M2NRBIOTEK Master's degree in Applied Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences
Master's degree in Applied Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences
- Number of credits120
- Part-time/full-timeFull-time
- Start semester2024 Autumn
- Language of instructionEnglish
- CampusHamar
Biotechnology, a dynamic and rapidly evolving field, lies at the intersection of biology, chemistry, and technology. It encompasses the manipulation of living organisms or their systems to develop products, processes, or solutions that improve our lives and the environment. The study of biotechnology is interesting for several reasons.
Firstly, biotechnology has revolutionized medicine, enabling the development of life-saving drugs, personalized therapies, and advanced diagnostic tools. It plays a pivotal role in addressing global health challenges, making it an intriguing field for those passionate about healthcare innovation.
Secondly, biotechnology drives sustainability. From genetically engineered crops that enhance food security to bioremediation techniques that clean up environmental pollutants, this field is essential for addressing pressing ecological concerns.
Moreover, biotechnology has far-reaching industrial applications, including the production of biofuels, bioplastics, and enzymes used in various manufacturing processes. This versatility makes it a captivating area for those interested in industrial innovation and green technologies.
Lastly, biotechnology fosters ethical debates and raises questions about bioethics, safety, and responsible research. Studying biotechnology not only offers exciting career prospects but also encourages critical thinking about the ethical, legal, and social implications of scientific advancements.
Intriguing and multifaceted, biotechnology is a field that empowers individuals to shape the future of science, medicine, and industry while addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges.
The master study programme comprises two years of full-time study (120 ECTS credits) that may be completed part-time. The programme comprises 60 credits of compulsory courses and 60 credits of master's thesis. Students with a bachelor in biomedical laboratory science (bioingeniørfag) can apply to include up to two courses within laboratory medicine (total of 20 ECTS credits) offered by other institutions as part of the study programme. These courses will then replace the courses BIO4100 Bioeconomy and Biobusiness and/or BIO4105 Bioproduction and Biorefining Technology.
The courses are taught on campus Hamar in semesters 1 and 2 of the study. BIO4102 Methods in Cell biology and Reproductive Biotechnology and BIO4104 Methods in Molecular Biology are theoretical methodology courses, while BIO4106 Experimental Cell and Molecular Biology is the practical counterpart of these courses. The master thesis is completed in semesters 3 and 4. A minimum of 45 ECTS of the coursework in the study programme must be completed before the start of the master thesis project. The master's thesis consists of an independent project work within the field of biotechnology or biomedical science. This project work will normally be linked to ongoing research activity at the department. During the master thesis, students will learn to work systematically within a specific area and also learn to acquire detailed knowledge and skills through practical work and literature study. The deadline for submitting the master thesis is June 1 in the fourth semester.
Biotechnology has proven beneficial in improving health care, refining industrial processes through the discovery and synthesis of proteins, for environmental bioremediation and biomass conversion, and in agricultural production through genetic engineering.
Our master’s programme in biotechnology applies to the following:
- Biomedicine: focused on the prevention, treatment, diagnostics or cure of disease, reproduction biotechnologies, development of new therapies, and creation of new medical devices.
- Agriculture: technologies for improved use of crops and crop residues as well as assisted reproductive technologies for improved animal breeding.
- Environmental sustainability and circularity, focusing development of more sustainable products and enhanced use of biomass.
- Bioinformatics: focused on using computers to store, retrieve, analyze, visualize, and distribute information related to complex biological systems, including the role and behavior of biological macromolecules like DNA, RNA, and proteins. It is an interdisciplinary field that includes biology, computer science, chemistry, and statistics.
HINN has offered studies in biotechnology since 1991. Biotechnology’s stable job market provides several career options including: (i) Animal scientist: leverages genetics and husbandry to effectively breed animals. (ii) Epidemiologist: studies disease incidence, distribution, and control. (iii) Food scientist and technologist: studies the chemical changes in stored or processed food regarding nutrition, flavor, texture, and appearance: (iv) Biomedical scientist: conducts research to improve human health. (v) Microbiologist: researches algae, fungi, parasites, bacteria, and viruses. (vi) Process development scientist: researches and develops ways to manufacture products and monitor existing product production for quality and efficiency. (vii) Soil and plant scientist: applies biological techniques to improve food quality and maximize food production. (viii) Data scientist and bioinformaticians: for big data analyses from the life sciences, industry and research institutions.
Learning Outcome
The candidate
- has advanced knowledge within the academic field of biotechnology
- has advanced knowledge of methods and principles used in life science laboratories such as in gene technology, cell biology, and bioprocess engineering
- has knowledge about the commercialization of biotechnology to develop marketable products based on promising research results
- has advanced knowledge about the analysis of biological data using bioinformatics, machine learning, programming and biostatistics
The candidate
- can employ an advanced cross-disciplinary approach to address biotechnological challenges
- has thorough hands-on laboratory experience in biotechnology methodology
- can analyze and critically reflect on ethical problems involving biological organisms, environmental challenges, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and data privacy.
- can plan, conduct and evaluate an independent scientific study, using relevant theory, methods, and analytic approaches within the specialized field of biotechnology, including statistical methods and bioinformatics
- can effectively communicate scientific results.
The candidate
- can disseminate scientific results and information to the general public and experts by writing well-structured reports and contributions for scientific publications and posters, and by oral presentations.
- can work both independently and in groups on complex projects that require collaboration.
- can apply his/her knowledge and skills in new areas in order to carry out advanced assignments and projects
- can communicate extensive independent work and masters language and terminology of the academic field
- can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes within the field of biotechnology and biomedical science
In order for the students to achieve the learning outcomes, a number of different teaching and learning methods are used, such as lectures, seminars, in-class activities, group work, laboratory and computer exercises, excursions, case studies, written exercises, independent laboratory work and writing of the master thesis. Introductory lectures and practical learning exercises in the laboratory or on the computer are followed by hand-in assignments. The different learning methods used in each course are described in the individual course descriptions.
A full-time study involves a work effort of 37.5 - 45 hours per week.
The target group for the study programme is a person who already has a foundation in biomedical laboratory science, chemistry, biology, or related fields and wishes to acquire advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills in biotechnology. One of the following requirements must be fulfilled to qualify for admission to the programme:
- An education corresponding to 3 years of study at the university level in biotechnology, biomedical laboratory science (bioingeniørfag), biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, bioscience or similar.
- BSc in Food Technology
- BSc in Bioinformatics
- BSc in computer science or machine learning (with a major in life sciences data analysis)
- BSc in other related areas may be considered on an individual basis
Admission requirements
Bachelor's degree or equivalent completed education with a specialization of at least 80 credits. One of the following requirements must be fulfilled to qualify for admission to the programme:
- An education corresponding to 3 years of study at the university level in biotechnology, biomedical laboratory science (bioingeniørfag), biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, bioscience or similar.
- BSc in Food Technology
- BSc in Bioinformatics
- BSc in computer science or machine learning (with a major in life sciences data analysis)
- BSc in other related areas may be considered on an individual basis
Your degree from higher education must fulfill the following requirements:
- The equivalent of at least 80 ECTS credits in natural sciences and mathematics, with a solid foundation in chemistry and biology.
- A course in biochemistry, as well as a course in Molecular biology, each corresponding to at least 5 ECTS, must be included, with a minimum grade of C.
- A minimum average grade of D for the 80 ECTS credits
Students lacking molecular biology coursework may qualify for molecular biology thesis work by completing a Bachelor-level molecular biology course at INN University within the first semester.
A Master’s degree in Applied Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences from our programme qualifies for work in research, development, production and diagnostics laboratories, both nationally and internationally. The graduates are well suited to work in public and private domains, including biomedical laboratories and biotech industries related to agriculture and aquaculture, food production, and pharmaceutic development. In addition, public and private regulatory authorities as well as the consultancy industry also need people with a background in biotechnology.
Completing the MSc degree is a qualification for study at PhD level at INN or other Norwegian or international universities.
The biotechnology master's study programme is entirely taught in English, allowing for international and local applicants. The entire curriculum is in English. The students are recruited globally, resulting in an international student environment. Natural science is an international-oriented subject. The professors at the department engage in international collaborations and the students are invited to contribute to these collaborative projects. If relevant for the master thesis and ongoing research projects, students may visit international research collaborators.
Through the courses, students will develop skills in analyzing and relating critically to different sources of information and apply these to structure and formulate academic reasoning. Therefore, in collaboration with the academic communities, the University Library offers advanced instruction in searching for subject-specific information, referencing techniques, source criticism, and plagiarism-related problems. All students are expected to have a critical attitude towards sources of information and use them appropriately in all academic work throughout their entire course of study. Breaches of the rules regarding the use of sources are regulated in the Regulations relating to admission, studies, and examinations at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences.
The Department of Biotechnology has a strong research environment especially in reproductive biology, antibiotic resistance, genetics, bioinformatics and bioprocess technology. All lectures are based on scientific experience and past- and ongoing research. The research groups at the department have extensive collaboration with local biotech companies, local industry, national research institutions, hospitals and international research collaborators. The master students are invited to perform their thesis in collaboration with these companies and related to ongoing research projects with which they are partners.
It is tuition fees for students from countries outside the EU/EEA/EFTA. This does not apply to students from the EU/EEA/EFTA. All students must pay a semester fee.
There are varied assessment methods regarding formative and summative assessments: Written examinations, oral examinations, laboratory reports, project reports, hand-in assignments, and portfolios. The oral presentation of the thesis is part of the final remarks. A letter grading scale is used. A more detailed description is given in the individual course descriptions.