General description

Biochemistry is a scientific discipline at the interface of chemistry and biology. Biochemistry attempts to describe, reconstruct and even furhter develop, on a chemical and physical level, molecular processes occuring in living nature. The results of research in biochemistry help understand molecular causes of diseases on an atomic and quantitative level. Pharmaceutical research and development build up on fundamental biochemical findings. But, results of biochemical research are furthermore found in biotechnology, in envirnmental protection, in nutrition industry, and very likly in informatics in the near future. And, gradually biochemistry will become a key area when chemical processes have to be rendered less harmful to the environment.

Admission requirements

The following academic degrees exempt the holder from having to pass any further examinations for admission to the a Master’s degree course: -A Bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Science of the University of Zurich, whereby the Faculty determines which types of the Bachelor's degree are required for admission to the respective Master's degree courses. - Corresponding degrees of Swiss and foreign universities which are generally recognized by the Faculty, or recognized by subject. In terms of paragraph 1, such degrees are reviewed according to the stipulations of § 3 of the Bologna guideline of the Swiss University Conference. Further possibilities for admission to a Master’s degree course: the Faculty assesses all other qualifications, in particular those from universities of applied sciences, according to its own criteria, whereby. The principle of equal treatment applies to assessing the equivalence of Bachelor's degrees The Faculty can require the fulfillment of additional conditions in form of evidence of academic achievement. The Faculty decides about the acceptance of academic achievements and credit points which were obtained elsewhere.

Branch of studies

Biochemistry

Educational goals

Biochemistry at the master’s level offers students a deepened theoretical exploration of Structural Biology, Protein Engineering and molecular Biochemistry and allows them to further develop their experimental skill within projects and their master’s thesis.

Career possibilities

The Master’s degree in Biochemistry is the professional qualification for research activities in the life sciences.

ECTS credits

90 ECTS Credits

Degree

Master of Science UZH in Biochemistry

Program structure

The major study program in Biochemistry 90 at Master's level takes three semesters. It starts
with a research project and advanced level lectures in structural biology, protein engineering, biochemistry and bioinformatics, followed by the Master's dissertation which takes six months. The Master's program is completed with a subject-specific Master's examination.

Major/minor subject combinations

The Master's study program in Biochemistry 90 can be taken as a single major or be combined with a minor study program 30 at Master's level.

Examination and assessment regulations

The student's achievement is assessed at the end of each module.
Achievements are graded on a scale from 1 to 6, whereby 6 denotes the highest grade of achievement and 1 the lowest. A grade below 4 is insufficient.
Achievements can also be graded with 'passed' or 'failed'.

Language of instruction

English