VACCÄ°NE TECHNOLOGY SECOND CYCLE PROGRAM
Second Cycle Programmes
(Master's Degree)

D.1. General Information about Program

More than 200 years have passed since the development of the first modern vaccine, and the rate of infectious diseases globally has been significantly reduced by vaccination. Some diseases such as chickenpox have been eradicated by vaccination, and the incidence of diseases such as polio, tetanus, diphtheria and measles has been reduced to very low levels.

Most of the vaccines on the market consist of atenuated, inactivated or subunit vaccines containing part of the pathogen. These types of vaccines developed with traditional methods and has some inadequacy. For example, while the BCG vaccine developed a century ago against tuberculosis is effective in children, the effectiveness of the vaccine in adults is not at the desired level.

In recent years, a great deal of research has focused on improving existing vaccines in terms of efficacy, safety, and cost, or on obtaining new vaccines. However, the change in the density, age distribution and travel habits of human populations around the world, as well as the emergence of new pathogens due to climate changes bring the risk of pandemic disease. The current global health threat, COVID-19, started in Wuhan, China at the end of 2019 and was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020. It has been reported by the World Health Organization that Covid-19 has caused more than 4 million deaths to date. In addition to SARS-COV-2, the rapid spread of infections such as HIV, SARS, Ebola and Zika in recent years has once again emphasized the importance of making emergency preparations for pandemics around the world, rapidly developing vaccines against previously unknown pathogens and their intercontinental distribution. Moreover, the emerging antibiotic resistance in pathogens indicates the need for new approaches in the prevention of infections.

Next-generation vaccine technologies include the following strategies:

a) Production of immunogenic proteins using recombinant DNA technology

b) Chemical synthesis of polypeptide vaccines

c) Creation of recombinant vaccines with proteins from different sources

d) Genetic engineering of non-pathogenic mutant agents

e) Production of monoclonal epitopes of proteins of infectious agents

f) Development of nucleic acid vaccines

g) Use of nanotechnological carrier systems in vaccine development

Traditional methods of providing protection against diseases on a global scale are insufficient for the development of new generation vaccine candidates. New vaccine technologies that will enable rapid and large-scale production are primary importance. In this type of production,there is necessitiesto researchers from different disciplines, from physicians to engineers, chemists to life science experts. With the Vaccine Technology Master's Program, which will provide an interdisciplinary education, it is aimed to meet this need in subjects such as the development, control and large-scale production of traditional and new generation vaccines.

In order to be accepted to the Vaccine Technology master's program, it is necessary to have at least a bachelor's degree education in the field of health in higher education institutions. In order for the registered students to graduate, they are expected to complete the course taking process in accordance with the Hacettepe University Graduate Education, Training and Examination Regulations, and to be successful in thesis defense exams.

D.2 Qualification Awarded

Master's Degree

D.3. Level of Qualification

QF-EHEA: 2
EQF-LLL: 7

D.4. Provisions for Registration

The program accepts graduates from departments with at least a four-year formal bachelor's degree. To have ALES (SAY/EA) score type and ALES and Foreign Language base score determined by the Health Sciences Institute Board and approved by the Hacettepe University Senate.

To meet the application requirements of Hacettepe University Graduate Education and Examination Regulations and Health Sciences Institute and to be successful in the exam made by the commission consisting of faculty members of the department.

The exam will be as a written exam and/or interview exam evaluation. Getting 60 out of 100 in the written exam is a prerequisite for the interview. https://saglikbilimleri.hacettepe.edu.tr/en/menu/application_and_registration-252???????

D.5. Qualification Requirements and Regulations

Vaccine Technology master's program with thesis is a program that lasts four semesters. Courses must be successfully completed to earn at least 21 national credits (including the seminar course) and 60 ECTS credits during the program.

At the end of the second semester, students who complete these criteria with an average academic achievement of at least 2.50 can submit their thesis proposal. After the completion of the thesis, the candidate defends his thesis in front of the jury and completes the Master's Program if the thesis defense is successful in the knowledge, interpretation and synthesis sections. During the thesis period (two semesters), the student earns 60 ECTS.

D.6. Specific Arrangements for Recognition of Prior Learning

Successful students who have studied at least one semester in the graduate programs of the university or other higher education institutions can apply to transfer to another graduate program conducted at the University. In order for the applications to be accepted, there must be a quota for graduate students with thesis in the Vaccine Technology Department, the student must meet the student admission requirements of the graduate program to which they want to transfer, and have taken at least 2.75 (B3) from each of the courses taken.

Admission and adjustment of students whose lateral transfer is approved by the Academic Committee of the Department are finalized by the decision of the Health Sciences Institute Administrative Board in accordance with the relevant articles and provisions of the Hacettepe University Education-Training and Examination Regulation.

D.7. Goals and Objectives

The aim of the program is to train researchers from different disciplines but speaking a common language in the field of vaccine technology. Goals to be achieved:

• To understand the role of vaccine technologies in the prevention and treatment of diseases,
• To know the necessary processes from the R&D stage of vaccine production to the commercialization of the vaccine,
• To understand the importance of in silico, in vitro and ex vivo studies in new generation vaccine development technology,
• Knowing the principles of immunology, to have information about the immune response to be provided by the vaccines to be developed according to the disease type,
• To understand the requirements for planning and conducting preclinical and clinical studies in vaccine development,
• Contributing to university-industry cooperation in the development of vaccine technologies Contributing to the infrastructure needs of our country on vaccine technologies
• To understand national and international regulatory rules, patent, license and licensing processes in vaccine production.

D.12. Occupational Profiles of Graduates with Examples

Graduates of vaccine technology programs can find a place in the relevant private and public sectors, as well as in research facilities or laboratories established to produce biological products. They can take part in research and development projects. They can engage in academic activities in higher education institutions.

D.13. Access to Further Studies

QF-EHEA: 3
EQF-LLL: 8

D.14. Profile of the Programme

The courses in the program are semester-based. The first year of the program is mainly lecture-based, and the last year includes practical activities covering the thesis. To graduate from the program, at least 21 credits and 120 ECTS must be collected. 1 ECTS corresponds to 30 hours of student workload.

Since graduates from all four-year departments can be included in the program, there is a need for a scientific preparation program that will standardize the basic knowledge of new students after a jury evaluation. The jury will determine who will be the students to be admitted to the scientific preparation program. It is possible for these students to start the master's program with thesis after they get at least B3 in the scientific preparation program and are successful. According to the Hacettepe University Graduate Education and Examination Regulation article 24 ? (1) published in the Official Gazette dated 26 November 2016 and numbered 29900, the Scientific preparation program is not included in the required time to complete the Master's program with Thesis.

The first year of master's education is organized to complete the theoretical courses that will be the basis for future studies on vaccines. Lessons are reinforced with laboratory applications. Courses prepare students to plan their thesis one year from now. In the first two semesters, 50% of the courses are elective. Elective courses are included in both semesters to meet students' interests. After the approval of the advisor, students can choose courses from other programs of the university or from other universities.

D.15. Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

Measurement and evaluation methods for each course are explained by the responsible advisor in the relevant sections. Evaluation and grading are done according to Hacettepe University Graduate Education and Examination Regulations.

D.16. Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from the program, the student must successfully complete the compulsory and elective courses with not less than 60 ECTS credits, take the special subjects course with not less than 60 ECTS credits, and complete the thesis defense exam. The master's thesis is presented and defended in front of the master's thesis jury at the end of the second year. Students who successfully complete this defense can graduate with a master's degree.

D.17. Education Type

1. Full Time Education

D.18. Programme Director

Prof. Dr. Serhat Ãœnal

E-mail: sunal@hacettepe.edu.tr