Program Overview

Biomolecular Sciences

The Biomolecular Sciences programme is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the fundamentals of life. The programme focuses on the molecular and cellular processes that underlie life, and it aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to innovate and develop biotechnological solutions or treatments for various issues.

Curriculum

The programme combines compulsory core courses with elective courses, allowing students to delve deeper into specific topics. The core courses provide knowledge in molecular biology, while the elective courses offer a range of options for students to explore their interests.

• Overview
• Curriculum
• Future
• Admissions

Focus on Fundamentals

The programme focuses on the fundamentals of molecular and cellular processes, providing students with a solid background to innovate and develop biotechnological solutions or treatments. The programme also emphasizes the importance of a critical scientific approach, as biomolecular scientists are increasingly exposed to huge volumes of data from high-throughput methods.

Teaching Methods

Students are taught through a series of lectures, research tutorials, work groups, demonstrations, lab visits, lab and computer practicals, as well as onsite training and mentoring. Laboratory internships and an extensive literature study also form major components of the programme, under the mentorship and guidance of a researcher of the student's choice.

Internships

There are lots of opportunities for internships during the programme. Students can take their internships on campus, at affiliated Amsterdam University Medical Centres, or at any relevant research group in the Netherlands. Those without much practical experience are advised to do their first internship at VU Amsterdam, where they will receive more guidance from staff.

• Research departments at the Faculty of Science (e.g., A-LIFE)
  • AIMMS institute
  • Amsterdam University Medical Centre (or other Dutch medical centres, such as LUMC, UMC, and Erasmus MC)
  • Research institutes like NKI, ACTA (dentistry), AMOLF, KIT, or Sanquin

Support for Job Market Preparation

During the programme, students receive extensive support from junior lecturers and participate in a Professionalism in Biomolecular Sciences course designed to prepare them for the next steps in their career. The course includes training in professional skills, networking events, and mentorship of students' professional development.

Career Paths

As a graduate from the Biomolecular Science Master's programme, there are lots of career paths open. Students could start work as a medical product specialist, junior technical scientist, IT specialist and data scientist, or junior researcher at pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology startups. However, most graduates aspire to a career in research, starting their PhD straight after graduation.

Important Topics in Biomolecular Sciences

The programme covers various important topics, including:

• A new method to fight tuberculosis
• Regulation of gene expression
• Busy traffic within cells
• Microplastics in human blood

Start Date

The start date of this programme is September 1st. A schematic overview of the 2-year programme is available, and students can read more about the Biomolecular Sciences Master's programme and course descriptions in the study guide.