Master studies in Life Sciences
Prepare for a challenging specialist or managerial role in the life science industry. Choose your specialisation from Food and Beverage Innovation, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry for the Life Sciences, or Applied Computational Life Sciences.
Why pursue a Master's degree in Life Sciences?
Practice-oriented research represents the core of your studies. You will work independently on research projects, deepen your knowledge of scientific methods and expand your skill set. With your Master's thesis, you will contribute towards addressing the challenges of our time, if possible in close cooperation with a company.
By joining a research group, you will become part of a creative research environment. You will learn the work methods most in demand in your industry, but you will also acquire project management, communication and presentation skills. The focus on practice-oriented research in the Master's thesis will allow you to combine scientific and entrepreneurial thinking and motivate you to innovate.
The work in the research group will also train your creativity, initiative and critical ability.
Being in close contact with the professional world during your studies will qualify you for management positions in international companies, agile start-ups and research institutions in the life science industry (e.g. chemical, pharmaceutical, medtech and food industry).
Specialisations
The job market is calling for specialists with a skill set in data management, modeling and simulation.
Applied Computational Life Sciences: Structure and content, Master's thesis
Working in the life sciences requires knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry, (bio) analytics, green chemistry, materials science and nanotechnology.
Chemistry for the Life Sciences: Structure and content, Master's thesis
Creating innovative solutions for the food and beverage industry. Developing new products and processes that are sustainable from feedstock to final product.
Food and Beverage Innovation: Structure and content, Master's thesis
Therapeutic proteins and antibodies are biotechnologically manufactured active substances, so-called biopharmaceuticals, which make it possible to treat diseases in a completely new way.
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: Structure and content, Master's thesis
Good reasons for a Master’s study in Wädenswil
Flexible planning
Together with your supervisor, before starting your studies, you will define your own personal learning objectives, determine the topic of your Master's thesis and design your individual study plan, which you will organise based on your previous training, interests and your individual goals. You will benefit from close cooperation with your supervisor and their research group, right from the start of your studies. The study agreement, drawn up at the beginning of the Master's programme, will give you space and help you find a balance between self-study, face-to-face teaching and digital learning. It will enable you to create your own personal state-of-the-art learning environment with a high degree of flexibility.
| Study content | ECTS | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Masters Thesis | 40 credits |
Based on your own original research, you will answer a specific question in this field and design solutions that are relevant for research, industry and society, often in cooperation with national and international partners. Through your work on the thesis, you will not only demonstrate your knowledge and skills, but also help advance the state of research in your specific scientific field. |
| Specialisation Skills | 20 credits |
Your scientific studies take place at the ZHAW in Wädenswil: Teaching is scheduled on three weekdays (Monday to Wednesday); other learning activities may take place throughout the week. |
| Core Competences | minimum 15 credits |
In these modules, you will acquire business-oriented skills. With these core competences in mind, you will strengthen your skills in the following areas: "Management, Business and Society" and "Handling and Understanding Data". Each module lasts half a semester. 2/3 of the lessons take place off-campus in Olten; 1/3 consists of more individual activities (accompanied exercises, case studies etc.) on-campus in Wädenswil. You will choose at least five out of seven modules. |
| Cluster-specific Modules | minimum 9 ECTS |
You will prepare for your subsequent specialisation and deepen your knowledge of the life sciences in these cluster-specific modules. You will choose at least three of the modules offered in the cluster of your choice. |
Detailed module descriptions can be found in the sections of the corresponding specialisations.
Full-time and part-time study options
The Master's programme in Life Sciences comprises 90 credits (ECTS) and 3 full-time semesters. This corresponds to a total of around 2,700 working hours. This intensive workload requires careful planning and organisation.
Studying part-time opens up many different paths to achieve your study goal - all tailored to your personal needs and circumstances. We recommend working part-time with a maximum workload of 50%. You will discuss and determine the specific organisation of your part-time studies before you start studying in your individual study agreement (ISA). If you have any administrative questions, please contact the Master's office.
Switching from full-time to part-time is possible: Submit a written application by calendar week 5 to switch for the next spring semester, and by calendar week 35 to switch for the next autumn semester.
Independent, research-based learning
Your study agreement, combined with a teaching approach that is comprised of independent learning and face-to-face lessons, as well as digital learning technology, create a state-of-the-art learning environment with a high degree of flexibility. The main focus of your studies is the Master's thesis. As a member of a research group, you will work on a specific issue from the business world or from the field of applied research - often in cooperation with national or international partners.
Practice and science
At the ZHAW in Wädenswil, you will study and perform research in fields where science meets practice. As a member of various international networks, you will work with modern equipment and methods. Cooperation projects between the four Swiss universities of applied sciences, ZHAW, BFH, FHNW and HES-SO, allow you to benefit from an ongoing exchange of interdisciplinary and intercultural knowledge during the Master's programme.
International mobility
Would you like to go international with your studies? The modular structure of our study programme gives you the option of studying abroad for a gap year, or of going abroad to work on your thesis.
Admissions, registration
Direct admissions
Candidates who hold a Bachelor's degree from a university of applied sciences or who hold a Diploma (predecessor of the Bachelor's degree) from a university of applied sciences with an A or B ECTS grade or a grade average of at least 5.0 (Swiss grade system) in one of the following fields can be admitted into the MSc programme in their desired specialisation without any additional requirements: Food Technology, Biotechnology, Chemistry and Applied Computational Life Sciences.
Candidates who hold a degree from a foreign university of applied sciences or a higher technical college (HTL) must have a grade average of at least 5.0 (Swiss grade system).
Candidates who hold a university or ETH Bachelor's degree with an A or B ECTS grade based on a final mark of at least 5.0 can be admitted into the MSc programme after completing a field-related 'passerelle', i.e. a 6-month internship in their desired area of specialisation.
Candidates who fulfil most, but not all of the requirements for admission may take a suitability test. The fee for this test is CHF 200.-.
Special admissions (sur dossier)
At the programme director and specialisation coordinator's discretion, other qualifications can be deemed suitable for admission. Special admission (sur dossier) is possible with adequate professional experience and previous education in the natural sciences. Admission with a lower grade can also be considered on an individual basis.
Registration
Use the application portal to apply online. You will be guided through the application, admission and enrollment process.
Registration closes at the end of October and at the end of April (unless otherwise agreed).
Classroom language
Classes for the cooperation modules are held in English (language competence level C1).
Cooperation
The Master of Science in Life Sciences is a cooperative venture offered by the ZHAW together with three other Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences. One third of the lessons take place across universities. In joint lessons at the partner universities in Olten or Berne, as well as during designated weeks, you will benefit from the expertise of all four universities, build a large network, and participate in inspiring interdisciplinary exchanges.
Counselling services
Take advantage of the free and confidential counselling services that are available to you before and during your studies on topics such as financing your studies, balancing studying and family life, studying and military service, studying and being an athlete, counselling in difficult situations.
You can find information and advice on the content of your studies on the websites of the relevant specialisation, or ask our study counsellors.
Alumni
As a graduate of the ZHAW, you become a member of "Alumni ZHAW", which gives you access to many useful services. The services range from perks in continuing education to language courses and translations and even free legal information (via phone). Alumni ZHAW comprises various departments. Graduates from Bachelor's and Master's programmes are eligible to become members of Alumni ZHAW.
The "Wädenswil Alumni Network" association was founded in 1943 by graduates of the former "Swiss School for Fruit Utilisation". It promotes the sharing of knowledge and experience between schools and alumni as well as the business community. Favorable conditions for continuing education programmes are another perk for members of the Wädenswil Alumni Network.
Do you have any questions?
This might also interest you
MSLS Community Centre
The Moodle learning platform for modules taught jointly with other universities of applied sciences!
Registration MSc Life Sciences
You can register here. The deadlines are 30 April and 31 October.
Financial issues
MSLS Community Centre
Registration MSc Life Sciences
Tuition fees and additional costs, grants, insurance.
The Moodle learning platform for modules taught jointly with other universities of applied sciences!
You can register here. The deadlines are 30 April and 31 October.