Master of Science in Biomedical Science

Would you like to gain a better understanding of how the human body and its organs function? Are you fascinated by the challenges associated with medicine in the 21st century? Could you imagine having a career in medical research? The Bern Master's Program in Biomedical Sciences will teach you modern methods of biological research in combination with a basic education in medicine that focuses on expanding your knowledge of how the most important systems in the human body function. The integration of these two areas of expertise will prepare you for a career in academic or industrial research at both basic research and clinical research levels.

The Master's Program in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Bern is closely linked with the Bachelor of Biomedical Science at the University of Fribourg. The aim of the joint program is to offer students who are interested in human diseases an education that will enable them to embark upon a career in academic or pharmaceutical biomedical research.

The joint program therefore focuses on the interface between the natural sciences and medicine. Years 1-3 are taught in Fribourg (Batchelor) while year 4 and the master thesis constitute the Master of Biomedical Science taught in Bern. Year 1 focuses on the natural sciences, year 2 on medicine, particularly in the areas of anatomy, biochemistry and physiology. Year 3 and year 4 students learn about the basic mechanisms of illnesses and diseases, as well as the clinical pathophysiology of specific organs. This is supplemented by an introduction to state-of-the-art research methods and laboratory practices. The master's program concludes with a master's thesis that is written during a six-month internship at a research lab of the student's choice.

The Faculty of Medicine maintains a factsheet about the master's program that is essentially an abbreviated version of the material provided on this web site.