Participation in the course

The Student Agreement provides the details of the relationship between the parties; and defines the rights and obligations for both parties associated with their participation in the MemBioMed programme for the total duration of the educational programme. This document will be signed at the beginning of the programme by the student and the Programme Coordinator.

All modules are designed in accordance with the ECTS system (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) and national regulations. HEIs partners accept differences in national and/or local regulations among the Partner Institutions concerning awarding ECTS credits and they recognize the number of ECTS credits awarded by other HEIs in the Degree Programme without further conversion. All grades shall be converted and recognized in conformity with the joint conversion table for grades as established. The credit transfer process involves the sending of student marks by the partner universities attended per semester to the MemBioMed Coordination Office (MCO). The MCO, upon approval by the MemBioMed Management Board (MMB), incorporates converted scores into an official transcript of records for students. The MCO handles administrative procedures for ECTS recognition among participating HEIs, allowing the local Master diploma to be awarded. After obtaining all required credits and successfully defending the Master Thesis, official diplomas and diploma supplements are issued by the relevant HEIs and the MCO. Each Full Partner issues transcripts of records for students at their university at the end of each semester, sending them to the next institution and the Coordinator Officer for database recording. All grades shall be converted and recognized in conformity with the joint conversion table for grades as established.

After four full semesters finishing with the Master Thesis’ examination, the MemBioMed programme delivers a Multiple Master’s degree enabling candidates to apply for a PhD or integrate the job market. During the Master's programme, students should acquire advanced and/or extended knowledge and skills in the field of biomembranes.

Students must comply with the examination regulations and criteria of the HEI where they attend the teaching modules. HEIs partners are responsible for organizing and conducting examinations and assessments in accordance with the policies and procedures in place at the HEIs. At the end of each academic year, the Selection and Examination Committee (SEC) will review the study performance status of each student and will advise on continuation of the programme in accordance with the regulations at each university. Students should have validated 60 ECTS in the first year to be accepted in the second year.

Students with very weak study performance (decided by the SEC) may lose their scholarship or may be advised to end their study. Students who quit the programme early but have successfully completed courses will get a certificate stating the courses for which they have earned credits.

The Master Thesis project will be subjected to approval by the MemBioMed Management Board (MMB) and relevant committees at the respective Full Partner Universities regarding its feasibility, ethical aspects and concordance with the objectives and learning outcomes of MemBioMed Programme. The local partners enrolling students for the fourth semester are responsible for the Master Thesis work evaluation.

The Master's thesis should demonstrate that the candidate is in a position to work independently within a defined time period on a specific question within the field of Biomembranes using academic methods, and present this work accordingly. The topic of the Master's Thesis and the nature of the assignment must comply with the purpose of the examination and the working period allocated. The thesis is written in English.

Each student shall complete three internships (two lab rotations in semester 1 and 2 and one research project in semester 3). The internships are different from the Master Thesis. The internship shall be supervised by scientists specialised in Biomembranes employed at the organisation where the internship takes place. The duration of each internship should be at least 6 to 8 weeks. Prior to the internship, students shall submit a brief internship plan specifying their tasks and objectives in coordination with their internship supervisor to the Local Academic Coordinator. After having completed the internship, students will write a short report on their internship experience, work tasks, and learning outcomes. The internship supervisor shall fill in a brief form about the intern´s performance and contribution. These documents will be evaluated by the local coordinating team as part of the Quality Assurance. Students will participate in a virtual internship seminar and discuss their work experiences in order to maximize knowledge exchange about possible career outlets for students. Associated partners, guest lecturers or invited scholars may participate in these seminars as experts in the field who provide additional advice and guidance.

Admission to the oral Master’s Thesis defence requires that all courses have been passed, the internships have been completed and that the Master’s Thesis has been accepted by all supervisors. The Multiple Master Degree shall be awarded by the MemBioMed Coordination Office convened by both supervisors of the specific Master’s Thesis and the Master Thesis Jury. The oral Master’s Thesis defence will have a duration of about 45 minutes and will include the presentation of the master thesis by the student followed by a debate between the readers and the student. A record shall be kept including all relevant information.

Master Thesis Jury will evaluate the Master thesis and attribute a grade. In order to promote consistency in the grading, a standard marking template will be devised. The decision of the examination committee shall enter into force once approved by the Selection and Examination Committee (SEC). Students shall be entitled to repeat the final master examination only in case of failure.

The degrees shall not be awarded to students unless they have:

• gathered 120 ECTS within the Programme,
• completed the four semesters of the Programme,
• performed the compulsory mobility,
• completed the internships, and successfully passed the thesis defence.

The diplomas are fully based on the ECTS system and will be accompanied by a diploma supplement that lists all the courses and the title of the thesis with their accompanying ECTS credit points and grades with specification of training hours, language of instruction, institution delivering the course and all other relevant details such as the ECTS system. The final grade of the diplomas, if applicable, is decided by the Selection and Examination Committee (SEC), and communicated to the MemBioMed Management Board (MMB), who will contact the concerned HEI partner in order to deliver the respective diplomas, accompanied by the diploma supplement.

In the case of failure on one exam, a provisional validation of the corresponding mobility may be granted. The final validation shall be conditional upon retaking and successfully passing the exam.