IUS is working on the implementation of a joint master's program in the field of Bioanalytical Technologies with the Catholic University of Lublin. The project is fully sponsored by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). This type of program is of great significance to IUS, and something more about the benefits and importance of this cooperation was explained by Asst. Prof. Dr. Altijana Hromić-Jahjefendić, Head of Department of Natural Sciences and Genetics and Bioengineering program coordinator at IUS.
How did the cooperation with the Catholic University Lublin start?
The cooperation was originally realized through the ERASMUS project of the exchange of academic staff and students in the field of natural sciences. Many professors, assistants and students of the Department of Genetics and Bioengineering had the opportunity to participate in academic exchange, which led to an attempt to establish a joint master's program in a field that is currently in high demand in the market.
What is bioanalytics and what will the launch of this program mean for IUS and our students?
Bioanalytical technologies represent a branch of science that is an indispensable part of the development of various segments of modern academic institutions and industry. Scientific laboratory content is present in a many industries, including the sectors of health, pharmacy, food, agriculture, education and scientific research. Advances in laboratory technology have greatly improved the testing and diagnostic capabilities. The development of bioanalytical techniques has brought about a progressive discipline which is only expected to develop at full capacity in the coming decades. This is progressive discipline and there are many opportunities to improve sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, efficiency, data quality, data handling and processing, analysis costs and environmental impact. The reliability of analytical findings is very significant in many branches, including forensic and clinical toxicology. Unreliable results, for example, can lead to unjustified legal consequences for the defendant or the mistreatment of the patient. It is necessary to meet the parameters of precision, accuracy, and sensitivity. Here, a significant role is played by qualified staff, which would be provided by the new study program at the Department of Natural Sciences.
The program will be implemented in cooperation with the Catholic University of Lublin, which is a very respectable higher education institution in the EU member state. At both institutions, significant emphasis is placed on adequate staff and the availability and equipment of laboratories, and both institutions provide students with state-of-the-art laboratories. In addition to basic laboratory knowledge, candidates will have the opportunity to get directly acquainted with the advanced principles of research and industrial laboratories. Both institutions have provided cooperation with various industry partners, which is important for acquiring practical knowledge through experience in a real-life environment. All this will enable students to work practically and be trained to apply the acquired knowledge directly to the labour market. The goal of the program is to develop professional, communication, business, analytical, information and research skills. The study program will enable the development of basic and advanced professional knowledge in the field of analytical techniques and research tools based on biological sciences. Also, students will develop the business knowledge and skills and upon completion of the program will be able to plan and manage risks, know the work ethic and legal basis of business, be familiar with the principles and able to apply quality assurance in the development, production and control of biotechnological and pharmaceutical product.
What is the goal and what are the learning outcomes of the new master study?
The goal of the second cycle of studies in the Bioanalytical Technologies program is to enable students to systematically understand the acquired knowledge in the field of biotechnology and their practical use. In that sense, the basic goal of the program is to integrate theory and practice through the permeation of the teaching-scientific process with the work of students "in-situ" in modern laboratories in which students will have the opportunity to test the acquired knowledge. Within the development of professional and personal competencies, the development of interpersonal skills and independent learning skills has a special dimension.
The main goals of the study program Bioanalytical Technologies are aimed at acquiring theoretical and practical knowledge and general and specific competencies that will enable the formation of experts who are in demand in both industry and academia. In addition to laboratory knowledge, candidates will have the opportunity to get directly acquainted with the advanced principles of work of scientific research and industrial laboratories. Through the knowledge in the field of biology and statistical analysis, candidates will be able to professionally apply analytical techniques in many positions where they will have the opportunity to work. In addition to basic professional knowledge, the program offers knowledge and skills in other disciplines necessary to work in a modern laboratory such as optics, mathematics, information technology and programming. All mentioned skills will enable the use of advanced analytical techniques and research tools used in diagnostic, control and research laboratories.
The learning outcomes of the second cycle of studies are formulated on the model of national and international practice. When defining the learning outcomes of the study program Bioanalytical Technologies, the guidelines, given in the European Qualifications Framework as well as BH qualifications framework and existing practice in Bosnia and Herzegovina, were fully taken into account. Learning outcomes are divided into several categories, namely: the knowledge that students acquire with completed studies, skills (application of knowledge), and general competencies, which can be personal and professional. Compulsory subjects include all defined learning outcomes, and through the selection of elective subjects, candidates choose key learning outcomes that they will further develop.
What title is acquired after graduation, and what are the employment opportunities?
After the candidates develop basic and advanced professional knowledge in the field of analytical techniques and research tools, based on biological sciences, they will be able to apply them professionally in many potential employment positions. The additional value that the program brings and that will increase employment opportunities is the fact that in addition to basic professional knowledge, candidates will gain knowledge and skills in other disciplines needed to work in a modern laboratory and through the program get acquainted with different aspects of business and biotechnology industry.
As part of the program, candidates will undergo internships in company laboratories, research and development centres and diagnostic laboratories, which is a great advantage when hiring. In other words, candidates will already gain some experience during their studies that future employers will be able to use.
The demand for this type of staff is high and candidates will be able to find work in a variety of international or local environments. Bioanalytical technologies today are increasingly attracting young people around the world because they include career opportunities in areas such as biological approaches to database maintenance, their design and interpretation, creation and analysis of DNA / RNA sequences, proteomics, preclinical and clinical pharmacology, molecular diagnostics, etc.
After the successful completion of the second cycle of studies in Bio analytical Technologies, the candidate acquires the right to be awarded the academic title of Master - graduate engineer of bioanalytical technologies. Based on this, the candidate will play a leading role in the identification and application of existing and new algorithms, analytical techniques, and computer procedures to interpret a wide range of data derived from genetic, proteomic, metabolic and cellular phenotypic methods.