Molecular Life Sciences

The Program in Molecular Life Sciences is run jointly by the Institutes of Cell Biology and Plant Sciences and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Science Faculty. A key feature of the Program is its interdisciplinary aspect: it combines teaching and research activities of the three participating institutions with important contributions from research groups of the Medical and Veterinary Faculties. A particular emphasis is the active envolvement of students in research projects during their master thesis in one of the participating laboratories. Research is intense in the areas of Host-Pathogen-Interactions / Molecular Parasitology, RNA Biology, Membrane Biochemistry, Development and Inflammation, but many other topics are also being investigated. Thus the students get the opportunity to deepen and specialize their knowledge and skills in the area of molecular life sciences that they have previously acquired during their bachelor studies.
The master program offers specializations in the fields of Biochemistry/Chemical Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Microbiology/Immunology, Neuro-/Developmental Biology and Plant Physiology.

The following academic qualifications are required for admission to the master’s degree program in Molecular Life Sciences:

a) Bachelor's degree from a Swiss university or an equivalent degree in one of the following branches of studies:

• Biology
• Biochemistry
• Chemistry

Depending on previous education and the special qualification in which the person is interested, admission may depend, however, upon evidence of additional knowledge and expertise or upon additional attainments. Additional attainments are generally units of credit from the bachelor's degree programs in Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or Chemistry and Molecular Sciences to a maximum of 60 ECTS credits.*

b) Bachelor's degree from a Swiss university or an equivalent degree in another branch of studies. Admission may depend upon evidence of additional knowledge and expertise or upon an additional maximum 60 ECTS credits.*

c) Bachelor's degrees from the University of Bern:

• Bachelor of Science in Biology with special qualification in Cell Biology
• Bachelor of Science in Biology with special qualification in Plant Sciences, including the required (as listed in appendix 2 to the plan of studies) units of credit associated with Plant Physiology as part of the bachelor's degree program
• Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences

are required in at least one of the special qualifications in order to embark upon the master's degree program without any further admission requirements. By contrast, certain switches of specialization between bachelor's and master's degree programs do require an additional maximum 60 ECTS credits.

* The ECTS credits will be listed separately in the diploma supplement as extracurricular attainments.

For more information: Admissions Office

Tuition fee: CHF 850 per semester.