MSc in Biomarkers in Molecular Medicine

Molecular Medicine is a growing field that strives to understand normal body functioning and pathogenesis at the cellular and molecular levels, allowing researchers to use that knowledge in the design of specific tools for disease diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention. Within this field, a biomarker is a characteristic at the cellular or molecular level that can be objectively measured as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or as a pharmacological response to a therapeutic intervention.

About The Program

At the University of Skövde, we offer "Biomarkers in Molecular Medicine", a Master's program in which you will learn how to identify, verify and validate biomarkers in Molecular Medicine by the use of different Systems Biology methods.

The focus of your studies

The program involves in-depth research-oriented studies in the areas of Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, and Systems Biology. Independent laboratory work and computer-based analysis of experimental biological data are prominent parts of the studies. During the first part of the program, you will study advanced courses in Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine, Biostatistics, and Bioinformatics.

In the next part of the program, you will continue with advanced courses in Systems Biology, Expression Analysis, Multivariate Analysis, Next Generation Sequencing, and Biomarkers – analysis of data. The focus during this part is an analysis of experimental biological data, mainly to identify, verify and validate biomarkers in Molecular Medicine, by the use of different Systems Biology methods. By using multivariate techniques, you will also learn how to combine biomarkers to diagnose diseases.

The program is concluded with a master's degree project work (45 credits) during the last year. During the project work, you will expand your theoretical and laboratory knowledge and solve a relevant research problem in Systems Biology (with a focus on Biomarkers in Molecular Medicine). The project work is performed individually under the direction of a qualified supervisor at the University of Skövde, at one of our fifteen partner companies, or externally at another university or company.

Upon completion of your studies

After completing the program you can for example work in pharmaceutical companies or at hospitals. You can also continue with Ph.D. studies or another kind of research at governmental and private research laboratories.