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Master Degree in Molecular and Environmental Computational Biology
​
The Master’s in Molecular and Environmental Computational Biology (MBCMA) reflects an innovative and interdisciplinary strategy aimed at training highly qualified professionals in emerging areas of molecular and environmental computational biology. This program addresses the growing need for specialists capable of integrating knowledge in molecular and environmental biology with advanced computational and analytical approaches, including the responsible use of computational tools and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The ultimate goal is to understand the fundamental mechanisms underlying biological problems, both at the cellular and molecular level and at the macro level, ranging from organisms to populations and ecosystems. Future graduates will thus be key players in sectors as diverse as the environment, health, and industry, contributing to productive and decision-making processes.

Fees (non-refundable)

Number of vacancies

Access requirements​

Ranking criteria



Curso
2026/2027

General

Academic degree:
  • Master's degree
ECTS:
120
Duration:
4 curricular semesters
Regime:
Daytime
Place:
Gualtar Campus, Braga (UM)
Main Scientific area:
  • Biology

Contacts

    School of Sciences
    Campus de Gualtar
    4710 - 057 Braga
    Tel: +351 253604390 Fax: +351 253604398
    E-Mail: cpedagogico@ecum.uminho.pt; sec@ecum.uminho.pt
    URL: http://www.ecum.uminho.pt

Description

The Master's Degree in Molecular and Environmental Computational Biology (MBCMA) from the School of Sciences (ECUM) of the University of Minho (UM), reflects an innovative and interdisciplinary strategy that aims to train highly qualified professionals in emerging areas of molecular and environmental computational biology. This program responds to the growing needs for specialists capable of integrating knowledge in molecular and environmental biology with advanced computational and analytical approaches.
The MBCMA combines the experience and resources of Departments of Biology and Mathematics from ECUM, providing a solid training in the areas of molecular biology, bioinformatics, biomolecular modelling and environmental data analysis, ensuring an integrated and high-quality training. The administrative headquarters of the master's degree will be at ECUM, ensuring an efficient articulation between the scientific areas involved.
This master's degree reinforces the strategic position of UM in the area of Molecular and Environmental Computational Biology, offering an adequate response to the growing demand for professionals capable of using computational tools to solve complex problems in molecular and environmental biology. The MBCMA program aims to prepare students to address challenges in diverse contexts, such as modeling biological systems, processing large volumes of data, and applying image analysis and bioinformatics techniques. An important objective is also to promote the use of computational tools and Artificial Inteligence (AI) in a responsible manner, taking into account the ethical and social implications of the use of AI and issues related to privacy, transparency and accountability.
MBCMA contributes to Portugal's Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), in particular to help achieve the objectives of Digital Transformation, Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, including economic cohesion, employment, productivity, competitiveness, research, development and innovation (https://recuperarportugal.gov.pt/plano-de-recuperacao-e-resiliencia/).

The MBCMA is composed of:
a) A master's course, not conferring a degree, consisting of an organized set of curricular units totaling 60 ECTS credits. Approval in this course confers a non-degree "Specialization in Molecular and Environmental Computational Biology" diploma.
b) A dissertation of an original scientific nature, focused on problems of molecular or environmental computational biology, which corresponds to 60 ECTS credits of the study cycle. The approval of this dissertation in public examinations, together with the completion of the remaining 60 ECTS credits, will allow obtaining the master's degree in Molecular and Environmental Computational Biology.

The MBCMA will operate in a daytime modular format. Classes will be taught in English if there are foreign students or lecturers who do not speak Portuguese.

Key learning outcomes

1. Understand the structure of biological databases and develop skills in their use, such as NCBI, GenBank, UniProt, Protein Data Bank, KEGG, BioCyc, REACTOME, BRENDA, GBIF, OBIS, BOLD among others;
2. Develop knowledge and skills in obtaining, manipulating and exploiting omics;
3. Integrate different data sources for environmental monitoring and analyze patterns of biodiversity distribution and the underlying ecological mechanisms at large spatial, temporal and taxonomic scales;
4. Understand and apply fundamental bioinformatic algorithms, encompassing probabilistic methods and others;
5. Explore and apply bioinformatics tools and computational biology in different research contexts;
6. Develop skills in three-dimensional modeling of proteins and biological molecules, and computer simulation of their interactions.

Access

25

Vacancies

15

Minimum

Formal requirements

Applicants for access to the cycle of studies leading to a master's degree must either be:
a) holders of a bachelor's degree in the areas of Biology, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences or related areas. Only candidates who have completed, or are in a position to complete before enrollment, one of the referred 1st cycles with a minimum classification of 12 points will be admitted.
b) candidates who, due to their academic, scientific or professional curriculum, the Scientific Committee of ECUM recognizes that they meet the necessary requirements for the completion of this cycle of studies.

Annually, within the scope of the process of preparing the vacancy request and operating proposal, the scientific committee of the study cycle may define specific admission conditions.

Aditional Information

Study Plan

Regime Curricular Unit Scientific Area ECTS
Year 1 60
A Projeto em Biologia Computacional Molecular e Ambiental BIO; BioComp 12
S1 Análise de Dados Biológicos do Gene ao Ecossistema BIO 6
S1 Fundamentos de Biologia Computacional BioComp 6
S1 Métodos de Aprendizagem Automática para Biociências M 6
S1 Omics and Genetic Approaches in Model Organisms GM 6
S2 Ecoinformática ECO 6
S2 Modelação Biomolecular e Análise de Imagem BIO 6
S2 Opção I 6
Advances in Microbial Genomics and Bioinformatics GM 6
Diversidade Fúngica e Dinâmica Patogénica num Clima em Mudança BioComp 6
Informática da Biodiversidade BioComp 6
Metabolic Engineering BQ 6
Next Generation Sequencing in Environmental Monitoring ECO 6
S2 Opção II 6
Advances in Microbial Genomics and Bioinformatics GM 6
Diversidade Fúngica e Dinâmica Patogénica num Clima em Mudança BioComp 6
Informática da Biodiversidade BioComp 6
Metabolic Engineering BQ 6
Next Generation Sequencing in Environmental Monitoring ECO 6
Year 2 60
A Dissertação BIO; BioComp 60

Assessment/Accreditation

A3ES Accreditation status:
Accredited
Resolution publication date:
24-10-2025
A3ES deliberation:
https://si.a3es.pt/sia3es/page?stage=ConsultaPublicaProcesso&processID=26987
Registry number at Ministry:
R/A-Cr 12/2026
Registry Date:
19-01-2026
Accreditation validity:
31-07-2032