Master of Science in Life Sciences - Applied Computational Life Sciences
From Biologist to Bioinformatician. From Food Technologist to Data Analyst. From Environmental Engineer to Data Scientist. From Biotechnologist to Application Developer. From Chemist to Cheminformatician. Make your life science degree digital. Become proficient in AI, Data, and Models. The future is here. Are you?

Why pursue a Master’s degree in Applied Computational Life Sciences?
The digital revolution is changing science and business. Expertise in AI and Big Data is becoming an essential skill. In this Master's programme, you will get these skills and combine them with your domain.
The job market is calling for domain specialists with specific skills in AI, data, modelling and simulation. Get excellent job prospects in the life sciences and be a sought-after specialist in the industry, universities, and authorities.

«I grew up in Zimbabwe and studied in Malaysia, Australia and now Switzerland. During the pandemic, I became increasingly interested in all the digital health initiatives that were being developed and how fast the uptake of them seemed to be. I realized that these technologies were here to stay and that we were only at the beginning of their potential. I wanted to be a part of this exciting field and saw this Master's programme as a way to bridge my interests and skills. By combining my background in health economics and policy with the technical knowledge gained through the Applied Computational Life Sciences programme, I hope to make a real difference in implementing sustainable digital health solutions."»
Shannon Vlahakis, Master's student and research associate at the Center for Computational Health, ZHAW

"I studied Health Sciences and Technology at the ETH, specialising in neuroscience. Since the topic of data science has become increasingly important in recent years, I also completed a Master's degree in Applied Computational Life Sciences at the ZHAW. This enabled me to expand my expertise with digital skills such as programming, neural networks and machine learning. In my current job as team leader responsible for the clinical information system (HIS) at Hirslanden, I use this mix of skills on a daily basis."
Sofia Rey, Graduate and Team Leader Clinical Information System, Hirslanden
Your background
You are fascinated by: Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Analytics, Biomedical Simulation, Citizen Science Technologies, Climate Modelling, Complex Systems, Computational Genomics, Data Integration and Semantic Web Technologies, Digital Health, Forecasting & Decision Making, Geoinformatics, Health Technologies, Lab Information and Management Systems LIMS, Personalized Medicine, Process Optimization in Food Technology, Smart Environmental Systems, Smart Farming.
You have a Bachelor's degree in: Agronomy, Bioanalytics and Cell Biology, Biology / Biotechnology, Chemistry, Energy and Environmental Technology, Information Technology, Engineering, Food Science and Management, Food Technology, Medical Technology, Pharmaceutical Technology, System Technology, Environment and Natural Resources, Environmental Technology, Forest Sciences or similar (admission with other degrees may be granted at the programme directors' discretion).
Career: What a Master’s degree in Life Sciences in Applied Computational Life Sciences will allow you to do.
This specialisation in Applied Computational Life Sciences lays the foundation for a career in a rapidly developing field. 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.
The possibilities for graduates are almost endless. Many find employment during their studies. They work as data analysts, data scientists, application developers or researchers in a wide range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agro-food, environment and medicine.
Suitable students have the opportunity to be accepted onto our Data Science PhD programme run in collaboration with other Swiss universities.
Good reasons for a Master’s study in Wädenswil
- 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.
Study programme and course content
Your studies include three areas of competence plus a Master's thesis, with a total of 90 credits (ETCS).
Based on your interests, before starting your studies you will work out your own personal learning objectives with your specialisation director and your supervisor. You will define the topic for your Master's thesis and design your own personal study path from the range of available modules.
Based on the topic of your Master's thesis, you will be assigned to a corresponding specialisation module that will fully prepare you for your Master's thesis. While working on your Master's thesis, you will be part of a research group that is working closely with our business partners or doing research at one of our institutes.
- Online study planner Your individual study plan.
- Master's thesis specialised fields Before starting your studies, you choose the field in which you want to write your research paper.
- Annual planning / timetables Important dates in the academic year.

"ACLS teaches you the skills you need for a digital future."
Dr. Matthias Nyfeler, specialisation director at the Institute of Computational Life Sciences

"How could a vegan world look like?"
Patricia Krayer has completed her Master's in Applied Computational Life Sciences (ACLS) and dedicated her thesis to the interesting question of what a vegan world might look like. Read about the surprising results she obtained in this interview.

"At the University Hospital Zurich, a new data science project is initiated almost every week. For example, attempts are being made to use data analytics to gain new insights for the treatment of patients or to use AI models to calculate forecast probabilities for diagnoses. As a graduate of the Master's programme Applied Computational Life Sciences, I am able to understand the technical aspects of such projects and assess the possibilities and limitations of using artificial intelligence. The solid understanding of data acquired during my studies helps me in my daily work with highly sensitive data, be it in the development of database interfaces or in the programming of various applications for data transformation and integration."
Matthias Joos, Graduate and Data Solution Engineer at the University Hospital Zurich
Your new skillset
- 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).
In addition, elective modules from the specialisations of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Chemistry for the Life Sciences or Food and Beverage Innovation can be taken.
Researching for practice
During your studies, you will expand your personal skills in technical expertise, and 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.
Thesis
Interesting research questions are created with partners from industry and retail. Our graduates have already developed interesting, relevant and viable answers and solutions in their work.
Ready for the next step?
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 Master's programme
Organise your studies
MSLS Community Centre
Ready for a new chapter in your life? Apply now.
Fees, important dates, timetables and the Study App at a glance.
The Moodle learning platform for modules taught jointly with other universities of applied sciences!