Program Overview

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Introduction to the Master's in Biochemistry

The Master's in Biochemistry is a fundamental discipline at the interface between biology, chemistry, and biotechnology. It is dedicated to the study of chemical reactions that occur in living organisms, with an emphasis on metabolic processes, the structure and function of biomolecules, and cell signalling pathways.

Education Objectives

The Master's in Biochemistry aims to provide specialized training in Molecular Biophysics, Structural Biology, and Analytical Biochemistry, in addition to a wide range of Biochemistry applied to Biomedicine, Biotechnology, the Environment, and Biomaterials. This master's degree strengthens skills in the analysis, characterization, and development of new biochemical technologies and their application in health, the food industry, and environmental biotechnology.

Why this Master's?

• Training in emerging areas of modern biochemistry
• Multi- and interdisciplinary training, versatile, in tune with the needs of the employer market, in line with a career in scientific research
• Strong laboratory component with cutting-edge hands-on experience, applying modern techniques, supported by excellent research
• Hard-skills and transferable-skills: in-depth knowledge in all broad areas of biochemistry, oral presentations, group work, and entrepreneurship training
• Teaching centered on small groups, promoting more personalized learning
• Integration into research teams to carry out short-term projects
• The scientific dissertation (1 year) can take place in an academic or business environment

Career Opportunities

• Research and development (R&D) in biochemistry and related areas
• Clinical, biochemical, microbiological, genetic, and environmental analysis laboratories
• Public health laboratories and medical research institutes
• Forensic (Bio)Chemistry Laboratories
• Food, agri-food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries
• Science management
• Regulatory bodies and commissions, quality control
• Auditing, scientific and technological innovation consultancy, and design companies
• Teaching

General Characterization

DGES Code

830

Cycle

Master (2nd Cycle)

Degree

Mestre

Access to Other Programs

Access to a 3rd cycle

Coordinator

Sofia Rocha Pauleta

Opening Date

September

Vacancies

25

Fees

• Portuguese students: 1250 /year
• Foreign students: 7000 /year

Schedule

Daytime

Teaching Language

Available soon

Degree Pre-requisites

• Duration: 2 years
• Credits: 120 ECTS

Scientific Area | Acronym | ECTS

• Mandatory
  • Biochemistry | Bq | 75
  • Biophysics | Bf | 12
  • Biology | B | 6
  • Transferable Skills | CC | 3
• Optional
  • Biochemistry or Biophysics or Biology or Biotechnology or Materials Engineering or Informatics or Social and Human Sciences | Bq / Bf / B / Bt / EMt / I / CHS | 18
  • Any Scientific Area | QAC | 6

Conditions of Admittance

1. Holders of a bachelor's degree, or legal equivalent in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, Health Sciences, or related areas
2. Holders of a foreign academic degree in required areas conferred following the 1st cycle of studies according to the Bologna Process
3. Holders of a foreign academic degree in required areas recognized as meeting the objectives of the Bachelor's degree by the Scientific Council of the NOVA FCT
4. Holders of an academic, scientific, or professional curriculum that is recognized as attesting the capacity to accomplish referred cycle of studies by the Scientific Council of the NOVA FCT

Ranking

• Course classification
• Academic and scientific curriculum
• Professional curriculum
• Possible interview

Evaluation Rules

The evaluation of all UC is continuous for all the components that integrate it, and it must be completed by the last day of the school term of the academic semester. The continuous evaluation of a UC must include a minimum of three elements in the set of evaluation components, on dates adequately spaced throughout the period of classes.

Structure

1.ş Semester

• Code | Name | ECTS
  • 10805 | Spectroscopy of Biomolecules | 6.0
  • 10770 | Gene Regulation | 6.0
  • 10825 | Biomolecular Techniques I | 6.0

1.ş Semester - Opçăo I

• Code | Name | ECTS
  • Options
    • 13327 | Biochemistry for Diagnosis and Prognosis | 6.0
    • 10800 | Biochemistry and Food Processing | 6.0
    • 12032 | Glycobiology and Disease | 3.0
    • 13326 | Metabolism and Bioenergetics in Health and Disease | 3.0
    • 11184 | Basics of Toxicology | 3.0
    • 12492 | Advanced Programming for Biology | 6.0

2.ş Semester

• Code | Name | ECTS
  • 10783 | Clinical Biochemistry | 6.0
  • 7637 | Structural Biochemistry | 6.0
  • 10870 | Biomolecular Techniques II | 3.0

2.ş Semester - Opçăo II

• Code | Name | ECTS
  • Options
    • 13328 | Bioelectrochemistry for Sustainability | 3.0
    • 10828 | Bioethics | 3.0
    • 7134 | Applied Bioinformatics | 6.0
    • 10827 | Synthetic and Systems Biology | 6.0
    • 9192 | Bionanotechnology | 6.0
    • 12183 | Marine Biotechnology | 3.0
    • 12422 | Microbial Fuel Cells | 3.0
    • 10801 | Biological Effects of Radiation | 3.0
    • 12186 | Electrobiotecnology | 3.0
    • 11188 | Molecular Immunology | 3.0
    • 13329 | Biochemical Antimicrobial Resistance Mechanisms | 3.0
    • 12318 | Metals in Biology and Medicine | 6.0

2.ş Trimester

• Code | Name | ECTS
  • 10380 | Entrepreneurship | 3.0

2.ş Year

• Code | Name | ECTS
  • 10802 | Master Thesis in Biochemistry | 60.0