The digital revolution is giving rise to profound changes in both science and business. Expertise in dealing with digital tools and large volumes of data is becoming an essential skill for specialists. In this master's program, you will acquire these exact skills and combine them with your subject-specific experience and your knowledge from previous studies (BSc).

The job market is calling for specialists with specific skills in data management, modeling and simulation. On the one hand, you will have excellent job prospects in the various areas of the food industry. On the other hand, you will be a sought-after specialist at universities, authorities and in national and international organisations.

This specialisation in Applied Computational Life Sciences lays the foundation for a career in a rapidly developing field of research and business. The programme provides essential knowledge in a field where science meets business, and opens up career paths in international companies, agile start-ups and research institutions.  

As a graduate of this programme, you will find a job that shapes the future. 

Suitable students have the opportunity to be accepted onto our Data Science PhD programme run in collaboration with other Swiss universities.

• We offer a customisable Master’s programme which you can complete in 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 semesters.
• The programme offers an attractive mix of modules from research, science, practice and business.
• You will have the opportunity to grow both as a professional and as a person, and to evolve into a sought-after specialist with leadership skills.
• We offer exciting research projects for your Master's thesis.
• You will be able to join a research group, where you can practice skills such as teamwork, initiative and critical thinking.
• You will benefit from small class sizes in the advanced modules, which offer interactive learning activities that will allow you to take charge.

• Processing and analysing data of various sizes and levels of complexity.
• Conceptual and technical skills to combine your expertise in a life sciences discipline with the potential of computational methods.
• Computational modelling and simulation of processes.
• Statistical modelling with machine learning and neural networks.
• Programming using modern scripting languages such as Python and R and you will understand the basic concepts of software and computer architectures.
• Analysis and solving  of complex problems that combine scientific, social and entrepreneurial thinking.
• Planning, implementation, evaluation and presentation of major research and development projects.

The picture above shows the general structure of a full-time Master's programme. Students design their own study paths and choose their own focal points.

Together with your supervisor, you design your own individual study plan from the range of compulsory and elective modules. The selected modules are recorded in your individual study agreement (planning).

A maximum of 10 ECTS can also be taken in elective modules from the specialisations of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry for the Life Sciences or Food and Beverage Innovation

During your studies, you will expand your personal skillset not only in terms of technical expertise and methodology, but also in terms of self-management. The practice-oriented research focus of your Master's thesis will foster your ability to innovate, change perspectives, and combine entrepreneurial with scientific thinking.

The work in your research group will not only help you develop your creativity, initiative and critical thinking abilities, but also your leadership and teamwork skills. We promote inductive, inquiry-based learning in small classes with interactive learning activities such as group work and presentations.