Professional competences
- understanding the biostatistical foundations of biomedical research, including both basic and advanced principles of biostatistics, and their application in medical and pharmaceutical scientific research;
- acquiring knowledge of modern concepts for designing research projects, including the correct application of necessary steps for drafting, assessing project needs and resources, and evaluating and implementing research projects;
- ability to analyse and synthesise information, applicable in professional and social contexts, based on rigorous scientific methods and theoretical resources (books, journals, reports, internet, mass media);
- evaluation and analysis of data, including designing clinical studies according to type and purpose (etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, prevalence, etc.), building databases, performing data analysis, and retrieving medical information from databases;
- acquiring advanced knowledge regarding the design and writing of high-quality scientific materials (such as a Master’s dissertation, doctoral thesis, books, or scientific articles);
- knowledge of and adherence to medical ethics and professional deontology;
- understanding the principles of Evidence-Based Medicine;
- recognising the necessity of using robust evidence in medical decision-making;
- knowledge of sources of evidence, including assessment and classification of quality;
- understanding the fundamental principles of clinical and experimental studies;
- recognising the limitations of Evidence-Based Medicine;
- familiarisation with tools for searching and applying useful evidence in medical practice;
- application of evidence from studies in clinical practice;
- understanding the structure of scientific research and the organisation of research groups.
Transversal competences
- efficient management of human resources (patients, physicians, collaborators, individuals involved in interventions or evaluation programmes) as well as logistical, operational, and time resources;
- effective management of the conception, design, planning, and organisation of specific activities;
- carrying out research projects, drafting scientific articles or studies, and completing the Master’s dissertation;
- adherence to occupational safety, ethical, and deontological standards;
- efficient use of IT, scientific, and professional information resources in relation to career development;
- application of effective interpersonal communication techniques, tailored to professional context and colleagues’ characteristics;
- ability to search, filter, analyse, and interpret evidence from clinical and experimental studies;
- capacity to perform critical analysis of clinical studies;
- communication and dissemination of results obtained from scientific activity;
- understanding the genetic factors in human pathology, methods for identifying genetic abnormalities, and their role in improving health at individual, family, and population levels;
- acquisition of essential knowledge for planning and managing clinical and preclinical research projects;
- mastery of methods for formulating research hypotheses;
- identification of appropriate experimental and statistical methods for testing research hypotheses;
- understanding methods for organising biobanks and associated databases to support clinical studies.
Career Prospects
The programme concludes with the submission and presentation of the Master’s dissertation. Graduates of the Master’s programme in Advanced Scientific Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences will have attractive career opportunities in:
- molecular research centres and medical institutes;
- interdisciplinary cancer research centres;
- clinical research centres;
- teaching hospitals;
- biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries;
- medical nanotechnology.
