Biochemistry

Biochemistry studies the molecular mechanisms that determine how a cell responds to its environment, but also to the challenges of their own physiology.

To introduce the students to this question, they are taught a deeper understanding of complex processes, such as intracellular transport, regulation of the cytoskeleton, cell division and cell growth. Comprehension of these processes is crucial to elucidate the function of healthy cells. It also allows understanding how diseased cells (eg cancer cells or transformed cells after viral infection) behave.

Biochemistry is a multidisciplinary science. In order to analyze the questions Biochemistry utilizes a variety of methodological approaches and model organisms. We mainly focus on classical biochemistry and molecular biology. However, cell biology, genetics and modern microscopic analysis techniques are part of everyday repertoire of methods.

Students are taught and accumulate an extensive knowledge-base. In the research groups early on they are introduced to current issues and encouraged to develop their own questions. Students are encouraged to find their answers independently through experimentation. In addition, emphasis is placed on appropriate communication, presentation and discussion skills of the results.

The first time you edit your master’s enrolment go to “Functions” -> “Specialisation” and choose your major.

Every student's study programme is defined in the learning agreement in myStudies.

• Go to “Functions” -> “Learning agreement”. The compulsory courses are already listed. The compulsory electives and the elective courses can be entered according to the discussion with your major advisor. In the end submit your entries to your major advisor for approval.
• The learning agreement does not have to be complete in the beginning and it can be changed during the course of the study time. All additions and changes have to be approved by your major advisor.
• All compulsory courses are marked with “Yes” in the section “Completion of mandatory courses”.
• Compulsory courses that were done in the ETH Biology Bachelor’s programme have to be marked with “Other programme”.
• In the rare case a compulsory course does not have to be taken with agreement of your major advisor it can be marked with “No”.
• The section “ECTS credits” shows the planned, the needed minimum and the missing CPs in the categories “Compulsory Subjects and Compulsory Electives”, “Electives” and “Research Projects” (not shown Master’s thesis, Master’s exam and GESS-course).
• For the Master’s degree 24 CPs must be acquired in the categories “Compulsory Subjects and Compulsory Electives” and “Electives” whereof at least 18 CPs have to come from the category “Compulsory Subjects and Compulsory Electives”.
• Courses listed in the learning agreement must be registered in myStudies under “Course registration” (no automatic transfer!).If a course is registered, the dot in front of the course’s name in the learning agreement turns green. Without a registration it turns red.

Two semester course

551-0319-00L Cellular Biochemistry (Part I)

and

551-0320-00L Cellular Biochemistry (Part II)

Zusätzlich einer der folgenden beiden Kurse:

Autumn semester

551-1303-00L Cellular Biochemistry of Health and Disease

or

Spring semester

551-1310-00L A Problem-based Approach to Cellular Biochemistry