Master in Molecular Life Sciences

The goal of the Master of Science in Molecular Life Sciences (MLS) is to train students for the exploration of life through experimental and computational approaches.
The Master MLS aims at students enthusiastic both for individual as well as interdisciplinary work, with acquisition of specialised and transferable skills. In short, the MLS program offers:

• Two personal research projects: a first-step and a master thesis (Master research project) .


• A variety of specialized lectures exploring micro-organisms, biotechnology, plants, animals and humans, from which students can compose their own curriculum of choice.


• Specific classes in scientific grant writing and reviewing.


• A unique practical course allowing students to sequence and analyse the genome of a micro-organism, applying the most recent sequencing and computational techniques. 


• Master start with a retreat.

The Master MLS has three specialisations, highlighting the specific personal research and course topics that the students are following:

At the end of the Master of Science (MSc) in Molecular Life Sciences studies, students will be able to:

1. Mobilise and apply the knowledge acquired through creativity to solve scientific problems of molecular genetics, genomics, cell biology and development, microbiology, bioinformatics.


2. Respond to a biological question through laboratory experiments and / or computational analysis.


3. Have a capacity for observation and learning, both theoretical and experimental, and adaptation according to new information to be taken into account.


4. Analyse, integrate and summarise various types of data from the literature, both experimentally and in the field.


5. Manage bibliographic resources (databases, scientific journals, etc.) and analyse and summarise the scientific literature related to the field concerned during the development of a scientific project and its realisation.


6. Make a critical analysis of results or a scientific approach.


7. React on the spot and appropriately during discussions and problem solving.


8. Organise their work and projects individually and / or in teams, taking the initiatives and contacts required for their completion.


9. Communicate their results orally and in writing through various channels (oral presentation, presentation on the basis of a poster, writing of a written report and a scientific article).


10. Defend a project before experts and explain it to economic and political actors.


11. Have proficiency in written and spoken English for reading scientific texts, writing articles and communicating with experts.

Specific training objectives by specialisation are described in their own webpage.

The University of Lausanne collaborates with the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale of Lausanne (EPFL) and the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV). Joint centres of excellence and university technical platforms (for example: genomics; proteomics, and imaging) complement an outstanding teaching and research programme.

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