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Master of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Leuven)

Master of Science
The Master of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology is an international interdisciplinary study
programme offered by the Faculty of Science in collaboration with the Departments of Physics and
Astronomy, Chemistry and Biology.
This two-year master's programme (120 ECTS) focuses on functions and interactions of living cells and their
molecular constituents, drawing on research methods used within the fields of molecular and cellular
biology, biochemistry and physics.
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Key information
Location
Leuven
Master of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology (120 ECTS)
Ects + duration
120 ECTS (2 years full-time)

Educational level
Education Master’s

Academic calendar
What is the Master of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology all about? 1st semester: end of September -> end
of January (exams in January)
The programme provides in-depth training in the multidisciplinary fields of biophysics and biochemistry, with particular
emphasis on subfields in which KU Leuven's research expertise is internationally recognised. Examples include: 2nd semester: half of February -> end
determination of molecular structures, molecular and supramolecular modeling, spectroscopy of of June (exams in June)
biomolecules, physical modelling of complex systems, transport phenomena in biological systems, optogenetics,
biomechanics, biophysics of neural circuits. KU Leuven academic calendar

Applying
Structure Application deadline
1 March (for non-EEA citizens)
Students select one of two profiles: Biophysics or Biochemistry and Biotechnology. 1 June (for EEA citizens)
Introductory courses: a maximum of 18 ECTS points can be obtained from following introductory courses (e.g. How to apply
quantum physics, cell biology, biochemistry etc.) in order to fill gaps. www.kuleuven.be/application
Core courses: these are courses specific to each of the two profiles Biophysics or Biochemistry and Biotechnology.
Tuition fee 2018-2019
Elective Courses: students choose a number of courses from an additional list, proposed to the other research
€922.30
profile. For. example, students in the Biophysics profile take at least 18 ECTS courses from Biochemistry
profile. Students may select relevant courses from the entire programme offered at the university if they have the Most recent information on
approval of the programme director. Students have to make sure that the entire programme of the master contains at www.kuleuven.be/tuitionfees
least 120 credits.
Master thesis: 30 ECTS are obtained upon the successful completion and defense of the masterproject carried out in Chat with our students
the second master. Student Ambassadors

International Open days

Meet us in Belgium
We encourage students to complete part of their master's training at another European university, preferably during the Meet us abroad
second year, to work on their master's thesis and/or take specific subjects in the frame of the Erasmus exchange
programme. More information can be obtained by contacting Professor C. Bartic or Professor E. Carlon. Brochure
Download the brochure
Departments Request the brochure

The mission of the Department of Physics and Astronomy is exploring, understanding and modelling physical realities Faculty website
using mathematical, computational, experimental and observational techniques. It consists of five divisions performing high Faculty of Science
quality research on Hard and Soft- condensed matter & Biophysics, Nuclear Physics, Theoretical Physics and Stellar
Astrophysics.

The Department of Biology is committed to excellence in teaching and research and is comprised of four divisions with
diverse research activities ranging from molecular and physiological research at the level of cells and organisms to
ecological research on populations, communities, and ecosystems.

The Department of Chemistry consists of five divisions, all of which conduct high quality research embedded in well-
established collaborations with other universities, research institutes and companies around the world. Its academic staff is
committed to excellence in teaching and research.

Application deadline for 2019-2020

1 March 2019 (for non-EEA citizens)

1 June 2019 (for EEA citizens)
KU Leuven uses an online application system. You can submit your application form via
www.kuleuven.be/application. Students with a Flemish degree can consult www.kuleuven.be/inschrijven.
Tuition fee

The current tuition fee is €922.30. The tuition fee for the 2019-2020 academic year will be determined in the spring of 2019.
Please consult the website for the most recent information: www.kuleuven.be/tuitionfees.

Master mind

Excellent students who are eligible for a Master Mind Scholarship are invited to submit their application before 1
February 2019.

Profile

Is this the right programme for me?

Our program is built for local and international students with a strong curiosity in the working of biological systems,
students aiming to learn the methods and modelling strategies or designing experiments for studying how living organisms
are functioning. Relevant candidates for this program want to understand and help curing diseases, experiment with- or
design advanced technologies for probing biophysical and biochemical processes, develop biotechnologies and are open
to work across disciplines.

Applicants are expected to have a working knowledge of the fundamentals of physics, biochemistry and biology. If
necessary, students are required to take a number of introductory courses to fill gaps in previous studies. For students
with a Bachelor's degree in Physics, introductory courses addressing biochemistry and cellular biology could be added.
For students with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry or Biology, courses addressing physics or calculus may be
considered.

Prospective students should:

have a strong interest in the structure-function relation of biomolecules;

have a strong interest in the understanding of the behaviour of molecules in the living cell;
have a sound theoretical and practical basic knowledge of physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology;
possess the general skills to conduct laboratory work and statistical data analysis, present and report research
results, retrieve and assimilate information, use computers and work independently in a project-oriented way;
be able to study and report on a specific scientific topic through guided independent learning with gradually
decreasing supervisory support.
Basic knowledge is defined on the basis of the following international textbooks:

Physics: R.Serway & J.Jewett, Physics for Scientists and Engineers (6th ed)
Mathematics: C. Neuhauser, Calculus for Biology and Medicine (2nd ed)
Chemistry: J.R. Holium, Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biological Chemistry (6th ed)
Biology: Solomon, Berg & Martin, Biology
Biochemistry: Garrett & Grisham, Biochemistry (3rd ed) or Van Holde & Ahern, Biochemistry (3rd ed)

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements Master of Biophysics, Biochemistry en Biotechnology

General admissions

Career perspectives

Career perspectives
A range of career options are available in the pharmaceutical and bioscience industries, where structure determination,
modelling and the direct study of molecular interactions in the living cell play a major role. Because of the growing
importance of the bioscience industry in today's society and the increasing need for sophisticated high-tech instruments
and research methods, the demand for biophysicists and biochemists is expected to exceed supply in the near future.

Graduates may also pursue a career in medical sciences research or academic research. A considerable number of
graduates, particularly those who choose for a research route, go on to undertake a PhD at one of our associated research
laboratories.

Start your career, during your studies

During your bachelor's and master's programme you can already shape your own profile by choosing a certain
specialisation, studying abroad (Erasmus), doing a work placement, or starting your own business.

The Student Career Centre is happy to put you on the right track towards your first work experience. The centre also
coaches you in the search for an interesting job and helps you with job interviews. For students wanting to start their own
business the KU Leuven also has Lcie, the KU Leuven community that encourages students with innovative and
entrepreneurial ideas.

Don’t know where to start? The Student Career Centre's databases contain offers for jobs, volunteer work, innovation
projects and student jobs. You can also visit one of the events organised by the Career Centre.

Contact
 Faculty of Science
Head of Education Commission
Prof. C. Bartic
Tel. +31 16 37 20 01
carmen.bartic@kuleuven.be

Administrative Office
Geel Huis
Kasteelpark Arenberg 11 box 2100
3001 HEVERLEE, Belgium
tel. + 32 16 32 14 01
info.wet@kuleuven.be

Visit the programme's web page.

General
Study Advice Service
Naamsestraat 80 box 5415
3000 LEUVEN, Belgium

To contact us, please complete the contact form on our website.

Objectives

Upon completing the programme, the graduate will have acquired:

- thorough understanding of the properties of biomolecules, their functions and interactions with other molecules at a
cellular and higher level, and particularly their structure-function relationship;
- profound knowledge of recent developments in disciplines such as biophysical modelling, bioinformatics, genome and
proteome analysis, and ability to integrate this knowledge and to apply it to new problems;
- abilities to thoroughly familiarise oneself in a reasonably short time with several subject areas of biophysics and
biochemistry, and to keep oneself informed of relevant developments in the field of study; this implies the abilities to
consult and understand relevant literature, to acquire new insights and to formulate new hypothesis based on these
sources;
- abilities to independently identify and analyse physical and molecular aspects of a biophysical problem, to plan a
strategy for the solution and to propose and perform appropriate experiments;
- appropriate attitudes to work in a team environment and to make a constructive contribution to scientific research at an
international level, at the university, in the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries, at research institutions or public
services;
- abilities to make a systematic and critical report of personal biophysical or (applied) biochemical research and to present
this to an audience of specialists;
- attitudes of continued attention to the risks associated with the conducted experiments, with respect to safety and the
environment, and to thoroughly analyse these risks.

Direct:
Postgraduate Studies in Advanced Medical Imaging (Leuven)

Admission requirements

Master of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Leuven)

In the context of the wellbeing law certain data must be stored for each student and they must be informed timely on the
subject of:

the risks to which the student is exposed during the study programme (practicals, traineeships, master's theses,…)
the associated preventive measures for each risk, such as medical follow-up, personal protective equipment and
instructions.
The risks and preventive measures are collected in the HSE-file for students. Through this link you can consult the HSE-
file. The HSE-file will be used for traineeships and/or master’s theses. For more information about traineeships, we refer to
the following site: traineeship.. For questions, please contact the HSE Department.

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