1. The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetic
  2. Postgraduate Programs
  3. MSc Postgraduate Programs
  4. MSc Biotechnology (accredited)

Postgraduate Programs

MSc Biotechnology (accredited)

The importance of Biotechnology:

Can you make a difference in the field of Biotechnology? 

At the Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics (CING) we encourage our students to embark on the journey of Biotechnology, making a difference and a positive contribution to science and society. Biotechnology is undoubtedly important for its implications in various sectors of everyday life, utilizing cellular and bio-molecular processes that pave the way for the generation of cutting-edge new technologies and products that help improve life and nature in general. In particular, Biotechnology is the technology that uses living microorganisms to develop or create different products. Examples include the use of yeast in cheese and bread making, and the use of viral vectors for the creation of human vaccines (ie SARS-CoV-2 vaccine). Overall, recent advances in Biotechnology had a positive impact on the production of healthy food, improvement of the medical sector, reducing the world’s environmental footprint, and reducing the rate of infectious diseases. As a result, Biotechnology is widely considered to be the engine of the global economy in the 21st century.

Prospectus

MSc Biotechnology at the CING:

As a student on this programme, you will have the unique opportunity to gain theoretical background knowledge and relevant work experience in various sectors of Biotechnology. 

The Biotechnology programme offers 3 stimulating mandatory courses on Molecular Virology and Immunology, Microbial Biochemistry, and Fundamentals of Biotechnology.  As part of these courses you will familiarize yourself with the wide range of biotechnology tools that are currently used in different industrial settings. 

The course on Molecular Virology and Immunology covers extensively the area of Medical Biotechnology, including lectures on the production of vaccines, antibodies and drugs for therapeutic purposes. 

The course in Microbial Biochemistry is enriched with lectures from experts specialized in the food and wine industry. 

Equally important, the use of cutting-edge biotechnology tools for medical purposes is explored during the course in Fundamentals of Biotechnology, covering also lectures related to agricultural biotechnology, waste-water management and bioethics. 

A number of elective courses such as Methodologies and Technologies Applied in Medical Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Basis of Monogenic Diseases Gene and Cell Therapy, Biochemical Basis of Genetic Diseases, and Bioinformatics are also available, enabling students to broaden their knowledge. As a student you will also carry out a research or library project within the CING state-of-the art facilities or collaborators in industry and other academic/research institutions in Cyprus. The CING and our collaborators conduct internationally renowned pioneering research work, therefore providing its postgraduate students with the knowledge and tools to complete a competitive and advanced research or library project. 

We are pleased to note that that the MSc in Biotechnology has been warmly welcomed by all major industries and academic/research institutions in Cyprus that use Biotechnology tools in their daily operations. The proposed programme has been carefully designed to align the skills that graduates will acquire with market demands, to ensure we are creating future employees that are industry-ready, knowledgeable and adaptable. Of equal importance, as a graduate, you will also be able to develop your academic career further by continuing with PhD studies. 

 

Intended Learning Outcomes:

Upon completing this programme, MSc graduates will have acquired a detailed knowledge of the major biotechnology topics, with emphasis on how the wide range of Biotechnology tools are utilized in industry and applied for research purposes. Of equal importance, students will gain knowledge and experience directly from experts currently working in various industrial settings, providing them with the unique opportunity to acquire hands-on-experience.

 

MSc Biotechnology at the CING is suitable for you:

If you are a graduate with a background in medicine, biological and related sciences, genetics, neuroscience, biomedicine, chemistry, engineering and other related fields, looking to progress to PhD level or successfully enter the job market, this programme is appropriate for you. 
 
Studying Biotechnology at the CING will provide you with:

  • Work experience (academia and industry)
  • Hands-on lab skills
  • A thorough understanding of the latest knowledge in innovative Biotechnology tools
  • The capabilities to successfully enter the job market or further education
     

The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics is a leading research centre in the region, equipped in providing an unrivalled educational experience to you as a student. You can expect to be taught and mentored by leading Biomedical Researchers, Geneticists and Neurologists in Cyprus, while also working alongside them in their respective laboratories.

 

  • Hands-on work experience: It is a priority of the CING to ensure that upon graduation, you will have hands-on work experience, a factor which is vital for a strong CV in today’s competitive job market
  • Knowledge and Skills: As a graduate of the CING, you will be fully prepared for employment through your daily interaction in a professional work environment, which offers research and services alongside education. Furthermore, each academic course has been developed based upon both learning objectives and employment objectives 
  • Ready for employment: The above factors ensure that the CING delivers fully equipped graduates to the job market, an objective which has been proven through the high employment rates of our alumni. 

 

Language of Instruction: English

Full-Time mode: 13 months (taught courses & research/library project).
Part-Time mode: 24 months (with minimum of one course per semester, among those offered in the referred semester)

To be admitted to the MSc Programs, a student must meet at least the minimum requirements listed below:

  1. A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized accredited institution, in a related field
  2. English Language Certification or other accepted International Standard, if the previous degree obtained was not in English 

 

  1. A Completed Online Application Form 
  2. Two Academic References
  3. Academic Transcripts
  4. High School Leaving certificate.
  5. English Language Certificate (if not graduated from an English speaking University)

The CING Admission period begins in late January every year, for programmes beginning in September of that year. Our Application and Admissions process is as follows:
 
  1. Check out our prospectus  for information on our postgraduate programmes

 

  1. If you have any queries or require further information and guidance, contact the Education Office by phone (+357 22 392 840) or email ([email protected]). You may wish to make an appointment and come and speak to us in person, we would be happy to meet with you! Alternatively, all information can be given by phone or email
 
  1. Now that you have all you need to know, you are ready to complete our online application! Ensure that you have all your required documents (listed below), scanned and ready in an up-loadable format:
  • Two Academic References (you will not need actual reference letters, only the names and email addresses of your Referees, who will receive an automated notification from our applications system, in order to complete our specific Reference Form)
  • Academic Transcripts (secondary school/high school, higher education)
  • High School Leaving certificate
  • English Language Certificate (if previous degree was obtained in a language other than English). This can also be submitted at a later date if you are admitted to the program. 

 

  1. Next, you will need to create your Extranet User Account 

From here you will be prompted to complete information and upload documents to your online application form. You can save your Application Form and log back in to continue at any time. Once you are happy with your application, you can submit it. You will receive a prompt in order to pay the application fee via the JCC gateway. Please proceed to do this, as your application will not be considered valid until the fee has been settled.

 
  1. Thereafter, your application and all supporting documentation, will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee in order to assess whether your application will progress to the interview stage. For some applicants, the process will end here.

 

  1. If you are invited to an interview, you will receive an email notification from the Education Office stating the date and time of the interview together with any other arrangements. Interviews for students in Cyprus, are carried out in person at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics. If you are overseas during the given period, then you will be interviewed via Skype/Zoom and you will be prompted to provide your Skype/Zoom user name in the days prior to the interview. The interview itself is an opportunity for you to ask questions about the School, Institute and program you have applied for, while simultaneously presenting yourself as a prime candidate! Use this as an opportunity to explain about your scientific work so far, your research interests and how you would like to progress in the future. This will give our Admissions Committee a good understanding of whether you are suitable for the program.
 
  1. Once you have been interviewed, you will receive an email stating the decision of the Admissions Committee. For some applicants, the process will end here. For successful applicants, the decision will be either Unconditional Admission (provided that all documents are submitted with the agreed grades and within the timeframe etc together with payments) or Conditional Admission based on the applicant taking and passing the Preparatory Course offered in August (provided that all documents are submitted with the agreed grades and within the timeframe etc together with payments).

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