General description

Biochemistry is a scientific discipline at the interface of chemistry and biology. Biochemstry 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.
If you take much pleasure in molecular biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics, if you are interested in applying your knowlege to anserer biological and medical questions and if you have a flair for experimental laboratory work, then biochemistry is the perfect synthesis.
Research at the Department of Biochemistry oft he University of Zurich is focused on the investigation of proteins. The Department especially emphasizes structure-function relationships: the structural and functional analysis of membrane proteins, the exploration of protein folding down tot he level of a single molecule, the directed evolution of proteins by protein engineering, the structural and functional description of macromolecular complexes, the investigation of protein aggregation in silico and in vitro.
The degree programme biochemistry oft the University of Zurich benefits from this research focus: in a profiled curriculum sound fundamental knowledge and guiding research knowledge are instructed suited to the students’ level of training.

Admission requirements

The provisions laid out in the framework ordinance for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs and the provisions defined in the program regulations at the Faculty of Science of the University of Zurich, apply.

Educational goals

Graduates from a minor study program Biochemistry are able to

• plausibly and, if possible, quantitatively explain biochemical processes
  

using their theoretical knowledge

• conduct experiments in a technically and conceptually correct manner while under supervision
  

ECTS credits

30 ECTS Credits

Program structure

A minor study program Biochemistry (30 ECTS credits) at Master's level builds on the corresponding program completed at the Bachelor's level. It extends the education in the Natural Sciences acquired at the Bachelor's level and conveys in-depth knowledge in some research areas and the capability to think and work in a methodical and scientific way.

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

German, English