Life Sciences: Systems Biology – (M.Sc.)

Contents

The programme comprises eigth key courses. Each student should complete four of these courses are compulsory, and has to choose two of the other four courses depending on their field of interest.

Compulsory courses

• Introduction to Systems Biology
• Systems Biology in Practice
• Biosystems data analysis
• Systems Biology Grant application & Academic Skills

Optional courses (two out of four)

• Basic models of biological networks OR Molecular Microbial Physiology
• Advanced modelling in Systems Biology OR Molecular Structure in Biology

In addition, a large number of specific advanced courses are offered by the participating institutes of the University of Amsterdam and the VU University Amsterdam. The second year of the programme is devoted to individual research training.

Students can choose to complete their programme either with a more theoretical focus on the computational aspects of systems biology and on bioinformatics, or with a more experimental training relevant to systems biology. However, all students will be provided with a programme that guarantees cross-over to such an extent that the succesful student can communicate with his colleagues irrespective of his focus on experimental or computational disciplines.

Research training

The second year is primarily devoted to individual research training. Research takes the form of a major research project conducted within one of the participating research groups, resulting in a Master's thesis, and a smaller research project conducted in a second, different research group. A literature study concludes the programme.

Usually the research project(s) will be carried out at one of the participating institutes of departments of either the VU University Amsterdam or the University of Amsterdam. Research topics include:

• plant, human and microbial physiology;
• epigenetics;
• human disease research (oncology, immunology, metabolic disorders);
• biotechnology;
• microscopy and structure biology;
• analytical chemistry;
• network analysis;
• mathematical modeling

Professional specialization within the Master’s programme

In general, Master’s students are trained to become independent researchers. But at the UvA Faculty of Science you can also choose to complete your Master’s programme with a professional specialization, that focuses on other skills than doing research. In that case you will follow the programme of your chosen scientific discipline during the first year of your Master’s, and the programme of the specialization during the second year.

You will graduate as a Master of Science.

There are three professional specializations available:

• Science Communication
• Teaching
• Management, Policy Analysis & Entrepreneurship.

A note to readers who don’t speak Dutch: Only the specialization Management, Policy Analysis & Entrepreneurship is described in English, because the other two specializations are only taught in Dutch.

Degree requirements

A Master of Science in Life Sciences is awarded upon successful completion of all the core courses in the curriculum and a written Master's thesis based on an independent research project. This translates into a total of 120 ECTS credits.

Track

This programme is a track of the Master's programme in Life Sciences.

Accreditation

Accredited by: NVAO in: Netherlands

Funding details

Scholarships / Grants:

The University of Amsterdam:
The University of Amsterdam provides a limited number of full and partial scholarships for excellent students from outside the European Economic Area. The Amsterdam Merit Scholarships have specifically been designed to offer talented, ambitious and dedicated students the opportunity to pursue a Mast
For additional information: Website

:
Students from Columbia can apply for this scholarship through their website.
For additional information: Website