Master studies
![](/images/PRF/fakulta/katedry/kmb/image-competition-2023/6_MS_copy.png)
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics
Master studies
Master studies
Functional genetics and bioinformatics
Master program
Guarantor: prof. Alexander W. Bruce, Ph.D.
Applications open: February 2024
Application deadline: 19 May 2024
Study start: September 2024
Study duration: 2 years
-
The new 2-year Master's study program Functional genetics and bioinformatics was created with support of the National Recovery Plan for Higher Education for 2022-2024 (NPO Trasformace-JU, reg. č. NPO_JČU_MŠMT-16608/2022) to increase the career prospects of our graduates by implementing rapidly developing new technologies changing both the field and the global labor market.
The program offers four different specializations:
Functional genetics and bioinformatics: Bioinformatics
Functional genetics and bioinformatics: Biotechnology
Functional genetics and bioinformatics: Human molecular genetics
Functional genetics and bioinformatics: Molecular cell biology and genetics -
The new technologies increasingly require graduates to be adept at performing and analyzing experiments generating large data sets and to be able to translate their findings into meaningful biological results supported by a high level of theoretical knowledge. The main goals of the new study program are to expand the knowledge of students in the field of modern biological research on a theoretical and practical level and thus prepare them for future occupations in applied research and development in the industrial, agricultural, clinical or service sectors (e.g. in pharmaceutical or biotechnological industry or clinical diagnostics) and to positions in academic research (e.g. by continuing to doctoral studies).
-
Graduates of the program will acquire modern skills and knowledge in the field of so-called omics methods (i.e. high-capacity analysis of the genome, transcriptome, proteome or metabolome) and genetic engineering, which represent a technological revolution in biological research and increasingly contribute to breakthrough discoveries in biology and medicine. Graduates of the program will also be able to use or even develop bioinformatics tools for the analysis of large biological data produced by the omics approaches. Studies in the new program will be conducted entirely in English, which will increase the international competitiveness of its graduates and the attractiveness of studies for foreign students. Students will thus be educated in an international and multidisciplinary environment that will better reflect the reality of work in an increasingly globalized and integrated world economy.
-
Emphasis is placed on the support of independent scientific work and independent critical thinking within the framework of experimentally oriented diploma thesis, which can stand a rigorous professional evaluation and can be the basis for scientific publications. Experimental diploma theses focus mainly on the areas of interest of scientific groups associated under the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (Faculty of Science) and closely cooperating institutes of the Biology Center of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Centre of Algal Biotechnology of the Institute of Microbiology CAS. These areas include characterization of molecular and cellular processes (photosynthesis, metabolism, immunity, and cell signaling) and studies of development, genome organisation and molecular evolution in both classical models and non-model organisms.
-
A prospective student should have background in biology, biomedicine or biochemistry and complete in their previous undergraduate studies basic courses of biochemistry, genetics, cell and molecular biology and practical training in basic molecular biology methods.
-
-
Tuition fees
There are no tuition fees*, only application fee 700 CZK (approx. 30 EUR)
* Studies in foreign language are normally subject to tuition fees of 3000 EUR, however these do not apply to the Functional genetics and bioinformatics due to its funding through National Recovery Plan for Higher Education.
-
-
How to apply
You can apply on-line in e-application, but read about the admission procedure first!
For additional information please contact Department of Student Affairs.
!MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ADMISSION PROCESS SOON!
Study plan
Core courses common to all specializations provide theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the field of modern omics technologies, in the analysis and interpretation of the resulting large data sets and in genome editing.
KMB/925 Practical Computing for Biologists
KMB/615E Bioinformatics for Biologists
KMB/921 Introduction to Omics & Biotechnology
KMB/933 Practicals in Omics & Biotechnology
KMB/926 Seminars in Omics & Biotechnology
KMB/929 The New Statistics for Experimental Biologists
KMB/913 Bioethics
OJZ/930 Master's English Examination – TOEFL
KMB/885 Masters Thesis Assignment
KMB/881 Master thesis, Practical part
KMB/180 Genetics - Colloquia
KMB/914 Cell Structure and Function
KMB/918 Essays in Omics & Biotechnology
Graduates will further deepen their knowledge and skills in the context of one of the four offered specializations:
-
Functional genetics and bioinformatics: Bioinformatics
The Bioinformatics specialization combines an understanding of biological questions with advanced bioinformatics and computational skills to analyze large sets of genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic data.
Obligatory courses
KMB/934 BASH Programming
KMB/922 Introduction to R
KMB/919 Genomics
KMB/930 Transcriptomics and EpigenomicsObligatory elective courses
UAI/735I Python I
UAI/697E Databases
UAI/330E Data Analysis in Natural Sciences
UAI/331 Python in Data Sciences
KMB/924 Molecular Physiology and Metabolism
KMB/927 Structural Bioinformatics
KPA/604 Molecular Phylogenetics
KZO/412I Molecular Ecology
KPA/172 Microbial Ecology and Genomics -
Study plan - specialization Bioinformatics
-
Functional genetics and bioinformatics: Biotechnology
The Biotechnology specialization provides advanced theoretical knowledge and skills in the field of genetic engineering, microbial biotechnology (for example, algal biotechnology for the manipulation of photosynthesis or the production of new bioactive substances) and plant and animal biotechnology (for example aquaculture biotechnology or new approaches using sequencing and editing of genomes in the breeding of economic crops).
Obligatory courses:
UCH/020 Gene & Protein Engineering
KMB/928 Molecular Biology & Biotechnology of Cyanobacteria
KBE/262E Microbial Biotechnology
KMB/937 Plant Biotechnology
VURH/xxx Animal BiotechnologyObligatory elective courses:
KMB/924 Molecular Physiology and Metabolism
KMB/920 Industrial Enzymology
KEBR/631 Bioenergetics
KMB/912 Algal Biotechnology
KMB/936 Biotechnological & Molecular Techniques in Crop Management -
Study plan - specialization Biotechnology
-
Functional genetics and bioinformatics: Human molecular genetics
The Human molecular genetics specialization provides knowledge and skills in the areas of clinical genetics and genomics, state-of-the-art molecular diagnostic methods (based on next-generation sequencing), mechanisms of human diseases and methodological approaches to their research and treatment, including personalized medicine and gene therapy.
Obligatory courses:
KMB/932 Fundamental Human Genetics
KMB/923 Molecular Mechanisms of Disease
KMB/915 Clinical Genetics & Genomics
KMB/917 Diagnosis of Human Disease
KME/744E Trends in BiomedicineObligatory elective courses:
KMB/618 Epigenetics & Regulation of Gene Expression
KME/087E Molecular Immunology
KMB/924 Molecular Physiology and Metabolism
KMB/927 Structural Bioinformatics
KMB/602E Advanced Methods of Molecular Biology 2
KMB/916 Developmental Biology – Molecular Perspective
KMB/935 Cytogenomics -
Study plan - specialization Human molecular genetics
-
Functional genetics and bioinformatics: Molecular cell biology and genetics
The specialization Molecular cell biology and genetics provides broad knowledge and practical skills that can be used especially in basic but also translational research, understanding of life processes and physiology at the level of molecules, cells and cell sub-compartments, tissues and model (mouse, fruit fly, caterpillar) and non-model organisms, always with an emphasis on the application of modern omic approaches and editing of genetic information.
Obligatory courses:
KMB/916 Developmental Biology – Molecular Perspective
KMB/931 Model Organisms in Biomedical Research
KMB/618E Epigenetics & Regulation of Gene Expression
KMB/602E Advanced Methods of Molecular Biology 2
KMB/924 Molecular Physiology and MetabolismObligatory elective courses:
UCH/012E Thermodynamics of Biomolecular Systems
UCH/014E Structural Biochemistry
KMB/221E Evolutionary Genetics
KEBR/631 Bioenergetics
KMB/935 Cytogenomics
KMB/910 Introduction to Virology -
Study plan - specialization Molecular cell biology and genetic
Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics
Master program
Guarantor: doc. Mgr. Tomáš Doležal, Ph.D.
Master program Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics (in Czech language)
General information for prospective students, for additional information please contact Department of Student Affairs.
The aim of the program is to (1) deepen students' knowledge of molecular and cell biology and genetics and (2) prepare students for independent professional / scientific work in the laboratory. Students therefore take lectures and practical courses necessary for application not only in modern biological research, either basic or applied, but also in practice in forensic and clinical laboratories and biotechnology companies. The aim is to educate independent graduates who are familiar with the most modern approaches of molecular biology and genetics and are able to process and present the results of scientific work. The result of the study is also an experimentally oriented diploma thesis, which should have the ambition to become a basis for a scientific publication.
The acquired knowledge and skills will enable the graduate to continue his / her academic career in doctoral studies primarily in the fields of cell and molecular biology and genetics, but also in the fields of molecular physiology, biochemistry, biomedicine and, in certain cases, bioinformatics. Thanks to the modern wide application of molecular biology, however, graduates have a very good chance to find their place in the application sphere - in clinical diagnostic laboratories, forensic genetic laboratories, or as service specialists and technicians in various service laboratories and biotechnology companies.
Experimental diploma theses focus mainly on the areas of interest of scientific groups associated under the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, located at the Faculty of Science and closely cooperating institutes of the Biology Center ASCR. These areas include the characterization of molecular and cellular processes such as cyanobacteria photosynthesis, metabolism and gene expression in parasitic protozoa to find new targets for treatment, ticks immune processes and pathogen transfer mechanisms, cellular signaling on the classical model organism Drosophila melanogaster, epigenetic mechanisms in plant models. Further studies of molecular evolution and characterization of unicellular eukaryotes, molecular mechanisms of co-evolution of host and parasite / symbiont, molecular cytogenetics and study of sex chromosome evolution in arthropods, through cytogenetics and genomic approaches in plant models. Scientific interests also include studying molecular mechanisms that affect biological processes at the whole organism level, such as regulating metabolism during immune response in the Drosophila melanogaster model, studying insect hormonal regulation and diapause, and studying the molecular mechanisms of circadian and photoperiodic clocks in insects. Last but not least, it is also the study of the regulation of early mouse development and molecular mechanisms of insect development.
A prospective student should complete in his previous undergraduate studies basic courses of biochemistry, genetics, cell and molecular biology and practical training in basic molecular biology methods.
Courses recommended for the Master program Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics:
KMB 218 Epigenetics
KMB 759 Genetics - the Molecular Approach
KMB 358 Introduction to Genomics
KMB 217 Methods of Functional Genomics
KMB 602E Advanced methods in molecular biology 2
KEBR 631 Bioenergetics
KMB 613 Bioinformatics for Biologists
KMB 223 Techniques of microscopy and image analysis for biologists
If needed to complete previous education:
KMB 219 Introduction to Cell Biology (also basic genetics)
KMB 758 Molecular Biology and Genetics I
KBO 759 Biostatistics
UCH 757 Biochemistry 1.
UCH 643 Biochemistry 2.
KMB 770 Methods in molecular biology
All courses available for the program in English:
Winter semester
UCH/769 Environmental Chemistry 2
UCH/768 Environmental Chemistry Laboratory 3
UCH/758 Biochemistry Laboratory 1 3
UCH/757 Biochemistry 1 4
UCH/061 Applications of Molecular Modelling 2
UCH/060 Computational Chemistry and Molecular Modelling of Biomolecules 4
UCH/058 Developmental and Comparative Biochemistry 3
UCH/045 Glycobiochemistry 3
UCH/037 Basic techniques in practical chemistry1 3
UCH/027 X-ray Crystallography 4
UCH/024 Biochemistry at the Service of Medicine 3
UCH/021 Enzymology 3
UCH/020 Genetic and Protein Engineering 4
UCH/010 Seminar in Advanced Biological Chemistry 1
UCH/ZBE Principles of Experimental Methods in Biology 4
UCH/BCH Introduction to biochemistry 4
KBE/760 Biology of Microorganisms 5
KBE/115 Strategic Planning in Forest and Nature Conservation 4
KBE/546 Ecosystem Management Course 3
KBO/759 Biostatistics 5
KBO/184 Creative Publishing in Community Ecology 4
KBO/297 Functional Traits in Ecology 5
KEBR/631 Bioenergetics 4
KEBR/220 Plant Physiology 8
KMB/758 Molecular Biology and Genetics I 3
KMB/759 Molecular Biology and Genetics II 3
KMB/770 Methods in Molecular Biology 4
KME/772 Clinical Biochemistry 3
KPA/604 Molecular Phylogenetics 4
KZO/412I Molecular Ecology 6
KZO/141 Tropical insects 3
OJZ/650 Technical Writing 3
UAI/735I Python Basics 4
UAI/665 Data Mining in Bioinformatics 4
UAI/652 Programming of iPad/iPhone 4
UAI/650 Algorithms and Data Structures 4
UAI/756 CISCO Academy I 3
UAI/670 Ethics 3
UFY/PPI Parallel Programming 4
UFY/ZVK Technical English IV – Basics of Scientific Communication: Writing and Speaking 3
UFY/EM1 Electron Microscopy I 4
UMB/564I Calculus I 6
UMB/551I Linear Algebra 3
Summer semester
UCH/011 Seminar in Advanced Biological Chemistry II 1
UCH/773 WHO/EU Laboraroty and Regulatory Procedures 3
UCH/647 Biopharmacy 3
UCH/645 Principles of anticancer and antiviral drug development I. 3
UCH/040 Biomolecular NMR Spectroscopy 3
UCH/033 Fluorescence Spectroscopy in Biological Systems 3
UCH/030 General Chemistry 3
UCH/643 Biochemistry 2 4
UCH/022 Protein Chemistry 4
UCH/642 Biochemistry Laboratory 2 5
UCH/052 Xenobiochemistry and Toxicology 5
UCH/BIT Biotechnology 5
UCH/960 Drug Design 3
UCH/BII Bioinformatics 4
UCH/254 Crystallization Course 8
KBE/019 Social Ecology of Local Rural Systems 4
KBE/322 Plant Physiological Ecology (note:offered every other year) 6
KBE/128 Introduction to Functional Ecology (note:offered every other year) 6
KBE/352 Seminars in Wetland Ecology 3
KBE/427 Wetland Ecology (note:offered every other year) 6
KBO/767 Biology of Plants 3
KEBR/619 Stable isotopes in biology and ecology2 6
KMB/605 Introduction to Bioinformatics 5
KMB/358 Introduction to Genomics 3
KME/733 Immunology for Biological Chemistry - laboratory 2
KME/723 Immunology 2
KME/615 Cell Line Cultures in Vitro 3
KME/083 Virology for Biological Chemistry - laboratory 2
KME/082 Virology 3
KZO/768 Biology of Animals 3
KZO/068 Diversity of Life 5
KZO/055 Evolution of the Brain and Intelligence 3
UAI/729I Project Management and its Economy 6
UAI/683I Advanced Database Systems 3
UAI/655 Applied Programming 3
UAI/609 Computer Hardware 6
UAI/757 CISCO Academy II 3
UFY/EM2 Electron Microscopy II 4
UFY/KTS Quantum Theory and Spectroscopy 6
UMB/565I Calculus II 5
- Hits: 8166