Biochemistry
Master of Science
- Standard period of study:
- 4 semesters
- Start of studies:
- Winter semester
- Type of studies:
- Graduate
- Language of instruction:
- English
- Admission
- Free of admission
Scope 120 CP* (full-time)
44 CP
Lecture and exercise
46 CP
Practical training
30 CP
Final thesis
Structure
The Master of Science in Biochemistry at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum offers you a two-year, high-quality study programme with the opportunity to adapt it to your personal interests and prepare yourself for a successful, international future.
The programme combines excellent theoretical training using state-of-the-art teaching methods with in-depth, hands-on training in laboratory research.
The programme is taught entirely in English and consists of one third compulsory and two thirds elective subjects. In the first semester, you choose your first insight into four of six possible specialisations. At the beginning of the second semester, you choose your specialisation for the rest of your Master's degree. At the end of the third semester, you will complete your Master's programme with your own research internship, which will lead you to your own Master's research project/Master's thesis in the fourth semester.
Specialisations
There are currently 6 specialisations on offer, reflecting the current exciting research areas at the RUB.
Biochemistry of membranes and the nervous system
- Biochemistry of membranes and the nervous system
- Biochemistryof stem cells
- Biomolecular chemistry
- MolecularBiology and Biotechnology of Plants and Microorganisms
- Molecular medicine
- Proteins in biomedicine
Courses
Compulsory courses
In the compulsory courses, all students receive a broad, advanced education. This includes a seminar on a specific topic, which you choose yourself based on your specialist interest and your own literature research. In addition, an advanced biochemistry lecture will give you an insight into the signalling mechanisms of membrane receptors and familiarise you with important concepts in bioinformatics. There are also courses on the practical and legal aspects of handling radioactively labelled substances and on the care and work with laboratory animals. These courses include the opportunity to obtain state-recognised certificates that allow you to work with radioisotopes and laboratory animals in laboratories throughout Europe.
The following courses are compulsory for all students and provide further training in the field of biochemistry:
- Biochemical Seminar
- Bioinformatics
- Radiation Safety in the Radionuclide Laboratory
- Biochemistry IV
- Instruction in Laboratory Animal Science
Elective courses
Compulsory elective courses are courses that you choose yourself from a range of options.
During the first semester, four modular specialisation internships take place. Each of these internships gives you a deeper insight into the research activities of a particular specialisation programme that may be of interest to you.
At the beginning of the second semester, you choose your specialisation for the remainder of your studies. The choice of specialisation means that all future courses in your Master's degree programme must be chosen from the courses offered in this specialisation. Parallel to the lecture series of your specialisation, you will be trained in two laboratory practicals (‘Advanced Practicals’) in a research group of your choice. The chosen research group must be a member of your chosen specialisation (see the list of specialisations and their members). These Advanced Practicals are accompanied by two specialised lectures, which you must attend, as well as a chemistry lecture of your choice.
In total, the following elective courses must be taken:
Four different modular Advanced Practicals in four different specialisations
- Vier verschiedene modulare Fortgeschrittenen-Praktika in vier verschiedenen Schwerpunkten
- Two lectures in your chosen specialisation
- One lecture series in your chosen specialisation
- Two advanced lab courses in your chosen specialisation
- One elective course in chemistry
Application and admission
The Master's degree programme in Biochemistry is open to all applicants who fulfil the requirements. This programme can only be started in the winter semester.
All applicants must apply for admission via the university's online application system.
The application deadline is 15 July.
AFTER admission to the Master's degree programme in Biochemistry, but BEFORE enrolment (‘matriculation’), you must take part in a compulsory Master's counselling interview conducted by a member of the teaching staff. The counselling sessions are coordinated by the Examinations Office. In this counselling interview, you will receive information on the structure of the Master's degree programme, the study specialisations as well as your options, choices and tasks. You must present the certificate you receive at the end of the counselling interview when you enrol. After admission and receipt of the certificate of the mandatory counselling interview, students can enrol in the Master's degree programme either online or during the enrolment period at the Registrar's Office by presenting their degree certificate and the certificate of the mandatory counselling interview.
International applicants
Please try to apply by 15 June, especially if you are from abroad. An early application for applicants from abroad is strongly recommended so that you have enough time after admission to obtain the necessary visa to move to Germany before lectures start in October. It is not possible to start your studies late, even if this is due to visa problems for which you are not responsible, once the PCBLT course has started. The final application deadline is 15 July.
All applications with a foreign B.Sc. degree will be assessed before a decision on admission is made to ensure that their degree is equivalent in academic merit to the B.Sc. degree in Biochemistry at RUB. This assessment is carried out by the Biochemistry Examination Board of the Faculty. A degree programme in Biochemistry at a German university is automatically recognised as equivalent.
The Examination Board for Biochemistry also checks whether the applicant has completed the required number of work placements during the Bachelor's degree programme. For this purpose, the number of credit points earned from internships is assessed, which must amount to at least 1/3 of the total number of Bachelor's CP earned. The assessment of the creditability of internships is based on the specifications for internships submitted by the applicant.
All admitted international students must take part in a mandatory counselling interview which takes place upon their arrival in Germany.
After admission and receipt of the certificate of the mandatory counselling interview, students can enrol in the Master's degree programme either online or at the Enrolment Office during the enrolment period by presenting their degree certificate and the certificate of the mandatory counselling interview.
Students from non-European countries must attend a compulsory two-week PCBLT course (Preparatory Course Biochemical Laboratory Techniques) to familiarise themselves with some basic standard laboratory techniques and the equipment used at our faculty.
Master of Science in Biochemistry - and then?
Most graduates of the Master of Science in Biochemistry programme go on to do a doctorate in Germany or abroad.
The career prospects for Master of Science in Biochemistry graduates are varied. Those who wish to enter the profession after graduation will find career opportunities in research institutions, universities or medical laboratories. But there is also a wide range of opportunities for those who want to go into industry and business: Jobs in the chemical or biotechnological industry as well as in food hygiene and monitoring. Areas such as scientific journalism, public service and environmental protection also offer exciting opportunities with great development potential.
In terms of earning potential, salaries in the chemical industry regularly score particularly well in salary rankings and are higher than in many other sectors.