Faculty of Science > Courses and Programmes > Degree Programmes > Molecular Biomedicine

The program in Molecular Biomedicine is one of Denmark's elite programs, with extra funding from the Ministry of Science and Technology, and one of Copenhagen's Master of Excellence (COME) programs. The curriculum is focused on experimental work with the molecular biology of human disease and is a joint effort between the two faculties of science and health, both on the same campus in Copenhagen, and the language of the curriculum is English.

• Academic focus
• Course Content
• Career Prospects
• Methods of Teaching
• Master's thesis work
• Admission requirements
• Application and fees

Academic focus

Our goal is to ensure that our graduates can participate as fully-fledged members of international biomedical research teams, and have the best possible training to continue with Ph.d. studies at world-leading universities and laboratories. Thus, our graduates are also particularly well suited for jobs in in the biomedical industry, at hospitals and other research environments.
During the two years programme, the main focus is on the student's independent laboratory work with a research project that runs for the duration of the study. In addition, both obligatory and elective courses must be taken. The courses are running in parallel with the laboratory project. Upon completion of the course program, students have the necessary background for stringent, scientific analysis of their own and others' experimental work.

Course Content

Master's thesis (60 ECTS credit points): You select a thesis supervisor, based on your own particular specific field of interest. In this process, you can seek the assistance of a master's advisor. After you have found a thesis supervisor, the two of you will formulate an independent research project that is part of the larger context in the supervisor's field of research. The goal of your project will be to obtain new molecular biomedical insight in the particular field of study. You then join the supervisor's research group and laboratory, and remain associated with this group for the rest of your time in the master program. During that time, you are expected to work in the laboratory whenever you are not busy with coursework.

You are also required to follow a number of courses during your master studies. Mandatory courses are in molecular pathology, bioinformatics and statistics. In addition, you must participate in elective courses totalling 30 ECTS credit points. Elective courses can cover such topics as bacterial pathogenesis or laboratory animal science, but you may also choose from a large number of courses offered throughout thr University of Copenhagen (by many faculties at several institutions). As mentioned, all obligatory, and many elective courses and exams are in English.

Programme structure is as follows:

Thesis: 60 ECTS
Electives: 30 ECTS
Compulsory courses: 30 ECTS:

• Theoretical Pathophysiology
• Statistics for Molecular Biomedicine
• Experimental Patophysiology
• Bioinformatics of High Throughput Analyses

Career Prospects

This programme is quite new, and the first MSc graduates in molecular biomedicine will graduate in 2009. They are expected to become members of many international biomedical research teams.  Several of our graduates will continue in Ph.d. programs, either in Denamrk or abroad, but many are expected to go to the biomedical industry, hospitals and other research environments.

Methods of Teaching

Our University year in Copenhagen is divided into 4 blocks. One block is nine weeks, and full time study in a block earns you 15 ECTS credit points. 

Master's thesis work

It is possible to do Master's thesis projects at a large number of molecular biology laboratories at the University of Copenhagen, at several research institutions and in the biomedical industry. The project work concludes with a written scientific report on the experimental work carried out (in English), and you present your findings at an oral exam that takes the form of a scientific defense, with 2 examiners responsible for questioning your results and conclusions.

Admission requirements 

The admission requirements are described in §4 of the curriculum.

Application and tuition fees 

You can find information about how to apply and tuition fees in the table below: