Descrizione della formazione

The Master of Science in Molecular Life Sciences is intended for students who are fascinated about the exploration of life at the molecular level.

This Master's programme provides in-depth teaching of current knowledge in genomics, molecular genetics, cellular, developmental and organismal biology – spanning studies of humans and other animals, plants and microorganisms – and the experimental and computational approaches used to acquire this knowledge.

One practical course, allows the sudents to sequence the genomes of microorganisms, providing the opportunity to learn state-of-the-art sequencing techniques and acquire skills in genome annotation and analyses. Another course will provide training in literature analysis, scientific writing and oral communication through the preparation of a review article and a research grant proposal.

Possibilities of specialisation in:

• Bioinformatics
• Microbiology
• It is also possible to pursue the Master without a specialisation.

Studies description

The first semester (30 ECTS) aims at training the students in fundamental skills for the MSc through compulsory courses in genome sequencing and analysis, data analysis and statistics, and a wide range of optional courses spanning the breadth of the molecular life sciences (some courses from the MSc in Behaviour, Evolution and Conservation may be chosen) . They will also receive training in written and oral presentation skills, and prepare a scientific review article.

The second semester (30 ECTS) is largely dedicated to a short independent research project in an experimental or / and computational laboratory, allowing the students to acquire diverse technical and organisational research skills, and hone their communication abilities through an oral presentation and written report on their project.

During the third (30 ECTS) and fourth semesters, the students will proceed with their Master research project (in a different laboratory from the short project), beginning with the preparation of a grant proposal based upon the topic of their MSc research project.

The fourth semester (30 ECTS) is devoted to the continuation and completion of the Master research project, the writing of the thesis and an oral defence before a jury.

For more informations, see the study plan.

The master's degree represents the second university degree after the bachelor's degree and is generally equivalent to the acquisition of 90-120 ECTS credits.

1 ECTS credit corresponds to approximately 25-30 hours of work.