1 st year, 9 ECTS

This course consists of three main sections that will cover following areas: research methods, scientific writing and data presentation, data analysis using statistical methods and bioethical concerns in conducting and presenting results of a scientific work.

The largest part of the course will be devoted to teaching students how to plan, perform and present the results of a scientific investigation. As part of the course, students will learn and practise the basic elements of scientific style of writing, get instructions on how to plan the writing of a scientific paper, Master Thesis, oral or poster presentation. Presenting results of a scientific investigation is not possible without knowing how to test hypotheses using an appropriate statistical method. Students will learn a basic knowledge about different types of statistical analysis and hypothesis testing in the statistical section of the course. In the bioethical section, students will learn and discuss different bioethical principles that they have to apply when planning, performing or presenting their data.  

Detailed syllabus 2020/2021

The course will consist of the following lecture topics:

  • Philosophy of science
  • Ethics in scientific conduct
  • Ethics in human and animal studies
  • Research strategies, planning and organising
  • Literature searches and references management
  • Introduction to different types of research methods (translational medical, clinical, epidemiological, qualitative)
  • Statistical inference: 
    • Descriptions and characteristics of population and sample and normal distribution
    • Types of hypotheses and type I and type II errors.
    • Selecting a statistical test, analysis and interpretation of the results.
    • Categorical data analysis.
    • Analysis of continuous numerical data and analysis of variance.
    • Concepts of correlation and regression. 
    • Non-linear regression models.
  • Scientific communication – research paper, oral and poster presentation
  • Elements of science writing
  • Guide to grant application

Call for Pre-Applications - Biotechnology for the Life Sciences International graduate/masters research program, academic year 2025/2026

The Faculty of Biotechnology & Drug Development is happy to announce that the pre-application procedure is now open for students wishing to begin the graduate/research program “Biotechnology for the Life Sciences” in October 2025. Biotechnology for the Life Sciences is a research focussed program, taught entirely in English, aimed at students aiming to pursue a career in life sciences research, either in academia or industry. Notably, the first year includes two 8-week long research apprenticeships in research laboratories, while the entire second year is dedicated to an in depth original research project.

Interested students should download and complete the pre-application form and submit it to us, along with the other documents requested in it, to us by email (life.sci@biotech.uniri.hr) by 28th February 2025. This first call is open for applicants of all nationalities. More information can be found in the Call for Pre-Applications. A formal online application will also be required, and details of this will be sent to students in the pre-application system at the appropriate time. Please feel free to email us ( life.sci@biotech.uniri.hr) if you have any questions. The tuition fees for the course are €4500 per year, and apply to applicants of all nationalities.