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Start: August 2022
Place of study: Linköping
Level: Second-cycle
Detailed knowledge of proteins and other biomolecules is crucial to our understanding of living processes. By studying protein science, you will be prepared for challenges such as unveiling the molecular causes of disease, designing tools for early and reliable diagnosis, and finding effective therapies.
This master’s program will give you deep insights into mechanisms of protein action, based on complex structural aspects and mediated through binding dynamics, selectivity, and catalytic function. You will also study pharmacology and drug development.
Strong research environment
The education is offered in an internationally successful research environment focusing on the behavior of misfolded proteins causing neurodegenerative diseases, interaction patterns of cancer-related proteins, and the design of antimicrobial peptides for the replacement of traditional antibiotics. The courses are taught by teachers who are all active researchers and are just as eager to share their expertise as they are responsive to student ideas.
Extensive lab skills
You will have access to large instrument facilities, giving you the opportunity to develop extensive lab skills and participate in exciting projects. You will also practice your communication and teamwork abilities. The program concludes with a degree project carried out in close collaboration with researchers in academia or at a company.
Syllabus
Purpose
The Master’s program in Protein Science aims to provide the students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for a professional in the field or for further postgraduate studies. The program meets both national and international needs from universities, industry, and society in general. The training intends to provide an in-depth understanding of the chemical and biophysical properties of proteins and other biomolecules and the role these molecules play in primarily the biomedical field, but also for applications in biotechnology.
Students graduating from the Master's program in Protein Science shall:
be well prepared for advanced scientific communication with different target groups
be able to contribute to the sustainable development of society
be well prepared for both further postgraduate studies and for the national and international labor market.
Aim
Disciplinary knowledge and reasoning
Graduates from the Master’s program in Protein Science demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the field of protein science, including a broad knowledge of the area and considerable in-depth knowledge in certain parts of the area. The graduates are also acquainted with current research in the field.
The program builds upon a Bachelor's education, where fundamental knowledge in Chemistry, Chemical Biology, or equivalent has been acquired. Entry requirements include at least 10 ECTS credits in Biochemistry.
A graduate student from the Master's program in Protein Science has in-depth knowledge in protein chemistry, proteomics, biomolecular design, structural biology, and pharmaceutical chemistry. This includes knowledge of
structural biological methods, including experimental methods for studying the structural-functional relationships of proteins and other biomolecules
important concepts and theories for interactions and reaction mechanisms of biomolecules
methods and strategies for global, quantitative, and comparative protein analysis
concepts, methods, and theories used in rational biomolecular design
biomolecular processes important for protein misfolding diseases, cancer, viral diseases, and drug function.
In addition, the graduate student from the program can plan, perform, and evaluate laboratory experiments in protein science, as well as use modern software for the analysis of related data.
The Master's program in Protein Science is conducted in close collaboration with strong research environments, which gives the student insight into current research issues in the molecular life sciences based on protein chemistry, structural biology, proteomics, and biomolecular design. During the Master's thesis work, the student can work for a full year with a research group, a company, or a public authority, getting very well acquainted with research findings within one of the areas. The graduated student is also able to design a scientific study and is skilled in critically reading relevant research literature.
Personal and professional skills and attributes
Students who graduated from the Master's program in Protein Science have achieved the individual and professional skills and attitudes required to be able to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyze and evaluate complex issues even with limited information. The graduates can also take responsibility at work or during post-graduate studies concerning work ethics, reliability, and respect for the expertise of other professionals. Students from the program can make relevant judgments regarding scientific, social, and ethical aspects.
Interpersonal skills: Teamwork and communication
Students having graduated from the Master's program in Protein Science can collaborate with other people. This requires the ability to actively participate in a project with designated roles, tasks, and responsibilities. The graduates can also initiate, plan, lead and evaluate larger projects. Students who graduated from the program are skilled in written and oral communication. The students can present information, problems, and solutions in a structured way with relevant techniques, in English or in their native language, to different target groups.
Planning, execution, and presentation of research or development projects with respect to scientific and societal needs and requirements
Students who graduated from the Master's program in Protein Science shall have knowledge about the natural scientist and the role of natural science in society. The graduates also understand the social and economic conditions in the field and in the related research area. They can initiate, conduct, and present advanced development projects with established methods.
Teaching and working methods
The program comprises four semesters of full-time studies and leads to a Master of Science (120 credits) in Chemical Biology. The teaching language is English. The included courses are found in the curriculum. Normally the content of the courses is presented at lectures, laboratory work, and seminars. Laboratory projects and other assignments are parts of some courses and will be reported orally and/or in writing. Participation in lectures and problem-solving classes is usually voluntary while laboratory work and seminars are compulsory.
The Master thesis is mainly performed during the second year and comprises 30, 45, or 60 högskolepoäng (equivalent to ECTS credits). This means that the student may choose a less extensive master thesis and combine this with further course studies in other related areas, or more in-depth courses in the same field.
In the curriculum, it is specified which courses are mandatory (m), elective (e), or voluntary (v). Also, the notation m/e could be found, which means that one of a group of courses should be selected. Courses not included in the curriculum must be approved by the program board after consultation with the study counselor. The courses should be relevant to the program.
Two alternative curricula are used, depending on the educational background of the student. They are presented as two profiles:
"Internal" is for students with a Bachelor's degree in Chemical biology from Linköping University and other students with knowledge corresponding to the learning outcomes from TFKE37 Biological Measurements, TFKE38 Gene Technology, TFKE60 Project Course, Chemical Biology, and NKED15 Protein Chemistry.
"External" is for students who meet the specific admission requirements to the program, but who do not have knowledge corresponding to the learning outcomes from TFKE37, TFKE38, TFKE60, and NKED15.
Research
Hammarström Lab
We are interested in protein misfolding, amyloid formation, and disease, both on the molecular level and in the cellular perspective.
Elusive cancer-related protein captured in flight
Scientists have for the first time seeing how the MYC protein, which plays a central role in cancer, binds to a key protein and controls important functions in cells. The new discovery may in the long term help in the development of new cancer drugs.
Tracer molecules can distinguish between very similar brain diseases
Two diseases that affect the brain, Parkinson’s disease and multiple system atrophy, show the same characteristics. Scientists have now shown that tracer molecules developed at LiU can distinguish between these diseases.
Laboratory of molecular materials
We are a multidisciplinary team with a passion for science. Our research is focused on the design and development of molecules, soft materials, and hybrid nanoscale components and devices for a wide range of biomedical applications.
