Objectives and competences
The master's degree in Biomedicine represents one of the University of Barcelona's key strategic contributions to the field, both in terms of its academic content and on the strength of the underlying research infrastructure. The programme covers multidisciplinary aspects of biomedicine and applied research, and graduates will have excellent future prospects in life sciences. The degree also provides the necessary training for entry into postgraduate studies relating to diverse areas of biomedicine. The quality of the master's degree is guaranteed by the excellent scientific output indicators achieved by the teaching staff and researchers involved in the teaching of the programme. This is a multidisciplinary course coordinated by various departments in the faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences, Biology and Pharmacy and Food Sciences.
The new curriculum for the master's in Biomedicine, which was introduced for the academic year 2013-2014, retains the multidisciplinary nature of the previous curriculum, but differs in three respects:
- Increased content in molecular oncology and endocrine and metabolic diseases, which are areas of biomedicine not covered by other master's courses offered by the University of Barcelona.
- A more clearly defined approach in the component of applied biomedical research.
- Adaptation to the content of the new degree courses in biomedical sciences.
Basic information
| Type | Master's degree |
|---|---|
| Faculty or school | Medicine Training and Research Section (Clínic) |
| Branch of knowledge |
|
| Mode of delivery |
|
| Credits | 60 |
| Number of places available | 80 |
| Length of course | 1 academic year |
| Language(s) of instruction | 60 % English - 20 % Catalan - 20 % Spanish |
| Approximate price per credit | 27.67 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2024-2025 |
| Coordination | NIEVES AGELL JANE |
| master.biomedicina@ub.edu | |
| Course details | Indicators |
| Open pre-enrolment | No |
| Open enrolment | No |
| Lead to doctoral studies | Yes |
| Admission for applicants not holding a degree qualification | No |
| Bridging courses | Yes |
| Specializations |
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Objectives and competences
Objectives
The main learning objectives of the master's degree are as follows:
- To acquire advanced training and up-to-date knowledge of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of diseases, especially cancer and metabolic diseases, as well as in the hypotheses, methodology and techniques currently used in research, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and prevention of these diseases.
- To acquire a solid, broad and integrated foundation from which to embark on doctoral studies in basic and applied biomedical research and the skills required for experimental laboratory work, under the supervision of experts.
- To develop the capacity to undertake professional duties in biomedical research, clinical analysis and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, that do not require a PhD or official specialist qualification in the health sciences.
Competences
Upon completion of the course, successful students will be able to:
- display an understanding of the value and limitations of the scientific method and a capacity for generating new ideas;
- prepare and defend scientific reports rigorously and competently in order to communicate scientific results, especially in English, both orally and in writing;
- work independently, and display initiative in groups and multidisciplinary teams;
- work safely in a laboratory environment;
- understand and transmit to others the importance of interaction between the university and business;
- display a concern for ethical practice in biomedicine.
Specific competences:
With regard to the specific applications of the curriculum, students will also be able to:
- design biomedical experiments;
- describe and apply the different experimental models of biomedical research using appropriate techniques;
- identify molecular targets for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of human diseases;
- display the capacity to act as a bridge between basic research and clinical practice;
- learn how to access scientific literature and biomedical databases through electronic searches of online databases;
- assess the quality of a scientific paper in the area of biomedicine.
Access and admission
Applicant profile and access requirements
Recommended applicant profile
The master's degree in Biomedicine is primarily addressed to students who have completed a degree in the field of health sciences, biological sciences and experimental sciences (chemistry and physics).Candidates must have a general understanding of the basic principles of molecular, cell, tissue, organic and systemic biology. It is also essential to have a working knowledge of English, in order to be able to read basic bibliographic sources (journals, textbooks, etc.) and follow subjects taught in the language.
Access requirements and conditions
General requirementsIn accordance with Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, students wishing to be admitted to a university master's degree must hold one of the following qualifications:
- Official Spanish university degree.
- A degree issued by a higher education institution within the European Higher Education Area framework that authorizes the holder to access university master's degree courses in the country of issue.
- A qualification issued by an institution outside the framework of the European Higher Education Area. In this case, applicants must request homologation of the degree to its equivalent official Spanish university qualification or obtain express approval from the University of Barcelona, which will conduct a study of equivalence to ensure that the degree is of a comparable level to an official Spanish university qualification and that it grants access to university master's degree study in the country of issue. Admission shall not, in any case, imply that prior qualifications have been recognized as equivalent to a Spanish master's degree and does not confer recognition for any purposes other than that of admission to the master's degree course.
Specific requirements
To gain access to the master's degree in Biomedicine students must be in possession of one of the following degree qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or pre-EHEA degree in Biomedical sciences (or equivalent qualifications).
- Bachelor's degree or pre-EHEA degree in Biology (or equivalentvqualifications).
- Bachelor's degree or pre-EHEA degree in Biochemistry (or equivalent qualifications).
- Bachelor's degree or pre-EHEA degree in Biotechnology (or equivalent qualifications).
- Bachelor's degree or pre-EHEA degree in Medicine.
- Bachelor's degree or pre-EHEA degree in Pharmacy.
- Bachelor's degree or pre-EHEA degree in Genetics (or equivalent qualifications).
- Bachelor's degree or pre-EHEA degree in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (or equivalent qualifications).
- Bachelor's degree or pre-EHEA degree in Biomedical Engineering (or equivalent qualifications).
- Bachelor's degree or pre-EHEA degree in Chemistry (bridging courses required).
- Bachelor's degree or pre-EHEA degree in Physics (bridging courses required).
- Bachelor's degree in Nursing (bridging courses required).
- Bachelor's degree in Podiatry (bridging courses required).
- Bachelor's degree or pre-EHEA degree in Dentistry (bridging courses required).
- Bachelor's degree or pre-EHEA degree in Engineering (bridging courses required).
- Bachelor's degree or pre-EHEA degree in Nutrition (bridging courses required).
Pre-enrolment
Calendar
- First period: 29 January - 31 of May 2024.
Notification of resolutions: from the 2 April 2024. - Second period: 12 of June - 15 July 2024.
Notification of resolutions: from the July 1, 2024.
Information Master and program Erasmus: course 2025-2025 and program Erasmus
Notes:
- Pre-enrolment fee: A pre-enrolment fee of 30,21 euros is charged. Students who apply to more than one master's degree must pay the fee for each pre-enrolment request. Pre-enrolment requests cannot be processed until this fee has been paid.Fees will only be refunded if the master's degree in question is suspended.
- Reserved places: A maximum of 5% of the new places of the master's degree are reserved for students who meet the general and specific access requirements and accredit the recognition of a degree of disability equal to or greater than 33%.
Required documentation
- Pre-enrolment application
- Photocopy of degree certificate or equivalent qualification. In case of admission, foreign degrees that require so should be translated and authenticated through diplomatic channels before completing the enrolment.
- Other specific documentation related to the selection criteria
Selection criteria
- Possession of a bachelor's degree or pre-EHEA degree granting access to the master's degree, or proof of having completed such a course of study. The grade-point average obtained in the relevant degree studies should be clearly indicated. Foreign students must calculate the equivalence between their rating scale and the Spanish scale (from 1-10). (10 points): Further information
- A letter of acceptance from a research group for the completion of the experimental work required for the master's final project. (2 points)Model
- An employment contract with a biomedical research centre. (2 points).
- Additional merit is awarded for the possession of extraordinary prizes for bachelor's and pre-EHEA degrees, for professional experience in the field of biomedical research and published articles. (2 points)
Notification
The Admissions Committee meets periodically to evaluate all complete applications received by then.Enrolment
As a general rule, at the UB you will be required to enrol online. Remember that you can lose your place if you do not enrol on the day you have been assigned
- Documents required for enrolment
- Procedure to formalize enrolment
- Grants and financial aid (in Catalan)
- Economic information (in Catalan)
Course curriculum
Subjects and course plans
Distribution of credits
| Type | ECTS |
|---|---|
| Compulsory | 12 |
| Optional | 21 |
| Compulsory placements | 0 |
| Compulsory final project | 27 |
| TOTAL | 60 |
List of subjects
Previous years
Placements
Placements in a company or another type of organization are an integral part of university studies, providing first-hand experience of working methodologies in students' chosen professional fields. They offer invaluable practical experience for the transition into work after graduation.
Placements are supervised by tutors and subject to assessment. They are therefore included in the academic record. For curricular placements, an educational cooperation agreement is signed between the UB and the company, institution or other organization at which the placement will be carried out.
Institutional information
Career opportunities
What can you work on ?
The master's degree in Biomedicine is designed to train experts in biomedicine, particularly in the areas of molecular oncology, endocrinology and metabolism, with the capacity to develop scientific projects in both industrial and medical environments and in basic and applied biomedical research.As the programme has a strong research focus, the most obvious professional path is doctoral study followed by a career in research.
The master's degree also prepares graduates for professional duties in the fields of biomedical research, clinical analysis and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, that do not require a PhD or an official specialist qualification in the health sciences.