Objectives
The program aims, fundamentally, to train highly qualified professionals, with the ability to develop pure or applied research, as well as to communicate scientific information in different academic and professional contexts. To ensure the fulfillment of this purpose, the areas of research are updated, expanded and diversified, with the aim of enabling the candidate to rationally know and explore the biological resources and wealth of the country. It also aims to contribute to the improvement of teaching in Biological Sciences in the country, through the training of advanced level university professors.
Applicant Profile
The candidate must have completed university studies in Biology or related fields, or present certification of his/her candidacy for a degree. In addition, he/she must demonstrate outstanding academic performance in the programs previously taken (for which his/her resume, reference letters, grades and other certificates provided by the candidate are analyzed).
Study Plan
The graduate program is based on a system of theoretical and theoretical-practical courses that train students for scientific research that will be developed with the support of one or more of the Department's research centers or groups. The expected duration of the program is two years. To obtain the degree, at least 36 approved credits are required.
The candidate has the opportunity and obligation to focus his/her studies on one of the research areas offered in the centers, laboratories and research groups of the Department of Biological Sciences.
In addition, students must carry out a research project in which, in agreement with their supervisor, they choose a topic for the practical implementation of their degree project, which must constitute an original contribution to the topic. After completing the courses, students must present a master's project (oral), which allows the assessment of their capacity for association and integration of their knowledge. This is done in the form of a discussion based on their research project. The research is carried out within the development of the following subjects: Degree Project, Degree Thesis I and Degree Thesis II. Candidates complete their master's degree with a public defense of their degree thesis.
Research or Concentration Areas
Computational Biology and Microbial Ecology-BCEM
Director: Alejandro Reyes
Topics: genomics and metagenomics, computational biology.
BIOMICS
Director: Andrew Crawford
Topics: evolutionary genetics, neotropical biogeography, molecular systematics, taxonomy of amphibians and reptiles, comparative phylogeography, transcriptomics, genomics.
Bioprospecting and Environmental Microbiology – Centre for Microbiological Research - CIMIC
Director: Jenny Dussán - Martha Vives - Maria Francisca Villegas
Topics: microbial diversity, molecular microbiology, bioremediation, biological control, bioprospecting.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Parasites-BBMP
Director: Barbara Zimmermann
Topics: pyrimidine synthesis, nucleotide metabolism, expression and purification of recombinant proteins, Toxoplasma gondii, characterization of Toxoplasma gondii strains.
Center for Biochemical Research - CIBI
Director: Jesus Alfredo Uribe
Topics: metabolic disorders, diagnostic approach, hereditary diseases, magnetic resonance imaging, white and gray matter diseases, genetic counseling, metabolic pathways, enzyme deficiencies.
Center for Research in Tropical Microbiology and Parasitology-CIMPAT
Director: Felipe Guhl - Teachers: Jorge Molina, Camila González
Topics: tropical parasitology, epidemiology, molecular biology, geographic information systems, entomology, population genetics, control of Vector-Borne Diseases (VBD), prevention and surveillance.
Center for Genetic Research in Human Diseases
Director: Maria Claudia Lattig
Topics: genetic endocrinology, genetic history of human populations.
Plant Ecology and Physiology Group-ECOFIV
Director: Eloisa Lasso
Topics: plant physiology, plant ecophysiology, moorland, high Andean forest, water relations, transpiration, osmotic adjustments, adaptations to cold.
Cellular and Molecular Research Group on Pathogenic Microorganisms-CEMOP
Director: Adriana Celis
Topics: pathogenic microorganisms, host-pathogen interaction, pathogenicity, virulence, resistance, polyphasic identification, omics technologies.
Microbiomes and Bioenergy Research Group - MICROBIO
Director: Diego Jimenez
Topics: microbiomes, applied microbiology, bioenergy, microbial interactions, meta-omics tools, microbial ecology.
Tropical Palynology and Paleoecology Research Group
Director: Catalina Gonzalez
Topics: ecology, phylogeography, biodiversity conservation and climate change.
Institute of Biomedical Research
Director: Augusto Valderrama
Topics: genomics, ancestry of Colombian populations, cardiometabolic diseases.
Developmental Biology Laboratory-BIOLDES
Director: Zayra Garavito
Topics: vertebrate morphogenesis and organogenesis. Use of zebrafish as diagnostic support and design of disease treatment. Evaluation of biological activity of substances of interest in zebrafish.
Laboratory of Evolutionary Biology of Vertebrates-EVOLVERT
Director: Carlos Daniel Cadena
Topics: phylogenetic systematics, phylogeography, speciation, biogeography, historical ecology and conservation genetics of birds and other vertebrate animals from Colombia and other Neotropical countries.
Marine Molecular Biology Laboratory - BIOMMAR
Director: Juan Armando Sanchez
Topics: zooaxanthellae, coral reefs, coral bleaching, connectivity, phylogeography.
Laboratory of Botany and Systematics
Director: Santiago Madriñán
Topics: phylogenetics, biodiversity, biogeography, tropical biology, floristics.
Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology and Primatology-LEBTYP
Director: Pablo Stevenson - Professor: Andrés Link
Topics: conservation, animal behavior, basic ecology, ornithology, fauna inventories, botany, environmental education, forest regeneration.
Laboratory of Molecular Ecology of Aquatic Vertebrates-LEMVA
Director: Susana Caballero
Topics: molecular ecology, phylogeography, taxonomy, systematics, diversity.
Human Genetics Laboratory
Director: Helena Groot
Topics: molecular epidemiology of cancer, toxicological genetics, genetic polymorphisms, phylogenetics, cell cultures, disease susceptibility.
Laboratory of Molecular Interactions of Microorganisms in Agriculture-LIMMA
Director: Adriana Bernal
Topics: pathogenic bacteria, beneficial bacteria, plant colonization, bacterial genes, molecular interaction between pathogenic bacteria, genomics and transcriptomics.
Laboratory of Zoology and Aquatic Ecology-LAZOEA
Director: Emilio Realpe
Topics: invertebrates, benthic macroinvertebrates, microcrustaceans, aquatic entomology, taxonomy, biodiversity, distribution, bioindication, limnology, developmental biology.
Model Program: Biology Emphasis
First Semester
Second Semester
CBIO-4902 | Proyecto de Maestria | 0 |
CBIO-4804 | Semin. Dept. Ciencias Biologicas | 0 |
Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Third Semester
CBIO-4912 | Tesis Maestria 1 | 8 |
Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Fourth Semester
CBIO-4913 | Tesis Maestria 2 | 8 |
Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Model Program: Microbiology Emphasis
First Semester
Second Semester
CBIO-4902 | Proyecto de Maestria | 0 |
CBIO-4804 | Semin. Dept. Ciencias Biologicas | 0 |
Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Third Semester
CBIO-4912 | Tesis Maestria 1 | 8 |
Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Fourth Semester
CBIO-4913 | Tesis Maestria 2 | 8 |
Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Alumni Profile
At the end of the process, graduates are expected to be able to analyze a scientific problem, express opinions and propose alternatives to solve it; they are able to work in multidisciplinary teams during research processes; they are able to analyze scientific literature to the point of being able to participate professionally in its development, with above-average knowledge in their area of interest; in addition to the ability to clearly communicate scientific concepts. As a whole, graduates of the Master's Degree in Biological Sciences have the training to continue their doctoral studies, to perform professionally in their area of training and for teaching activities in their field of knowledge.
Contact Information
Ana Carolina Ronseria
Academic and Administrative Coordinator
ac.ronseria@uniandes.edu.co
Tel. 3394999 ext.3197
Catalina Gonzalez Arango
Master's and PhD Coordinator
c.gonzalez2579@uniandes.edu.co