Master in Bioengineering | Rebeca González

What stands out about the programme?

What I would highlight about the master's degree is the large number of hours and the diversity of laboratory work (molecular biology, tissue engineering, bioreactors, biomaterials, and bioinformatics) in addition to the extensive knowledge and involvement of the professors who teach the classes.

Why did you decide to do this Master's Degree?

I looked at several master's degrees but finally decided on this one due to the large number of lab hours it offered and because it seemed really complete.

What subjects and laboratory work did you like the most?

I learned new things in all the subjects, although I would have passed on some of them during the degree! But if I had to highlight any, the ones I enjoyed the most were genetic engineering, synthetic biology, tissue engineering, HTS, and bioethics.

I enjoyed and learned a lot from all of the laboratory work I did in general, so I couldn't say which one I liked best. If I had to choose one, it would probably be the molecular lab as it teaches you a lot of laboratory techniques that are widely used today. And bioreactors too as I had never done anything similar and it helped me see the practical function of these subjects.

What is your Master Thesis about? 

I am finishing writing my Master Thesis now, which I've done in the Biochemistry department and which has been divided into two projects. First, the discovery and characterization of new chitin deacetylases (CDAs) that enable finding new acetylation patterns, and second, I have worked on expressing and purifying two bacterial autolysins (CwlE and CwlH) in order to characterize them.

What's your personal assessment?

My assessment of the programme is great overall. I think it has helped me acquire knowledge and skills that will be very helpful to me when I join the labour market.

What do you think the master's degree has brought you personally and professionally?

The master's degree has given me a lot of ease and independence when working in the laboratory, as well as extensive knowledge in various bioengineering fields, all of which has helped me grow personally and professionally.

What advice would you give to a future student?

I would tell them that, if you're looking for a complete master's degree with a lot of lab work and great professionals who prepare you for the labour market and you're willing to make an effort, this is the master's degree for you.