Degree programme specification
Biophysics at Masaryk University is a modern and amazing study program, that combines all basic disciplines of natural sciences. If you are interested in what the structure of a virus, protein, nucleic acid or their complexes look like, then biophysics is exactly what you are looking for.
Masaryk University is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments on which you can be the first in the world to discover the structures of some biomolecules and/or reveal the principles of particular biological processes. An experience from both theory and experiment will prepare you for a scientific career or career in technology companies or wherever you want.
Graduates of biophysics have found employment in the field of IT, abroad at universities and scientific institutions, but also in industry and technology companies. Brno, biophysics and Masaryk University are a promising choice!
Masaryk University has a long tradition in the field of biophysics and has a number of successful graduates, whether scientists or students (eg the Czech Head Doctorandus 2017 award). Research teams and teachers work at the institutes of the Academy of Sciences and at the CEITEC University Science Center, where a number of theses is created, from bachelor's to dissertation.
Thanks to the environment of the campuses Kotlářská and Bohunice, cooperation with other fields and experts in other disciplines is not a problem. Everything that these campuses are equipped with is fully available to students with the sole aim of developing their interest in knowledge and the ability to design and analyze theoretical methods and experimental results.
Study plans
Studies
- Objectives
The aim of the program is to profile students for the profession of an independent creative worker in biophysics. In addition to consolidating and expanding the theoretical and experimental physical background, including adequate knowledge of mathematical methods, the program provides education in the field of physical problems concerning properties and manifestations of living matter. Thanks to compassing solid physical basis together with knowledge of key chemical, biochemical and biological disciplines, the biophysical curriculum is at a qualitatively high level. The graduate has a deep education in the study of the structure of biopolymers and their interactions with physical and chemical factors, genetics (biophysical problems of mutagenesis and genomics) and membranology (with emphasis on understanding the relationship between the structure, properties and function of membranes).
- Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:
- use computers for processing and analysis of data
- describe structure, function and dynamics of biomolecules at various resolutions, from cellular to atomic
- communicate results of work at high level of graphical, written and spoken form
- understand the basics of protein, nucleic acid and biomolecular complexes interactions
- design and evaluate an experiment for characterization of structure and binding of biomolecules
- follow biological experiments and work in biology labs
- understand chemical concepts related to biomolecules
- apply mathematical and physical tools to study biological processes
- Occupational Profiles of Graduates
The program prepares students preferentially for a follow-up doctoral studies, either at the university or at the institutes of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, which qualifies the graduate as a future researcher.
The graduate will also work well in basic and applied research at universities, laboratory operations and companies, metrological institutions, institutions using informatics, etc. The graduate is capable of independent creative scientific work and solving more complex problems, initially at least in the biophysical field on which he focused.
- Practical Training
Already from the first semester of the bachelor's study, students have the opportunity to practice in the environment of scientific laboratories within the course 'Individual project', which can be transferred to a bachelor's thesis in the third year. The follow-up study already presumes higher involvement in scientific activities within a scientific team during resolving the diploma thesis. In addition, diploma theses can be realized in cooperation with nanotechnology companies such as Tescan, ThermoFisher Scientific or Delong Instruments, and other companies.
- Goals of Theses
In their theses, students will demonstrate their ability to critically process a professional text and work with knowledge and theories of the field and to apply this knowledge to solve the topic of the thesis. The work is concluded with students' own results and their evaluation in the context of the current state of knowledge and literature.
Instructions on compulsory parts to be part of bachelor's, master's and rigorous theses at the Faculty of Science, MU and templates for final theses are prescribed
by the Dean's measure 3/2019.
A video course 'How to write a diploma thesis' was created within the MU development fund and is available to students free of charge, advising students how to write a diploma or bachelor's thesis. Among other things, the video course includes tips on how to reduce procrastination and force yourself to start working. Videos are available through the MU Information system in folders: Documents -> Faculty of Science -> Video recordings -> How to write a thesis https://is.muni.cz/do/sci/video/Jak_napsat_DP/
Students have the standard option to prepare their thesis in Czech, Slovak or English. Should reason appear, students may request also for other languages.
- Access to Further Studies
Graduates of biophysics can continue their studies at the doctoral level at any Czech or world college or university or scientific institute. In addition, graduates of the follow-up biophysics program find easily job on the labor market in areas from IT, through biological and research laboratories to economically or managerially oriented jobs.
Basic information
Czech