Master of Science Program

The Master of Science Program in Life Sciences is a unique program based on Skoltech’s cutting-edge research in data-intensive biomedicine and biotechnologies.

Highlights:

•  Opportunity to master the fields of biomedicine and biotechnology in a unique educational environment, with emphasis on hands-on lab and field experience rather than abstract learning;
• Special emphasis on bioinformatics and mathematical biology methods and approaches;
• Renowned international faculty with global experience and collaborations;
• A variety of disciplines covering major topics in modern and medical biotechnology;
• Flexible individual educational tracks;
• Diverse and strong collaboration with international and Russian partners, including MIT, Harvard Medical School, the Pasteur Institute, and others;
• Many of the students’ projects result in publications, often in top journals.

Aim and objectives
The aim of the program is to train highly qualified researchers both for academia and biotechnology companies:

• to learn from the best international experts in priority areas of biotechnology;
• to master an interdisciplinary approach to breakthrough scientific projects;
• to acquire hands-on experience in the biotech business.

Content
The biotechnology program includes courses and seminars on gene engineering, molecular biology, pharmacology, bioinformatics, neurosciences, and a range of additional subjects that students can elect as options.
In the first year we offer courses and seminars and extensive hands-on training in a well-equipped molecular biology teaching laboratory and a brand new bioinformatics teaching laboratory. In addition to courses in the broad field of life science, students are expected to take courses in innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as at least one industry immersion program with our industrial partners. During the second year of the program, students complete individual research projects under the supervision of Skoltech faculty, followed by their Master’s thesis defense.

MSc Program Structure

Download Curriculum

Learning and professional outcomes

A successful graduate of the program will know and be able to:

• Apply knowledge of mathematics and science;
• Design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
• Function in multi-disciplinary teams;
• Identify, formulate and solve problems in biotechnology;
• Communicate effectively;
• Use the techniques, skills, and modern technological tools necessary for biotechnological practice;
• A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning;
• A knowledge of contemporary issues;
• A knowledge of probability and statistics, including applications appropriate to the biotechnology program and objectives.

Career opportunities
Students engage with biotech business and entrepreneurship and work closely with innovative companies. Understanding how biomedical business works and helps not only to choose a more successful career path, but also to become a more efficient researcher. This is why Skoltech embeds several industry immersion programs into the curriculum, which are organized in partnership both with large established companies and early stage start-ups.
In addition, students take courses on innovation management and entrepreneurship.

Career paths:

1. PhD positions in academic & research institutions
2. Specialist positions such as biochemist, bioinformatician, medical genetics, biomedical engineer in related biomed economy sectors as well as Skolkovo resident companies and startups

Program Director Vera Rybko, Assistant Professor

Program Coordinator Nina Popova Educational Program Manager

Faculty

Research
Main research areas:

• Bacterial CRISPR-Cas immunity; genome editing, new antibiotics
• Study of Long Noncoding RNA in cancer and liver pathology, targeted and non-targeted drug delivery
• Dopamine transporters, receptors, signal transduction and GPCR regulatory mechanisms in dopamine-related functions and behaviors
• The ubiquitin ligases in cancer
• Variation of gene expression in adult and embryonic stem cells and stem cell sub-populations
• Evolutionary genomics of bacteria
• Three-dimensional structure and functional state of chromatin

Biotech academic partners:

• Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University
• Far Eastern Federal University
• Kazan Federal University
• Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy Biotech
• and others

Industrial partners:

• Atlas
• Genotek
• Generium
• Agroplazma
• Sirius
• MiLaboratory
• M&S Decisions
• BIOCAD
• ATP Labs Ltd
• Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), BioCubaFarma
• Philip Morris International R&D
• TransAlgae
• InsideDNA
• Analytical Spectrometry
• Evogene
• Visual Science
• DNK-sintez
• and others

 Contacts