Study programme

The research project is the most important part of your studies. During this 9 months internship you will be part of a research team, practicing all aspects of research: from designing, planning and conducting experiments, to collecting and interpreting data, drawing conclusions, and writing a report or a scientific publication. 

The Research Project is preferably done in one of the MCLS affiliated research groups; the Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research  the Institute of Biodynamics and Biocomplexity, the Institute of Biomembranes  or the Institute of Environmental Biology . You perform your research project in a group that fits your chosen track. You do not need to have arranged an internship position before the start of your master.

Profiles take up a big part of your 2^nd year and can be viewed as the minor in your Master’s. They are designed to equip you with skills for your next step while studying. You select 1 out of 9 profiles, all with an own theme and focus. You can choose profiles that provide you with a broad skill set and help you prepare for a business, educational or societal career, or profiles that provide you with in-depth research skills, catering for a research career. The options include:

1. Applied Data Science profile 
2. Bioinformatics profile 
3. Communication profile
4. Complex Systems profile 
5. Education profile 
6. General Research profile 
7. Life Science and Society profile 
8. Management profile 
9. Translational Life Sciences profile 

You devote 10 weeks (15 EC) to compulsory courses. The courses depend on the track you are in. See the course list below for a detailed overview, including course descriptions.

The elective space can be used to address deficiencies in your previous education, complete additional courses, extend your profile or to do a mini-project if you would like to perform extra research.

The aim of the writing assignment is to perform an in-depth analysis of literature on a relevant Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences topic, that demonstrates your ability to critically evaluate hypotheses and results, and to present your own views on the matter.

This compulsory module is a combination of courses, workshops, seminars, and career events to acquaint you with a wide range of life sciences-related topics.