Master in Chemistry at the Interface with Biology and Materials Science

Condiciones de terminación:

Obligatorias: 33
Optativas: 12
Prácticas externas 15
Trabajo fin de máster: 30
Total: 90

No se contemplan

The Master is a full-time degree aimed at providing a multidisciplinary scientific and technological education in chemistry and its interface with functional materials and cell biology. Students will be exposed to a leading international research environment, and will have the opportunity to acquire the necessary practical skills and knowledge to start a research path, by enrolling in a PhD programme, or to pursue a successful career in different industrial sectors (chemistry, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nanotechnology, among others).

• Admission profile

  -

• Minimum number of ECTS enrollment credits per student and school period

  Condiciones de terminación:

  Obligatorias: 33
  Optativas: 12
  Prácticas externas 15
  Trabajo fin de máster: 30
  Total: 90

• Tutorial action and reception

  Desde el momento de la admisión, los alumnos estarán en contacto directo con el personal de xestión del máster y, a través de este personal, con su coordinador/la. La través deste contacto los alumnos recibirán el asesoramiento inicial que precisen en relación con la y lecciónde materias, organización docente del programa, posibilidad de acceder a bolsas/contratos de apoyo, etc. Por otra parte, se llevará a cabo una asignación temporal del Trabajo Fin de Máster y del tutor científiclo de cada estudiante, que a partir diera momento apoyarán y orientarán el alumno entod las las dudas que tenga o en las de cisións deba tomar. La través de reuniones conjuntas del alumno con el tutor asignado y, eventualmente, con el coordinador del máster, realizarase un seguimiento periódico de la evolución del estudiante a lo largo del programa.

  A lo largo de todel el itinerario de realización del máster, los alumnos/las dispondrán de una conta corporativa de correo electrónico, a través de la cual recibirán información periódica de las actividades organizadas (anuncios de seminarios, de conferencias, de jornadas científicas, etc), así como las comunicacións generales que afecten al funcionamiento propio del centro.

  En la páxina web del CiQUS, se alojará una sección específica para lo programa de máster, a través de la cual los alumnos tendrán acceso a la página web de la universidad con el objeto de poder llevar a cabo trámites administrativos, consulta de expediente, consultas sobre la organización docente del curso (horarios, calendario de exámenes, grupos, etc). Contarán también con el apoyo de la plataforma virtual (Campus Virtual) de la USC, con toda la información sobre guía sdocentes, materiales, pruebas de evaluación, avisos, comunicación con los profesores, etc.

• Access

  Access

  Para acceder aos ensinos oficiais de Máster será necesario estar en posesión de:
  A.1. Un título universitario oficial español.
  A.2. Un título expedido por unha institución de educación superior pertencente a outro Estado integrante do Espazo Europeo de Educación Superior que faculte no mesmo para o acceso a ensinos de Máster.
  A.3. Un título pertencente a un sistema educativo alleo ao Espazo Europeo de Educación, previa comprobación pola Universidade de que o citado título acredita un nivel de formación equivalente aos correspondentes títulos universitarios oficiais españois e faculta no país expedidor do título para o acceso a ensinos de posgrao.
  A.4. Un título superior das Ensinanzas Artísticas Superiores do sistema educativo español.

  Admission

  Category: specific criteria

  Access degrees
  - Degree in Chemistry
  - Other degrees in the fields of Sciences, Health Sciences or Architecture and Engineering which include training in chemistry and are related to the Masters course, such as Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Pharmacy and Physics. Chemical engineering and similar degrees
  - The Academic Board will assess individual cases not explicitly considered.

  Candidates must show at least a B1-level knowledge of English. A higher level certification will be regarded as an additional curricular skill.

  SELECTION CRITERIA
  Academic record: 85%
  Additional curricular skills: 10%
  Letter of motivation: 5%

  Updated information in each enrolment call
  Master courses may be taken by:

  1. Holders of a Spanish university degree.
  2. Holders of formal qualifications awarded by an EHEA higher education institution that allows access to Master courses in the country which awards the qualification.
  3. Graduates under non-EHEA educational systems without the need of degree recognition, provided that the University previously verifies that those degrees attest to a level of training which is equivalent to that of the relevant Spanish university degrees and allow access to postgraduate studies in the country which awards the qualification.

The Masters programme in Chemistry at the Interface with Biology and Materials Science is presented as a degree that sets out to provide future graduates with multidisciplinary training at the frontier of Chemistry, Biomedicine and Materials Science, and the necessary training for carrying out research tasks, start an academic career or enter in the labour market.

• Basic skills

  - Possess and understand the knowledge that provides a basis or an opportunity for being creative and unique in the development and/or implementation of ideas, often in a research context.
  - Students should know how to use the knowledge acquired and their problem-solving capacity in new or little known environments within wider (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study
  - Students should be able to integrate knowledge and deal with the complexity of making judgements from information which – being incomplete or limited – includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the use of their knowledge or judgements
  - Students should know how to communicate their findings and the knowledge and underlying reasons underpinning them to specialised and non-specialised audiences in a clear and unambiguous way
  - Students should have the learning skills that allow them to carry on studying in such a way that should be mainly self-directed or autonomous

• Generic skills

  - Know how to use the knowledge acquired for practical problem solving in the field of research and innovation, in the multidisciplinary context of biological chemistry and molecular materials
  - Know how to apply the scientific method and acquire skills for developing the necessary protocols for the design and critical assessment of chemical experiments.
  - Be able to discuss and communicate ideas, in both oral and written form, to specialised and non-specialised audiences (congresses, conferences, etc.) in a clear and reasoned way.
  - Be able to understand the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the use of knowledge or judgements in research, development and innovation in the field of biological chemistry and molecular materials.
  - Have the skills that allow students to develop an autonomous method for studying and learning.
  - Have leadership, creativity, initiative and entrepreneurship abilities.
  - Be capable of working in multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with other specialists, both nationally and internationally.
  - Be able to use scientific literature and develop the judgement needed for its interpretation and use.
  - Be capable of handling chemical substances safely and work in a chemical laboratory without risks.
  - Be able to develop the different research stages (from the conception of an idea and the literature search through to target setting, experiment design, analysis of the results and drawing conclusions).
  - Be able to adapt efficiently to future doctoral studies in multidisciplinary areas.

• Specific skills

  - Know the impact of chemistry, biological chemistry and molecular materials on the industry, environment, health, agrofood and renewable energies.
  - Be capable of comparing experimental data and theoretical assumptions in a critical manner.
  - Know the rules on risk prevention in the laboratory and within the chemistry-related industry.
  - Know and understand the chemical tools and analytical techniques used for biological chemistry and molecular materials.
  - Know how to analyze and use the data obtained autonomously in complex laboratory experiments by relating them to the suitable chemical, physical or biological techniques.
  - Know the physicochemical bases of biological processes.
  - Students should acquire knowledge on advanced techniques for the structural characterization of macromolecules, supramolecules and colloids which are relevant in the field of biological chemistry and molecular materials.
  - Gain technical skill for carrying out the structural characterization of molecules, biomolecules, supramolecules and nanoparticles and interpreting the experimental data obtained.
  - Use advanced instrumentation related to research on biological chemistry and molecular materials.
  - Know the potential of NMR and ESR techniques for the analysis of biomolecule dynamic processes (diffusion) in biological media, being able to process and interpret real spectra of these techniques
  - Be familiar with the basics of Supramolecular Chemistry, the most significant types of supramolecular entities, characterization methods, their modifications and their application to Science and Technology.
  - Understand the weak interaction forces that control supramolecular processes and know how to apply them for obtaining new materials and biological functions.
  - Know the magnitudes that determine materials’ properties at the nanoscale.
  - Know the basics of Molecular Materials Chemistry, the most relevant types, the techniques for exploring, characterizing and modifying them and their applications in today’s technology.
  - Students should be familiarized with nanotechnology methods and usefulness for studying processes of medical and biological interest.
  - Know the most relevant catalysis processes in the field of biological chemistry and molecular materials.
  - Be able to establish relationships between structure and reactivity.
  - Understand the need of chemical synthesis and its relevance as well as its most significant methods, including the fundamentals of stereoselective processes in chemistry, and be capable of designing synthetic routes for complex molecules.
  - Know how to carry out, submit and defend individually, and once all curriculum credits are obtained, a comprehensive research project on Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials which synthesizes the skills learnt in the Masters course.
  - Know how to plan and carry out new laboratory experiments in an autonomous and independent manner.

• Transversal skills

  - Develop teamwork skills: cooperation, leadership and good listening skills. Adapt to multidisciplinary teams.
  - Draft scientific and technical reports and defend them publicly.
  - Perform day-to-day research or professional activity in an independent and efficient manner.
  - Apply the concepts, principles, theories and models related to Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials to new or little known environments within multidisciplinary contexts.
  - Appreciate the value of good quality and continuous improvement by acting rigorously, responsibly and ethically.
  - Be capable of adapting to changes by being self-motivated when applying new and advanced technologies and other relevant developments.
  - Show critical and self-critical reasoning when seeking scientific rigour and quality. Handle IT tools and information and communication technology (ICT), as well as on-line access to databases.

Mobility

Mobility: Masters programme in Chemistry at the Interface with Biology and Materials Science involves carrying out a Project for Induction to Research (15 ECTS) at CiQUS (being part of the research group chosen for writing the Master’s Thesis or, preferably, in another laboratory) or at an external institution or a company.

CiQUS will promote student mobility by particularly encouraging them to carry out this Project for Induction to Research at internationally renowned foreign Research Centres so they extend their scientific training in multicultural backgrounds by conducting cutting-edge research.

In order to facilitate student mobility, bilateral agreements will be established within the context of ERASMUS+ programme with foreign universities with a view to allow easier exchange of postgraduate students.

At present, an agreement has been signed with the Ecole Supèrieure De Physique Et De Chimie Industrielles De La Ville De Paris (France) for the 2017/2021 period within the ERASMUS+ programme, and agreements are being negotiated with Swansea University (UK) and the University of Nottingham (UK).

Student mobility is regulated by the “Regulations on inter-university exchanges”. The External Relations Office manages national (SICUE), European (ERASMUS) and non-EU (exchanges with Latinamerican countries or English-speaking countries) exchange programmes:

International Portal

Internships

The student must carry out a Project for Induction to Research (15 ECTS) that he/she can choose according to his/her interests and following his/her tutor’s advice.

This project is aimed at acquiring practical knowledge before undertaking the main research project of the Masters course.

The student will be able to develop this project:

- In a research laboratory at the institution (not necessarily with the same group of people with which he/she will carry out his/her Master’s Thesis in order to promote multidisciplinary training).
- In other research laboratories at a national or international level (international mobility).
- In Master’s partner companies (cross-sectoral mobility).

The scientific tutor and the Master coordinator will give the student advice on choosing the Project for Induction to Research. The content of the training programme will depend on the project assigned to the student but it will include, in any case, advanced experimental training, exposure to a real research environment in an academic or industrial context, tools for project planning and execution, results analysis and interpretation, preparing a scientific report, etc.

Master’s thesis: The Masters course has an eminently research profile. Thus, it includes an extensive Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS) to be written on one of CiQUS active research lines.

The Master’s Thesis comprises the design, planning and development of a unique research project and involves preparing a project in line with a work plan signed by the student's supervisor, in such a way that the student will have to:

- Gather bibliographical documentation on the background and current state of the subject proposed for the project.
- Prepare a proposal for objectives.
- Conduct experiments.
- Process data.
- Compile, publicly present and defend the most relevant results and findings

This master’s degree is mainly taught by Principal Investigators (PIs) of the Centre for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS) who are also professors from different USC departments (mainly from the Faculty of Chemistry) with a solid research background and teaching experience. In fact, the teaching staff includes 4 European Research Council (ERC) grantees and other internationally renowned scientists in the fields covered by the Master programme.

For some specific courses, we will count with the participation of professors and experts from other USC areas, as well as with prestigious international visiting professors.