Master-level studies involve specialized study in a field of research or an area of professional practice. Earning a master’s degree demonstrates a higher level of mastery of the subject. Earning a master’s degree can take anywhere from a year to three or four years. Before you can graduate, you usually must write and defend a thesis, a long paper that is the culmination of your specialized research.
Natural sciences programs can allow students to explore occurrences in nature through observation, prediction and experiments. Various topics may be touched upon, and students may specialize in areas such as biology, ecology, astronomy, physics, chemistry and Earth science.
Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a federal parliamentary republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers. Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modern market economy with low unemployment.
Top Master Programs in Natural Sciences in Switzerland 2017
Internationally recognized and accredited by the Swiss Confederation, the Centre for Hydrogeology and Geothermics (CHYN) staff consists of about 50 people and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for cutting-edge science and high quality teaching. [+]
The Master of Science in Biology offers a programme that permits students to select their area of specialization and acquire a diverse range of transferable skills. [+]
The Master in Standardization, Social Regulation and Sustainable Development trains future sustainability managers for the private and public sectors. The programme is quintessentially interdisciplinary, involving three disciplines: sociology, management and economics. Courses are primarily taught by in-house professors, external teachers who work in various organisations in Geneva, and teachers appointed by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) with the approval of the scientific committee. The curriculum is divided into four parts. The first and most substantial consists of required courses. The second examines standardisation efforts and their impact. The third allows students to expand and strengthen their knowledge through electives chosen from amongst the Master’s courses in Environmental Science and those offered by the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. The fourth comprises a work placement and a dissertation. [+]
Master in International Economic History [+]
The Master in Environmental Science is offered through University of Geneva’s Institute for Environmental Sciences (ISE). ISE pool distinct disciplinary expertise and backgrounds from various faculties, including the Faculty of Science, the Geneva School of Social Sciences and the Geneva School of Economics and Management. [+]
The Master in Biochemistry allows students to specialise in areas like trans-membrane trafficking and membrane biochemistry, genetic engineering, bioinformatics, cognitive neuroscience and immunology. Through this programme, students develop the methodological knowledge and experimental rigour which are essential for conducting research. The programme also provides state-of-the-art training in the area of cellular energy production. Students will master the key concepts in biochemistry from the molecular level to the cellular level in order to understand the precise mechanisms at work in cells. [+]
The Master in Chemistry provides advanced training in the areas of analytical chemistry, materials chemistry, mineral chemistry, organic and bio-organic chemistry, and physical chemistry. Using modern laboratory techniques, students learn to synthesise new molecules which can be used in industry and other sectors. The programme also provides training in areas such as spectroscopy and computational chemistry, and provides students with the expertise required to develop methods for identifying new substances. Students also do a work placement in a chemistry laboratory and write a comprehensive final research paper. [+]
The Master in Chemical Biology prepares students to think beyond the State-of-the-art. Specifically, students will learn how to probe biological problems at the molecular level using innovative chemistry and biophysical approaches. The Degree is awarded by the University of Geneva in collaboration with the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). Students will be embedded within the National Centre for Competence in Research (NCCR) in Chemical Biology where they will receive individualized and highly interdisciplinary (biology, chemistry, physics) training from world-renowned researchers. [+]
The Master in Geology is an advanced programme in Earth Sciences that combines basic science and practical applications. It is a joint programme of the University of Geneva and the University of Lausanne’s School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (Ecole lémanique des sciences de la Terre - ELSTE), and provides vast academic and practical expertise covering most branches of the Earth sciences. Particular focus is placed on reservoir geology (water, oil), sedimentology, global changes, metalliferous deposits, geochronology and geochemistry, natural dangers and volcanology. Students have access to high-tech methods and laboratories and are involved in field studies on all continents, in cooperation with academic, research and industry partners. [+]
The Master in Physics provides advanced training in physics. It includes specialisations in areas such as particle physics, condensed matter physics, theoretical physics, applied physics, astronomy and astrophysics. The programme and work placements give students the opportunity to work with prestigious institutions, including CERN, ESA and NASA. Through the programme, students acquire both a solid foundation in modern physics and expertise in their field of specialisation. The programme leads to careers in areas such as research, teaching and industry, and develops modelling skills that are very valued, including in the economics and finance sectors. [+]
The Master in Biology broaches a number of topics, such as genetics, evolution, molecular and cellular mechanisms, physiology, the environment and biodiversity. The programme is therefore founded on various disciplines, including animal biology, plant biology, anthropology, cell biology and molecular biology. It allows students to increase their practical knowledge, primarily through laboratory work. It also allows students to do work placements in other fields, such as marine biology, ecology and alpine or tropical botany. In addition to the general Master of Science in Biology, which consists entirely of electives, a number of specialisations are available for a more targeted curriculum. [+]
The Master in Mathematics and Computer Science takes an in-depth look at the various fields of mathematics, integrating a sizeable component on programming and new computer technologies. The programme establishes tangible connections between the various theories and methodologies unique to mathematics and computer science. Students are introduced to topics such as modelling, simulation, information management, database design and multimedia security. [+]
The Master in Mathematics is an extension of the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics or in Mathematics and Computer Science, which gives students the opportunity to specialise in one of the research areas of the Mathematics section (algebra, analysis, geometry, topology, mathematical physics, probability and statistics, numerical analysis). The programme offers two streams: the “research” stream includes advanced courses for specialisation in a chosen field; the “general” stream allows students to broaden the scope of their degree by choosing electives offered by other university sections or departments. Through this programme, students will learn to use the mathematical tools that are now essential in research, industry, economics and finance. [+]
