CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The overall goal of this master is to give students a solid foundation and an advanced knowledge in emerging areas of Cell and Molecular Biology. After the course, students will be able to:

• Explain and describe the fundamental processes in cell and molecular biology, how they take place and are controlled;
• Integrate the acquired knowledge from a whole perspective on cell mechanisms, at biochemical, physiological and molecular levels;
• Use basic laboratory skills in molecular biology and cell biology;
• Communicate and work efficiently in a team, prepare and give a scientific presentation, and organize their work according to an agreed time plan;
• Demonstrate capacity to analyze and comment pertinent scientific information;
• Demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research;
• Demonstrate an ability to identify his/her need to constantly update and for life-long learning.

OBJECTIVES

• To promote the excellence of advanced formation in emerging areas of Cell and Molecular Biology, through advanced research-oriented training in the modern knowledge frontiers;
• To create conditions for the student to acquire the capacity to conceive, plan and develop scientific research;
• To prepare strong Ph.D. candidates who are well trained and that can be competitive and confident in performing research in international settings;
• To increase the student’s awareness for the possible professional opportunities that a master can offer outside the academic area, as well as the relevance of the knowledge gained as far as social, cultural and technological progress are concerned.

STRUCTURE

The cycle of studies leading to the Master’s degree in Cell and Molecular Biology is composed by:

• a Specialization (1st year) composed by an organized set of curricular units corresponding to 60 ECTS credits. It confers a Specialization in Cellular and Molecular Biology;
• a curricular unit Thesis Project/Internship Project, with 3 ECTS credits, and an original scientific Dissertation or a Professional Internship with a final report, which corresponds to 57 of the total 120 ECTS credits, whose public defense may award the Master’s degree in Cell and Molecular Biology.

STUDY PLAN

Click here to view the complete version of the latest curricular plan.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor degree or legal equivalent in the areas of Biology or Biochemistry;
• National or foreign higher academic degree that is recognized as satisfying the objectives of the Bachelor degree by the Scientific Council in the area of Biology or related areas (areas with a minimum of 97.5 ECTS credits in the scientific area of Biology).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Candidates who have a Bachelor’s degree in the area of ​​the study cycle, according to the criteria defined by the Scientific Committee of the Master, will be placed first.

Placing will be done according to the following criteria and subcriteria:

• Academic curriculum (area of ​​training and average obtained) (70%), subdivided into:
  • Sub-criterion 1: training area (35%)
  • Sub-criterion 2: grade average and adequacy (30%)
  • Sub-criterion 3: to hold another degree (licentiate / master’s degree) in the area of ​​formation of this Cycle of studies (5%)
• Scientific curriculum and professional experience (30%) subdivided into:
  • Sub-criterion 1: publications in international journals in the cycle of studies (10%)
  • Sub-criterion 2: participation in research projects, undergraduate studies in the area of ​​the study cycle, or professional experience in the area of ​​the study cycle duly proven (10%)
  • Sub-criterion 3: letter of motivation (10%)

Tiebreaker:
In the event of a tie, the Master’s committee may conduct an interview face-to-face or by videoconference.

Candidates who do not yet hold a Bachelor’s degree and/or have an academic, scientific or professional curriculum that is recognized as attesting to the ability to carry out this Master by the statutory scientific body, will be serialized according to the criteria and sub-criteria indicated above, but replacing the final grade point average by the weighted average of the curricular units performed.