Biomedical Methods and Technology, Master's Programme

Programme - second cycle - 120 credits

Overview

Admission requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree (180 hp) or equivalent with a major in chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical technology, biomedical methods and technology, biomedical laboratory science or in other areas of natural, medical, engineering sciences or technology with a minimum of 15 hp in chemistry and/or biochemistry.
2. The equivalent of English B in Swedish secondary school.

Description

The programme focuses on biological and artificial interfaces that are of utmost importance and interest in the field of biomedical technology.

This is an excellent opportunity for you who has a Bachelor’s degree in life sciences and would like to advance your skills in biomedical technology. The programme offers theoretical as well as practical skills in biomedical technology, beyond traditional teaching in biomedicine, biology and chemistry.

The combination of cell and molecular biology with surface and colloid chemistry makes you competitive in academia as well as in biotech industry, at positions that require interdisciplinary knowledge.

Content

The programme creates a platform for understanding and developing biomedical methods and technology. 

bmt_2You will get theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the areas of biomedical activities which require expertise beyond traditional disciplines of biomedicine, chemistry or biology.

Active connections

The programme is carried out in close collaboration with regional industry, and provides up to date overview on research and development work in the area of biomedical technology.
 
Education is conducted by researchers and teachers who are participants of an industrially relevant research network called Profile “Biofilms – research center for biointerfaces”. Our experimental facilities combine chemistry, cell and molecular biology, and bioanalytical laboratories.

Forms of study

We use different pedagogical forms, with a strong focus on research questions in development of biomedical products. The collaboration with surrounding biomedical industry is conducted through CDIO, Conceive - Design - Implement - Operate projects.

What is Biomedical Technology?

Biomedical technology, BMT, refers to making products which need approval from FDA, Food and Drug Administration, or EMEA, European Medicines Evaluation Agency are responsible for regulations in healthcare market. Biomedical technology refers to the collective technologies; biotechnology, various engineering technologies, chemistry, physics, material science, etc.

Major BMT industries

bmt_whatis2Drugs and biotechnology

  • small molecules - synthetic organic molecules
  • biologics - biological molecules made by living organisms (biotechnology)

  Devices and diagnostics

  • medical devices industry
  • diagnostics - IVD (in-vitro diagnostics)

Interviews

Benedict Boateng, age 24, from Ghana

benedict_boateng_webEarlier studies: Bachelor Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. Started his studies in Malmö three months ago.

Why did you choose this programme?
- It forms a good link with my earlier studies and my interest in medical research. I am especially interested in protein and cancer studies, where an in-depth knowledge in their underlying mechanisms proves successful to developing new techniques for diagnosis of various diseases. The programme is broad and opens up several possibilities for work as the knowledge and skills obtained can be applied in different sectors; clinical, industries, academia and lot more. I also chose Sweden due to my interest in the Swedish educational system, which encourages innovation and critical thinking.

How do you like the studies so far?
- It is very interesting. And also demanding. The biggest challenge for me is how to integrate myself and cope with the unfamiliar teaching and learning methods such as an ''open book exam'' and creativity and innovation within a relatively short time frame. I'm in the process of understanding how to deal with these, – I´m enjoying it, even though it demands much time and efforts.

What do you think of Malmö University?
- Very welcoming! The teachers are very nice, they give so much attention to students, and their words of encouragement are really motivating. Additionally, the high numbers of international students give us the opportunity to interact and learn from people of different ethnic and cultural background. We study and share lots of ideas together, both within and beside our studies.

What do you think of Malmö city?
- It is a beautiful and well planned city, very different from my home city. I like how the sea water has been channeled into the city to beautify it, so beautiful to look at. It's very easy to find your way around in Malmö, and with my hobby of biking, I discover new parts of Malmö every day.

Which is your best advice for students that are interested in the programme?
- I think one should have good pre-knowledge of and interest in chemistry, especially in physical chemistry, and biology. And be prepared to open up for a new perspective.

How about the future?
- I am very interested in the medical field, and I would like to do medical research especially in areas concerning new methods and technologies for cancer diagnosis.

Inger Anne Tveit

“One must remember that there is a sick person behind the small sample.”

inger_anne_tveit_web4Twenty-four-year-old Inger Anne Tveit is from Sörlandet, Norway, lives in Copenhagen and is studying the second year of the Master’s Programme of Biomedical Methods and Technology.

For a year, Inger Anne has worked with transplants and diagnosis of various diseases at the pathology department of a hospital in Copenhagen. This has inspired her to learn even more.

"I am passionate about pathology, genomics and clinical biochemistry. The link between biology, human beings and ethics is quite exciting."

Work both manually and by machines

At the pathology department, Inger Anne takes extremely small tissues samples and analyses them, which entails work by hand and by machine.

"It's not a matter of just pressing a button to achieve a good result. Instead, one must choose the correct method and technique for each particular case. I want to understand more of what actually happens."

Strong research connection

Inger Anne believes that the Master's programme is firmly connected to her basic training as a bio engineer, similar to the swedish Bachelor Programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science. Theory and practice are alternated and approaches to problems often formulated by active concerns.

"We are also trained to read scientific articles independently, choose what is important and use the knowledge directly. This is important as the research forges ahead so rapidly."

Perhaps having her own research career is an alternative for Inger Anne, although she thrives at Rigshospitalet.

"If I stay, my master’s education will give me more strength. However, I can also see myself working with developing new drugs or test methods at a research department somewhere. I enjoy Copenhagen but would move if something more exciting was to come up."

 

Shifa conducts her Master's Thesis in connection to active research

 

Interview with Shifa Saleem
in English

in Swedish

Career

Where can I work?

Biomedical Methods and Technology focuses on technological aspects of artificial and biological interfaces, which play a significant role in the development of methods and technologies found at biomedical and biotech industry.

The combination of cell and molecular biology with surface and colloid chemistry makes you competitive at employments which require interdisciplinary knowledge.

Your employers are big and small companies in the biotechnology sector, including pharmaceutical industry, research institutes, and biomedical laboratories.

Employments in public and private sector can be project manager, product or method developer, or consultant. You will have good possibilities to apply and compete for PhD positions at universities in Sweden and worldwide.

Syllabus

Programme Code: VABME

Institution:
Biomedical Science
Revision:
4
For students admitted fall 2013  

Other set versions

  • Version 1
    approved 2009-11-06
    For students admitted fall 2010  
  • Version 2
    approved 2009-11-06
    For students admitted fall 2011  
  • Version 3
    approved 2009-11-06
    For students admitted fall 2012  

Approval

The programme was established 22 November 2006.
This programme syllabus (version 4) was approved 06 November 2009 by the Faculty Board of Health and Society.
The syllabus is valid from 03 September 2012. Replacement for programme syllabus ratified 06 November 2009.

Entry requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree (180 hp) or equivalent with a major in chemistry, biochemistry, biomedical technology, biomedical methods and technology, biomedical laboratory science or in other areas of natural, medical, engineering sciences or technology with a minimum of 15 hp in chemistry and/or biochemistry.
2. The equivalent of English B in Swedish secondary school.

Learning outcomes

Objectives for second-cycle (advanced) education

General objectives and learning outcomes for the second-cycle (advanced) education programmes are defined by Higher Education Act (1992:1434), chapter 1, §9, in its wording 070101.

Higher Education Act, Act (2006:173), 9 § states:
The second-cycle education should considerably extend the knowledge, which the students acquire at the first-cycle education, i.e. basic or similar education level.

Education at the second-cycle programme should mean advancement in knowledge, skills and abilities relative to education at the first-cycle and beyond the first-cycle education it should:
• further develop student’s abilities to independently integrate and use knowledge,
• develop student’s abilities to handle complex phenomena, problems and situations,
• develop student’s prerequisites for professional activities, which call for independent decision making, research and development work.

Objectives for master (one year) degree (magister) in biomedical methods and technology

Knowledge and understanding

From Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), see MAGISTEREXAMEN (page 127, UFB3 2008/2009), for master (one year) degree the student should:
- show knowledge and understanding of the main subject of education, portrait an overview of the subject, including deeper knowledge on some parts of the subject as well as show insight on current research and development work,
- show deep knowledge on some methods in the main field of the education.

For master (one year) degree in biomedical methods and technology the students should:
- show knowledge about and understanding of biomedical methods and technology, which are based on experimental and theoretical models of biological interfaces,
- show deep knowledge in and overview of applied areas of immunology, cell and molecular biology, surface and colloid chemistry, as well as insight on integration of these subject in biomedical methods and biomedical technology,
- show deep knowledge related to current state of the research and development work in biomedical methods and technology as well as be aware on relevant issues of ethics, ethical rules and principles.

Skills and abilities

For master (one year) degree in biomedical methods and technology the students should:
- show ability to integrate knowledge about functions of biological interfaces in biomedical methods and technology,
- show ability to conduct measurements and analyse surface chemical and biological phenomena at biological interfaces,
- show ability to theoretically and practically understand and integrate applied aspects of surface chemistry, cell and molecular biology,
- show ability to independently recognise and formulate surface chemical and biological problems, plan and use appropriate methods and conduct, within certain time limits, assignments in the area of biomedical methods and technology,
- show ability to report orally and in writing on theoretical problems and experimental results,
- show abilities required to participate in research work in natural and medical science fields and independent professional activity in biotechnology, pharmaceutical industry and clinics.

Judgement and approach

For master (one year) degree in biomedical methods and technology the student should:
- show ability to make judgements in the field of biomedical methods and technology with awareness of relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects as well as apply ethical principals in research and development work,
- show awareness of the importance of knowledge and research, which relate to biomedical methods and technology, account for possibilities and limitations, realise the role of the research in the society and responsible use of the knowledge of biomedical methods and technology,
- show ability to identify his/her own requirement for further knowledge need and take responsibility for own education

Degree project

For master (one year) degree the student should, in the frame of the programme, have accomplished a degree project accounting for 15 ECTS in the main field of studies.

Objectives for master (two year) degree in biomedical bethods and technology

Knowledge and understanding

From Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), see MASTEREXAMEN (page 128, UFB3 2008/2009), for master (two year) degree the student should:
- show knowledge and understanding of the main subject of education, demonstrate involvement as well as profound skills in the field of studies as well as substantially advanced knowledge on some parts of the field of education as well as deep insight on current research and development work,
- show deep knowledge of methods in the main field for the education

For master (two year) degree in biomedical methods and technology the students should:
- show knowledge about and understanding of biomedical methods and technology, which are based on experimental and theoretical models of biological interfaces
- show deep knowledge in applied areas of immunology, clinical chemistry, molecular biology, nanobiotechnology, surface and colloid chemistry, as well as substantially deeper knowledge on integration of these subject in biomedical methods and biomedical technology,
- show deep knowledge related to current state of the research and development work in biomedical methods and technology as well as be aware on relevant issues of research ethics, ethical rules and principles.

Skills and abilities

For master (two year) degree in biomedical methods and technology the students should:
- show ability to theoretically and practically integrate knowledge about functions of biological interfaces in practical applications in biomedical methods and technology,
- show ability to conduct measurements and analyse surface chemical and biological phenomena at biological interfaces,
- show ability to theoretically and practically understand and integrate applied aspects of surface chemistry, cell biology, immunology, clinical chemistry, molecular biology and nanotechnology,
- show critical, independent and creative ability to recognise and formulate surface chemical and biological problems, plan and use appropriate methods and conduct qualified assignments within certain time limits as well as demonstrate ability to critically assess conducted work,
- show ability to report orally and in writing on theoretical problems and experimental results,
- show abilities required to participate in research work in natural and medical science fields and independent professional activity in biotechnology, pharmaceutical industry and clinics.

Judgement and approach

For master (two year) degree in biomedical bethods and technology the student should:
- show in-depth ability to make judgements in the field of biomedical methods and technology with awareness of relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects as well as apply ethical principals in research and development work,
- show awareness of the importance of knowledge and research, which relate to biomedical methods and technology, account for possibilities and limitations, realise the role of the research in the society and responsible use of the knowledge of biomedical methods and technology,
- show ability to identify his/her own requirement for further knowledge need and take responsibility for own education

Degree project

For master (two year) degree the student should, in the frame of the programme, have accomplished a degree project accounting for 30 ECTS in the main field of studies. This independent project work might account for less than 30 ECTS, though not less than 15 ECTS, if the student has already accomplished an independent work at advanced level, i.e., second-cycle education, for at least 15 ECTS in the main field of studies.

Content

Courses

For programme with start Fall 2013:

Fall 2013

Spring 2014

Fall 2014

Spring 2015

Organisation

Layout

The programme creates a platform for understanding and developing biomedical methods and technology. The education integrates cell biology, immunology, molecular biology, nanotechnology, and surface and colloid chemistry and provides students with theoretical as well as practical knowledge in applied areas of biomedical activities which traditionally belong to biomedicine, chemistry or biology. The programme merges all these subjects into unity to understand the complexity of phenomena at biological interfaces as well as their application in biomedicine, techniques and natural sciences. The important perspectives at Malmö University, i.e., gender issues, international migration, ethnical relations and environmental issues, are considered in the programme.

Students who wish to receive a magister degree (one year master) should have accomplished the courses of the first year of the programme and conducted independent degree project accounting for 15 hp.

Admission to the course

The courses are accomplished in the order they are listed in the overview. For admission to the courses of the second year at least 45 hp are required from the first year studies or equivalent knowledge acquired by other means.

Credit transfer

Credit transfer is judged following the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 6, §§ 6-8, in it’s wording 070701.

Examination or assessment

Compulsory education elements are specified at respective course syllabi.

Right to retake the examination

Students who failed the examination are entitled to at least two retakes with the same course contents and the same requirements to pass. If the course is discontinued or revised, students retain the right to two retakes within one year, based on original content. The examination and retakes are conducted only at specifically appointed occasions.

Grade

The course content is graded as follows:
A - Excellent
B - Very Good
C - Good
D - Satisfactory
E - Pass
U - Fail

Transition to PhD education or transition to third cycle education

At the Faculty of Health and Society the students with master degree in Biomedical Methods and Technology have an opportunity to conduct PhD studies, i.e., third-cycle education, within the subject Biomedical Sciences.

Degree

Master of Arts / Science (60 credits), Master of Arts / Science (120 credits).

Master degree

After the education on the programme is accomplished the requirements for the master degree in Biomedical Methods and Technology are fulfilled. The degree certificate states the title Master (two years) of Science in Biomedical Methods and Technology.

The possibility of earlier exit exists with the magister degree after courses equivalent to 60 ECTS are completed. In this case the degree certificate states: Master (one year) of Sciences in Biomedical Methods and Technology.

Malmö University issues a degree certificate after receiving the student’s application.


Contact

Further information

Carina Grujic,
Phone: 040-66 57783
E-mail: carina.grujic@mah.se

Marie Enberg, student services assistant
Phone: 040-66 57452
E-mail: marie.enberg@mah.se

Håkan Eriksson, programme responsible
Phone: 040-66 57925
E-mail: hakan.eriksson@mah.se