Master of Science in Biochemistry (1 year, 60 ECTS) – 2013/2014-2018/2019

Name and the Goals of the Study Programme

The name of the Study programme is Master of Science in Biochemistry (1 year, 60 ECTS).

The goal of the Study Program is to:

• deepen and expand the student’s knowledge acquired at the undergraduate level of biochemistry or chemistry studies, which develops originality and application of ideas in research and professional work;
• train professionals who will be capable of doing diverse jobs requiring high degree of knowledge in the area of biochemistry;
• obtain a sufficiently high level of knowledge, competencies and skills needed for further training.

Type of the Study and the Outcome of the Education Process

After completion of the study program Master in biochemistry, the student is able to:

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and broad critical understanding of biochemistry;
• Plan experiments and apply advanced methods, techniques and procedures of research in biochemistry;
• Solve complex biochemical problems;
• Competently work with modern laboratory and research equipment in the development and control biochemistry laboratories;
• Study and present the results of research.

Professional Title, Academic, or Scientific Title

After completing the one-year study and earning 60 ESTC credits, the student obtains the title of Master in Biochemistry.

Admission Conditions

• Completed academic studies of biochemistry or the corresponding academic studies;
• Position in the ranking list within the approved enrolment quota.

The admission of the candidates is based on the open competition announced by the University of Novi Sad and realized by the Faculty of Sciences. In order to get enrolled in the Master Academic Studies of Biochemistry, the candidate has to have completed the Bachelor academic studies in biochemistry or the corresponding basic academic studies (240 ЕCTS), in which at least 190 ЕCTS credits are from biochemistry, chemistry and similar disciplines. The candidates are ranked on the basis of the contest criteria of the University of Novi Sad. To get enrolled, the candidate must be ranked within the the approved enrolment quota.

The Structure of the Study Programme

Тable show the lists of the obligatory and elective courses along with the ECTS points.

The Time Allotted for the Realization of Particular Study Forms

The study program comprises teaching of the subjects listed in Tables, arranged in two semesters per year.

Master Academic Studies in Biochemistry (lasting one academic year) carries at least 60 ECTS credits, a prerequisite being that the student earned at least 240 ECTS points in their previous academic studies.

Credit Values of Particular Courses

The credit value of each course is given in the table showing the distribution of the courses into the semesters and study years.

Diploma Work

The Study Program Master Academic Studies in Biochemistry ends with the completion and defence of the Master Thesis, an independent student’s work which represents the final exam for obtaining the academic title of Master in Biochemistry.

By completing and defending the Master Thesis, the student demonstrates independence and creativity in the application of theoretical knowledge and practical skills acquired in the area of biochemical sciences. The Master Thesis is carried out in the first and second semester, in the frame of the research study. The total value of this work is 30 ЕCTS.

Detailed regulations concerning the registration, requirements and the manner of defending this work are regulated by the Statute and the corresponding acts of the Faculty.

Prerequisites for the Registration for Particular Courses or Group of Courses

The Book of the Courses contains the requirements for the registration for each particular course.

Way of Choosing Courses from the Other Study Programmes

There is a possibility of choosing courses from some other study programs.

The student can choose any course from the offered list of courses of the Study Program he/she is enrolled in, taking into account that in one academic year he/she has to earn at least 60 ECTS credits. As a rule, the registration for the elective courses is carried out at the time of registering for the study year. Teaching is organized if the total number of students wishing to attend the given course is above the limit envisaged by the study program containing the given elective course.

If the student wishes to choose a course from another study program, he/she is obliged to submit an application to the Department Council, which decides about the acceptance/rejection in accordance with the curriculum of the given study program.

Transferring from Another Study Programme

There is a possibility of transferring from one to another study program, based on the credit system for the same and similar courses.

The purpose of the study program of Master Academic Studies in Biochemistry is to enable students to obtain the second cycle degree (Master in Biochemistry) that will be recognized by all European institutions, and to enable them to find suitable employment or continue their education at the doctoral studies in biochemistry or related disciplines.

The objective of the study program of Master Academic Studies in Biochemistry is to prepare professionals for highly specific work, with a higher level of knowledge compared to those acquired at the Bachelor academic studies. The graduates are capable to organize and manage smaller projects in biochemical laboratories, showing independence in their work. The academic education obtained within the this study program should allow them mastering the majority of the theoretical principles from modern biochemistry and similar disciplines, and ability for independent application of these principles in practice. The graduates will be prepared for the independent work in various scientific institutes, industrial companies and other biochemistry laboratories. The teaching contents of this study program ensure a solid preparation of the graduates to organize the work in specialized scientific research laboratories in the narrower area of biochemistry.

The aim of the study program Master Academic Studies in Biochemistry is to prepare the professionals in biochemistry to solve complex problems in research laboratories of specialized scientific institutes and development laboratories of the pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries. This assumes the possession of broad biochemical knowledge based on the most modern scientific achievements, as well acquiring basic knowledge of biology, medicine, and similar areas. The graduates are equipped with modern knowledge and skills to work in the multidisciplinary areas at the borderlines of chemistry, biology and medicine. In addition to being prepared to work in control and research and development centers, they will have the possibility of continuing their education towards obtaining a PhD degree in biochemistry.

The graduates are professionals with high academic education, equipped with broader knowledge compared to that acquired at undergraduate studies, as they obtained integrated knowledge and developed capabilities of understanding scientific problems in the area of biochemistry and chemistry. Competences of graduates are in accordance with the selected courses during master studies.

By completing the requirements of this study program, student improves the following general competencies:

• ability to create scientifically based arguments and conclusions, taking into account scientific, social and ethical values;
• independence,  organizational skills and originality in evaluating and interpreting relevant information, formulating and solving problems, as well as processing and interpreting results of scientific experiments;
• ability to make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations;
• communication skills (oral and written) with specialists from the same or broader scientific field during processing and communicating information, ideas, problems and results and conclusions;
• ability to apply knowledge in practice;
• capacity for cooperation and team work on projects, to work independently on assigned tasks and project work for the exchange of ideas and information with other members of the professional team;
• adherence to professional ethics;
• interest in further professional education.

By completing the requirements of this study program, student improves the following subject-specific competencies:

• ability to apply (for both routine and research purposes) the fundamental theoretical and practical knowledge of all aspects of modern biochemistry and chemistry and deeper theoretical knowledge of the latest developments in the study areas;
• ability to design and perform experiments and interpret the results;
• creative and critical approach to describing, analyzing, evaluating and solving complex theoretical or practical problems in the field of biochemistry;
• skills for reliable and successful application of advanced biochemical, chemical and biological laboratory techniques;
• consistency and accountability in the organization and implementation of safety measures in the laboratory working with specific chemicals and biomaterials;
• participation in multi-disciplinary teams for solving a variety of biochemical problems.

Upon completion of this program the student is able to:

• manage the work in the laboratories of research institutes and universities and in specialized laboratories for biochemistry research;
• work in the development and control laboratories in industry where there is a need for this profile experts in the development, production and project management.