Academic Degree: Master’s in Biochemistry

Area of Knowledge: Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Faculty or Institute: Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Decree Number: 0041862/2015 (Modifies D.U. No. 003037/2007)

Coordinator: Prof. Sergio Álvarez (salvarez@ciq.uchile.cl)

Application Period:

• Start: August 19, 2024
• End: October 31, 2024

Fees (2024):

• Registration: $185,300 CLP
• Tuition: $5,515,250 CLP
• Discounts: Up to 100%

For foreign students, fees will be charged in U.S. dollars (USD) based on the official exchange rate of the day, where applicable.

Objectives

The fundamental purpose of the Master’s in Biochemistry is to provide graduates and university professionals with advanced training in areas of Biochemical Sciences and their applications.

The specific objectives of the program are:

1. To complement the training of human resources in the Chemical-Biological area, equipping them with greater competencies for their professional performance.
2. To provide deeper knowledge and expertise in scientific and technological developments in specific areas of Biochemistry, aligned with the country’s needs and development. These areas of specialization are:
   • i) Environmental Biochemistry
   • ii) Clinical Biochemistry
   • iii) Protein Biochemistry and Biotechnology
   • iv) Toxicological Biochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics

Research Lines

1. Environmental Biochemistry

   • Bioremediation and treatment of industrial and mining water and soil.
   • Effects of organic and inorganic pollutants and metal bioavailability on biological systems.
   • Characterization of microorganisms and enzymes from extreme environments for energy generation, industrial, and agricultural processes.

2. Clinical Biochemistry

   • Molecular mechanisms of cancer and its relationship to clinical practice.
   • Molecular mechanisms of non-communicable diseases.
   • Molecular mechanisms of infectious diseases.

3. Protein Biochemistry and Biotechnology

   • Protein structure and its role in biological processes.
   • Alterations in protein structure in chronic diseases.
   • Production of recombinant proteins and antibodies for productive and/or diagnostic purposes.

4. Toxicological Biochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics

   • Development of diagnostic and treatment systems for diseases.
   • Molecular foundations and pharmacogenetics of drug responses, toxicity, and substance dependence.
   • Molecular diagnostics in health and forensic contexts, and the application of molecular markers for the characterization of human and other species populations.

The Master’s Program is organized on a semester-based schedule, with a flexible curriculum system.

The program’s academic activities are expressed in credits. One credit corresponds to the academic work performed by a student in one weekly hour over an 18-week semester. For each weekly hour of direct instruction under teacher supervision, three additional hours of student work will be required for each course.

The Master’s program includes a series of systematic curricular activities in the area of specialization and a Master’s Thesis.

The candidate’s program will include, as a minimum, curricular activities totaling 120 credits, including the Thesis. Of these activities, 40 credits correspond to courses, and 80 credits to the Thesis.

The program offers four areas of specialization: Environmental Biochemistry, Clinical Biochemistry, Toxicological Biochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, and Protein Biochemistry and Biotechnology.

Students choose one of these specialization areas when applying. Each area includes a specific core course, experimental units, and seminars scheduled for each student by the Academic Committee of the Master’s in Biochemistry.

Mandatory Courses:

• Environmental Biochemistry
• Applied Clinical Biochemistry
• Toxicological Biochemistry and Molecular Diagnostics
• Recombinant Protein Biochemistry
• Thesis Project Formulation

Experimental Units:

• Experimental Unit I
• Experimental Unit II

Thesis

The Master’s Thesis constitutes the core activity of the program. It is an original and individual research project that contributes to knowledge in the field of Biochemistry within the chosen area of specialization or applies this knowledge to solve a problem using the scientific method.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry or related sciences. Professionals from accredited universities or professional institutes with a professional title equivalent in level, content, and duration to the Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Chile are also eligible to apply.

To be admitted into the program, candidates must meet the academic requirements set by the Graduate School, pass a proficiency exam in the program’s disciplines, and have a personal interview with the Academic Committee.

Applicants for the Master’s Degree in Biochemistry must submit an application with the following documents:

Application Period:

• Applications Open: Monday, August 19, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.
• Applications Close: Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

Application Link