Objectives

The objective of the programme is to provide students with a broad and basic understanding of molecular biological methods and ways of thinking based on chemical analysis so that they can apply this knowledge in teaching molecular biology, work in a laboratory or conduct further studies in molecular biology or related disciplines, such as biology, chemistry or biomedicine.

Content

The programme gives an overview of modern molecular biology and includes themes, such as metabolism, molecular cell biology, experimental molecular biology, gene structure and function and applied bioinformatics.

On completion of the programme the candidate should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

The student

• has gained broad knowledge and understanding of key concepts and processes in molecular biology (including macromolecules and functions, metabolic processes, and how information in the genome is converted to biological function)
• has knowledge about the theory of evolution and the central dogma
• has knowledge about important model organisms
• has gained broad knowledge of molecular cell biology
• has a wide knowledge about important methods in molecular biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics including gene technology, protein purification and sequence analyses, and knows the principles behind these methods
• is able to update own knowledge within the field of molecular biology

Skills

The student

• can apply knowledge about molecular- and cell biology in a biological context
• can perform simple experiments in molecular biology and biochemistry, and apply simple bioinformatics tools
• can use library and scientific databases to collect relevant information in molecular biology

General competance

The student

• can participate in discussion about relevant molecular biology problems and ethical issues
• can communicate knowledge in molecular biology both orally and in writing

can apply his/her expertise within new fields of molecular biology

These courses are compulsory:

Ex.phil., MAT101/MAT111, MOL100, MOL200, MOL201, MOL221, MOL222, MOL203, MOL204, KJEM110, KJEM130, one elective course in chemistry and one elective course in statistics or mathematics.

The specialization in the study programme totals 110 ECTS, and consists of the following courses:

MOL100, MOL200, MOL201, MOL221, MOL222, MOL203, MOL204, KJEM110, KJEM130, one elective course in chemistry and one elective course in statistics or mathematics.

The following courses are recommended electives in the programme: MOL231 and MOL270. Other relevant course: KJEM131, KJEM120, KJEM122, KJEM140, KJEM202, KJEM210, KJEM260, BIO100, BIO101, BIO216, BIO271, INF109, PHYS101, MAT102, MAT121, STAT101 and STAT110.

Other courses in chemistry, mathematics, statistics, informatics, physics and biology and more, may also be relevant.

The students may choose other courses.

A combination of teaching and learning methods is used in the various courses, including lectures, hands-on laboratory and colloquiums.

You may find more information in the course description.

At UiB the grades are given in one of two possible grading scales: passed/failed and A to F.

The grading scale for each course is given in the course description.

Bachelor¿s degrees give admission to a master¿s programme within relevant discipline.

To qualify for a master¿s programme at UiB the average grade for the specialization in the bachelor's degree should be at least C.

With a degree in molecular biology you can work with research and teaching at universities, university colleges, university hospitals and other major hospitals. Molecular biologists work in a variety of fields such as food research, petroleum industry, marine research, forensic science and environmental research. Medical, pharmaceutical and biotechnological industry and research are also relevant fields of work.

A bachelor¿s degree in molecular biology gives you a good base to pursue a master¿s degree in molecular biology or other related fields. The width of your academic qualifications will be your greatest competitive advantage in case you end your studies after completing the bachelor¿s degree.