Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. The main field of study must be within the life sciences.

Language requirements

All applicants need to verify English language proficiency that corresponds to English studies at upper secondary (high school) level in Sweden ("English 6"). This can be done in a number of ways, including through an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS, or through previous upper secondary (high school) or university studies.

The minimum test scores are:

• IELTS: an overall mark of 6.5 and no section below 5.5
• TOEFL: Paper-based: Score of 4.5 (scale 1–6) in written test and a total score of 575. Internet-based: Score of 20 (scale 0–30) in written test and a total score of 90
• Cambridge: CAE, CPE

Aims

The Master Programme in Medical Research (former Uppsala Graduate School in Biomedical Research, UGSBR) has the overall aim to prepare students that are highly motivated for research for PhD studies. The program is designed to give the students a broad and deep knowledge about present research and development in the biomedical/biotechnological areas, and thereby to increase their possibilities to make good choices for their future direction.

The program aims to provide:

• practical experience of three research projects and insights into several other projects prior to the selection of a graduate topic.
• an adequate theoretical platform which can serve as a solid base for scientific creativity, problem solving, and a unbiased critical attitude.
• knowledge about scientific presentation techniques.
• insight into topics related to the role of science in the community.
• connections with scientists which can serve as supervisors or collaborators during a subsequent graduate training program.
• contacts and possibilities for cooperation with medical and biotechnological companies.

Learning outcomes

After the programme is completed the student should be able to

• apply a scientific approach in the assessment of research and science-related statements
• search for, evaluate, and in written form summarise scientific texts of a project area.
• plan and accomplish research projects, and critically evaluate methods and results.
• present results from completed projects orally and in writing in scientifically correct manners.
• present research results orally, in written and poster format.
• apply ethical rules and standards for conduct and reporting of research projects, and evaluate impact of results from the ethical perspective

Layout of the programme

The program consists of

Courses equivalent to 60 credits from any of the Master Programmes at the Faculty of Medicine

Advanced research training 30 credits

Bioscientific research 30 credits

The first year each student follows one of the Master Programmes at the Faculty of Medicine, Uppsala University. Students with previous studies at Master's level equivalent to 60 credits may be given credits for the first years courses.

During the second year the programme comprises mainly of individually conducted research projects. The third semester starts with two intensive introductory weeks during which different topics related to science and the scientific community are presented. The semester then continues with two shorter individual lab projects (appr. 9 weeks each) performed in different research groups. The forth semester is mainly devoted for a 30 credit degree project (appr. 19 weeks).

At the end of each lab rotation, the projects are presented and discussed.

The first project is reported at a public poster session.

The second project is completed by a) the writing of a scientific mini-review over the project topic and b) an oral presentation of the experimental work at a mini-symposium.

The third project is presented orally at a mini-symposium and as a written Master's thesis.

Weekly classes dealing with different aspects of bioscience as well as presentation techniques will run throughout the year. A full-time theme course aiming at deepened knowledge within a particular field will take place during the first week of the second semester. During seminars the students will be trained to critically evaluate methods and results, and to discuss scientific and ethical issues.

All teaching and discussions are held in English.

Degree

The programme gives a Degree of Master of Medical Science (120 credits) with main field of study Medical Science