MSc Coordinator of the Master in Virology

MSc Coordinator of the Virology Master: Prof. Urs Greber

Study Coordinator of the MSc in Biology: Dr. Karin Isler

Viruses are nano-carriers of nucleic acids, proteins and variably, lipids and sugars. They infect many if not all cells, albeit by different mechanisms and outcomes. Virologists study the nature of viruses, and unravel the mechanisms by which viruses infect cells and cause disease. They employ methods from molecular and cell biology, immunology, biochemistry, structural biology, systems biology and mathematical modelling. Virology is also closely associated with clinical and medical sciences, such as epidemiology. The program involves leading experts in virology, infectious disease, molecular cell biology and computational modelling.

The student is interested in understanding viral life cycles, host and viral factors that enhance or suppress infections, pathogenicity of viruses and immune defence against viral infections and viral evasion strategies. He/she learns how to grow viruses, carry out controlled infections of cells or animals, and analyse and interpret the data in light of virological, cell biological, immunological and medical relevance. The student uses chemical and genetic perturbations of viruses or target cells, and employs a broad range of molecular tools to analyse phenotypic and genotypic features of virus strains, infected cells or tissues. The student develops a solid foundation for a mechanistic understanding of viral disease in cells, animals or humans at the molecular, systems or population levels, and this may also epidemiological and modelling aspects.

Students completing the Master in Virology should be able to:

• Describe and explain complex viral infection and disease mechanisms in their own field of studies and beyond.
• Define the key concepts and methods used in their field of study.
• Critically analyse data from the literature, in the light of the state-of the-art in their field.
• Identify unsolved problems and key questions within a particular area of virology.
• Formulate a scientific hypothesis and design and conduct experiments for testing it.
• Design experimental strategies with appropriate positive and negative controls, and interpret the data.
• Communicate results effectively in both written and oral forms to a scientific audience in the format of reports, oral presentations or posters.

Note for foreign students:
Students with a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry or a related subject from a University other than the University of Zurich must apply online for admission.
See specific information

A total of at least 16 ETCS credit points (ECTS) are to be chosen in agreement with the thesis supervisor and the master coordinator.

Mandatory:

Courses amounting to a total of 12 credit points are to be taken from the following lists A+B (at least one course from Block A).

• Dr. Simone Bürgler
• Prof. Dr. Cornel Fraefel
• Prof. Dr. Urs Greber
• Prof. Dr. Huldrych Günthard
• Prof. Dr. Ben Hale
• Prof. Dr. Thierry Hennet
• Prof. Dr. Michael Hottiger
• Prof. Dr. Roger Kouyos
• Prof. Dr. Salomé LeibundGut-Landmann
• Prof. Dr. med Karin Metzner
• Prof. Dr. Nicolas Müller
• Prof. Dr. Christian Münz
• PD Dr. Jovan Pavlovic
• PD Dr. Maurizio Provenzano
• Prof. Dr. med. Janine Reichenbach
• Prof. Dr. Roberto Speck
• Prof. Dr. Silke Stertz
• Prof. Dr. Volker Thiel
• Prof. Dr. Alexandra Trkola
• Prof. Dr. Christian von Mering
• Prof. Dr. Lynn Wong