Program Overview

Introduction to the Master's in Biomaterials and Nanomedicine

The Master's in Biomaterials and Nanomedicine is a unique program that enables students to work in fields with the potential to revolutionize medicine, offering innovative solutions for a variety of diseases and medical conditions. This program is a combination of three scientific areas: nanodiagnostics, nanotherapeutics, and regenerative medicine.

Education Objectives

The education objectives of this program are to provide students with advanced training in the three areas of Nanomedicine, a strong practical focus with real case studies, and a unique set of knowledge and skills essential for training professionals vital in research groups dedicated to these fields and in industries with high economic impact.

Why this Master's?

The Master's in Biomaterials and NanoMedicine is a unique program in Portugal and features uncommon characteristics in the international context. It provides advanced training in the three areas of Nanomedicine: Nanodiagnostics, Nanotherapy, and Regenerative Medicine. The program has a strong practical focus, with real case studies, and enables the acquisition of a unique set of knowledge and skills.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program can pursue careers in various industries, including:

• Medical Device Industry
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Cosmetics Industry
• Bio-synthetic Tissue and Organ Industry

General Characterization

Program Details

• DGES code: 1203
• Cycle: Master (2nd Cycle)
• Degree: Mestre
• Access to other programs: Access to a 3rd cycle
• Coordinator: LuĒs Alexandre A. Fernandes Cobra Branco
• Opening date: September
• Vacancies: 24
• Fees:
  • Portuguese students: 1500 /year
  • Foreign students: 7000 /year
• Schedule: Daytime
• Teaching language: Available soon

Degree Pre-requisites

Duration and Credits

• Duration: 2 years
• Credits: 120 ECTS

Scientific Area

The program includes the following scientific areas:

• Biology (B) - 3 ECTS
• Biomaterials or Nanomedicine (BM / NM) - 60 ECTS
• Engineering Sciences (CE) - 3 ECTS
• Materials Engineering (EMt) - 9 ECTS
• Nanomedicine (Nm) - 21 ECTS
• Chemical Engineering (EQ) - 6 ECTS
• Medicine or Biology or Social Sciences and Humanities or Chemistry or Multidisciplinar (Med / B / CHS / Q) - 0 ECTS (optional 9 ECTS)
• Transferable Skills (CC) - 3 ECTS
• Any Scientific Area (QAC) - 0 ECTS (optional 6 ECTS)

Conditions of Admittance

Admission Rules

To be admitted to the program, applicants must meet one of the following conditions:

1. Holders of a 1st degree (or legal equivalent) in the areas of Engineering Sciences, Exact Sciences, or Natural Sciences.
2. Holders of a foreign higher academic degree conferred after a 1st cycle of studies organized in the above areas, in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Process by a State adhering to this Process.
3. Holders of a foreign higher academic degree, in those areas, that is recognized as meeting the objectives of the degree of licenciado by the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology.
4. Holders of an academic, scientific, or professional curriculum recognized by the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology, under proposal of the Scientific Committee of the programme, as testifying the ability to carry out this programme.

Ranking

The ranking of applicants is based on the following criteria:

1. Course classification
2. Academic and scientific curriculum
3. Motivation letter
4. Possible interview

Evaluation Rules

The evaluation of all course units is continuous and must be completed by the last day of the school term of the academic semester. The continuous evaluation must include a minimum of three elements, on dates adequately spaced throughout the period of classes. All course units with a theoretical-practical evaluation component must provide an additional form of evaluation by exam.

Structure

The program structure includes the following courses:

1st Semester

• Biomaterials, Characterization and Nanofabrication (6.0 ECTS)
• Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (3.0 ECTS)
• Biosensors (6.0 ECTS)
• Polymers for Bioapplications (6.0 ECTS)

1st Semester - Options

ĀStudents must choose 6.0 ECTS from the following options:

• Molecular Biomedicine (3.0 ECTS)
• Structural Bioorganic Chemistry (6.0 ECTS)
• Clinical Biochemistry (6.0 ECTS)
• Drug Discovery, Design and Development (3.0 ECTS)
• Systems Physiology (3.0 ECTS)
• Business Management (3.0 ECTS)
• Molecular immunology (3.0 ECTS)
• Cell Death and Injury (3.0 ECTS)
• Microeconomics (3.0 ECTS)
• Active Ingredients (3.0 ECTS)
• Socio-Economics of Innovation (3.0 ECTS)
• Sociology of Organizations (3.0 ECTS)

1st Semester - Unidade Curricular de Bloco Livre

ĀStudents must choose 6.0 ECTS from the following options:

• Unrestricted Electives (6.0 ECTS)

2nd Semester

• Entrepreneurship (3.0 ECTS)
• Tissue Engineering (6.0 ECTS)
• Medical Imaging and Theranostics (6.0 ECTS)
• Host-NanoBiomaterial Interactions (3.0 ECTS)
• Drug Delivery Systems (6.0 ECTS)
• Translation in Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (3.0 ECTS)

2nd Semester - Options

ĀStudents must choose 6.0 ECTS from the following options:

• Molecular Biomedicine (3.0 ECTS)
• Structural Bioorganic Chemistry (6.0 ECTS)
• Clinical Biochemistry (6.0 ECTS)
• Drug Discovery, Design and Development (3.0 ECTS)
• Systems Physiology (3.0 ECTS)
• Business Management (3.0 ECTS)
• Molecular immunology (3.0 ECTS)
• Cell Death and Injury (3.0 ECTS)
• Microeconomics (3.0 ECTS)
• Active Ingredients (3.0 ECTS)
• Socio-Economics of Innovation (3.0 ECTS)
• Sociology of Organizations (3.0 ECTS)

2nd Year

• Dissertation in Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (60.0 ECTS)