Molecular Biology in combination with other subjects
Combination possibilities for RUC students
Students who have completed the basic studies programme (and fulfill the requirements) can choose to combine Molecular Biology with all subjects that are offered in English. The same goes for RUC bachelors who continue at the master level.
The most popular combinations are with Chemistry or Environmental Biology. Combination with Computer Science is an obvious choice for students interested in Bioinformatics, and combinations with Mathematics or Physics are also straightforward.
External applicants for a master programme
Molecular Biology is part of the combination master programme.
Please check the list of programmes to see which combinations that are offered right now.
Special profile programmes
Special profile programmes are coordinated interdisciplinary combinations of two subjects at the master level. There are two special profile programmes in English with Molecular Biology, Biomolecular Chemistry and Bioinformatics. The most important aspect of these special profiles is that you have to carry out an integrated experimental 60 ECTS master thesis project.
Molecular Biology - Chemistry
These two subjects support each other very well, and many students do integrated projects where both subjects contribute essential elements. The combination gives you an excellent Natural Science education with a unique academic foundation for contributing to the rapid evolution in biotechnology derived from the genomics revolution that is currently taking place. New drugs and products for “green chemistry” are being developed in pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries based on the new technologies and discoveries in the interdisciplinary field of molecular biology and chemistry. More than half of the Master graduates with this combination continue their studies in a PhD program.
Molecular Biology (Bioinformatics) - Computer Science
Bioinformatics is a field at the interface between Molecular Biology and Computer Science where there is a rapid development in these years. This is the field where you develop the computer-based algorithms and tools to analyse the enormous amounts of DNA sequence data that are being generated by the second generation sequencing methods. Tools for comparison of genome sequences from different species and from different individuals for the personalised medicine that will come soon, tools to analyse gene expression data and algorithms and tools to make molecular structure predictions to help develop new drugs. In this combination, you obtain both the molecular biology knowledge, skills and competencies to critically analyse the results generated with existing bioinformatics tools as well as the computer science knowledge and skills to contribute to development of the bioinformatics programs for the future.
Molecular Biology - Environmental Biology
These two subjects are quite different and distinct in their approach to biological problems and concern distinct fields within biology. Molecular and genetic methods and techniques are used increasingly in the studies of the biology of the environment. For example, in physiological studies in connection with ecotoxicology where the effect of different compounds are elucidated at the cellular level. The recent developments in DNA sequencing methods have allowed a metagenomics approach to population studies where the genomic content of total environmental samples are used to determine population composition. With this combination, you aquire the skills and compentencies both for field studies and for using the newest molecular techniques in biology. This combination is very attractive both for students that aim at a career in environmental monitoring and for students that want to pursue a career in research.
Molecular Biology - Mathematics
Development of advanced mathematical models which are very useful to analyse biological phenomena requires in-depth mathematical skills as well as a good understanding and insight into the biological topics.
Molecular Biology - Physics
Through this combination, you can aquire the compentencies and skills to develop physical models and methods for use in molecular biology research and in medicotechniques.