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Courses

Molecular and Cell Biology

A informação detalhada sobre este curso é da responsabilidade do ICBAS (Instituição Administrativa).

A página do curso pode ser consultada aqui.
InformationCourse/CS accredited by the Agency for Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES).


Molecular and Cellular Biology is a strong scientific area at the University of Porto, more specifically at the Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS, UP), the Faculty of Sciences (FCUP) and the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S, UP), having a long tradition in offering advanced studies in this field, both in research and in teaching.

 The International Doctoral Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCBiology) is jointly organized by these three institutions and is assisted by an international External Advisory Board: Nicholas Proudfoot, University of Oxford, UK; Peter Lindblad, Uppsala University, Sweden; Cord Brakebusch, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.


Objectives

The main objective of the MCBiology Program is to provide excellent doctoral training in Molecular and Cellular Biology in an interdisciplinary and international setting, promoting the integration of the students in leading research groups with international collaborations.
The students will acquire the knowledge, as well as the intellectual and technical skills, to tackle relevant questions in different professional settings, in academia or industry, where advanced Molecular and Cellular Biology plays a role. We envisage that the students will acquire an advanced understanding of the established aspects in this vast field as well of its open questions. Specifically, the students will acquire cutting-edge technical knowhow to obtain data, will develop the skills to ask new questions and will develop methodologies to help in their resolution. The students will be able to critically analyse problems, the experimental data and the possible solutions. The program will specifically target the development of creativity, autonomous thinking and rigorous critical thought.
The duration of this PhD program is 4 years. Students spend most of this time in a research setting. In the first year, students can start their thesis project or carry out rotations in one or two laboratories. Students are strongly encouraged to rotate in research groups that work in different biological questions, use different experimental approaches or model systems, so that they can experience a diversity of research approaches. At the end of these rotations, students choose one laboratory where they will carry out their thesis research work.
In addition, during their first year students participate in advanced courses focused on Molecular mechanisms, Cell Biology, Functional Genetics, Biological Systems and Tissues, and Science Ethics & Communication. The students also participate in advanced research seminars by national and international leading speakers.
Completion of the program requires 240 ECTS spread over 8 semesters: 60 ECTS for course work in the first year (see Table below) and 3 years of experimental work leading to the doctoral thesis (180 ECTS).

Fields of Specialization

A main concern of the MCbiology PhD program is the successful progression of students through the program. For this purpose, the program includes a Graduate Student Mentoring Committee. A member of this committee (tutor) accompanies a student group throughout their 4-year program. The tutor regularly meets on a one-to-one basis with each student and provides guidance through the common hurdles encountered in a PhD program, in particular the program´s curricular sections and the student´s choices for thesis research work. The tutor also provides advice on the choice of future career paths.
In addition, each student has a dedicated Student Research committee composed of three members selected among the PhD program faculty. The committee follows closely the student's research progress. This committee ensures that the student receives timely feedback and suggestions on their research.
The program is prepared to provide advanced practical and theoretical knowledge in Molecular and Cell Biology, namely in the areas of Protein Structure and Function, Cell Biology, Functional Genetics, Tissues and Biological Systems and Ethics and Communication of Science.

Among other requirements, the inclusion of at least 1 (one) original article (full length paper) published or accepted for publication in an indexed international journal (SCI), whose 1st author is a doctoral student

Employment Prospects

The doctoral program aims to train doctors in Molecular and Cell Biology with strong scientific knowledge and solid scientific, technical and intellectual skills necessary to develop advanced research (basic or applied) and qualified professional service in higher education institutions, in research institutes or centres, in industry (biotechnology and pharmaceutical) and in public health institutions (hospitals, diagnostic centres, clinical laboratory analysis).




Information

See here U.Porto Data Protection Policy

International student
Students covered by the International Student Statute *(Approved by Decree-Law 62/2018 of 06 August) – document available only in Portuguese.

*International student, find all the answers you need to study at the University of Porto, at the following links: 
International Students - Frequently Asked Questions
Regulations for the Application of the International Student Statute of the University of Porto
Special Contests for Admission to Higher Education
General Regulations for Cycle of Studies

OPEN COMPETITION 2024/2025
Deadlines and criteria (PT/EN)
1 phase: 15 vacancies

Tuition fees 2024/2025

Minimum number of students for the cycle of studies to operate – 5

Renewal of registration 2024/2025

Start of the academic year: 2 january 2025

Normal duration of the course: 4 years (8 semesters)


Contacts

For any query regarding the application process please contact: 
Helena Cristina Martins 
Post- Graduation Office

hcmartins@icbas.up.pt

220428006

Between:
10h:00 - 12h:00
14h:00 - 15h:30

General information

Official Code: 5887
Codiretor: Claudio Sunkel
Codiretor: Paula Tamagnini
Acronym: PDBMC
Academic Degree: Doctor
Type of course/cycle of study: Doctoral Degree
Start: 2013/2014
Duration: 8 Semesters

Study Plan

Involved Organic Units

Certificates

  • Molecular and Cell Biology (240 ECTS credits)
  • Molecular and Cell Biology (60 ECTS credits)

Predominant Scientific Areas

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