History of the Section of Medicine
The Section of Medicine was created at the beginning of 2018 as a result of the restructuring of the Faculty of Science and Medicine (SciMed) into two sections.
This step was necessary to enable the introduction of the Master in Human Medicine. For this purpose, the former Department of Medicine had to expand into the areas of clinical medicine and community health. Five Departments and one Institute were thus created, which are able to cover the entire spectrum from molecular biomedical subjects to hospital and family medicine as well as public health. In addition, the strong collaboration with the Fribourg Hospital (HFR) and the Fribourg Network for Mental Health (FNPG) was further expanded.
A few key moments in our history:
As early as 1896, at the creation of the Faculty of Science, it was possible to absolve the first year of medical studies at the University of Fribourg. Since 2019, a full Bachelor and Master degree programme in human medicine is offered in Fribourg. Sport Sciences started with an optional course in "Physical Education and Sport" for secondary schools teachers in 1970. Since 2010, in cooperation with the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen, a complete study programme up to Master level is offered. The Biomedical Sciences are offered at Bacheler level since 2006.
2023
At the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of the Masters in Human Medicine, the graduates were able to take the Swiss Medical Oath. This is a voluntary pledge for medical doctors geared towards ethical, patient-oriented medicine in a changing economic environment. It is based on the Hippocratic Oath.
Start of the new Master programme "specialised Master of Science in Digital Neuroscience", a cross-faculty programme in collaboration with the Human-IST Institute.
The programme "specialised Master of Science in Experimental Biomedical Research" is expanded from 90 to 120 ECTS.
2022
In summer, the first cohort of the Masters in Human Medicine graduated. At a ceremony in the new Med16 building at the HFR Fribourg Hospital, representatives from both cantonal politics and the university and hospital management were present.
In the same year, the first Fribourg graduating class took 1st place in the practical part and 2nd place in the theoretical part of the Federal Examination in Human Medicine, held simultaneously at the six medical faculties in Switzerland.
In Switzerland, medical education (Bachelor and Master) is subject to accreditation every seven years, which verifies whether the objectives set out in the Medical Professions Act (MedBG) and the Higher Education Promotion and Coordination Act (HFKG) have been achieved. In 2022, both the Bachelor and the Master of Medicine were accredited by the Swiss Accreditation Council without any reserve.
2019
Introduction of the Master programme in Human Medicine in line with the Swiss learning objectives catalogue PROFILES starting in the autumn semester. This is an interdisciplinary programme unique in Switzerland with its focus on family medicine and the actual needs of the population.
2018
The Faculty of Science and Medicine (SciMed) is formed. Through the restructuring of Faculty of Science, two Sections are formed: the Section of Science and the Section of Medicine.
2015
The Master programme "specialised Master of Science in Experimental Biomedical Research" starts in the autumn semester.
2010
In cooperation with the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen (SFISM), a Master programme in Sport Sciences is offered with a focus on "teaching".
2009
The third year progamme of medical studies is introduced in the autumn semester 2009 applying the Bologna system. This completes the full Bachelor programme in Human Medicine in Fribourg.
2007
The Bachelor programme in Sport Sciences and Movement Control starts in autumn with two options: a mono-disciplinary option "Health, Performance and Research" and a bi-disciplinary option "Physical Education at Secondary Level I and II".
2006
In September, the first cohort of the BSc in Biomedical Sciences starts with 69 students, exceeding the inital expectation of 20 students.
2004
The idea for a degree programme in Biomedical Sciences (BScBMS) is born. With the Medical Faculty of the University of Bern as a partner, a Bachelor programme is planned in the Department of Medicine in Fribourg, with a follow on Master programme in Bern.
1998
Restructuring of the Sports Department into the "Institute for Physical Education and Sport" with the following areas of activity: management of sports facilities, organisation of university sports and offer of a study programme physical education (Minor) for secondary teachers.
1974
The State Council approves the reorganisation of the Department of Medicine's Sports Division, thereby enabling the creation of an Institute dedicated to specific training for physical education teachers.
1970
The Education Directorate of the Canton of Fribourg authorises the Department of Medicine to offer an optional course "Physical Education and Sport" for secondary school teachers.
1938
The second year of medical studies (propaedeutic years) is introduced. It was possible to study the frist year of veterinary medicine in Fribourg until 1998, the first two years of pharmaceutical studies until 2013 and the first two years of dental medicine until 2016.
1896
Only seven years after the founding of Fribourg University, the Faculty of Science is created, based in a former wagon factory on the Pérolles plateau. This included (in the winter semester of 1896/1897), the first year of medical studies.
1886
In the project for a university in Fribourg originally approved by the Grand Council on 24 December 1886, there were unrealised plans for a Faculty of Medicine.