Tracks
The programme is built around 3 specialised tracks, each focusing on a specific field within Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences. When applying for the programme you must indicate the track of your preference. Your choice determines which courses you take and the type of research you are involved in for your research project. Though you must indicate your preferred track in your application, this preference is not necessarily definite. You can still switch tracks afterwards.
You can find some of the track-affiliated research groups under Study programme > Research.
Track options
This track is particularly suited for students who are interested in how organisms function, develop, and interact with their environment, and how genetic differences influence the molecular mechanisms underlying a broad range of biological processes.
You will learn how molecules function in an organized and coordinated manner in cells, in tissues, and ultimately, in the entire organism. You will expand your knowledge through theoretical courses and during internships working on how diverse biological processes, e.g. development, immunity, and responses to the environment, function from the level of genes to the level of the whole organism. Research is performed on a wide variety of model organisms, from bacteria to fungi, and from plants to Metazoan animals (C. elegans), using genetic, genomic, bioinformatic, molecular biological, cell biological, and physiological approaches. You will learn and understand how fundamental scientific knowledge is translated to applications in Medicine and Biotechnology.
Mandatory general track course
- Genes to Organisms (3 EC)
General track courses (choose at least one extra, 3 EC)
- Molecules & cells (3 EC)
- Biophysics & Molecular Imaging (3 EC)
Advanced courses (choose ≥ 9 EC)
- Virology (3 EC)
- Biotechnology (5 EC)
- Plant-Environment interactions (3 EC)
- Plant-Microbe interactions (3 EC)
- Bioinformatics and evolutionary genomics (3 EC)
- Model organism genetics (1,5 EC)
- Developmental genetics (1,5 EC)
- Light microscopy (3 EC)
- Microbial genomics (4,5 EC)
- Introduction biomolecular mass spectrometry (1,5 EC)
- Applied plant biology (4,5 EC)
- Analytics and algorithms for omics data (3 EC)
- Gene Expression, Epigenetics & Disease (3 EC)
Students should have sufficient knowledge, at a bachelor level or higher, in the field of genetics, physiology and microbiology or developmental biology.
For inquiries, please contact track coordinator dr. Daan Weits.
This track is for students with a keen interest in understanding and advancing our knowledge of cellular processes at the molecular level.
You will acquire an advanced theoretical framework in order to understand how different biomolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids or lipids, work inside living cells, and how molecular processes can be affected by drugs to treat diseases. You will perform research focusing on important biological questions at the frontiers of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, gain in depth experimental expertise and learn to critically evaluate relevant datasets. This will allow you to address a broad range of biological problems by selecting and applying appropriate experimental or computational methods available in the fields of Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Biophysics, Bioinformatics and (Computational) Structural Biology.
Mandatory general track course
- Molecules & Cells (3 EC)
General track courses (choose at least one extra, 3 EC)
- Genes to Organisms (3 EC)
- Biophysics & Molecular Imaging (3 EC)
Advanced courses (choose ≥ 9 EC)
- Virology (3 EC)
- Applied protein crystallography (3 EC)
- Applied Cryo-Electron Microscopy (3 EC)
- Research in intracellular processes and cell organization (3 EC)
- Biotechnology (5 EC)
- Structural bioinformatics & modelling (4,5 EC)
- Chemical biology (7,5 EC)
- Light microscopy (3 EC)
- Introduction biomolecular mass spectrometry (1,5 EC)
- Design of anti-infective drugs (6 EC)
- Protein Biophysics (1,5 EC)
Students should have sufficient knowledge, at a bachelor level or higher, in the field of Biochemistry and Cell Biology.
For inquiries contact track coordinator dr. Markus Weingarth or Prof. dr. Anna Akhmanova.
This track is for students with a keen interest in in-depth understanding, application, and development of advanced experimental and computational methods to study biomolecules and/or biological processes.
After having finished the 'Biophysics and Molecular Imaging' track successfully, students have acquired an advanced theoretical framework, allowing them to understand the fundamentals of advanced biophysical methods such as mass spectrometry, NMR, X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, and various optical microscopy methods. Students will have gained in-depth expertise allowing them to apply one (or more) of these methods and contribute to their development.
Mandatory general track course
- Biophysics & Molecular Imaging (3 EC)
General track courses (choose at least one extra, 3 EC)
- Genes to organisms (3 EC)
- Molecules & cells (3 EC)
Advanced courses (choose ≥ 9 EC)
- Advanced biomolecular mass spectrometry (3 EC)
- Applied Cryo-Electron Microscopy (3 EC)
- Advanced microscopy (7,5 EC)
- Structural bioinformatics & modelling (4,5 EC)
- Light microscopy (3 EC)
- Advanced biomolecular NMR (4,5 EC)
- Protein Biophysics (1,5 EC)
Students should have sufficient background knowledge at a bachelor level in the basics of Mathematics or Physics. For students who do not fulfill the entry requirements for the general track course Biophysics and Molecular Imaging, there is a possibility to take the course Introduction to Biophysics & Molecular Imaging at the start of the academic year (1 EC).
For inquiries contact track coordinator dr. Harold MacGillavry or Dr. Eric Huizinga.