Master Degree in Plant Molecular Biology, Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship

In modern human societies, plants constitute an increasingly valued resource. The huge advance in genome sequence of plant species associated with the implementation of bioinformatics tools, the progress in the analysis of gene expression and their protein products, knowledge of the regulation of metabolic pathways, and new methodologies for obtaining genetically modified organisms has revolutionized biotechnology.

The socio-economic importance of plants comes because, not only are the basis of feeding a growing world population, but also because they provide a wide range of products and applications in numerous sectors of economic activity as the agro-food industry (e.g. plant breeding, production of aromatic and medicinal plants, forest production), life sciences (e.g., therapies based on products of plant origin), industry (e.g. textiles, pulp, furniture, renewable energy), environmental protection (e.g. phytoremediation) and services (e.g. DNA and protein sequencing, DNA chips).

The Master Course in Plant Molecular Biology, Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship is aimed at postgraduate qualification of human resources in the fields of biochemistry, molecular and functional biology, biotechnology and phytochemistry, complemented with skills in the areas of entrepreneurship, in order to enable them to carry out projects of I&D with strong component of innovation, enhancing their connection to the business sector.

Fees (non-refundable)

Number of vacancies

Access requirements

Ranking criteria

The ranking of candidates will be based on the ranking resulting from the application of the following algorithm:

Final classification [0-20] = 0.10 A + 0.70 B + 0.20 C

where components A, B and C are defined below.

It is also considered the following table 1, which defines the P weight given to the candidate's previous type of training:

	P
Bachelor in Biological or Biochemical Sciences	1
Bachelor in Agronomical, Forestry or Environmental Sciences	0,9
Bachelor in Health or Pharmaceutical Sciences	0,7
Bachelor in Veterinary or Zootechnical Sciences	0,6
Bachelors in other related areas	0.5

Component A:

Component A is calculated by the formula:

A=20*P

where P is defined in table 1, according to the previous training of the candidate.

Component B:

Component B is given by the formula

B=Med*0.8*P + OA*0.2

where P is defined in table 1, and Med and OA correspond to:

• Med: Final classification of degree or average of the curricular component obtained until the moment of the application, from 0 to 20;

• OA: Other relevant aspects in the scientific area of the cycle of studies such as presentations at scientific events, authorship of published works, participation in research projects, conducting internships, etc., whose ratings are assigned, from 0 to 20, by the Master's Course Steering Committee.

Component C:

Component C, valued from 0 to 20, is calculated as the sum of the ratings attributed by the Master's Course Steering Committee to the various dimensions of the candidate's technical and professional curriculum, in the area of the cycle of studies, as relevant professional activity, coordination and participation in projects, professional training, etc.

Applications 2024/2025 »»

2023/2024

General

Academic degree:

Master's degree

ECTS:

120

Duration:

4 curricular semesters

Regime:

Daytime

Place:

Gualtar Campus, Braga (UM)

Main Scientific area:

Molecular Biology
Plant Biotechnology

Contacts

Course Director

Ana Cristina Gomes Cunha

accunha@bio.uminho.pt

253604046

Mobility Academic Coordinator

Inês Pereira Silva Cunha Sousa

isousa@math.uminho.pt

+351 253510427

School of Sciences

Campus de Gualtar
4710 - 057 Braga

+351 253604390

+351 253604398

cpedagogico@ecum.uminho.pt; sec@ecum.uminho.pt

http://www.ecum.uminho.pt

Description

The Masters course in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship in Plants aims to:
a) train and qualify human resources in the field of plant molecular biology;
b) train and qualify human resources in the area of plant biotechnology;
c) enable graduates to carry out R&D projects with a strong innovation component;
d) training graduates to create new biotechnology-based businesses.

Key learning outcomes

The holder of a Master degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship in Plants has acquired scientific and technological knowledge and skills in the following areas:
a) plant biochemistry, metabolism and metabolomics;
b) functional biology and plant development;
c) molecular biology, genetic engineering and bioinformatics, including strategies for modifying plant genomes and analyzing the function of genes;
d) plant biotechnology, with the establishment of in vitro cultures and manipulation strategies for the production of secondary metabolites;
e) evaluation of biological activities using different models;
f) pharmacology and toxicology of bioproducts, with particular emphasis on aromatic and medicinal plants;
g) processes for the separation and processing of bioproducts;
h) strategic management, marketing, risk forecasting, research and business planning associated with business innovation and entrepreneurship in molecular biotechnology, plant biotechnology, or other sector of valorization of plant heritage.

Access to higher education

Once conclude this master course, students can apply to 3rd-cycle programs/courses, such as the UMinho “Doctoral Program Agricultural Production Chains - from fork to farm”; “Doctoral Program in Molecular and Environmental Biology “ and “Doctorate in Biology”, as well to other national or international 3rd-cycle programs/courses in the areas of Biosciences or Biotechnology.

Careers

The Masters Course in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship in Plants offers a flexible and qualifying study plan for training different professional profiles. The acquisition of skills in an area of Molecular Biology and / or Plant Biotechnology enhances fundamental or applied research in these areas. The students' entrepreneurial spirit, stimulated by the development of entrepreneurial behaviors and skills in the areas of Management are facilitators of the creation of new biotechnology-based businesses. Thus, professional opportunities are diverse and include: integration in multidisciplinary research teams in public or private, national or international laboratories; integration into biotechnology-based companies and industries; creation of biotechnology-based companies.

Access

30

Vacancies

12

Minimum

Access forms

The access to this Cycle of Study can be done at the Students Portal of the University of Minho
https://alunos.uminho.pt/EN/candidates/MastersDegrees/Pages/default.aspx

This information does not replace consultation of the Academic Regulations of the University of Minho and other official documents.

Formal requirements

The application to this level of education could be performed by:
a) holders of an academic degree (first cycle studies), obtained in a national or international higher education institution, in areas of Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bioengineerings, Agronomical Sciences, Agri-Forestry or Agri-Food, Veterinary Sciences, Health Sciences, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, or related fields;
b) holders of a scholar, scientific or professional curriculum that is recognized by the Scientific Council of the School of Sciences (University of Minho) as attesting capacity to complete this course of studies.

Application deadlines

Information on Application Deadlines can be found at:
https://www.ecum.uminho.pt/en/Ensino/Pages/Applications-for-Master-Programmes-.aspx

Registration deadlines

Information on Registration Deadlines can be found at:
https://www.ecum.uminho.pt/en/Ensino/Pages/Applications-for-Master-Programmes-.aspx

Aditional Information

Study Plan

When applicable, the elective curricular units available as well as the registration conditions and the number of vacancies will be indicated annually.

Regime	Curricular Unit	Scientific Area	ECTS
Year 1			60
S1	Biochemistry and Molecular Physiology	BioMP	6
S1	Marketing Principles	G	6
S1	Plant Biotechnology	BVeg	6
S1	Plant Genetic Engineering and Bioinformatics	BioMP	6
S1	Secondary Metabolism and Bioactive Compounds	BVeg	6
S2	Bioreactors and Separation Processes	EQB	6
S2	Introduction to Entrepreneurship	G	6
S2	Opção I		6
	Advances in Plant Molecular Biology	BioMP	6
	Molecular Responses of Plants in a Changing Environment.	BioMP	6
	Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants	BVeg	6
	Plant-Microbe Interactions	BVeg	6
S2	Opção II		6
	Advances in Microbial Genomics and Bioinformatics	GM	6
	Molecular Responses of Plants in a Changing Environment.	BioMP	6
	Plant-Microbe Interactions	BVeg	6
	Regulated Cell Death and Autophagy	BC	6
S2	Opção III		6
	Advances in Invasions Ecology	CAmb	6
	Advances in Microbial Genomics and Bioinformatics	GM	6
	Biopolymers Based on Renewable Resources	BIO	6
	Challenges and Therapeutic Opportunities of Bionanoparticles	BIO	6
	Metabolic Engineering	BQ	6
	Next Generation Sequencing in Environmental Monitoring	ECO	6
	Protein Degradation and Trafficking in Health and Disease	BC	6
	Regulated Cell Death and Autophagy	BC	6
Year 2			60
A	Dissertation	G; EQB; BioMP; BVeg	60

Assessment/Accreditation

A3ES Accreditation status:

Accredited

Resolution publication date:

04-11-2021

A3ES deliberation:

https://www.a3es.pt/pt/resultados-acreditacao/biologia-molecular-biotecnologia-e-bioempreendedorismo-em-plantas-1

A3ES submited report:

download pdf file

Registry number at Ministry:

R/A-Cr 34/2011/AL02

Registry Date:

25-03-2022

Accreditation validity:

30-07-2027

Master Degree in Plant Molecular Biology, Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship

Fees (non-refundable)

Number of vacancies

Access requirements

Ranking criteria

Applications 2024/2025 »»

General

Contacts

Description

Key learning outcomes

Access to higher education

Careers

Access

30

Vacancies

12

Minimum

Access forms

Formal requirements

Application deadlines

Registration deadlines

Aditional Information

Study Plan

Assessment/Accreditation

Useful links

School of Sciences

Campus de Gualtar

Information

Social Media

Master Degree in Plant Molecular Biology, Biotechnology and Bioentrepreneurship

Fees (non-refundable)

Number of vacancies

Access requirements​

Ranking criteria

Applications 2024/2025 »»​​

General

Contacts

Description

Key learning outcomes

Access to higher education

Careers

Access

30

Vacancies

12

Minimum

Access forms

Formal requirements

Application deadlines

Registration deadlines

Aditional Information

Study Plan

Assessment/Accreditation

Access requirements

Applications 2024/2025 »»