Master's Programme in Bioentrepreneurship

Master's Programme in Bioentrepreneurship

Masterprogrammet i bioentreprenörskap

Outcomes

Outcomes According to the Higher Education Act

Outcomes of second cycle education according to the Higher Education Act

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall be based fundamentally on the knowledge acquired by students during first-cycle courses and study programmes, or its equivalent.

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall:

• further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge,
• develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
• develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

Degree Outcomes According to the Higher Education Ordinance

Outcomes of the Degree of Master (120 credits) according to the Higher Education Ordinance
Knowledge and understanding
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity. 

Judgment and approach
For a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Outcomes of the Study Programme at Karolinska Institutet

In addition to the national outcomes, for a Degree of Master (120 credits), the following outcomes apply for the Master Programme in Bioentrepreneurship at Karolinska Institutet:

On completion of the programme, the student shall:

• demonstrate an in-depth understanding of, and apply a reflexive approach to, collaborations in intercultural and interdisciplinary contexts, both locally and globally.

Content and structure

The overall purpose of the Master Programme in Bioentrepreneurship is to bridge the knowledge gap between the academic and business parts of the life science sector. The Master Programme in Bioentrepreneurship refers to the term "life science" as the main areas of drug development, biotechnology, diagnostics and medical technology (including digital health), focusing on improved human health. Life science focusing on agriculture, animals, or plants is not part of the programme's content or structure.

The programme is structured around several core courses, complemented by two skills courses in communication and project management.

The programme’s pedagogical approach builds on student-centred entrepreneurial learning. This aims to teach the students to identify opportunities for change and value creation and train skills that strengthen their ability to face challenges. The programme is structured as a learning cycle inspired by Kolb’s experiential learning where theory, inspirational activities/reflection and practical work follow each other. This learning cycle is visible within the courses as well as through the entire programme, with theory and inspiration/reflection in the campus courses being practically applied in the practice integrated courses at companies and organisations.

The first semester of the programme departs from a core course in the main subject bioentrepreneurship, including the theories and scientific methods that are part of the subject. This course is followed by a skills course in project management where the students work with different methods of project management through both theory and practice. Practical work with project management in several courses throughout the programme ensures progression in this skill. A core course in market analysis allows the students to work with the tools and models as well as the scientific methods that are important in this subject. In parallel with these three courses, two different courses in industrial management and strategic management control are offered in collaboration with the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH). During these two courses, the programme students study together with students from KTH, which is part of their interprofessional training during the program.

The second semester offers a core course in product development focusing on the special rules and regulations that apply when developing products in the life science sector. A skills course in communication trains the students in this skill in preparation for the first practice integrated course, where the skills and experiences from the first year are used through a project in a company or organisation. During this semester, the students get the opportunity to specialise by selecting one of several elective courses offered through the programme via the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship. All these courses are interdisciplinary and offer the students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in different aspects of entrepreneurship.

The third semester focuses on how to market and sell products as well as how to further develop projects and companies in the life science sector. Both these courses build on knowledge from the programme’s first year and are supplemented with relevant scientific skills to prepare the students for the final work-integrated course. This practice integrated course offers the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of their main subject by working on projects at companies or organisations in Sweden or internationally.

The programme ends with a degree project that runs through the entire last semester, where the students immerse themselves in one of the programme's core areas. Scientific approaches and methods permeate this course, which offers opportunities for work-integrated learning at companies or organisations.

Scientific knowledge, competence and approach

Scientific theories and methods are included in the majority of the courses in the programme. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are included, and skills and approaches are examined not least in the practice integrated courses and the degree project. During the programme, there is a clear progression in knowledge and skills as well as the ability to independently choose adequate scientific methods to carry out a project.

Practice Integrated Learning

Practice integrated learning is a generic term for the pedagogical models that are based on interaction and integration between higher education and working life. Practice integrated learning may take the form of work-based education, study visits, observing teaching activities or field studies within out-patient and in-patient healthcare, social care or other relevant activities.

In the Master Programme in Bioentrepreneurship, the practice integrated learning takes place at companies or organisations within the life science sector. The purpose of these courses is to prepare the students to work within the interprofessional environment in the life science sector and to allow them to practically work with and deepen their knowledge and abilities from the programme's courses. There is a progression in the expected independence of the students between the courses. Both the second practice integrated course and the degree project can be carried out in collaboration with international companies and organisations via formal or informal exchanges.

Cross-curricular perspectives

Throughout the programme, the cross-curricular perspectives of ethics, sustainable development, equal opportunities, internationalisation and interprofessional competence are included.

Various aspects of ethics are covered during the programme, from the basics of ethics to ethical aspects that may arise during practice integrated learning as well as research ethics. To work sustainably in the life science sector, many areas of sustainable development need to be considered. These are included as common themes throughout the courses of the programme.

Equal opportunities are primarily covered in the work integrated courses in the programme but are also included as an important aspect of the product development course.

The programme is international in its entirety, and all courses are permeated by an international perspective that develops the student's understanding and reflexivity on what it means to be a global citizen, to work in and with different cultures and in an international labour market. International exchange takes place primarily through the work integrated courses and the degree project that the students can choose to do in collaboration with international companies and organisations through formal or informal exchange agreements.

Interdisciplinary aspects are integrated throughout the programme, both through group and team assignments and not least through the business-integrated courses and the courses offered through the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship.

Elective courses

During the second semester, the students get to specialise by selecting one of several elective courses offered through the programme via the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship. All these courses are interdisciplinary and offer the students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in different aspects of entrepreneurship.

Other guidelines

Grading scale

The grades used are Fail, Pass or Pass with Distinction. Alternative grading scales apply to the courses “Applied bioentrepreneurship 1 and 2” and the elective courses. The grading scale is detailed in the course syllabus.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction is English.

Specific eligibility requirements within the programme

There are specific eligibility requirements for the courses within the programme. The eligibility requirements can be found in the syllabi. In cases where the requirements are connected to the admission to a later semester, they are described on the programme website. There may also be specific eligibility requirements within a specific semester if a course requires certain prior knowledge.

Cancellation of on-site training

Practice integrated learning is a generic term for the pedagogical models that are based on interaction and integration between higher education and working life. Practice integrated learning may take the form of work-based education, study visits, observing teaching activities or field studies within out-patient and in-patient healthcare, social care or other relevant activities.

A student's work-based education (VFU) can be immediately terminated if the student shows such serious deficiencies, in knowledge, skills or approach, that jeopardize patient safety or erode patient trust in healthcare. The administration of such matters must be outlined in the course syllabus. If work-based education is terminated this way, an individual action plan must be drawn up stating the actions that are required before the student is permitted to perform new workbased education.

Study plan with constituent courses

Semester. Course name. Credits. Main field of study. Cycle

1. Bioentrepreneurship. 5 credits. Bioentrepreneurship. Second.
1. Industrial Management. 6 credits. Bioentrepreneurship. Second.
1. Project Management. 5 credits. Bioentrepreneurship. Second.
1. Market analysis. 8 credits. Bioentrepreneurship. Second.
1. Strategic Management Control. 6 credits. Bioentrepreneurship, Second.

2. Product Development in Life Sciences. 11 credits. Bioentrepreneurship. Second.
2. Communication in Bioentrepreneurship. 2,5 credits. Bioentrepreneurship. Second.
2. Elective Course. 7,5 credits, Bioentrepreneurship, Second.
2. Applied Bioentrepreneurship 1. 9 credits. Bioentrepreneurship. Second.

3. Marketing and Sales in Life Sciences. 6 credits. Bioentrepreneurship. Second.
3. Business Development. 6 credits. Bioentrepreneurship. Second.
3. Applied Bioentrepreneurship 2. 18 credits. Bioentrepreneurship. Second.

4. Degree Project in Bioentrepreneurship. 30 credits. Bioentrepreneurship. Second.