Master's Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences

Master's Degree Programme in Biomedical Sciences offers specialisation tracks inBiomedical Imaging,  Drug Discovery and DevelopmentandMolecular Biotechnologyand Diagnostics. Major subject studies in each of the tracks are track-specific but can be offered as elective studies for the students of all of the study tracks.

Biomedical Sciences is administrated by two faculties in the University of Turku: Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Technology. Turku has longstanding research traditions in the field of biomedicine, and especially the fields of drug discovery, diagnostics, and biological and medical imaging represent the top-level expertise of the University of Turku.

Biomedical Imaging specialisation track

The interdisciplinary curriculum consists of major subject studies, including a Master’s thesis in a suitable specialisation area (light microscopy imaging, in vivo & clinical imaging, nanotechnology and material sciences, microscopy techniques and instrument design). Additionally, students broaden their skills with optional studies consisting of advanced courses representing novel and cutting-edge techniques in microscopy, photonics, multimedia tools, image analysis and in vivo imaging.

The track will cover the following subject areas:

• Light microscopy, basic and advanced techniques
• Electron microscopy
• Tissue imaging and histopathology
• Nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging
• Tomographic imaging techniques
• Flow-cytometry techniques and applications
• In vivo non-invasive imaging
• Nanotechnology
• Fluorescent probes
• Dye indicators and radiochemistry used in the light, microscopic and nuclear imaging modalities
• Software development and image analysis tools
• The use of multimedia in a scientific context

Based on previous studies, students may need to take supplementary studies in the field of biophysics and/or cell biology in order to reach optimal competence level for the Master’s studies.

Drug Discovery and Development specialisation track

The studies in drug discovery and development consist of both theoretical and practical courses, including:

• Drug discovery and development science
• Drug regulatory science
• Bioinformatics
• Translational medicine
• Methods in experimental pharmacology
• Computer-aided drug design
• Clinical trial design and clinical drug development
• Bioentrepreneurship

A significant part of the programme consists of an independent research project that will be presented in the Master’s thesis.

Based on previous studies, students may need to take supplementary studies in the field of biomedicine in order to reach optimal competence level for the Master’s studies.

Molecular Biotechnology and Diagnostics specialisation track

The major subject studies in Molecular Biotechnology and Diagnostics consist of both theoretical and hands-on courses. These include, for example, studies related to production, engineering and biotechnological applications of biomolecules as well as courses focusing on the principles of bioanalytical and diagnostic techniques and their applications in clinical chemistry and other fields. The laboratory courses and hands-on research projects are tightly connected to ongoing research activities, which gives the students an opportunity to follow and participate in up-to-date research in the field already during the studies. During the second study year, the student will concentrate on the Master’s thesis, which includes experimental work, seminars and the writing of the thesis.

Lähde: Opintopolku