Objectives and competences

The master's degree in Advanced Immunology at the University of Barcelona includes various areas, such as research and teaching, biotechnology, medicine and veterinary science. A comprehensive understanding of the immune system also equips students to evaluate pathological processes that directly involve the immune system or are associated with other physiological systems.

Immunology is the branch of biomedical sciences concerned with the study of the physiopathology of the immune system. The study of immunology seeks to solve problems posed by complex pathologies of particular importance to public health. Through methodological development, immunology has become an essential tool in biotechnology, in the design of drugs and diagnostic instruments, and in a multitude of therapeutic applications. Immunology is a key field in biomedical research around the world.

This is directly related to the extraordinary advances in healthcare produced in the field of immunology over the past fifty years: vaccines, transplants, antibodies, anticancer therapy, cell differentiation factors, and anti-inflammatory drug therapy. The master¿s degree Immunology provides knowledge and skills that offer students a wide range of opportunities in many areas, such as research and education, biotechnology, medicine and veterinary science. A comprehensive understanding of the immune system also equips students to evaluate pathological processes that directly involve the immune system or are associated with other physiological systems.

Basic information

TypeMaster's degree
Faculty or schoolFaculty of Biology
Branch of knowledge
  • Biomedical sciences
  • Biochemistry and biotechnology
  • Biology and genetics
Mode of delivery
  • Face-to-face
Credits60
Number of places available44
Length of course1 academic year
Language(s) of instruction(67%) and English (33%)
Approximate price per credit27.67 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2023-2024
CoordinationJORGE LLOBERAS CAVERO
E-mailmaster.immunologia@ub.edu
Course detailsIndicators
Open pre-enrolmentYes
Open enrolmentNo
Lead to doctoral studiesYes
Admission for applicants not holding a degree qualificationNo
InteruniversityYes
Main universityUniversitat Barcelona
Universities
  • Universitat Barcelona
  • Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Bridging coursesNo
Specializations
  • Immune System Biotechnology and Research
  • Medical Immunology

Objectives and competences

Objectives

This course aims to provide a sufficient body of knowledge on immunology to access the professional opportunities offered in this field. Knowledge of this subject is necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of a large number of diseases that affect a high percentage of the human and animal populations, including infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses (AIDS) and parasites, as well as autoimmune diseases, inflammatory processes (rheumatoid arthritis), allergies, transplants and cancer, which require a broad therapeutic arsenal including gene therapy. In addition, from the point of view of public health prevention, vaccines have been the most effective therapeutic weapon in human history and their development is directly related to the knowledge of immunology. The aim of this postgraduate programme is to provide a grounding in the theoretical and practical aspects that underpin the training of professionals in human and animal health and professionals in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.

The knowledge centred around the master's degree in Advanced Immunology is a platform to a wide range of possibilities in different fields of study: activities related to knowledge of the immune system, its cellular and molecular components, functional processes, and cellular and molecular interactions within anatomical structures and general physiology.

The four areas in which this knowledge is developed are:

-Research and Teaching
-Biotechnology
-Medicine
-Veterinary Science

The master's degree also aims to set a benchmark for quality, bringing together leading academics from across the Barcelona metropolitan area and generating synergies among centres of immunology education in the foremost universities, hospitals and research institutes (IDIBAPS, IDIBELL, CRESA, IRB, CRG, etc.). This is supported by key professional associations such as the Catalan Society for Immunology.

Competences

GENERIC COMPETENCES


  • Capacity to produce thorough analyses of scientific articles.

  • Capacity to write and defend scientific and technical reports.

  • Capacity to demonstrate motivation for scientific research.

  • Capacity to work ethically and with respect for the environment.

  • Capacity to work independently and as part of a team.

  • Capacity to work safely in a laboratory environment.




GENERAL COMPETENCES:


  • Capacity to communicate knowledge of immunology and the conclusions drawn from its application to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

  • Ability to expand and improve the knowledge of immunology associated with the degree, and ability to develop and apply this knowledge in a research context in an original way.

  • Ability to work as part of a group, to collaborate with other researchers and to demonstrate a capacity for independent learning.

  • Capacity to demonstrate the ability to teach and disseminate knowledge in the field of immunology.

  • Capacity to resolve immunological problems  in new environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts.

  • Ability to remain up to date with the development of knowledge in immunology in the international scientific community.

  • Ability to integrate the knowledge acquired in immunology and to formulate judgements giving due consideration to the social and ethical responsibilities implicitly linked to this knowledge.




SPECIFIC COMPETENCES


  • Ability to master the complexity of knowledge pertaining to the structure and function of the molecules, cells and tissues responsible for the immune response and their integration with other physiological systems.

  • Ability to apply the most advanced experimental and bioinformatic techniques and tools used in immunology.

  • Ability to integrate basic research into clinical applications.

  • Ability to interact with other specialist medical, veterinary and pharmaceutical professionals in the field of immunology.

  • Capacity to devise the development of analytical reagents for improvement and innovation in the field of immunology.

  • Ability to conceive and design experiments that provide answers to relevant questions, to carry them out using the appropriate instruments and techniques, to analyse the results and to propose new experiments if necessary.




SPECIFIC COMPETENCES FOR SPECIALIZATION


  • Ability to identify forms of manipulating the immune response in humans and in animal models for applications aimed at designing or improving therapeutic targets. Specialization: Immunobiotechnology and Research

  • Ability to identify or apply potential new drugs or new therapeutic targets in the field of immunology. Specialization: Immunobiotechnology and Research

  • Ability to identify pathological alterations of the immune system and to associate them with the regulation and function of immune mechanisms. Specialization: Medical Immunology

  • Ability to understand the involvement of the immune system in infectious processes, cancer, transplantation and allergic processes, and to be able to identify or manipulate tools from the immune system to address these pathological processes. Specialization: Medical Immunology

  • Ability to diagnose and prevent diseases associated with the immune system in domestic and livestock animals. Specialization: Veterinary Immunology

  • Ability to interpret analytical results and to use them to diagnose alterations of the immune system. Specializations: Medical Immunology and Veterinary Immunology

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Access and admission

Applicant profile and access requirements

Recommended applicant profile

Access requirements and conditions

General requirements
In accordance with Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, students wishing to be admitted to a university master's degree must hold one of the following qualifications:

  • Official Spanish university degree.

  • A degree issued by a higher education institution within the European Higher Education Area framework that authorizes the holder to access university master's degree courses in the country of issue.

  • A qualification issued by an institution outside the framework of the European Higher Education Area. In this case, applicants must request homologation of the degree to its equivalent official Spanish university qualification or obtain express approval from the University of Barcelona, which will conduct a study of equivalence to ensure that the degree is of a comparable level to an official Spanish university qualification and that it grants access to university master's degree study in the country of issue. Admission shall not, in any case, imply that prior qualifications have been recognized as equivalent to a Spanish master's degree and does not confer recognition for any purposes other than that of admission to the master's degree course.

Pre-enrolment

Calendar

First period: 1 February - 17 June 2024.
Notification of resolutions: 17 June.

Notes:

  • Pre-enrolment fee: A pre-enrolment fee of 30,21 euros is charged. Students who apply to more than one master's degree must pay the fee for each pre-enrolment request. Pre-enrolment requests cannot be processed until this fee has been paid.Fees will only be refunded if the master's degree in question is suspended.
  • Reserved places: A maximum of 5% of the new places of the master's degree are reserved for students who meet the general and specific access requirements and accredit the recognition of a degree of disability equal to or greater than 33%.

Required documentation

Selection criteria

Notification



  • Resolution: September

  • Enrolment

    As a general rule, at the UB you will be required to enrol online. Remember that you can lose your place if you do not enrol on the day you have been assigned

    Calendar: July (18 -28) and September (12 -17).

    Course curriculum

    Subjects and course plans

    Distribution of credits

    Type ECTS
    Compulsory 20
    Optional 15
    Compulsory placements 0
    Compulsory final project 25
    TOTAL 60

    List of subjects

    Subject Type Language Credits
    Specialization: Immune System Biotechnology and Research
    Advanced Techniques in Immunology Compulsory 2nd semester 2.5
    Anatomy of the Immune System Compulsory 1st semester 2.5
    Animal Models in Immunology Research Optional 2nd semester 2.5
    Antibodies Compulsory 2nd semester 2.5
    Experimental Immunomanipulation Optional 2nd semester 2.5
    External Seminars Optional 1st semester 2.5
    Final Project Compulsory 2nd semester 25
    Flow Cytometry Compulsory 2nd semester 2.5
    Immunogenetics Compulsory 1st semester 2.5
    Immunopathology Compulsory 1st semester 2.5
    Immunopharmacology Optional 2nd semester 2.5
    Regulation of the Immune Response Compulsory 1st semester 2.5
    Signal Activation and Transduction Compulsory 1st semester 2.5
    Vaccines and Technological Convergence Optional 1st semester 5
    Specialization: Medical Immunology
    Advanced Techniques in Immunology Compulsory 2nd semester 2.5
    Allergy Optional 2nd semester 2.5
    Anatomy of the Immune System Compulsory 1st semester 2.5
    Antibodies Compulsory 2nd semester 2.5
    Autoimmunity Optional 1st semester 2.5
    External Seminars Optional 1st semester 2.5
    Final Project Compulsory 2nd semester 25
    Flow Cytometry Compulsory 2nd semester 2.5
    Immunodeficiencies and AIDS Optional 1st semester 2.5
    Immunogenetics Compulsory 1st semester 2.5
    Immunohematology and Transplantation Optional 2nd semester 2.5
    Immunopathology Compulsory 1st semester 2.5
    Neuroimmunology Optional 2nd semester 2.5
    Regulation of the Immune Response Compulsory 1st semester 2.5
    Signal Activation and Transduction Compulsory 1st semester 2.5

    Previous years

    Placements

    Placements in a company or another type of organization are an integral part of university studies, providing first-hand experience of working methodologies in students' chosen professional fields. They offer invaluable practical experience for the transition into work after graduation.



    Placements are supervised by tutors and subject to assessment. They are therefore included in the academic record.  There is also an option to complete non-curricular placements of up to 500 hours, which can be extended to 900 hours. For both curricular and non-curricular placements, an educational cooperation agreement is signed between the UB and the company, institution or other organization at which the placement will be carried out.



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