Objectives and competences
The master's degree is intended for graduates in chemistry or similar disciplines who are looking to work in the general area of healthcare, particularly in research settings. They will learn to resolve problems related to the use of analytical and diagnostic techniques, the implementation of biomarkers, innovation and drug design, and analytical tests for biohealth applications. The programme also focuses on the statistical treatment of health-related data, the management and application of current legislation, and quality assurance of biohealth activities.
The training acquired in the master's degree broadens and complements the training received as graduates, specifically in subjects related to the health field. The Master's Degree in Health Chemistry and Biochemistry is mainly taught via synchronous videoconferencing over two semesters, while the final semester of the program involves external internships and a final master's thesis, which are carried out in person at laboratories, companies, or research institutes and centers. The combination of the final master's thesis with compulsory external internships will allow students to gain first-hand knowledge of the professional and research environment in this field.
Basic information
| Type | Master's degree |
|---|---|
| Faculty or school | Faculty of Chemistry |
| Branch of knowledge |
|
| Mode of delivery |
|
| Credits | 90 |
| Length of course | 2 academic years |
| Approximate price per credit | 19.37 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2025-2026 |
| Coordination | M. VICTORIA SANZ NEBOT |
| Course details | Indicators |
| Open pre-enrolment | No |
| Open enrolment | No |
| Lead to doctoral studies | Yes |
| Admission for applicants not holding a degree qualification | No |
| Interuniversity | Yes |
| Main university | Universitat Barcelona |
| Universities |
|
| Bridging courses | No |
Objectives and competences
Objectives
- To acquire a solid theoretical framework to understand the significance of chemical and biochemical quantities for the detection, diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of diseases.
- To acquire the methodological foundations of the most relevant analytical techniques for obtaining chemical and biochemical quantities, and the statistical tools necessary for their treatment, interpretation and application in the fields of chemistry and biochemistry for health.
- To learn to critically evaluate current advances and trends to design, identify, use and validate new biomarkers and emerging drugs with the potential to improve clinical diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
- To acquire the theoretical bases of the principles and concepts in the examination of biological fluids, the alternations of systems and organs, and the biochemical study of pathological processes.
- To acquire information about current quality management legislation and regulations and understand how to apply it to the design, implementation and maintenance of quality management procedures in health laboratories.
- To apply knowledge of clinical biochemistry, molecular biology and biomedicine to analytical chemistry in the healthcare field.
- To acquire the conceptual knowledge to critically evaluate current research and innovations in chemistry and biochemistry for health in order to assess cutting-edge methodologies, identify entrepreneurial opportunities and propose new approaches and hypotheses.
Competences
- Ability to identify analytical techniques and methodologies for the evaluation of the chemical and biochemical magnitudes used, as well as to apply and interpret them in the field of chemistry and biochemistry for health.
- Ability to select the appropriate statistical techniques for data analysis in the health field.
- Ability to define applicable legislation and quality management standards for each type of laboratory, safety and waste management systems, and the associated records and documentation.
- Ability to relate a drug's mode of action from intake to elimination with the theoretical foundations of the interactions established between a drug and its therapeutic target.
- Ability to link innovations and future research trends in chemistry and biochemistry for health for their application to solve problems in the biohealth field.
- Ability to describe laboratories operating systems, clinical systems or research institutes related to chemistry and biochemistry for health.
- Ability to define the main phases, objectives and challenges of a scientific-academic job role in the field of chemistry and biochemistry for health.
- Ability to determine the general characteristics of diseases with the molecular, cellular, and physiological bases of biological processes.
- Ability to apply the bases of strategic thinking in the design and management of available resources in a clinical laboratory.
- Ability to critically interpret current advances and trends in the identification and validation of new biomarkers to improve disease diagnosis and prognosis.
- Ability to structure new business initiatives based on determining unmet needs and/or creatively solving challenges that arise in the health sector.
- Ability to interpret obtained results from the application of statistical techniques in terms of uncertainty linked to a specific clinical situation.
- Ability to apply adequate analytical techniques for the separation, identification and quantification of analytes in different matrices and complex clinical samples.
- Ability to operate with computational and synthetic chemistry tools alongside biological ones in the study of drugs mode of action and design.
- Ability to search, critically review and integrate scientific and technical information in the field of chemistry and biochemistry for health.
- Ability to defend, orally and in-writing, scientific material and argumentation to a specialized audience in chemistry and biochemistry for health.
- Sustainability and social commitment. Ability to participate in the development of projects in the field of chemistry and biochemistry for health that respect fundamental rights and obligations, the environment and democratic values in line with sustainable development objectives.
- Commitment to ethical practice. Clinical and self-critical reasoning skills in the field of chemistry and biochemistry for health that consider aspects such as professional ethics, moral values and social implications of the different activities.
- Ability to work as part of a team. Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams in the health sector and develop personal values in interpersonal relationships and teamwork.
- Learning and responsibility. Ability to adapt to new environments and changing scenarios, autonomy in work and decision-making in the field of chemistry and biochemistry for health.
- Creative and entrepreneurial skills. Entrepreneurial abilities and attitudes to apply to the analysis and design of innovative projects in the health sector.
- Critical awareness towards gender perspective situations during the training process and in the subsequent professional practices.
- Ability to assess gender differences in risk factors, biological mechanisms, clinical manifestation, treatment of diseases and disorders, and biomarker values.
- Ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the master's degree to resolve specific problems in a research and professional environment in the field of chemistry and biochemistry for health.
Access and admission
Applicant profile and access requirements
Recommended applicant profile
The master's degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry for Health is intended for graduates in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, biotechnology or other related areas, at the discretion of the master's degree coordination committee.Access requirements and conditions
General requirementsStudents 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.
Pre-enrolment
Calendar
9 April'17 July 2025Notes:
- 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:
- Passport
- CV
- Official academic certificate
- Motivational letter
Selection criteria
If the number of suitable candidates exceeds the total places offered, the coordination committee will draw up a shortlist on the basis of the following criteria:- Curricular pathway of the candidate's previous studies (20%). It is essential to have completed the subjects Chemistry, Biology and Biochemistry. Credit will also be given for completion of other subjects in the fields of chemistry, biology, biochemistry and biomedical sciences.
- Gradepoint average of academic record (60%).
- Interest in the master's degree (as stated in cover letter) (10%).
- Other merits: professional experience, participation in other programmes, mobility experiences during degree studies, etc. (10%).
Notification
Once the pre-enrolment process is completed, the committee publishes the list of admitted candidates.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 | 48 |
| Optional | 12 |
| Compulsory placements | 18 |
| Compulsory final project | 12 |
| TOTAL | 90 |
List of subjects
Previous years
Placements
Career opportunities
What can you work on ?
Graduates of the master's degree receive the necessary training to collaborate with public and private teams involved in practice and/or research in the field of Health Chemistry and Biochemistry.They will be able to collaborate in solving problems related to the most common tests and analyses in the fields of molecular biology and clinical biochemistry, as well as clinical analyses and toxicology applied to the diagnosis of human pathologies and diseases. They will also be able to collaborate on research projects to evaluate, classify, and implement biomarkers related to human diseases, as well as to further innovation and design of drugs and tests for biosanitary analytical application, including mechanisms related to regulation and quality control. The master's degree provides access to doctoral programs related to the field of health chemistry and biochemistry.
Examples of specific fields:
- Graduates acquire MECES level 3, necessary for pursuing doctoral studies in research teams.
- Quality control units in the healthcare field.
- Pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and diagnostic industries, to develop drugs and diagnostic tests.
- Companies specializing in biodata management, to carry out statistical and bioinformatic analyses.
- The training acquired in the master's degree broadens and complements their undergraduate education and provides them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully navigate selection processes in the hospital setting.