Biochemical and Cellular Technologies

The aim of the Master’s degree program Biochemical and Cellular Technologies is to provide quality education in the fields of biochemistry and cell biology, combining deep theoretical knowledge with practical skills. This English study program is open to students with Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, biology, or related fields. The students will be introduced to the current state of knowledge in biochemistry and cell biology, modern methodological approaches, and current trends in research and practice. The main objectives of the study are to prepare the graduates for the rapidly increasing amount of information and the need to apply interdisciplinary approaches in the study of living systems and in their biotechnological use. The students will gain deep knowledge of biological and chemical principles to be able to apply them in biotechnological and bioanalytical methods. The study program will train professionals with a high level of expertise who will be prepared to independently solve tasks assigned at their workplace. Graduates will have the knowledge and skills needed to go directly into practice as well as for further doctoral studies, e.g., in the Biochemistry, Genomics and Proteomics, and Life Sciences programs.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• apply a broad base of theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of biochemistry and cell biology;
• use general and advanced instrumentation and techniques of biochemical research and biotechnology;
• establish and optimize procedures for processing samples from diverse biological sources;
• design and operate biotechnological processes based on microorganisms, plant and animal cells, enzymes, and nanobiotechnologies;
• evaluate obtained experimental data, interpret them, and present the results in oral and written form;
• work with primary and secondary sources of scientific information, postulate and test hypotheses, and independently plan scientific experiments;
• use the obtained skillset in academic research as well as biotechnology companies
• flexibly adapt to the demands of the workplace thanks to the deep foundation of the study.

Graduates of the Biochemical and Cellular Technologies program will have sufficient knowledge and skills to go directly into corporate practice. They will be demanded especially by biochemical and biotechnological companies and bioanalytical laboratories with advanced instrumentation. The general background of the study will allow graduates to adapt flexibly to the requirements of the workplace and master the required methods and procedures. With the additional training in economics and marketing, the graduates can also work as managers or sales representatives in companies from these fields. Furthermore, the graduates will be sought after by research organizations worldwide, from private research institutes to academies of science and universities.

Students can gain additional practical skills in optional internships at cooperating biotechnology companies, clinical analytical laboratories, or academic institutes in Brno and surrounding regions.

The thesis is a key part of the study. It is an experimental research project with clearly defined objectives. The student works on the topic independently under the supervision of a selected faculty member throughout the four semesters of the study. The thesis consists of a theoretical introduction to the subject, methodological part, experimental results, discussion, and conclusion. The student will demonstrate the ability to work critically with scientific texts, elaborate on the concepts and theories, design and conduct experiments, evaluate the obtained results, and find relevant answers to the given question. The standard length of the thesis is 60 to 80 pages, including a title page, table of contents, and list of references. The guidelines for thesis preparation are provided by the Measure of the Dean of the Faculty of Science No. 3/2019.

Graduates can continue in Ph.D. studies in our English biochemistry- and molecular biology-focused programs, such as Biochemistry, Bioanalytical Chemistry, Genomics and Proteomics, and Life Sciences. They will also be prepared for doctoral studies in similar fields at other prestigious universities worldwide.