Program Overview

Introduction to the Master's Programme in Biomedical Sciences

The Master's programme in Biomedical Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and understanding required to operate as independent professionals within the disciplines covered by the programme. The programme aims to provide students with a broad understanding of biomedical sciences, ranging from molecular and cellular interactions to an integrative knowledge of the role of the immune system in various pathologies.

Programme Structure

The Master's programme in Biomedical Sciences is a two-year, full-time programme that consists of 120 EC. The programme is divided into two years, with the first year focusing on research specializations and the second year allowing students to choose their profile: Research, Societal, or Research Focus Program.

Year 1: Research Specializations

In the first year, students choose one of three research specializations: Immunology, Infectious Diseases, or Neurobiology. Each specialization includes a research internship (30 EC), at least three courses from the specialization (18 EC), and a choice of literature thesis, extra optional course, or extension of the internship.

Immunology Specialization

The Immunology specialization provides students with a broad understanding of immunological processes, ranging from molecular and cellular interactions between host and pathogen to an integrative knowledge of the role of the immune system in various pathologies. The specialization includes:

• Internship Immunology (30 EC)
• Advanced Molecular Immunology and Cell Biology (6 EC)
• Single-cell OMICs in Immunotherapy (6 EC)
• Clinical Immunology (6 EC)
• Optional courses: Molecular Infection Biology (6 EC)

Infectious Diseases Specialization

The Infectious Diseases specialization provides students with a broad understanding of the biology of pathogenic organisms and the interaction between pathogens and their hosts. The specialization includes:

• Internship Infectious Diseases (30 EC)
• Containment Strategies of Infectious Diseases in Global Context (6 EC)
• Molecular Infection Biology (6 EC)
• Parasitology (6 EC)
• Optional courses: Advanced Molecular Immunology and Cell Biology (6 EC), The Human Microbiome in Health and Disease (3 EC)

Neurobiology Specialization

The Neurobiology specialization provides students with knowledge, insight, and understanding of the state of the art in terms of developing theories and insight into the most important current research issues in the neurosciences. The specialization includes:

• Internship Neurobiology (30 EC)
• From Molecule to Mind (6 EC)
• Statistics in Neurosciences (6 EC)
• Optional courses: Clinical neurosciences (6 EC), Genetics in Neuroscience (6 EC)

Year 2: Profile Choices

In the second year, students can choose from three profiles: Research, Societal, or Research Focus Program.

Research Profile

The Research profile allows students to choose one of the three research specializations, different from the first year.

Societal Profile

The Societal profile includes four specializations: International Public Health, Science Communication, Science in Society, and Education.

International Public Health Specialization

The International Public Health specialization provides students with a broad understanding of current and future challenges in international public health, their main causes, and applied and potential interventions. The specialization includes:

• Internship International Public Health (30 EC)
• Containment Strategies of Infectious Diseases in Global Context (6 EC)
• Research Methods for Health Sciences (6 EC)
• Policy, Management and Organisation in International Public Health (6 EC)
• Constrained choice: Health, Globalisation and Human Rights (6 EC), International Comparative Analyses of Health Care Systems (6 EC), Disability and Development (6 EC)

Science Communication Specialization

The Science Communication specialization provides students with a theoretical understanding of the complex problems that arise during communication processes between scientific actors and society. The specialization includes:

• Research Methods for Analyzing Complex Problems (6 EC)
• Science and Communication (6 EC)
• Constrained choice: Communication, Organization and Management (6 EC), Science Journalism (6 EC), Science Museology (6 EC), Science in Dialogue (6 EC)
• Internship: Reflective Practice Internship Science Communication (30 EC) or Research Internship Science Communication (30 EC)

Science in Society Specialization

The Science in Society specialization provides students with a theoretical understanding of the complex problems that arise during communication processes between scientific actors and society. The specialization includes:

• Internship Science in Society (30 EC)
• Analysis of Governmental Policy (6 EC)
• Research Methods for Analyzing Complex Problems (6 EC)
• Communication, Organization and Management (6 EC)
• Constrained choice: Business Management in Health and Life Sciences (6 EC), Health, Globalisation and Human Rights (6 EC), Management of Innovative Technologies in Community-Based Health Care (6 EC), Policy, Politics and Participation (6 EC), Clinical Development and Clinical Trials (3 EC), Disability and Development (6 EC), Science in Dialogue (6 EC)

Education Specialization

The Education specialization provides students with a certificate that qualifies them to teach Biology in secondary schools. The specialization includes:

• Schoolvak Bio Ecologie en biodiversiteit (5 EC)
• Schoolvak Bio Evolutie (3 EC)
• Schoolvak Bio Planten (5 EC)
• Leraar VHO februari start or Leraar VHO September start
• Keuzevakken: Practical research 2 (6 EC), Omgaan met maatschappelijke controverses in de klas (3 EC), Onderzoekend leren (3 EC), Vernieuwend Onderwijs (3 EC), ICT en Onderwijs: blended learning (3 EC), Tweetalig Onderwijs (3 EC), Vergelijkende Onderwijskunde: VO in het buitenland (3 EC), Lesson study (3 EC)

Research Focus Program

The Research Focus Program allows students to choose a free curriculum with a second research internship.

Compulsory Courses

In addition to the specialization courses, students must take the following compulsory courses:

• Study and Career year 1 M BMED (0 EC)
• Ethics in Life Sciences (3 EC)
• Scientific Writing in English (3 EC)
• Study and Career year 2 M BMED (3 EC)
• Literature thesis Biomedical Sciences (9 EC)

The Master's programme in Biomedical Sciences at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam provides students with a comprehensive education in biomedical sciences, preparing them for a career in research, education, or industry. The programme's flexible structure allows students to tailor their education to their interests and career goals, making it an attractive option for students from around the world.