Programme Syllabus and Outline Master Programme in Bioinformatics 2014/2015

1. Decision to offer two-year Master programmes

According to a decision taken by the Vice Chancellor 2006-09-16, Uppsala University will offer two-year Master programmes in biology, computer science, physics, earth science, sustainable development, chemistry, mathematics, computational science and applied biotechnology, all from 2007-07-01. Furthermore according to a decision taken by the Vice Chancellor 2008-06-07 a master programme in bioinformatics from 2009-07-01.
 

2. Objectives for a Degree

2.1 Objectives for a Degree of Master (One Year) (Magisterexamen)
Objectives for a Degree of Master (One Year) according to the Higher Education Ordinance, System of Qualifications.

Knowledge and understanding
For a Degree of Master (One Year) students must
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both a broad command of the field and deeper knowledge of certain parts of the field, together with insight into current research and development work; and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

Skills and abilities
For a Degree of Master (One Year) students must
- demonstrate an ability to integrate knowledge and to analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even when limited information is available;
- demonstrate an ability to independently identify and formulate issues and to plan and, using appropriate methods, carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits;
- demonstrate an ability to clearly present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different groups, orally and in writing; and
- demonstrate the skill required to participate in research and development work or to work in other advanced contexts.

Judgement and approach
For a Degree of Master (One Year) students must
- demonstrate an ability to make assessments in their main field of study, taking into account relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work;
- demonstrate insight into the potential and limitations of science, its role in society and people’s responsibility for how it is used; and
- demonstrate an ability to identify their need of further knowledge and to take responsibility for developing their knowledge.

2.2 Objectives for a Degree of Master (Two Years) (Masterexamen)
Objectives for a Degree of Master (Two Years) according to the Higher Education Ordinance, System of Qualifications.

Knowledge and understanding
For a Degree of Master (Two Years) students must
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both broad knowledge in the field and substantially deeper knowledge of certain parts of the field, together with deeper insight into current research and development work; and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

Skills and abilities
For a Degree of Master (Two Years) students must
- demonstrate an ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even when limited information is available;
- demonstrate an ability to critically, independently and creatively identify and formulate issues and to plan and, using appropriate methods, carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits, so as to contribute to the development of knowledge and to evaluate this work;
- demonstrate an ability to clearly present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different groups, orally and in writing, in national and international contexts; and - demonstrate the skill required to participate in research and development work or to work independently in other advanced contexts.

Judgement and approach
For a Degree of Master (Two Years) students must
- demonstrate an ability to make assessments in their main field of study, taking into account relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work;
- demonstrate insight into the potential and limitations of science, its role in society and people’s responsibility for how it is used; and
- demonstrate an ability to identify their need of further knowledge and to take responsibility for developing their knowledge.
 

Degree

A Degree of Master (One Year) is obtained after the student has completed course requirements of 60 higher education credits with a certain area of specialisation determined by each higher education institution itself, including at least 30 higher education credits with in-depth studies in Bioinformatics. For a Degree of Master (One Year) students must have completed an independent project (degree project) worth at least 15 higher education credits in Bioinformatics within the framework of the course requirements.

A Degree of Master (Two Years) is obtained after the student has completed course requirements of 120 higher education credits with a certain area of specialisation determined by each higher education institution itself, including at least 60 higher education credits with in-depth studies in Bioinformatics. For a Degree of Master (Two Years) students must have completed an independent project (degree project) worth at least 30 higher education credits in Bioinformatics within the framework of the course requirements. A degree of Master (Two Years) may, except for courses on advanced level, contain one or several courses on basic level comprising not more than 30 higher education credits.

Information

In the course syllabus the following is stated concerning prerequisites and recommended prerequisites
Prerequisites: These requirements should be fulfilled in order to admit the student to the course. Recommended prerequisites: The prerequisites that are stated here are not required to be admitted to the course. The student as to accept that a harder workload is needed if the recommended prerequisites are not fulfilled.

Students who, outside the programme, have acquired equivalent qualifications corresponding to at least 15 hp on advanced level in addition to the degree at bachelor’s level, may apply to be accepted to a later part of the programme. The application deadline is for the autumn term May 1 and for the spring term December 1.
 

Grade and examination

The mode of examination and the grading scale can be found in the course syllabus. In normal cases a student has the right to get the examination result within 25 work days, and at least 14 working days before a retake. After two failed examinations has the right to get another examinator, or, when that is not possible, a different mode of examination. More information on http://www.uu.se/student/rattigheter/arbetsvillkor.

Courses together in a degree

Some courses cannot be considered in a degree together because of the overlap in content. The content of each course can be found in each course syllabus and the Graduation Office.

The courses of the programme

The order of courses in the programme is shown below per study year. Each year is divided into four periods, period 11 means period one year one etc. Period 1 and 2 are courses in the autumn semester, period 3 and 4 are spring semester courses. Main field is given by the abbreviations B = Biology, D = Computer Science, K = Chemistry, T = Technology, BK = Bioinformatics
Period 11 Hp Level Main field

 YEAR 1

The course contains obligatory and selectable sub-courses of 2 or 13 hp. One selectable course is combined with the obligatory starting sub-course depending on earlier experience.

*1MB720 is only for students studying towards a one year master.

YEAR 2

During the second year of the programme the students choose from courses in biology, bioinformatics or computer science (30 or 15hp) and the master studies are finished with a degree project of 30 or 45 hp.

¹Only given if there are enough resources.

Optional courses