MSc Molecular Techniques in Life Science
Stockholm, Sweden
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
SEK 400,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens studying this programme is SEK 400,000.
Introduction
The joint master's programme in Molecular Techniques in Life Science fosters graduates for a professional research career in life science. It has a strong focus on molecular techniques for disease therapies and diagnostic tools, coupled with substantial training in data analysis (bioinformatics and programming). The programme is a collaboration between Karolinska Institutet, KTH and Stockholm University at the Science for Life Laboratory in Stockholm, offering students the unique opportunity to study at all three institutions.
Molecular Techniques in Life Science at KTH
Our understanding of biology at a molecular level has advanced dramatically in recent years, enabled by the rapid technological progress in molecular techniques used in all aspects of life science. This has led to the development of new therapies and diagnostic tools for the effective treatment of diseases, as well as novel insights into complex cellular processes at the molecular level.
Through the master's programme in Molecular Techniques in Life Science, you will receive a comprehensive education in life science. The programme emphasises cutting-edge methods in bioinformatic analysis of molecular data, including learning how to programme, combined with state-of-the-art techniques used in modern "high throughput" molecular biology.
The programme is delivered by a team of teachers who are internationally recognised researchers within their respective disciplines, to ensure a relevant curriculum at the research forefront. The courses give a solid education in molecular biology, biotechnology, and medicine. There is a strong focus on high-throughput biology and data analysis, including biostatistics, programming, and the translation of biological findings from the lab bench to the patient bedside. The programme also develops skills and abilities essential to a professional career. These skills and abilities include oral and written presentation, teamwork, and how to make ethical and societal considerations about life science-related issues, all of which are essential competencies when leading projects in academia and industry.
This is a two-year programme (120 ECTS credits) given in English. Graduates are awarded the degree of Master of Science. The programme leads to a joint degree between Karolinska Institute, Stockholm University and KTH, and KTH issues the degree certificate.
Degree project
In the last semester of the programme, you will carry out a degree project focused on a research topic related to a subject in the curriculum. You will complete the project in a research group at either Karolinska Institute, KTH, Stockholm University, Science for Life Laboratory, another internationally recognised university or research institute, or in industry. In recent years, students have, amongst other institutions, carried out their projects at Harvard Medical School and the University of Oxford. Examples of previous degree project topics are:
- Molecular mechanisms of exercise effects on cancer.
- Use of conditional Generative Adversarial Networks (GANS) for introducing lesions to mammogram data of healthy individuals.
- Cryo-EM identification of plant cytosolic ribosome-associated protein.
- Modulation of B cell autoimmunity in experimental Myasthenia gravis with tolerogenic nanoparticles.
Admissions
Curriculum
Year 1
The first year includes advanced level courses in molecular genetics, translational medicine, molecular life science methods, and applied communication, as well as the foundations of biostatistics, programming, bioinformatics, and comparative genomics. Karolinska Institute (first semester) and Stockholm University (second semester) offer the courses during the first year.
Mandatory courses
Fall semester, courses organised by Karolinska Institute
- Applied communication (5MT011) 6 ECTS credits
- Molecular genetics and genomics (5MT010) 5 ECTS credits
- Frontiers in translational medicine (5MT012) 13 ECTS credits
- Biostatistics (5MT013) 6 ECTS credits
Spring semester, courses organised by Stockholm University
- Programming techniques for life science (DA7066), 7.5 ECTS credits
- Bioinformatics (KB7022) 7.5 ECTS credits
- Methods in molecular life science (BL8064) 7.5 ECTS credits
- Comparative genomics (KB8019) 7.5 ECTS credits
Year 2
The courses during the first semester of the second year are offered by KTH. They contain two mandatory courses and three conditionally elective courses, of which the student should select two. During the second semester, the individual degree project is performed.
Mandatory courses
- Applied proteomics (CB2110) 7.5 ECTS credits
- Applied gene technology and large-scale data analysis (CB2040) 7.5 ECTS credits
- Degree project, 30 ECTS credits
Program Outcome
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and tools for moving society in a more sustainable direction, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by the master's programme in Molecular Science and Engineering are:
- 3 Good Health and Well-being
- 5 Gender Equality
- 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
After graduating from the master's programme, you will be able to contribute to UN Goals #3 Good Health and Well-being and #9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (subgoal 9.5 - Enhance scientific research). The reason is focus of the programme is on training students to understand, use, and develop molecular techniques for disease therapies and diagnostic tools, aiming at translating biological findings into medicine. This may also include conditions primarily affecting women and developing countries, hence addressing UN Goal #5 Gender Equality.
Sustainable development
Graduates from KTH have the knowledge and tools for moving society in a more sustainable direction, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by the master's programme in Molecular Science and Engineering are:
- 3 Good Health and Well-being
- 5 Gender Equality
- 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
After graduating from the master's programme, you will be able to contribute to UN Goals #3 Good Health and Well-being and #9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (subgoal 9.5 - Enhance scientific research). The reason is focus of the programme is on training students to understand, use, and develop molecular techniques for disease therapies and diagnostic tools, aiming at translating biological findings into medicine. This may also include conditions primarily affecting women and developing countries, hence addressing UN Goal #5 Gender Equality.
Most graduates of the program have taken on research positions at prestigious research institutions, in Sweden or abroad.
Scholarships and Funding
KTH offers four different scholarship opportunities for master's studies. The KTH Scholarship covers the tuition fee of a one or two year master’s programme. The KTH One-Year Scholarship is aimed at current KTH master's programme students and covers the tuition fee of the second year of studies. The KTH Joint Programme Scholarship is aimed at students in certain joint programmes and covers the tuition fee for the study period spent at KTH. The KTH India Scholarship is aimed specifically at students from India.
- KTH Scholarship
- KTH One-Year Scholarship
- KTH Joint Programme Scholarship
- KTH India Scholarship
Swedish Institute
The Swedish Institute (SI) offers a number of scholarships for students from targeted countries coming to Sweden.
KTH associated scholarship organisations
KTH cooperates with the following organisations providing scholarship opportunities for prospective KTH students.
- COLFUTURO (Programa Crédito Beca) for students from Colombia
- LPDP (Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education) for students from Indonesia
- FUNED for students from Mexico
Scholarship portals
IEFA database
The IEFA database offer a comprehensive scholarships search, grant listing and international student loan programmes.
Studyportals
The Studyportals scholarship database lists over 1,000 scholarship and grants for students worldwide applying for studies in the EU.
Scholars4dev
Scholarships for Development is a database of scholarships open to students from developing countries.
WeMakeScholars
WeMakeScholars helps students from India secure education loans from banks and NBFCs. They also lists more than 26,000 international scholarships from different trusts, foundations and govt. bodies.
Deferment of student loans in the United States
KTH is an accredited institution at the US Department of Education and holds a Title IV 'Deferment Only' status (OPE ID 03274300). US students may defer payments on existing federal student loan accounts while enrolled in a master’s programme at KTH. The 'Deferment Only' status does not allow students to take out federal student loans for enrolment at KTH. However, the accreditation facilitates grant and loan opportunities for US students as many private student loan institutions in the US use this designation as a requirement to grant new loans. Students who wish to defer payments must contact their lending institution in the US.
Several scholarship options are available. Please check the institute website for more information.
Gallery
Career Opportunities
The combination of molecular biology, biotechnology, medicine, and data analysis provides an excellent profile for a professional research career in an academic setting or the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries. The life science industries and academic institutions working in these areas are active, and the life science sector is expanding worldwide, which gives students a wide range of possible employment. There is an active alumni association connecting current students with graduates from the programme.
After graduation
Most graduates of the programme have taken on research positions at prestigious research institutions, in Sweden or abroad.
Student Testimonials
Program Tuition Fee
Program Admission Requirements
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