Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology
Suspension des inscriptions 2026-2027
Les admissions au master 120 en biochimie et biologie moléculaire et cellulaire sont suspendues en 2026-2027 en raison d’une refonte profonde du programme.
Nous vous invitons à vous inscrire au master 120 en sciences biomédicales qui partage de nombreux points de convergence disciplinaires.
The Master's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology focuses on normal and pathological functioning, from bacteria to humans and from genes to systems.
Whether you choose to go into business or industry, the experimental approach in the laboratory or teaching in upper secondary schools, you'll discover how to tackle current problems in human biology, genetics and genomics, cell biology, animal biology, microbiology and virology.
The course's strong thematic focus is on cancer, intracellular trafficking, aging, metabolism and stem cells.
Your objectives
- approach the living world in all its complexity and various levels of organization, from bacteria to man and from genes to systems;
- become players in the understanding of biological processes at the cellular and molecular levels, under normal and pathological conditions;
- design research projects in biochemistry and molecular and cellular biology, bring them to fruition, interpret and publish the results.
The benefits of training
- a Master's degree, co-organized by the Department of Biology and the Faculty of Medicine, which builds on the strong lines of research conducted in Namur;
- a solid practical training, thanks in particular to the important place given to the dissertation, which enables a real apprenticeship in the profession of researcher;
- a training in foreign fields of expertise thanks to the participation of numerous Belgian and international specialists in your courses;
- a first professional experience of 4 to 6 months during the internship in a company or research laboratory, in Belgium or abroad.
The program
1st year Master's degree
During the first year, in addition to compulsory courses, you choose courses in various fields:
- human biology,
- genetics and genomics,
- cellular and molecular biology,
- microbiology and virology.
Thanks to the participation of Belgian and international specialists in these various courses, you'll broaden the scope of your knowledge.
During integrated practical work, for 2 weeks you design and carry out experiments to answer a biological question.
You are then trained in the handling of laboratory animals, mandatory for all researchers who handle animals in the course of their research and dissertation.
This training culminates in the FELASA B: technologist legal certificate.
Finally, you choose a dissertation topic and start your full-time research in a state-of-the-art laboratory in the Department of Biology, Veterinary Medicine or Faculty of Medicine. During the dissertation, you really learn the job of a researcher thanks to the team that supervises you individually and enables you to put into practice the scientific approach learned during your studies in order to answer the question you have chosen.
2nd year master
During the second year, you first pursue research for your dissertation.
You then select elective courses to complete your scientific training.
Finally, you conclude your training with a 4-month internship in a research laboratory, outside UNamur, mainly abroad, to master the experimental approach in the laboratory and written and oral scientific communication. This internship is a first professional experience, an unforgettable experience for learning about science and life, and often, a springboard for a first job.
Other master's degrees in biology
The University of Namur offers the following master’s programs:
Et après le master
You want to empower young people to learn and collaborate, guide them, help them become agents of change?
Discover how to become a teacher in upper secondary (secondary 4-6) after your master's degree.
Suspension des inscriptions 2026-2027
Les admissions au master 120 en biochimie et biologie moléculaire et cellulaire sont suspendues en 2026-2027 en raison d’une refonte profonde du programme.
Nous vous invitons à vous inscrire au master 120 en sciences biomédicales qui partage de nombreux points de convergence disciplinaires.
The Master's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology focuses on normal and pathological functioning, from bacteria to humans and from genes to systems.
Whether you choose to go into business or industry, the experimental approach in the laboratory or teaching in upper secondary schools, you'll discover how to tackle current problems in human biology, genetics and genomics, cell biology, animal biology, microbiology and virology.
The course's strong thematic focus is on cancer, intracellular trafficking, aging, metabolism and stem cells.
Your objectives
- approach the living world in all its complexity and various levels of organization, from bacteria to man and from genes to systems;
- become players in the understanding of biological processes at the cellular and molecular levels, under normal and pathological conditions;
- design research projects in biochemistry and molecular and cellular biology, bring them to fruition, interpret and publish the results.
The benefits of training
- a Master's degree, co-organized by the Department of Biology and the Faculty of Medicine, which builds on the strong lines of research conducted in Namur;
- a solid practical training, thanks in particular to the important place given to the dissertation, which enables a real apprenticeship in the profession of researcher;
- a training in foreign fields of expertise thanks to the participation of numerous Belgian and international specialists in your courses;
- a first professional experience of 4 to 6 months during the internship in a company or research laboratory, in Belgium or abroad.
The program
1st year Master's degree
During the first year, in addition to compulsory courses, you choose courses in various fields:
- human biology,
- genetics and genomics,
- cellular and molecular biology,
- microbiology and virology.
Thanks to the participation of Belgian and international specialists in these various courses, you'll broaden the scope of your knowledge.
During integrated practical work, for 2 weeks you design and carry out experiments to answer a biological question.
You are then trained in the handling of laboratory animals, mandatory for all researchers who handle animals in the course of their research and dissertation.
This training culminates in the FELASA B: technologist legal certificate.
Finally, you choose a dissertation topic and start your full-time research in a state-of-the-art laboratory in the Department of Biology, Veterinary Medicine or Faculty of Medicine. During the dissertation, you really learn the job of a researcher thanks to the team that supervises you individually and enables you to put into practice the scientific approach learned during your studies to answer your chosen question.
2nd year Master's degree
During the second year, you first pursue research for your dissertation.
You then select elective courses to complete your scientific training.
Finally, you conclude your training with a 4-month internship in a company, industry, spin-off or administration, in Belgium or abroad. This internship is a first professional experience, an unforgettable experience for learning about science and life, and often, a springboard for a first job.
Other master's degrees in biology
The University of Namur offers the following master’s programs:
Et après le master
You want to empower young people to learn and collaborate, guide them, help them become agents of change?
Discover how to become a teacher in upper secondary (secondary 4-6) after your master's degree.
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In-depth purpose
Code Name Staff Th.+Ex. Credits/Block 1 2 SBIOM230 Internship in a research laboratory -
Core curriculum
Code Name Staff Th.+Ex. Credits/Block 1 2 MSBMM113 Bioethics 18h th. MSBMM104 Statistics Applied to Biomedical Sciences 24h th. + 24h ex. MSBMM126 Research Practice Training 160h ex. MSBMM102 Preclinical Drug Development 24h th. MSBMM114 Introduction to Scientific Research MSBMM125 Approaches to Career Development in Biomedical Sciences 12h th. MSBMM208 Master Thesis -
Modules
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Biotechnology and bioindustries
Code Name Staff Th.+Ex. Credits/Block 1 2 MSBMM127 Molecular & Clinical Pharmacology 24h th. MSBMM107 Biotechnology : Principles and Scale-up 24h th. MSBMM106 Biopharmaceuticals 12h th. MSBMM115 Drug and Society 12h th. SBIOM134 Protein Structure and Function 18h th. SBIOM135 Proteins in the Early Secretory Pathway : Homeostasis and Quality Control 18h th. SVETM209 Molecular Virology 12h th. MSBMM128 Molecular Diagnostic 24h th. MSBMM108 Quality Assurance : GMP, GCP, GLP and Auditing 24h th. MSBMM217 Pharmaco-Economy and Health Technology Assessment 18h th. MSBMM205 Vaccinology, Immunotherapy 18h th. MSBMM216 Pharmacovigilance 18h th. MSBMM207 Project Management : Development of Biomarkers 12h th. -
Molecular and cellular pathobiology
Code Name Staff Th.+Ex. Credits/Block 1 2 MSBMM119 Current Topics in Molecular Cell Biology 18h th. SBIOM121 Organelle Dysfunction as the Basis of Diseases 18h th. SBIOM101 Advanced Techniques of Cell and Molecular Biology 24h th. SBIOM120 Stem Cells and Differentiation 18h th. SMEDM115 Intracellular trafficking in normal and pathological condition 18h th. SBIOM132 Bacterial Genetics and Evolution 18h th. SBIOM136 Bacterial Cell Biology 18h th. MSBMM118 Cell Models 12h th. SBIOM233 Glycobiology 18h th. SMEDM237 Molecular Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases 18h th. MSBMM214 Basic Research project conception 12h th. SBIOM219 Genetic and Cell Therapy 18h th. -
Cancers and metabolic diseases
Code Name Staff Th.+Ex. Credits/Block 1 2 SBIOM122 Cancer : from molecular to clinical aspects 18h th. MSBMM120 Cancer Biomarkers : Unlocking Diagnostics and Therapeutic Strategies 18h th. SBIOM128 Hot Topics in Microbiomes, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases 18h th. SBIOM138 Inflammation 18h th. SBIOM124 Host Pathogen Interactions 18h th. MSBMM129 Overcoming Multidrug Resistance in Cancer: Molecular Targets and Innovations 18h th. MSBMM123 Comparative Pathophysiology 12h th. SBIOM208 Anticancer Therapies 18h th. MSBMM234 Biobanks, Personalized Medicine 15h th. -
Complementary training
Code Name Staff Th.+Ex. Credits/Block 1 2 SFCMM101 Training in animal experimentation at technician level: techniques, alternative methods, legislation and ethics 40h th. SCDLM202 Refresher course in Dutch (level B1) 24h th. SFCMM201 Training of master animal handlers 40h th. MSBMM220 Interdisciplinary Program in Healthcare Innovation 20h th. MSBMM222 Biomarkers and surrogate markers in clinical dermatology trials 12h th. SBIOM119 Effective Team Collaboration 20h th. SCDLM201_Biologie Advanced English (Level B2+) 22.5h th. MSBMM202 Clinical Project Management 12h th.
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Core curriculum
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 MSBMM113 Bioethics 2 18h th. MSBMM104 Statistics Applied to Biomedical Sciences 4 24h th. + 24h ex. MSBMM126 Research Practice Training 4 80h ex. 80h ex. MSBMM102 Preclinical Drug Development 3 24h th. MSBMM114 Introduction to Scientific Research 13 MSBMM125 Approaches to Career Development in Biomedical Sciences 2 12h th. -
Modules
Students select a principal module: «Biotechnology and bioindustries», «Molecular and cellular pathobiology», or «Cancers and metabolic diseases». This means that the following courses must be taken in this module. In «Biotechnology and bioindustries» : MSBM M107, MSBM M106, MSBM M108, MSBM M115 MSBMM127, and MSBMM128 In «Molecular and cellular pathobiology» : MSBM M119, SBIO M101, SBIO M120, SBIOM121, and SMEDM115 In «Cancers and metabolic diseases»: MSBMM120, MSBMM129, SBIO M122, SBIO M128 and SBIOM138 Students then complete their programme with courses chosen from the same module or from the other modules (including the complementary training module) to reach 32 ECTS in total. For more information, please consult the file provided in the Webcampus page “MBIOMEDINFO”, in the PAE section or contact departement.biomed@unamur.be.-
Biotechnology and bioindustries
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 MSBMM127 Molecular & Clinical Pharmacology 3 24h th. MSBMM107 Biotechnology : Principles and Scale-up 3 24h th. MSBMM106 Biopharmaceuticals 2 12h th. MSBMM115 Drug and Society 2 12h th. SBIOM134 Protein Structure and Function 3 18h th. SBIOM135 Proteins in the Early Secretory Pathway : Homeostasis and Quality Control 3 18h th. SVETM209 Molecular Virology 2 12h th. MSBMM128 Molecular Diagnostic 3 24h th. MSBMM108 Quality Assurance : GMP, GCP, GLP and Auditing 3 24h th. -
Molecular and cellular pathobiology
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 MSBMM119 Current Topics in Molecular Cell Biology 3 18h th. SBIOM121 Organelle Dysfunction as the Basis of Diseases 3 18h th. SBIOM101 Advanced Techniques of Cell and Molecular Biology 3 24h th. SBIOM120 Stem Cells and Differentiation 3 18h th. SMEDM115 Intracellular trafficking in normal and pathological condition 3 18h th. SBIOM132 Bacterial Genetics and Evolution 3 18h th. SBIOM136 Bacterial Cell Biology 3 18h th. MSBMM118 Cell Models 2 12h th. -
Cancers and metabolic diseases
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 SBIOM122 Cancer : from molecular to clinical aspects 3 18h th. MSBMM120 Cancer Biomarkers : Unlocking Diagnostics and Therapeutic Strategies 3 18h th. SBIOM128 Hot Topics in Microbiomes, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases 3 18h th. SBIOM138 Inflammation 3 18h th. SBIOM124 Host Pathogen Interactions 3 18h th. MSBMM129 Overcoming Multidrug Resistance in Cancer: Molecular Targets and Innovations 3 18h th. MSBMM123 Comparative Pathophysiology 2 12h th. -
Complementary training
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 SFCMM101 Training in animal experimentation at technician level: techniques, alternative methods, legislation and ethics 3 40h th.
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-
In-depth purpose
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 SBIOM230 Internship in a research laboratory 30 -
Core curriculum
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 MSBMM208 Master Thesis 22 -
Modules
Aside from the master thesis and internship, students complete their programme to reach 8 ECTS in total. It is recommended to select course in the same principal module chosen in the 1st year, but not mandatory. The courses organized in the 2nd semester will be taught in February (after the master thesis and before the beginning of the internship).-
Biotechnology and bioindustries
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 MSBMM217 Pharmaco-Economy and Health Technology Assessment 3 18h th. MSBMM205 Vaccinology, Immunotherapy 3 18h th. MSBMM216 Pharmacovigilance 3 18h th. MSBMM207 Project Management : Development of Biomarkers 2 12h th. -
Molecular and cellular pathobiology
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 SBIOM233 Glycobiology 3 18h th. SMEDM237 Molecular Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases 3 18h th. MSBMM214 Basic Research project conception 2 12h th. SBIOM219 Genetic and Cell Therapy 3 18h th. -
Cancers and metabolic diseases
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 SBIOM208 Anticancer Therapies 3 18h th. MSBMM234 Biobanks, Personalized Medicine 2 15h th. -
Complementary training
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 SCDLM202 Refresher course in Dutch (level B1) 3 24h th. SFCMM201 Training of master animal handlers 3 40h th. MSBMM220 Interdisciplinary Program in Healthcare Innovation 4 20h th. MSBMM222 Biomarkers and surrogate markers in clinical dermatology trials 2 12h th. SBIOM119 Effective Team Collaboration 2 20h th. SCDLM201_Biologie Advanced English (Level B2+) 2 22.5h th. MSBMM202 Clinical Project Management 2 12h th.
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-
Core curriculum
Code Name Staff Th.+Ex. Credits/Block 1 2 MSBMM113 Bioethics 18h th. MSBMM104 Statistics Applied to Biomedical Sciences 24h th. + 24h ex. MSBMM102 Preclinical Drug Development 24h th. MSBMM114 Introduction to Scientific Research MSBMM125 Approaches to Career Development in Biomedical Sciences 12h th. MSBMM126 Research Practice Training 160h ex. MSBMM208 Master Thesis -
Specialized purpose
Code Name Staff Th.+Ex. Credits/Block 1 2 SBIOM240 Internship in a company or administration in Belgium or abroad -
Modules
-
Biotechnology and bioindustries
Code Name Staff Th.+Ex. Credits/Block 1 2 MSBMM127 Molecular & Clinical Pharmacology 24h th. MSBMM107 Biotechnology : Principles and Scale-up 24h th. MSBMM106 Biopharmaceuticals 12h th. MSBMM115 Drug and Society 12h th. SBIOM134 Protein Structure and Function 18h th. SBIOM135 Proteins in the Early Secretory Pathway : Homeostasis and Quality Control 18h th. SVETM209 Molecular Virology 12h th. MSBMM128 Molecular Diagnostic 24h th. MSBMM108 Quality Assurance : GMP, GCP, GLP and Auditing 24h th. MSBMM217 Pharmaco-Economy and Health Technology Assessment 18h th. MSBMM205 Vaccinology, Immunotherapy 18h th. MSBMM216 Pharmacovigilance 18h th. MSBMM207 Project Management : Development of Biomarkers 12h th. -
Molecular and cellular pathobiology
Code Name Staff Th.+Ex. Credits/Block 1 2 MSBMM119 Current Topics in Molecular Cell Biology 18h th. SBIOM121 Organelle Dysfunction as the Basis of Diseases 18h th. SBIOM101 Advanced Techniques of Cell and Molecular Biology 24h th. SBIOM120 Stem Cells and Differentiation 18h th. SMEDM115 Intracellular trafficking in normal and pathological condition 18h th. SBIOM132 Bacterial Genetics and Evolution 18h th. SBIOM136 Bacterial Cell Biology 18h th. MSBMM118 Cell Models 12h th. SBIOM233 Glycobiology 18h th. SMEDM237 Molecular Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases 18h th. MSBMM214 Basic Research project conception 12h th. SBIOM219 Genetic and Cell Therapy 18h th. -
Cancers and metabolic diseases
Code Name Staff Th.+Ex. Credits/Block 1 2 SBIOM122 Cancer : from molecular to clinical aspects 18h th. MSBMM120 Cancer Biomarkers : Unlocking Diagnostics and Therapeutic Strategies 18h th. SBIOM128 Hot Topics in Microbiomes, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases 18h th. SBIOM138 Inflammation 18h th. SBIOM124 Host Pathogen Interactions 18h th. MSBMM129 Overcoming Multidrug Resistance in Cancer: Molecular Targets and Innovations 18h th. MSBMM123 Comparative Pathophysiology 12h th. SBIOM208 Anticancer Therapies 18h th. MSBMM234 Biobanks, Personalized Medicine 15h th. -
Complementary training
Code Name Staff Th.+Ex. Credits/Block 1 2 SFCMM101 Training in animal experimentation at technician level: techniques, alternative methods, legislation and ethics 40h th. SCDLM202 Refresher course in Dutch (level B1) 24h th. SFCMM201 Training of master animal handlers 40h th. MSBMM220 Interdisciplinary Program in Healthcare Innovation 20h th. MSBMM222 Biomarkers and surrogate markers in clinical dermatology trials 12h th. SBIOM119 Effective Team Collaboration 20h th. SCDLM201_Biologie Advanced English (Level B2+) 22.5h th. MSBMM202 Clinical Project Management 12h th.
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-
Core curriculum
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 MSBMM113 Bioethics 2 18h th. MSBMM104 Statistics Applied to Biomedical Sciences 4 24h th. + 24h ex. MSBMM102 Preclinical Drug Development 3 24h th. MSBMM114 Introduction to Scientific Research 13 MSBMM125 Approaches to Career Development in Biomedical Sciences 2 12h th. MSBMM126 Research Practice Training 4 80h ex. 80h ex. -
Modules
Students select a principal module: «Biotechnology and bioindustries», «Molecular and cellular pathobiology», or «Cancers and metabolic diseases». This means that the following courses must be taken in this module. In «Biotechnology and bioindustries» : MSBM M107, MSBM M106, MSBM M108, MSBM M115 MSBMM127, and MSBMM128 In «Molecular and cellular pathobiology» : MSBM M119, SBIO M101, SBIO M120, SBIOM121, and SMEDM115 In «Cancers and metabolic diseases»: MSBMM120, MSBMM129, SBIO M122, SBIO M128 and SBIOM138 Students then complete their programme with courses chosen from the same module or from the other modules (including the complementary training module) to reach 32 ECTS in total. For more information, please consult the file provided in the Webcampus page “MBIOMEDINFO”, in the PAE section or contact departement.biomed@unamur.be.-
Biotechnology and bioindustries
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 MSBMM127 Molecular & Clinical Pharmacology 3 24h th. MSBMM107 Biotechnology : Principles and Scale-up 3 24h th. MSBMM106 Biopharmaceuticals 2 12h th. MSBMM115 Drug and Society 2 12h th. SBIOM134 Protein Structure and Function 3 18h th. SBIOM135 Proteins in the Early Secretory Pathway : Homeostasis and Quality Control 3 18h th. SVETM209 Molecular Virology 2 12h th. MSBMM128 Molecular Diagnostic 3 24h th. MSBMM108 Quality Assurance : GMP, GCP, GLP and Auditing 3 24h th. -
Molecular and cellular pathobiology
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 MSBMM119 Current Topics in Molecular Cell Biology 3 18h th. SBIOM121 Organelle Dysfunction as the Basis of Diseases 3 18h th. SBIOM101 Advanced Techniques of Cell and Molecular Biology 3 24h th. SBIOM120 Stem Cells and Differentiation 3 18h th. SMEDM115 Intracellular trafficking in normal and pathological condition 3 18h th. SBIOM132 Bacterial Genetics and Evolution 3 18h th. SBIOM136 Bacterial Cell Biology 3 18h th. MSBMM118 Cell Models 2 12h th. -
Cancers and metabolic diseases
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 SBIOM122 Cancer : from molecular to clinical aspects 3 18h th. MSBMM120 Cancer Biomarkers : Unlocking Diagnostics and Therapeutic Strategies 3 18h th. SBIOM128 Hot Topics in Microbiomes, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases 3 18h th. SBIOM138 Inflammation 3 18h th. SBIOM124 Host Pathogen Interactions 3 18h th. MSBMM129 Overcoming Multidrug Resistance in Cancer: Molecular Targets and Innovations 3 18h th. MSBMM123 Comparative Pathophysiology 2 12h th. -
Complementary training
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 SFCMM101 Training in animal experimentation at technician level: techniques, alternative methods, legislation and ethics 3 40h th.
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-
Core curriculum
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 MSBMM208 Master Thesis 22 -
Specialized purpose
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 SBIOM240 Internship in a company or administration in Belgium or abroad 30 -
Modules
Aside from the master thesis and internship, students complete their programme to reach 8 ECTS in total. It is recommended to select course in the same principal module chosen in the 1st year, but not mandatory. The courses organized in the 2nd semester will be taught in February (after the master thesis and before the beginning of the internship).-
Biotechnology and bioindustries
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 MSBMM217 Pharmaco-Economy and Health Technology Assessment 3 18h th. MSBMM205 Vaccinology, Immunotherapy 3 18h th. MSBMM216 Pharmacovigilance 3 18h th. MSBMM207 Project Management : Development of Biomarkers 2 12h th. -
Molecular and cellular pathobiology
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 SBIOM233 Glycobiology 3 18h th. SMEDM237 Molecular Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases 3 18h th. MSBMM214 Basic Research project conception 2 12h th. SBIOM219 Genetic and Cell Therapy 3 18h th. -
Cancers and metabolic diseases
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 SBIOM208 Anticancer Therapies 3 18h th. MSBMM234 Biobanks, Personalized Medicine 2 15h th. -
Complementary training
Code Name Staff Credits Hours/Quarter 1 2 SCDLM202 Refresher course in Dutch (level B1) 3 24h th. SFCMM201 Training of master animal handlers 3 40h th. MSBMM220 Interdisciplinary Program in Healthcare Innovation 4 20h th. MSBMM222 Biomarkers and surrogate markers in clinical dermatology trials 2 12h th. SBIOM119 Effective Team Collaboration 2 20h th. SCDLM201_Biologie Advanced English (Level B2+) 2 22.5h th. MSBMM202 Clinical Project Management 2 12h th.
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Aims and objectives
Aims and objectives are established as follows :
- approaching the living world in its complexity and its diverse levels of organisation, from bacteria to human beings, and from genes to systems ;
- taking an active role in the understanding of biological processes at cellular and molecular levels in both normal and pathological conditions ;
- designing research projects in biochemistry and molecular and cellulaire biology, implementing them, interpreting and publishing them.
Description
The Master’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular biology is designed in such a way that the vast majority of courses are options that students can choose from a structure covering five pathways
- human biology (cancer, inflammation, vascular pathology, etc.) ;
- genetics and genomics (molecular diagnosis, genetic dynamics, questions of survival, etc.)
- cellular and molecular animal biology (stem cells, normal and pathological ageing, etc.)
- infectious disease (bacteria, viruses, parasites, immune responses, adaptive strategies, genetics and cell biology of microorganisms, infectiology at the cellular level - tissue - organism - population, epidemiology, prophylaxis and treatment).
- cellular and molecular microbiology (host-pathogen interaction, molecular evolution and adapting, etc.)
During the training, students can choose two « thematic weeks » ( a week of lectures, seminars and practical courses) given in Namur or other Universities from the « Communauté française » (French-speaking community) in Belgium.
The training is completed through a long research project and dissertation, (12 months) carried out in a renowned research laboratory (initiation to research in M1 followed by a research project and dissertation in M2)
The orientation with an in-depth focus prepares students specifically for research, offering them the opportunity of an internship / work placement in a laboratory.
Teaching methods
This Master’s degree is organised by the Biology Department within the Science Faculty and the Medecine Faculty, and inserts itself in the strong research networks developed at UNamur
- The option courses offered in the first year encourage the participation of a number of guest teachers, giving students the possibility of developing a wider range of skills
- The curriculum offers a thorough practical training, mainly as the research project develops throughout a long period of time, including the dissertation which specifically prepares students to the reality of work as researchers
- In the second year of the Master’s degree, students acquire four-month work experience in the professional world within a firm or research laboratory
Assessment
In the majority of cases, students hand in written papers and / or oral presentations on specific topics related to the material covered in courses. The research project and dissertation as well as the internship / work placement are evaluated through a report which is to be written either in French or in English, along with an oral presentation and a public defense before a pre-established jury.
International mobility and openness
The in-depth focus offers students the opportunity of an internship / work placement in Belgium or abroad, with financial support from the « mobilité internationale » office of the Science Faculty. Unamur mostly takes part in exchange programmes financed by Erasmus scholarships.
The orientation with a focus on specialisation offers students the opportunity of an internship / work placement within a firm or an administrative entity in Belgium or abroad.
Professions of experts in biochemistry and molecular and cell biology
The life sciences are evolving rapidly, and with them the techniques and professions associated with them. In Belgium, the pharmaceutical industry is a flagship that employs over 29,000 people, including more than 5,000 in research and development (R&D). Biotech companies also form a particularly rich and dynamic fabric.
As graduates and experts in biochemistry and molecular and cell biology, you may well become key players in this sector, which nonetheless represents just one of the many facets of professional activities to which you can aspire.
In fact, your in-depth understanding of the living world, your research skills, your rigor and your analytical capacity acquired and developed during your Master's degree will open up numerous professional prospects in academic research, teaching, the hospital world, forensics, the agri-food industry... and many other sectors!
The department in which I work checks that the vaccines to be proposed for clinical trials comply with standards. My role, for example, is to demonstrate that our products can be injected into animals during the pre-clinical phases, that our personnel are sufficiently trained, etc. I work with engineers, chemists and physicists. I also have to train technicians in the quality assurance procedures implemented in our company.
Audrey
Professions of experts in biochemistry and molecular and cell biology
The life sciences are evolving rapidly, and with them the techniques and professions associated with them. In Belgium, the pharmaceutical industry is a flagship that employs over 29,000 people, including more than 5,000 in research and development (R&D). Biotech companies also form a particularly rich and dynamic fabric.
As graduates and experts in biochemistry and molecular and cell biology, you may well become key players in this sector, which nonetheless represents just one of the many facets of professional activities to which you can aspire.
In fact, your in-depth understanding of the living world, your research skills, your rigor and your analytical capacity acquired and developed during your Master's degree will open up numerous professional prospects in academic research, teaching, the hospital world, forensics, the agri-food industry... and many other sectors!
The department in which I work checks that the vaccines to be proposed for clinical trials comply with standards. My role, for example, is to demonstrate that our products can be injected into animals during the pre-clinical phases, that our personnel are sufficiently trained, etc. I work with engineers, chemists and physicists. I also have to train technicians in the quality assurance procedures implemented in our company.
Audrey