Biomedical Imaging Master’s Degree Programme Attracts Students from All Around the World
In the International Biomedical Imaging Master’s Degree Programme, the students are introduced to the variety of imaging: all the way from the molecular and cellular level to animals and humans.
According to Petra Miikkulainen and Eeva Rainio, the Biomedical Imaging Master’s Degree Programme is unique in the whole world in regard to the extent of the studies. The students have several options to choose from and they can build a suitable course combination for themselves.
From autumn 2015 onwards, the joint Biomedical Imaging Master’s Degree Programme of the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University begins collaboration with the Drug Discovery and Development Master’s Degree Programme at the Institute of Biomedicine and with the Molecular Biotechnology and Diagnostics Master’s Degree Programme of the Department of Biochemistry. With the co-operation, the degree programmes’ course selection becomes more versatile and the students’ study options multiply. The period of application for all three Master’s programmes is 1 December 2014–30 January 2015.
– The goal of the curriculum, which is developed as a collaboration between all three programmes, is that there are fewer compulsory courses in each discipline and more optional courses. The students can choose courses from all three programmes and direct their studies towards their own interests more effectively than before, describes Coordinator Eeva Rainio.
The students of the Biomedical Imaging Programme come from several different countries and their background lies in, for example, biosciences, engineering or medicine. The Programme also offers a good starting point for Finnish students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree or a degree in a university of applied sciences in the field of natural sciences or biosciences.
– In the Biomedical Imaging Master’s Degree Programme, the students learn skills that can often directly be applied in research or working life. The strengths of our Programme lie in multidisciplinarity and internationality. Our students come from all over the world, for example, Middle East, Europe, North America, China and Africa, says Coordinator Petra Miikkulainen.
Studies Combine Medicine, Physics and Biology
Natalia Gurvits and Hend Abdelkader, who began their studies in 2013 in the Biomedical Imaging Programme, are excited that they get to combine physics, biology and medicine in their studies. The students who have a background in medicine are fascinated by the practical teaching and the chance to learn widely about different kinds of imaging techniques.
– I applied to the Master’s degree programme as it offers the possibility to use modern technology and provides tools for creating a successful career. Because of my medical studies, I can diagnose diseases, but I haven’t been able to help cancer patients, for instance. I want to learn more about the scientific side and especially about cancer research, says Gurvits.
According to Gurvits and Abdelkader, the students can support each other well because of their different scientific backgrounds. Medical students help the physics students in their own field and vice versa.
– We students share the knowledge between us as we possess different skills depending on our previous studies. I have seen many different medical cases in Egypt and I can share these experiences with the other students, says Abdelkader.
Natalia Gurvits (right) and Hend Abdelkader believe that the versatile command of several different imaging techniques is useful for their future career, as experts in imaging are often needed in examinations.
Unique Programme in a Worldwide Scale
Imaging has a long tradition in Turku and the Biomedical Imaging Master’s Degree Programme which started in 2010 is unique in a worldwide scale in its versatility. In addition to imaging, the students can study nanotechnology, material science or microscope and product development.
– The students get to see the whole range of imaging. For example, those who are interested in drug development are in an ideal situation to observe the effect of medicine first in the molecular and cellular level and then in animals and humans, says Rainio.
Most who study biomedical imaging continue their studies in doctoral programmes. Depending on their background, the students can also be employed by the imaging units of universities or other researches institutes, by pharmaceutical industry or continue their studies to become a medical physicist.
–So far, most of the graduates have remained in Finland to study or work. Some have also gone abroad. The medical students often return to being a doctor, says Miikkulainen.
More Information:
>> Biomedical sciences at the University of Turku
>> Apply to the master’s degree programmes
Text and photos: Jenni Valta
The PET image on the front page from the publication: Bojsen-Møller J, Losnegard T, Kemppainen J, Viljanen T, Kalliokoski KK, Hallén J. Muscle use during cross country skiing evaluated by positron emission tomography. Journal of Applied Physiology, 109(6):1895-1903, 2010.
Translation: Mari Ratia