Biochemistry

Degree programme objectives

Within the Biochemistry master's program, the specializations are: Analytical Biochemistry, Biochemistry, Biomolecular Chemistry, Genomics and Proteomics, Bioinformatics. The common unifying subject of the biochemical foundation of all specializations is the subject Advanced Biochemistry. The goal is to provide students with a high-quality education in basic biochemistry, emphasizing both the rapidly developing state of knowledge in biochemistry and modern methodological procedures. Here, we respond to new trends in research and practice and incorporate information relevant to top-notch instrumentation acquired at MU, e.g. within the CEITEC institute. The main goals of the study specializations will be to prepare graduates for the rapidly growing amount of information and the necessity to combine interdisciplinary approaches in the study of living systems in the post-genome era. The basis of this interdisciplinarity in the study of biological systems is primarily the approaches used by contemporary biochemistry, analytical and structural chemistry. The study is focused on mastering chemical and biological, but also physical principles, bioanalytical procedures and methods to educate experts who will be able to creatively apply their knowledge in practice and to solve tasks that they did not encounter during their studies. Graduates should have the knowledge and skills both for going directly into practice and for further study within doctoral study programs, e.g. the existing Biochemistry, Genomics and Proteomics and Life Sciences programs.

Study plans

Analytical biochemistry

full-time, specialized

Biochemistry

full-time, specialized

Bioinformatics

full-time, specialized

Biomolecular chemistry

full-time, specialized

Genomics and Proteomics

full-time, specialized

Studies

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Objectives
Within the Biochemistry master's program, the specializations are: Analytical Biochemistry, Biochemistry, Biomolecular Chemistry, Genomics and Proteomics, Bioinformatics. The common unifying subject of the biochemical foundation of all specializations is the subject Advanced Biochemistry. The goal is to provide students with a high-quality education in basic biochemistry, emphasizing both the rapidly developing state of knowledge in biochemistry and modern methodological procedures. Here, we respond to new trends in research and practice and incorporate information relevant to top-notch instrumentation acquired at MU, e.g. within the CEITEC institute. The main goals of the study specializations will be to prepare graduates for the rapidly growing amount of information and the necessity to combine interdisciplinary approaches in the study of living systems in the post-genome era. The basis of this interdisciplinarity in the study of biological systems is primarily the approaches used by contemporary biochemistry, analytical and structural chemistry. The study is focused on mastering chemical and biological, but also physical principles, bioanalytical procedures and methods to educate experts who will be able to creatively apply their knowledge in practice and to solve tasks that they did not encounter during their studies. Graduates should have the knowledge and skills both for going directly into practice and for further study within doctoral study programs, e.g. the existing Biochemistry, Genomics and Proteomics and Life Sciences programs.
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:
- Apply knowledge of a broad base of theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of advanced biochemistry.
- Utilize elementary and advanced biochemical research instrumentation and techniques.
- Compile and optimize analytical procedures for the processing of biological material.
- Evaluation of obtained experimental data, their interpretation and presentation of results.
- Adaptive application of acquired knowledge and skills for solving specific tasks.
- Work with primary and secondary sources of scientific information, postulate and test hypotheses, and independently plan appropriate sub-scientific experiments.
- Orientation in obtaining and processing natural science data (bioinformatics and chemoinformatics).
- Orientation in programming languages and basic programming skills (bioinformatics and chemoinformatics).
- Detailed theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of enzymology: classification, structure, mechanisms of catalytic action and application of enzymes, methods of determining enzyme activity and substrate concentration. Processing of data from
- Ability to develop and use enzyme analytical techniques in a homogeneous format, advanced variants with immobilized enzymes, including enzyme biosensors for clinical markers.
- A detailed understanding of the energy systems of cells including ATP generation, storage and conversion of alternative forms of energy in cells with an overlap into an ecological context.
Occupational Profiles of Graduates
Graduates of the program's specializations have the knowledge and skills to go directly into practice - companies and research organizations active in the biochemical and biotechnological sectors, bioanalytical laboratories with advanced instrumentation - enzyme and immunoassays, nucleic acid diagnostics, proteomics. They can, however, continue further studies within doctoral study programs, e.g. the existing Biochemistry, Genomics and Proteomics and Life Sciences.
Practical Training
Practical Training is a recommended optional part of the studies.
Goals of Theses
The standard length of a thesis is around 60 pages. including footnotes, title page, table of contents, index, bibliography and annotations. The work has the character of an independent research project consisting of a literary introduction to the issue, a methodological part, experimental results, a discussion and a conclusion. Students should demonstrate the ability to work critically with professional texts, process concepts and theories found in them, design and conduct experiments based on this, evaluate them and find relevant answers to the given question. The diploma thesis presents the results of the graduate's experimental work under the supervision of the thesis supervisor. Detailed instructions are available on the website (https://ubch.sci.muni.cz/pro-studenty/behem-studia#tab-1).
Access to Further Studies
Graduates are able to continue their studies within the framework of doctoral study programs, e.g. at the MU PřF, the existing programs are Biochemistry, Genomics and Proteomics and Life Sciences.