences
• Chemistry
• Engineering

The applicants should also be familiar with the basics of laboratory practice.

You may apply to maximum two of the four specialization fields offered at the Master’s Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences. The choices must be prioritized.

Application Evaluation

Yearly 40 students will be admitted to the Master's Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences.

Applications are evaluated by the admission committee of the Master’s Degree Programme. The applicant is scored separately for each track s/he is applying to. The admission committee also may interview the best-scoring applicants in each specialisation track. The interview invitations will be sent by e-mail. If the applicant cannot be reached for the possible interview, the application will not be processed further.

It is possible to have only one Bachelor’s or Master’s study right at the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Therefore, when accepting an offered study place, the student will lose any previous BSc. or MSc. study right at the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Here you will find more information on how and when to apply to the University of Turku and about our scholarships options.