Biomaterials and Nanomedicine

Education objectives

In the near future, the application of Biomaterials and Nanotechnology in the health sector will elevate Medicine to a new level. Nanomedicine refers to the combination of three scientific areas that share the common goal of exploiting the often unique physical, chemical, and biological properties of materials at the micro and nanoscale. These areas are: nanodiagnostics (in vitro diagnostics and in vivo imaging); nanotherapeutics (targeted delivery and controlled release of drugs); and regenerative medicine (tissue engineering and cell therapies).

The importance of using Biomaterials and Nanotechnology in the development of platforms for advanced therapeutics is recognized by the European Medicines Agency in its strategic reflection for 2025, highlighting the significance these emerging technologies will have in future healthcare.

The Master’s in Biomaterials and Nanomedicine will enable you to work in fields with the potential to revolutionize medicine, offering innovative solutions for a variety of diseases and medical conditions.

Why this Master''s?

  • The Master’s in Biomaterials and NanoMedicine is a unique program in Portugal and features uncommon characteristics in the international context;
  • It provides advanced training in the three areas of Nanomedicine: Nanodiagnostics, Nanotherapy, and Regenerative Medicine;
  • It has a strong practical focus, with real case studies;
  • It enables the acquisition of a unique set of knowledge and skills essential for training professionals vital both in research groups dedicated to these fields and in industries with high economic impact.

Career opportunities

  • Medical Device Industry;
  • Pharmaceutical Industry;
  • Cosmetics Industry;
  • Bio-synthetic Tissue and Organ Industry.

General characterization

DGES code

1203

Cicle

Master (2nd Cycle)

Degree

Mestre

Access to other programs

Access to a 3rd cycle

Coordinator

Luís Alexandre A. Fernandes Cobra Branco

Opening date

September

Vacancies

24

Fees

Portuguese students: 1500 €/year

Foreign students: 7000 €/year

Schedule

Daytime

Teaching language

Available soon

Degree pre-requisites

Duration: 2 years

Credits: 120 ECTS

Scientific Area Acronym ECTS
Mandatory Optional
Biology B 3 0
Biomaterials or Nanomedicine BM / NM 60 0
Engineering Sciences CE 3 0
Materials Engineering EMt 9 0
Nanomedicine Nm 21 0
Chemical Engineering  EQ 6 0
Medicine or Biology or Social Sciences and Humanities or Chemistry or Multidisciplinar Med / B / CHS / Q 0 9
Transferable Skills CC  3 0
 Any Scientific Area   QAC 0  6 a)
TOTAL 96 24

(a) 6 ECTS in courses chosen by the student on a list approved annually by the Scientific Council of NOVA FCT, which includes the unity of all scientific areas of NOVA FCT.

Conditions of admittance

Admission rules:

  1. Holders of a 1st degree (licenciado or legal equivalent) in the areas of Engineering Sciences, Exact Sciences or Natural Sciences;
  2. Holders of a foreign higher academic degree conferred after a 1st cycle of studies organized in the above areas, in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Process by a State adhering to this Process;
  3. Holders of a foreign higher academic degree, in those areas, that is recognized as meeting the objectives of the degree of licenciado by the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology;
  4. Holders of an academic, scientific or professional curriculum recognized by the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Sciences and Technology, under proposal of the Scientific Committee of the programme, as testifying the ability to carry out this programme.

Ranking:

  1. Course classification;
  2. Academic and scientific curriculum;
  3. Motivation letter;
  4. Possible interview.

Evaluation rules

The evaluation of all UC is continuous for all the components that integrate it, and it must be completed by the last day of the school term of the academic semester.

The continuous evaluation of a UC must include a minimum of three elements in the set of evaluation components, on dates adequately spaced throughout the period of classes.

All UC with a theoretical-practical evaluation component must provide, in addition, a form of evaluation of this component by exam, to be carried out after the period of classes (Examination of Appeal).

All requirements and conditions related to the evaluation of the UC, namely the minimum weights and classifications, if any, of each component, as well as the Frequency conditions, are defined a priori and, mandatorily, published in the Discipline Form.

For each UC, combinations of three evaluation components are allowed: (i) Theoretical-practical evaluation; (ii) Laboratory or project evaluation; (iii) Summative assessment.

The final Dissertation (or Project) involves a public discussion with a Jury.

Regulamento de Avaliação de Conhecimentos (Licenciaturas, Mestrados Integrados e Mestrados.)

Structure

1.º Semester
Code Name ECTS
13323 Biomaterials, Characterization and Nanofabrication 6.0
12481 Biomaterials and Nanomedicine 3.0
5324 Biosensors 6.0
13324 Polymers for Bioapplications 6.0
1.º Semester - Opções
Code Name ECTS
Options
11853 Molecular Biomedicine 3.0
7210 Structural Bioorganic Chemistry 6.0
10783 Clinical Biochemistry 6.0
11186 Drug Discovery, Design and Development 3.0
12490 Systems Physiology 3.0
10423 Business Management 3.0
11188 Molecular immunology 3.0
12107 Cell Death and Injury 3.0
10862 Microeconomics 3.0
11182 Active Ingredients 3.0
10506 Socio-Economics of Innovation 3.0
10508 Sociology of Organizations 3.0
O aluno deverá obter 6.0 créditos nesta opção.
1.º Semester - Unidade Curricular de Bloco Livre
Code Name ECTS
Options
11066 Unrestricted Electives 6.0
O aluno deverá obter 6.0 créditos nesta opção.
2.º Semester
Code Name ECTS
10380 Entrepreneurship 3.0
12486 Tissue Engineering 6.0
12488 Medical Imaging and Theranostics 6.0
12487 Host-NanoBiomaterial Interactions 3.0
12485 Drug Delivery Systems 6.0
12489 Translation in Biomaterials and Nanomedicine 3.0
2.º Semester - Opções
Code Name ECTS
Options
11853 Molecular Biomedicine 3.0
7210 Structural Bioorganic Chemistry 6.0
10783 Clinical Biochemistry 6.0
11186 Drug Discovery, Design and Development 3.0
12490 Systems Physiology 3.0
10423 Business Management 3.0
11188 Molecular immunology 3.0
12107 Cell Death and Injury 3.0
10862 Microeconomics 3.0
11182 Active Ingredients 3.0
10506 Socio-Economics of Innovation 3.0
10508 Sociology of Organizations 3.0
O aluno deverá obter 6.0 créditos nesta opção.
2.º Year
Code Name ECTS
13325 Dissertation in Biomaterials and Nanomedicine 60.0