Medecine études

Learned in English, the Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences specializing in clinical research focuses on research carried out on human beings when products and techniques are sufficiently advanced. It is offered by the University of Namur, but also draws on the expertise of the University of Liège, which provides many courses related to this professional orientation.

Your curriculum will include a significant professional dimension thanks to numerous company and hospital visits, practical projects and a 5-month internship in a laboratory or company in Belgium or abroad.

You'll also have the opportunity to complete a final dissertation in a research laboratory or hospital, working on a personal project from conception to completion (10 months).

Why choose this program?

  • a unique program in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation;
  • close links with the biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industry;
  • specialized studies in the field of drug development, including basic and translational research, biotechnology (scale-up and 3D reconstruction), quality assurance and regulatory affairs ;
  • rapid integration into the world of work, thanks to company and hospital visits and an internship;

excellent command of field English;

  • an official bio-technician qualification in laboratory animal handling and experiment management, in addition to your Master's degree;
  • experience abroad;
  • more than 50% electives to choose from.

Your objectives

  • Lead scientific projects aimed at better understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of pathologies and improving treatments: Analyze data, interpret results and share discoveries with the global scientific community;
  • Control all stages in the development of new therapies, in particular biotechnological or cellular therapies;
  • Develop biomarkers linked to different therapies, for example using genetics and pharmacogenomics ;
  • Direct and control preclinical or clinical trials and be responsible for the administrative management of trials;
  • Assure the quality of production of biotechnology and biosimilar products, cell therapies (stem cells), gene therapies, tissue engineering, medical devices (implants, drug delivery devices....)... ;
  • Check the quality, safety and efficacy of a drug before it is put on the market.

Other masters in biomedical sciences

The University of Namur organizes the following master's degrees:

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Admission requirements

Si vous avez un diplôme belge

ACCÈS DIRECT

  • bachelier en sciences biomédicales ;

ACCÈS moyennant un éventuel COMPLÉMENT DE 15 CRÉDITS maximum

  • bachelier en sciences pharmaceutiques, médecine, médecine vétérinaire, sciences biologiques, sciences dentaires, kinésithérapie et réadaptation, sciences de la motricité, sciences chimiques ;
  • master en ingénieur civil en chimie et science des matériaux, sciences de la santé publique, kinésithérapie et réadaptation.

ACCÈS moyennant un COMPLÉMENT DE 15 À 30 CRÉDITS

  • bachelier (type court) en sage-femme, infirmier responsable en soins généraux ;
  • bachelier de spécialisation (type court) en anesthésie, soins intensifs et aide médicale urgente.

ACCÈS moyennant un COMPLÉMENT DE 30 À 60 CRÉDITS

  • bachelier (type court) en diététique, ergothérapie, soins infirmiers, technologie en imagerie médicale, technologue de laboratoire médical ;
  • bachelier (type court) en chimie orientation biochimie, biotechnologie, chimie appliquée, environnement;
  • bachelier (promotion sociale) en soins infirmiers pour titulaires du brevet d'infirmier hospitalier.

ACCÈS SUR DOSSIER

  • autre diplômé de l’enseignement supérieur de la Communauté française de Belgique ;
  • diplômé de l’enseignement supérieur hors Communauté française de Belgique;
  • sur base de VAE (Valorisation des acquis de l'expérience).

Pour les admissions en master, il y a lieu de prendre contact avec le service des inscriptions.
 

Si vous avez un diplôme non-belge

If you have a degree from an institution outside of Belgium, you will need to complete and return the admissions request form before 30 September (31 March for students from outside the European Union).

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Students with a first degree obtained in Belgium

> DIRECT ACCESS

  • Bachelor in Biomedical Sciences.

> ACCESS subject to a maximum of 15 ADDITIONAL CREDITS

  • Bachelor in Pharmacy, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Biology, Dentistry, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Motor Sciences, Chemistry;
  • Master in Chemical and Materials Science Engineering, Public Health, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.

> ACCESS subject to AN ADDITIONAL 15 TO 30 CREDITS

  • Bachelor in Midwife, Nurse Responsible for General Care;
  • Advanced Bachelor in Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Emergency Medical Aid.

> ACCESS subject to AN ADDITIONAL 30 TO 60 CREDITS

  • Bachelor in Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Medical Imaging Technologist, Medical Laboratory Technologist;
  • Bachelor in Chemistry orientation Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Applied Chemistry, Environment;
  • Bachelor in Nursing for holders of the certificate of Hospital Nurse.

> ACCESS BY APPLICATION

  • other higher education qualifications obtained in the French Community of Belgium;
  • higher education qualifications obtained outside of the French Community of Belgium;
  • on the basis of VAE (‘Valorisation des acquis de l’expérience’ – recognition of previous experience)

For admission to Masters degrees, please contact the Admission Service.
 

Students with a first degree obtained outside of Belgium

If you have a degree from an institution outside of Belgium, you will need to complete and return the admissions request form before 30 September (31 March for students from outside the European Union): www.unamur.be/en/enrolment

Description

The 120-credit Master in Biomedical Sciences with professional focus in clinical research is based around the research carried out on human beings when products and techniques are sufficiently far-advanced.  This Master is offered by UNamur but also relies on the expertise of the University of Liège, which provides some courses related to this specialised focus.

The degree programme will boast a significant professional dimension thanks to a large number of visits to companies and hospitals, practical projects and a 4-month placement in a laboratory, hospital or clinical research organisation in Belgium or abroad.

The student will also have the opportunity to write a thesis based in a research laboratory or a hospital, working on a personal project right through from design to completion during 10 months.

International mobility and openness

Students have the opportunity to spend part of their Master studying abroad, within the context of the Erasmus study programme.

Teaching methods

This Master comprises a few core lectures, complemented by courses selected by the students from a large list of topics. The emphasis is on interactive learning, via a series of practical and personal projects.

Students also have the opportunity to gain practical experience in handling animals, thanks to training which leads to professional certificates in laboratory animal sciences.

This programme has a particularly professional dimension, with several visits to companies and hospitals, practical projects, a 10-month master thesis project, and a 4-month placement in a laboratory or company, either in Belgium or abroad.

Aims and objectives

  • To lead scientific projects which aim for greater understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of pathologies and to improve treatment: to analyse raw data, interpret the results and present observations clearly;
  • To master every stage of the development of new therapies, in particular biotechnology- or cell-related therapies;
  • To lead and manage clinical trials and to be responsible for the administrative management of testing;
  • To ensure the production quality of biotechnological and biosimilar products, cell therapies (stem cells), gene therapies, tissue engineering, medical devices (implants, drug delivery devices, etc.) and so on;
  • To monitor the quality, safety and efficiency of a drug before it is placed on the market.

Assessment

  • Year 1:

In January, students take exams based on the subjects studied during the first semester.  In June, students take exams based on the subjects studied in the second semester.

For some subjects, there are regular evaluations based on reports submitted after each session of practical projects.  Marks awarded for these practical projects represent a significant percentage of the final marks.

Students begin work on a thesis during the second semester and submit a report regarding progress made on this project in June (the evaluation takes place in front of a jury).

In case of failed evaluations during the January session (for first semester courses) and/or during the June session (second semester evaluations), the evaluation can be presented again in August.

  • Year 2:

The students pursue their thesis work during the first semester. Only a few courses are organised during that time. In January, students take exams based on the subjects studied during the first semester, and submit, then defend their completed thesis in front of a jury.  The next courses are taught at the beginning of the second semester, prior to the 4-month internship, which concludes by a report submitted in June. Evaluations of the second semester take place in June.

In case of failed evaluations during the January session (for first semester courses) and/or during the June session (second semester evaluations), the evaluation can be presented again in August.

Career opportunities in biomedical sciences

The biomedical sciences can lead to many different careers, mainly in research, whether basic or applied. This research is carried out in universities, teaching hospitals, government agencies (e.g. public health institutes, drug and health product agencies, health policy organizations...) and in laboratories in the biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutrition, cosmetics and medical equipment sectors.

Fundamental biomedical research aims to understand, through an experimental approach, how the human being functions at the level of cells and molecules. Its findings may one day lead to clinical applications.

Applied biomedical research puts advances in basic research into practice. Its aim is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. For example, it may aim to design new vaccines or diagnostic tests. It also opens the way to careers in the pharmaceutical or cosmetics industries.

Clinical research management involves setting up and coordinating clinical trials in hospitals, clinical research organizations and the biopharmaceutical industry, and can lead to the following careers:

  • clinical trials assistant: assists investigating physicians in conducting clinical trials;
  • clinical project manager: executes the clinical trial development plan, in compliance with regulations and deadlines;
  • clinical research associate: sets up and monitors clinical trials for a particular project, while ensuring the quality of data collected in compliance with regulations;
  • data manager: manages the processing of data obtained as part of the clinical trial.

In addition to research, the clinical sector offers a wide range of other careers: toxicology, nutrition, clinical biology, bioengineering, medical imaging, etc., as well as medical data management.

Biomedical sciences can also lead to many other opportunities in the fields of research and development, production, quality assurance and control, regulatory affairs, intellectual property, consultancy, medical representation, teaching...

Finally, the Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences enables you to continue your studies at postgraduate level (Doctorate) or take an inter-university certificate in Regulatory Affairs for Health Products, offered jointly by UNamur and ULiège.