0 people like this post.

Hello!

This week, as promised in my previous post, I will dive into the thematic of Experimental and Medical Biosciences at Linkoping University, what is so special about this master’s programme, how the curriculum is organized. I will also explain why it is amazing to tailor your personal curriculum according to your wishes, preferences and abilities and few other things related to this topic.
I personally believe that humans share the same or very similar core traits but each-and-every one of us is different. That difference needs to be embraced and used as one’s main tool for the development of academic skills, but more importantly, it needs to be used for our personal growth and development.

So, how does the overall structure of the master’s program look like? 

One of the main reasons why I choose this program was the possibility to tailor and plan my own curriculum. As a highly independent person, who cherishes freedom more than anything, and doesn’t like norms or following a crowd – this was highly appealing.
Our master’s program is conceived as a program that embraces both theoretical and practical knowledge. Additionally, if you want to do research (lab work) that opportunity is possible in a form of 15 or 30 credits project within the first year of your program.
For your master thesis which is in the last semester of the second year, you can stay in Linköping or you can go abroad. 

What about Courses?

Some of the courses offered are Advanced Immunology, Tumor Biology, Neurobiology, Cardiovascular Biology, Pharmacology, Infection Biology, Stem Cells, and Applied Regenerative Medicine, etc. (for a full curriculum please visit the LiU web-page). There are only two mandatory courses which are Laboratory techniques and Analytical Techniques held at the very beginning of the program. These two courses are like foundational pillars upon which everything else is based upon and supplemented additionally. The idea is to bring all students to the same starting level since there is such a diversity in the educational background among students.
Meaning? You, for example, as a dentist can also study and build, with a little extra effort, a solid foundation during those two courses. 

What are the Teaching methods used?

This one might be very different from and depending on what you are used to.
Teaching methods could vary from course to course, but most of them are structured around the classical Power-point presentations. Learning through seminars, PBLs (problem-based learning), as well as doing research for your written assignment and others are also very viable options.
It is also worth noting that all courses are separated into a few obligatory assignments which will contribute to your final grade in the end.
For me personally, and for you as well, this was not a ‘’big deal’’ and huge step-up in the game, except for the group works. Group works and presentations are a pain in the you-know-what, but I am trying to improve those aspects as well. 

How am I sure this is the right thing for me?

Love, passion and even more love 😀

To be completely fair – you must love what you are doing or studying. To show up every day for something that you are not passionate about, something that you somewhat love or “kind of enjoy” will not be enough. Determination is one of the key values you must possess if you wish to succeed and not waste your time. You don’t have to have everything planned in advance, because sometimes things simply don’t turn out the way we intended. You have to be open and curious to learning new stuff.
I think with this master’s program you have more than a chance to explore different fields within biomedicine and possibly encounter something totally new which will spark curiosity in you.
Because at the end of the day you need to be aware that this will be a major part of your life, therefore making a wrong decision could potentially have a negative impact on your future self and career. It is okay if you feel this is not the right thing for you. Otherwise, don’t let anything or anyone stop you or get in your way. 

Thank you for finding the time to read my post. I really appreciate each-and-every one of you and be aware that you are a huge motivation for me and the reason as to why I am writing this 🙂 

I hope this helped you!

Until next time,

NKatarina  

Posted in Allmän | No comments »

Share:         Share on Twitter      

Tags: biomedicine - courses - curriculum - experimental and medical biosciences - master's programme - student life - teaching methods - tips

0 people like this post.

Greetings to all of you who have intentionally or just randomly decided to click on this post and got directed into the fast-paced and adventurous life of one biomedical student here at Linköpings University. That student would be me. In the case we didn’t meet already, my name is Nada-Katarina.

I’ve imagined this first post as an ice breaker (PS. ice breakers are popular in group works & PBLs but more about that soon).
An ice breaker in which I am going to introduce myself, give you a short educational background of mine as to why I chose this master program and biomedicine, in general, to be my life calling.  

So, as some of you may know, I’m 24 years old and was born and raised in Serbia. Besides being a digital ambassador for our university I am a full-time biomed student enrolled in the first year of Experimental and Medical Biosciences. I have moved to Sweden three months ago, leaving six years of life in Vienna (Austria) behind me, and currently enjoying this bitter-sweet 90-degree change of life.
Why bitter-sweet – you will get to know very soon (or you already do depending whether you study medicine or not 😛 )
My road to here was tough but it was worth it, and I would do it all over again if the opportunity presented itself.
Back in 2012, I have finished medical high-school and straight after my graduation I’ve moved to Vienna to study Pharmacy – it turned out I ended in slightly different waters. My bachelor study program was Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology which honestly made me go crazy at some points and pushed me out of my comfort zone enormously number of times, showing me how much I don’t know and how much more there is to be learned. Looking back on those years I can comfortably say that those years were the pivotal ones for me as a person, my educational foundation and for sure my future career.
Fast forward to January this year, I’ve decided to apply for two master programs in Sweden after realizing that I have enrolled a master’s program which I didn’t like and enjoy. This was constantly accompanied by the feeling that I’m making a mistake by forcing myself to love something which I don’t.
In March I’ve got a job in a pharma company followed by an acceptance letter from Linköpings University a day after. I turned the offer down and decided to go to Sweden!
Do I regret it? No! For the first time in my life, I have a feeling that I am in the right place at the right time. Like Bukowski wrote in one of his short poems ‘’It has been a beautiful fight. Still is.’’

Thank you for your time. Seeing as this post is already long enough there will be a second part in which I will dive into the thematic of why Experimental and Medical Biosciences at LiU and why biomedicine.

NKatarina

Posted in Allmän | No comments »

Share:         Share on Twitter