General description

Biomedicine studies functions of human body and analyze physiological processes both in health and diseases. At the interface of natural sciences, medicine and mathematics; biomedical research investigates biological processes leading to diseases on cellular and molecular level. The better knowledge of these mechanism is the base for further development of diagnostical and therapeutic methods ultimately leading to improvement of the healthcare. The analysis of large amounts of data generated in biomedical research requires application of several mathematical applications (programming, database analysis). Hence, biomedicine is a part of translational medicine, which combines methods from the natural sciences and clinical research. The Master Biomedicine study program, which includes the one-year master's thesis on an individually chosen topic and thematically complementary theoretical and practical modules. After the Master's degree, biomedical scientists have a comprehensive knowledge of the complex systems of the human body and are able to describe and explain the functions of the healthy organism and the processes leading to disease development. They are able to plan and perform research projects and to analyze, interpret and communicate the scientific results.

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

Biomedical sciences

Specific requirements

Admission with possible conditions from branch of studies: Biochemistry, Biology

Educational goals

Master’s graduates have skills in scientific research. They recognize relevant problems in Biomedicine and are able to plan and conduct experiments using a variety of techniques to address these problems. Their ability to adapt technical procedures to specific scientific problems allows them to expand their problem-solving skills. The ability to work exactly and treat precious materials, instruments and organisms carefully is particularly important.
The master’s thesis, which is a research project within the master’s program, teaches students to conduct research independently as would be required for a dissertation.

Career possibilities

Graduates of the study program Biomedicine are employed in basic and clinical research at universities, research institutions and hospitals but also in pharmaceutical and life sciences industry. Many graduates work as expert support for authorities and public health sector, in science communication and teaching; as well as in all life sciences areas where analytical, structured thinking together with essential networking is required. Many graduates pursue their scientific carrier further in PhD thesis.
However, graduates of biomedicine do not exercise any medical activity with a direct contact to patients. For this purpose, a degree in human medicine is required. In many areas, however, there is close professional cooperation between these two disciplines. The common expertise and understanding on the one hand and the different competences and skills on the other hand, promote and improve the comprehensive (clinical and scientific) development of medical care and health care situation.
In addition, the Master degree in Biomedicine is also the qualification for admission to the Study Program for the Teaching Diploma for Secondary Education. For the Teaching Diploma for Secondary Education in Biology however, a broader general education in Biology is required. Modules in Biodiversity and Ecology must be completed additionally. Therefore, for this purpose we recommend a Major in Biology with the option of a Minor in Biomedicine.

ECTS credits

90 ECTS Credits

Degree

Master of Science UZH in Biomedicine

Program structure

The program is based on block courses and special lectures in Biomedicine and Biology (20 ECTS credits). The core compulsory components of the degree are the Master's research project in Biomedicine, including seminars and colloquia (together 60 ECTS credits) and the modules ‘Scientific writing and publishing’ (4 ECTS credits) and 'Integrated Knowledge in Biology' (6 ECTS credits).

Major/minor subject combinations

The Master's study program in Biomedicine 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