Degree: MASTER
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
ECTS: 120
Fields of study: Biology, Ecology
Language of instruction: Russian, English (on request)

DESCRIPTION

The Master's degree programme provides training of highly qualified specialists in the field of mo-lecular biology and genetics; making judgments on scientific and social problems of molecular genetic research and high-tech monitoring of biological resources, the ability to use modern edu-cational and information technologies in their professional activities;  the ability to build and im-plement the methods of intellectual, cultural, moral, physical and professional self-development, as well as the possibility of further in-depth specialization while taking a post-graduate course.

The goal of the programme is to shape students' worldviews, allowing them to carry out research and educational activities in the field of molecular biology and genetics, molecular diagnostics of human genome disorders, molecular ecology, medical genetics, genetic engineering, gene and cell technology, general and environmental biotechnology, and monitoring of the biota state.

Forms of in-class activity: lectures, laboratory classes, practical classes, practical and on-the-job training, review sessions, and students’ individual work.

AIMS

research activity:
•    selecting and justifying the goal, organizing and conducting scientific research on a relevant issue in accordance with the orientation (profile) of the master degree  programme;
•    formulating new tasks arising during the study;
•    selecting, justifying and implementing the methods that are adequate to the goal;
•    developing new theories, models, research methods, methodological approaches;
•    working with scientific information using new technologies;
•    processing and evaluating research results;
•    preparing and executing scientific articles, reports, patents and reports, seminars, conferences.


pedagogical activity: 
•    implementing educational activities in designing and implementing the educational process in general educational institutions and higher education institutions in accordance with the direction of training;
•    implementing teaching activities in professional educational organizations in ac-cordance with the direction of training.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of the course the student should be able to:
•    use fundamental biological ideas in the field of professional activity for setting and solving new problems;
•    analyze available information, identify fundamental problems, set a task and carry out field and laboratory biological research in solving specific problems using modern equipment and computing tools, be responsible for the quality of work and scientific accuracy of the results;
•    use the basic knowledge of the biosphere theory, understand modern biospheric processes for systematic evaluation of geopolitical phenomena and predicting the consequences of implementing socially significant projects;
•    apply modern computer technologies in the collection, storage, processing, analysis and transfer of biological information to solve professional problems;
•    draw up, submit and report the results of research and production and technological works in accordance with  the approved forms;
•    use the knowledge of fundamental and applied sections of the disciplines (modules) that determine the direction (profile) of the master degree programme in scientific and industrial-technological activity;
•    apply methodological foundations of design, field and laboratory biological, envi-ronmental research, use modern equipment and computing systems (in accordance with the direction (profile) of the master degree programme);
•    prepare teaching and learning material, deliver lectures, teach in institutions of higher education and manage research work of students, present the teaching and learning material in oral, written and graphic form;
•    use the knowledge of molecular genetic basis of communication of organisms, ge-nomics and proteomics;
•    deal with matters of biochemical unity of the organic world, the molecular basis of heredity, variability and methods of genetic analysis;
•    carry out genetic analysis, independently set the task of researching the most press-ing problems that are relevant to genetics of a particular organism or population;
•    use modern experimental methods of working with biological objects in the labora-tory, possess skills to work with modern equipment.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The graduates of the master degree programme “Molecular Biology and Genetics” will be able to work as a molecular biologist and / or a genetic in specialized research institutions and organizations that monitor public health and the environment and implement programs for effec-tive environmental management and restoration of biological resources, as well as a teacher in educational institutions, institutions of secondary vocational education and in higher education.