Master's degree in pharmaceutical biotechnology

General Objectives of the Course

This study cycle is intended to train professionals with skills for learning, integrating and applying knowledge in emerging fields of Molecular Biotechnology, particularly in its aspect applied to medicines and human health. It also aims to stimulate pharmaceutical innovation, combining theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the context of the current methodologies employed in the field of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, prepare scientifically and technically qualified professionals in the Pharmaceutical Biotechnology’s field, for a pharmaceutical delivery of quality with added value through the development of innovative products and processes, provide specialized training in the pharmaceutical sector and in the post-graduate stage or the update corporate technical staff, open perspectives of professional integration in research and development groups in this area, as well as service and consulting companies on research and development of new biotechnology products.

Admission Requirements

Candidates to the master’s degree may be:
a) holders of a Bachelor’s degree or legal equivalent;
b) holders of a foreign higher academic degree, that was awarded after accomplishing a 1st cycle of studies, which should be structured according to the principles of the Bologna Process in an adhering country to this Process;
c) holders of a foreign higher academic degree that is recognized to meet the objectives of the Bachelor’s degree by the legal competent Scientific Council of the Higher Education Institution to which they want to be admitted.
d) holders of an academic, scientific or professional curriculum, which is recognized as attesting the capacity to accomplish this cycle of studies by the legal competent Scientific Council of the Higher Education Institution to
which they want to be admitted.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

The Master’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology is intended to train professionals with skills for learning, integrating and applying knowledge in emerging fields of Molecular Biotechnology, particularly in its aspect applied to medicines and human health.
By the end of this 2nd cycle studies, Masters in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology should be able to:
a) perform basic and applied research in the field of biomedicine.
2) carry out prominent tasks: in the development, production and control of biotechnological medicines; in the regulatory area of advanced technology and biotechnology medicines; in the storage, dispensing and use in clinical practice of biotechnology products and implementation of new therapeutic strategies; in the selection, use and evaluation of new molecular diagnosis methods; in the monitoring of clinical trials of new medicines and / or therapeutic strategies emerging from advanced technologies.

Mode of Study

The course is delivered in full time or part time attendance and daytime schedule.

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

As assessment is a pedagogical activity inseparable from the teaching process, its aim is to establish the students' competencies and knowledge, their critical sense, ability to recognize and resolve problems, as well as their written and oral presentation skills. Students may only register for exams for classes they are currently registered for under the terms of number 6 of article 4 of the University of Coimbra Pedagogical Policy. The following are examples of assessment items: Oral or written exams, written or practical work, individual and group projects that may require an oral defense, as well as class participation. Assessment for each class may include one or more of the above mentioned items. Grading is based on a scale of 0 to 20 and a grade of 10 is required to pass. Whenever assessment includes more than one item, the final grade is calculated by taking into account the relative weight of each item according to a formula published in the course outline under the terms of number 2 of article 7 of the UC Pedagogical Policy.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

This study cycle aims to train Masters in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, within the framework established by Order No. 16 470-F / 2007. It aims the formation of the fundamentals associated with the molecular mechanisms and cell disease and its relationship with the corresponding therapeutical strategies and diagnostic biotechnology-based and how this knowledge, fundamental and applied, leads to the creation of economic value.
The training is organized considering that the Pharmaceutical Biotechnology plays an increasingly important role in citizens’ lives. In this perspective, its study is fundamental to citizens and in particular to future professionals in the field of Health Sciences. Knowledge of concepts such as those contained in the syllabus of the several curricular units, and its applications, as well as the developing mental habits involved in investigative work in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, are fundamental to the development of scientific culture of future professionals and contribute to their development as citizens able to engage in making informed decisions. Without that, they won’t be able to promote the development of professional organizations where they will be part of.
Considering the strong investigative character (fundamental and applied) of the study cycle, supervised teaching practice is a structural component of the whole course, and it’s through this component that most of the study cycle’s objectives are operationalized and measured their degree of compliance.
In short, by the end of this 2nd cycle studies, Masters in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology should be able to:
1) perform basic and applied research in the field of biomedicine.
2) carry out prominent tasks: in the development, production and control of biotechnological medicines; in the regulatory area of advanced technology and biotechnology medicines; in the storage, dispensing and use in clinical practice of biotechnology products and implementation of new therapeutic strategies; in the selection, use and evaluation of new molecular diagnosis methods; in the monitoring of clinical trials of new medicines and / or
therapeutic strategies emerging from advanced technologies.

Course Coordinator(s)

João Nuno Sereno Almeida Moreira
jmoreira@ff.uc.pt

Sérgio Paulo Magalhães Simões
uc35164@uc.pt

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Ana Cláudia Paiva Santos
acsantos@ff.uc.pt

António José Ribeiro
aribeiro@ff.uc.pt

Carla Sofia Pinheiro Vitorino
uc40743@uc.pt

Ricardo António Esteves de Castro
rcastro@ff.uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The legal framework for the qualification is established by the decrees: Decree-Law no. 74/2006, 24th March, amended and republished by the decree: DL no 107/2008, 25th June; Ordinance no. 782/2009, 23rd de July.

Graduation Requirements

In order to accomplish this cycle of studies the student should carry out an internship/project with 60 ECTS. The number of credits, in accordance with the European Credit Transfer System, required to obtain the degree or diploma is 120 ECTS.
Course duration: 4 academic semesters.

Access to Further Studies

The Master’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology will be achieved when the student obtains 120 ECTS. The course duration is 2 academic years.
After obtaining a Master's degree it is possible to advance to the third cycle of studies (PhD).

Study Programme

Master’s Degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Academic year
2024-2025

Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Advanced Specialisation Master Programme

DGES Code: 6273

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 4 Semester(s)

ECTS Credits: 120.0

Category: Advanced specialization second cycle

Applications

Call for Applications

Calendar

1st Semester: Start date: 09-09-2024
End date: 14-12-2024
2nd Semester: Start date: 03-02-2025
End date: 22-05-2025

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2022-07-31 a 2028-07-30
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: R/A-Ef 1624/2011/AL01; 2023-05-08