MSc Life Sciences

In total each student must gain 50 ECTS by visiting  modules.

• Core competences: Each student has to choose at least 4 modules from the 8 Core Competence modules
• Specialized Education: Depending upon Specialisation students have to choose a certain number of modules from different module groups (for details see the web pages for the Specialisation).

The study is finished with an 8 months long MSc thesis (40 ECTS).

The Core Competence Modules provide the students with essential competences in data literacy and for their professional position. These modules are offered by the cooperation and are visited by students from all partner schools allowing students to build up a Swiss-wide network.

Data:

• Handling and Visualizing Data
• Data and Ethics
• Design and Analysis of Experiments
• Modelling and Exploration of Multivariate Data
  

Business, Management & Society:

• Business Administration for Life Sciences
• Management and Leadership for Life Sciences
• Innovation and Project Management
• Politics and Society
  

Depending upon the chosen Specialisation the students must take a minimum number of modules from several module groups (see separate section on each Specialisation for details). In addition, students may visit elective modules from the study programme each student to individualize their studies.

You may also plan your studies in advance with our MSc Life Sciences planning tool.

The Master's thesis is worth 40 ECTS credits and is the most important module in the course. As part of their thesis, students work on demanding, application-based projects. The thesis can be done in the industry, at a university or at a research institute in Switzerland or abroad or at an institute within the FHNW School of Life Sciences.

The Master's thesis is written in English and lasts for eight months (full-time).

The Master's course usually lasts one and a half years full time. The focus in the first two semesters is on attending lectures. At the end of the second semester, students begin their Master's thesis, which lasts for eight months.

It is possible to study part time while working, with the course then extending from three to six semesters. Experience suggests that working between 50 to 60 per cent of full-time equivalence is appropriate.
Part-time students attend lectures over several semesters and usually begin their Master's thesis at the end of the fourth semester.

The course begins in the autumn semester (calendar week 38). It is possible to begin in the spring semester (calendar week 8).

As a rule, outstanding bachelor’s degree qualifications are accepted for the MSc programme. Candidates will be admitted without an entry examination if they have

• gained a BSc in a related subject and graduated with grade A, B or ≥ 5, or demonstrated an equivalent qualification (≤ 2.5 for Germany / Austria )

• the required English skills

Motivated students who do not fulfil the entry requirements entirely might be invited for an assessment interview.

In the case of a lower English level, the applicants are admitted but have the obligation to improve their English during the Master’s course. They may attend the Advanced English course offered by the School of Life Sciences or may attend other courses. At the end of the studies, students have to prove that they have attained the required English level (see table "Language of instruction").

The Master's course is taught exclusively in English. Students therefore require good language skills. The following table shows the required levels:

If prospective students do not have the required English skills, they can acquire these during their studies and be tested on them at the end of the course.

Selected students of our Master’s programme can complete a double degree by taking an additional semester at one of our partner Universities: Linköping University, University of Chemical and Technology Prague and University of Bologna. The Dual degree option is especially attractive for students aiming to pursue a PhD.
More information on Double Degree.