Study guide: Master in Life Sciences 2015 / 2016

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1 The FHNW incorporates nine faculties: School of Applied Psychology School of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geomatics Academy of Art and Design School of Business School of Engineering School of Life Sciences Academy of Music School of Social Work School of Teacher Education University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW School of Life Sciences Gründenstrasse 40 CH-4132 Muttenz Switzerland T F master.lifesciences@fhnw.ch Study guide: Master in Life Sciences 2015 / 2016

2 Contents Introduction 3 The master s programme 5 Structure of the study programme 8 The master s thesis 11 Overview of major modules 12 Major modules: Molecular Technologies, Therapeutic Technologies, Environmental Technologies 14 Advanced life science skills modules 16 Entrepreneurial skills modules 21 General information 22 Admission and enrolment 24 Fees and grants 27 University of Applied Sciences and Arts FHNW 28 Contact and student advisory service 32 1

3 Introduction The School of Life Sciences FHNW The School of Life Sciences FHNW (HLS) provides market-oriented applications for the fascinating world of life sciences. With a network of industry and research partners, HLS is a unique university centred around technology development in medical, natural, environmental and engineering sciences. The state-of-the-art infrastructure facilitates putting cutting-edge research into practice. Benefits for patients, innovative products, therapeutic solutions and environmentally friendly technologies are the ultimate goal. The core of the life sciences study programme consists of scientific knowledge for research and development, coupled with practical experience. Students may assemble their own curriculum from available modules, with support by the school. In order to prepare optimally for a professional career, the study course also transmits aspects of management know-how. The graduates are ultimately expected to prove their abilities in a competitive and international life sciences environment. Studies are therefore complemented by English language skills and the option of stay abroad at a partner institute. 3 4

4 The master s programme Qualified experts for the growing life sciences market The MSc (Master of Science) study programme gives graduates specialist knowledge enabling them to integrate quickly and effectively into the global industrial life sciences sector and related fields. MSc graduates have broad training and in-depth knowledge, combined with profound practical experience. During the eight months of their MSc thesis, they demonstrate that they can work independently on demanding projects. With these qualifications, graduates of the MSc programme are able to plan and carry out projects in the fields of applied research, development, translational research and production. They are also aware of entrepreneurial issues such as budgeting, personnel, deadlines, markets and products. Graduates are able to present and explain the results of their work in their native language and in English to other specialists as well as to colleagues with different backgrounds. They bring skills and knowledge to multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary teams. New career prospects MSc graduates typically hold positions in organisations where they manage and participate in projects that build upon their expertise. Such organisations are active in chemistry, biotechnology, environmental protection and nutrition as well as pharmaceutical and medical technology. The Master of Science degree is internationally recognised and allows students to continue their studies with a doctorate in most countries. 5 6

5 The master s programme Where life sciences come alive The international Master of Science in Life Sciences is conducted in collaboration with other Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences: Berner Fachhochschule, Haute Ecole Spécialisée de la Suisse Occidentale and Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften. Programme structure The MSc study programme encompasses lectures (50 ECTS credits) and the thesis (40 ECTS credits). The major modules are offered by the School of Life Sciences FHNW and take place in Basel or Muttenz. The Entrepreneurial skills and the Advanced Life Science skills modules, which are organised in cooperation with the partner universities, are held in Berne and Spiez. The modules are offered during the semesters (see pages 8 9). All modules usually take place once a year. The students are supported by an innovative e-learning platform. Study consultation After acceptance, the dean of the programme will consult each student regarding which modules shall be taken in which semester. Thus each student will have an individual study programme that best meets his/her interests. It is also possible to complete part of the course at a foreign institute of higher education: Teaching language The language of teaching is English. This requires that in addition to the technical and scientific skills applicants must be able to read scientific articles and books, follow the lectures, participate in discussions and be able to write the thesis in English on their own. Therefore, it must be emphasised that students who want to undertake the MSc programme need adequate skills in English (see also page 24). Educational concept The educational concept of «blended learning» combines independent learning with lessons on site. When preparing course contents, modern forms of teaching and learning such as e-learning and case studies are included. In seminars and workshops, students deal with challenging issues and differing points of view. Complex issues will be explained by the instructors in lessons. In the master s programme, great emphasis is put on «research learning», where traditional teaching is augmented by individual context-based knowledge generation. Start and duration The studies start in the autumn semester (calendar week 38) or in the spring semester (calendar week 8). Completion Successful completion of the course leads to the award of the renowned title «Master of Science» which is recognised around the world. Learn more The School of Life Sciences FHNW offers information evenings that provide more details about the MSc study programme. Please consult for more information and dates. 7 8

6 Structure of the study programme Full-time students Structure of the study programme Part-time students The MSc study programme takes 90 ECTS credits. Shown here is a full-time study plan starting in the autumn semester (1.5 years): It is also possible to study part time. In this case, the studies take approximately six semesters depending on the individual study plan. Part-time students may work in parallel as a guideline 50 to 60 percent workload is appropriate. Other plans are possible; please consult the dean. Autumn semester Spring semester Autumn semester Spring semester Sep Feb Feb Jun Jun Sep Feb Feb Jun Jun Lectures (1 st sem.) Lectures (2 nd sem.) Thesis (8 months) Lectures (1 st sem.) Lectures (2 nd sem.) Thesis (3 rd sem., 8 months) Lectures (3 rd sem.) Lectures (4 th sem.) Thesis (8 months) Thesis (5/6 th sem., 8 or 12 months) 3 rd sem. 2 nd sem. 1 st sem. Master s thesis ECTS credits 40 Entrepreneurial skills ECTS credits 4 (1 of 5*) Entrepreneurial skills ECTS credits 8 (2 of 5*) Advanced Life Science skills ECTS credits 9 (3 of 14*) Advanced Life Science skills ECTS credits 9 (3 of 14*) Major module ECTS credits 10 (2 of 16*) Major module ECTS credits 10 (2 of 16*) Lectures Thesis Thesis Lectures Master s thesis ECTS-credits 40 Entrepreneurial skills ECTS credits 4 (1 of 5*) Entrepreneurial skills ECTS credits 4 (1 of 5*) Entrepreneurial skills ECTS credits 4 (1 of 5*) Advanced Life Science skills ECTS credits 6 (2 of 14*) Advanced Life Science skills ECTS credits 3 (1 of 14*) Advanced Life Science skills ECTS credits 3 (1 of 14*) Advanced Life Science skills ECTS credits 6 (2 of 14*) Major module ECTS credits 5 (1 of 16*) Major module ECTS credits 5 (1 of 16*) Major module ECTS credits 5 (1 of 16*) Major module ECTS credits 5 (1 of 16*) 1 st sem. 2 nd sem. 3 rd sem. 4 th sem. 5/6 th sem. *Modules to be chosen. Note: It is possible that modules or final exams take place outside the semester. *Modules to be chosen. Note: It is possible that modules or final exams take place outside the semester. 9 10

7 The master s programme The master s thesis Amounting to 40 ECTS points, the thesis is the most important module of the MSc programme. It addresses a scientific or technical question of practical relevance and is carried out either at an institute of the School of Life Sciences FHNW, at the site of an industrial partner or at foreign university or research institute. In all cases, the student is supervised by a member of the school s faculty. The thesis has to be written in English and lasts eight months in full-time study

8 The master s programme Overview of major modules Combination option Molecular Technologies Bioanalytics/ diagnostics Chemistry Process technology Clean technologies Pharma technology Medical technology Applied organic chemistry: Organic synthesis; Selected topics in medicinal chemistry; Special methods in NMR spectroscopy Chemical engineering: Microprocess technology; Process control and automation; Production of semi-solid materials Instrumental analytics: Hyphenated mass spectrometric methods; Advanced spectroscopy and imaging Profiling of bioactive compounds: From target to effect: concepts, assays & models; Advanced technologies Applied bioanalytics: Advanced pharmacology and toxicology; Radioanalytics; Systems biology Therapeutic Technologies Drug formulation and delivery: Controlled release technologies; Biopharmaceutical modelling and simulation; Oral formulations of poorly water soluble drugs; Alternative routes of drug delivery and drug targeting Drug manufacturing: Advanced pharmaceutical plants; System dynamics of production processes; Technical services, process media and Processing of biologics Medical systems: Interactive systems; Distributed medical systems; Robotics Implant development: Medical devices; Signal processing; Patient specific implant design Medical data analysis: Introduction to linear, non-linear, deterministic and stochastic optimisation methods and applied project work; Quantitative image processing for medical applications; Radiation effects on human beings; Basics of radiation safety Common modules Sustainable production and clean technologies: Process integrated preventive environmental protection; Industrial environmental technologies Bio/nanotechnology: (Bio-)sensors; Surface technology; Advanced (bio-)materials Environmental Technologies Water management and treatment technologies: Water resources management; Water purification and supply; Sustainable water use; Wastewater treatment and reuse; Water quality and health Materials recovery technologies: Materials and mass flow analysis; Separation and conversion technologies (methods & tools); Management of recovered materials (acceptance; quality; marketing Environmental remediation: Management and monitoring of contaminated sites; Physico-chemical remediation technologies; Advanced environmental biotechnologies based on the use of living organisms Environmental risk assessment: Exposure assessment; Bioavailability and fate of pollutants; Environmental and health impact of pollutants Students have to choose four modules (5 ECTS points each). The table shows possible combinations that may correspond to students specific fields of interest. Other combinations are possible. In general, three of the modules have to be from the major chosen but the fourth module can be chosen freely among the modules offered. The interdisciplinary modules bio-nanotechnology, sustainable production and clean technologies production and Clean Technologies and materials recovery technologies belong to all three majors. First choice modules Second choice modules 13 14

9 The master s programme Major modules The School of Life Sciences FHNW offers three MSc majors: Molecular Technologies Synthesis and analysis of active compounds and biological systems The major in Molecular Technologies is aimed at graduates in chemistry, bioanalysis and biotechnology. Students enrolled in the Molecular Technologies major will become experts in synthetic chemical and analytical issues. Subjects covered range from the analysis and structure elucidation of substances to the design and application of molecular and cellular assays in high throughput settings. Students will also acquire skills in the designing and optimising of synthetic routes and in the scaling-up of organic synthesis using chemical engineering approaches. Therapeutic Technologies Pharmaceutical technologies and medical engineering for disease treatment The major in Therapeutic Technologies offers an innovative engineering-based training in pharma technology, medical technology and biomedical IT. Environmental Technologies Applied environmental science and technology The major in Environmental Technologies is aimed at graduates in environmental sciences. The major in Environmental Technologies deals with applied technologies and strategies in the areas of water and waste management. This includes the optimisation of process, material and energy flows with the aim of minimising harmful emissions into the environment. The technologies covered are based inter alia on biotechnological processes and on membrane technology in water treatment and environmental remediation. The principles of developing sustainable water use cycles as well as the assessment of treatment effectiveness and efficiency of chemical and biological methods are part of the programme. In the context of environmental protection in industry, the concepts of clean technologies and integrated product policy are studied, including the eco-efficiency of processes and utilisation of waste streams as secondary resources. Students will also learn to perform technology-related environmental risk assessments and mitigation measure planning. Students will learn to design and develop engineering-based solutions. In pharma technology, the formulation of active compounds, their distribution in the human body as well as drug targeting is taught. Students also learn how drugs are manufactured in an industrial setting. In the field of medical engineering, the main subjects covered are medical data analysis, the development of medical systems, medical imaging, implant development and the use and surface characterisation of biomaterials

10 The master s programme Advanced life sciences skills modules Generic modules Combination option Bioanalytics/ diagnostics Chemistry Process technology Clean technologies Pharma technology Medical technology Quality excellence: Current concepts in quality management; Quality performance Applied statistics and mathematics: Analysis of variance and experimental design; Regression models and analysis of survey data; Analysis of categorical data, individual focus Data management and visualisation: Database structures and data maintenance; Analysis of low and high dimensional data; Data visualisation Modelling of complex systems: Overview and characterisation of various systems; Introduction into tools and methods used for system analysis and modelling; Detailed case studies of systems and their modelling Management of R&D projects: Requirements and concepts of R&D projects; Planning and controlling of research projects; Context management and problem solving in research projects Life cycle assessment: Seminal examples of LCA; Overview of environmental management methods and impact indicators; Steps of the LCA procedure; Case study (group work) Industrial life sciences Cellular and molecular physiology: Cellular models with 2D-construction of human cartilage and bones; Models with co-cultures of blood immune cells, stem cells and microorganisms; Engineered molecular models using specific gene-deficient animals; Pathogens-to-host communication Natural substances: Techniques for the isolation and identification of natural compounds; Diversity of natural compounds of secondary metabolism; Bioactivity of natural compounds; Metabolomics; Production and application of biofuels; Bio-refinement of natural resources Materials science: Crystallographic and electronic structure of solid materials; Surface of materials as an interface to the environment and biology; Macroscopic and microscopic structure and properties of metallic and ceramic materials; Creation, microscopic and spectroscopic characterisation of nanoscopic structures Polymers and applications: Synthesis of polymers and polymeric materials; Analysis of polymers and polymeric materials; Polymer processing & engineering; Inorganic & conductive polymers; Biopolymers; Supramolecular chemistry Applied environmental and natural sciences Biodiversity: Status and trends of biodiversity; Biodiversity and the functioning of ecosystems; Management for biodiversity maintenance; Ecological applications in natural resources management; Linking ecological principles and sustainable resource use Sustainable development in natural resource management: Rio +20, Actors and stakeholders; Institutions, rules and property rights; Governance and policy Food & consumer health and oenology Nutrition and nutrition related diseases: Micro nutrition deficiencies and diet related diseases; Global shifts in eating patterns; Key role of obesity as a risk factor; Nutritional recommendations Sustainable sourcing, processing and tracing of food: Analysis of the whole value chain (cradle-to-cradle design); Sustainability performance; Footprints; Principles of a sustainable diet The Advanced Life Science skills support the subject specialisation in the MSc programme by expanding the scope of knowledge. The catalogue of 14 modules covers various in-depth fields of specialisation and allows the students to make individual choices. Students select six modules, worth three ECTS points each, from the following modules, relating to their field of specialisation. First choice modules Second choice modules 17 18

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12 The master s programme Entrepreneurial skills modules The Entrepreneurial skills modules teach students to understand and apply interfaces between their technical-scientific core areas and economic and social fields. From the following five modules, worth four ECTS points each, students select three modules relating to their area of specialisation and their subject interests: Entrepreneurial skills Innovation and knowledge management Innovation and knowledge management foundations; Intellectual property management; Information acquisition and information collaboration; Scientific problem solving Leadership Personnel management and team building; Context analysis and techniques for discussion/ negotiation; Conflict and crisis management; Project management Business management Entrepreneurial thinking and acting; Strategic management; Financial accounting and capital budgeting; Business plan Communication and market Introduction to marketing & marketing research; Marketing strategy; Integrated marketing communication; Markets Society, legislation and politics Political ecology and development policies Scope of studies: 3 modules Available: 5 modules worth 4 ECTS points each 21 22

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14 General information Admission and enrolment Terms of admission As a rule, outstanding bachelor s degree qualifications are accepted for the MSc programme. Candidates will be admitted without an entry examination if they have gained an FH-BSc in a related subject and graduated with grade A, B or 5 demonstrated an equivalent qualification (e.g. FH or university diploma) adequate English skills Motivated students who do not fulfil the entry requirements entirely can take an entrance examination. Adequate English competency has to be proven with one of these certificates: Application Deadline for applications is end of April for the autumn semester (start in calendar week 38) and end of November for the spring semester (start in calendar week 8). Application form Please send the application form with copies of your certificates to the following address: School of Life Sciences FHNW Student Administration Gründenstrasse 40 CH-4132 Muttenz Switzerland Type of certificate Required level FCE (First Certificate English) FCE-A/B IELTS (English Language Testing System) 5.5 TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) ibt 71 Intermediate English (module of the Bachelor programme at 5.0 the School of Life Sciences FHNW) In the case of a lower English level, the applicants are admitted but have the obligation to improve their English during the master s course. They may attend the Advanced English course offered by the School of Life Sciences or may attend other courses. At the end of the studies, students have to prove that they have attained the required English level (see table above)

15 General information Fees and grants Fees and expenses Tuition fees per semester for students domiciled in a Swiss canton, the Principality of Liechtenstein or an EU member state* CHF 700 Tuition fees per semester for all other students CHF Materials per semester CHF 100 Enrolment fee CHF 200 Extra fee for meals (CHF 75) or for meals and accommodation (CHF 375) for each Entrepreneurial skills module in Spiez (mandatory) CHF It is expected that students own a notebook PC. Grants In Switzerland, grants are regulated on a cantonal basis. The canton of your place of residence decides on grants or interest-free loans. In addition to public grants, there are also private institutions that award scholarships. * Fees of CHF 700 are payable by those students whose parents or guardians are in Switzerland, Liechtenstein or the EU; who are citizens of Switzerland, Liechtenstein or the EU; who for the previous two years were financially independent due to being employed in Switzerland, Liechtenstein or the EU and who did not undertake any higher or further education in this time

16 General information University of Applied Sciences and Arts FHNW The University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW has strong regional ties combined with a vibrant national and international dynamic. FHNW has established itself as one of the leading and most innovative universities of applied sciences in Switzerland. The FHNW incorporates nine faculties: School of Applied Psychology School of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geomatics School of Art and Design School of Life Sciences Academy of Music School of Social Work School of Engineering School of Business School of Education Within the framework of quality assessment peer reviews, national and international experts deemed FHNW to be eminently professional and at a high qualitative level. Open-ended authorisation to operate FHNW was federally awarded at the end of 2003 and all degree courses were officially endorsed. FHNW provides a diverse range of continuing education in all faculties: Master of Advanced Studies MAS, Diploma of Advanced Studies DAS, Certificates of Advanced Studies CAS, professional seminars and symposia. The university enjoys an outstanding reputation amon decision-makers. Applied research and development has a high priority. FHNW develops research projects with national and international enterprises and institutions. FHNW promotes four key principles: innovation, interdisciplinarity, international cooperation and a collaborative atmosphere among staff, lecturers and students. All federally designated fields of study, with the exception of Health Sciences, are thus incorporated. The schools are primarily located in Aarau, Basel, Brugg-Windisch, Muttenz and Olten. Each school and academy fulfills the performance-related mandates decreed by the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology OPET: Education, Continuing Education, Applied Research & Development and External Consulting. The degree courses are applied and market-oriented. They are taught on a full-time or part-time basis or in combination with work placements. FHNW has fully implemented the Bologna Declaration according to the OPET timetable. Bachelor s degrees have been awarded since 2005; master s degrees were launched in autumn

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18 Contact and student advisory service We are at your service Address University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW School of Life Sciences Gründenstrasse 40 CH-4132 Muttenz Switzerland Contact Director of Studies Prof. Dr. Frank Pude T E lehre.lifesciences@fhnw.ch Dean, student advisory service Prof. Dr. Georg Lipps T E georg.lipps@fhnw.ch Design: ibl und partner ag werbeagentur Photography: Marc Huber February 2015 Print run: 1000 University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW, School of Life Sciences Content published within this prospectus is correct at the time of publication. University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW reserves the right to change details at any time