Regulation governing admission to the Official Master in Bioinformatics (BIOINFO)

Resolution of the Board of Governors dated 10 May 2006

(This translation into English is of an informative nature. The official version is originally in Catalan.)

1. Specific admission requirements

1.1 In addition to meeting the general admission requirements set out in current regulations, the following specific admission requirements must be met in order to be admitted to this official master's degree:
- Being in possession of any of the following degrees: biology, medicine, biochemistry, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicine, engineering, chemistry, physics and mathematics. For other degrees in similar fields that are not included in this list the departmental director in charge of the master may accept other categories of study programme in accordance with the person coordinating the master.
1.2 Students who possess a graduate degree in health and natural sciences which is equivalent to 240 credits are required to follow 80 credits (which is equivalent to four terms, 20 credits for theory and practical courses and one full academic year to complete the research project and protocol). All remaining students should take 120 credits (two academic years). These amounts do not include a 5-credit levelling module which may be taken prior to the start of the first academic year.

2. Number of places on the master

Admission to the master will be subject to the number of available places as determined by the University's Board of Governors.

3. Admission procedure

The University will open one single application period, during which applicants who meet the general and specific admission requirements, along with those who whilst not meeting them at the time expect to do so before the start of the course, may take part.

Upon completing their application for admission, applicants should submit supporting documents certifying the specific circumstances that are subject to assessment.

Final admission shall be subject to it being certified that the applicant does or will meet the general and specific requirements for admission to the master by the time the course begins.

4. Procedure for assessing applications for admission

If demand for places on the master is greater than availability, applications will be placed in order according to the criteria set out in this regulation.

The selection procedure will be conducted by a selection committee designated by resolution of the committee in charge of the official postgraduate master programme and appointed by the rector, or by the vice-rector to whom the task is delegated. The selection committee shall comprise three lecturers from the scientific field to which the master pertains, one of whom will be appointed as president and one as secretary.

It is incumbent on this committee to select applicants and to solve all issues arising from this activity which are not entrusted to another body.

The committee will publish the selection procedure schedule over the University's institutional website, stating the date on which results will be published. This committee must ensure that the selection procedure is complete before the registration period begins.

The committee will publish its final list over UPF's institutional website. An appeal may be lodged to the rector against this decision.

5. Assessment criteria

The following assessment criteria shall be applied during the selection procedure:

50% of the mark:
a) The academic transcript of official education certified in accordance with the UPF regulations for assessing academic transcripts.

10% of the mark:
b) Additional professional or academic training in areas of biomedical interest.

40% of the mark:
c) A specific assessment of personal skills and aptitudes. Applicants shall provide a letter of recommendation and a one-page brief (500-600 words, in English) stating the reasons behind the applicant's interest.

Additionally, the committee may hold an interview to assess any of the foregoing sections. If a decision determines that this interview is necessary it will be conducted by three members from the committee and will last no more than one hour. Applicants will be notified as to the date, the time and the content of their interview with one week's notice. During the interview, the committee may ask the applicant for further, specific information regarding aspects of the transcript and academic training, additional training, aptitudes, interests and motivation, deemed pertinent to the master's course.