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| Application Deadline: | June 1 (EEA); March 1(Non EEA) | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 578 - | ||
| Location: | Leuven / Belgium / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 24 months | Start Date: | September |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 120 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of University of Leuven
This interuniversity programme in Molecular Biology (IPMB) is jointly organised by the K.U.Leuven, the Universiteit Antwerpen (UA) and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).
It aims at strengthening and up-dating the theoretical and practical skills of young scientists from developing countries, already involved in either human or animal health care or agricultural research. After two years of study, graduates should have developed a solid basis to cope with the development of preventive strategies, diagnostic techniques and therapies, based on a molecular biological approach.
International students often wish to tackle problems afflicting their own countries. A two-year programme cannot claim to resolve all problems in the fields of medicine, agriculture or biotechnology, currently present in developing nations. In order to accommodate these concerns as much as possible students choose between three specialisations: plant production, animal production or human health.
The goal of the programme is not just to transfer technology, but rather to train participants to acquire the ability to cope with a wide range of scientific problems and to provide them with the intellectual tools needed to develop a molecular biological approach with emphasis on self-reliance, thus minimising any dependence on the transfer of foreign technology. Although the programme is specifically designed to fulfill the needs of students from developing countries, students from any country are welcome to participate as well.
Upon their return home, IPMB graduates are employed as researchers in universities, hospitals or private research laboratories, as lecturers, consultants, advisors to policy makers etc. When given the opportunity, many graduates successfully proceed to a PhD programme in Belgian universities or abroad, before returning home.
Contents
The programme runs over two academic years. The programme of the first year is the same for all participants. In the second year, participants can choose between three specialisations: Plant Production, Animal Production or Human Health.
The programme of the second year consists of common core courses and specialisation courses. Common core courses and the specialisation courses on Human Health are taught at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, while the courses of the options Plant Production and Animal Production are given at the K.U.Leuven. In the second year, much attention is devoted to the preparation of a master thesis in a research lab. The master thesis will be defended in public at the end of the academic year.
Master of Molecular Biology
In the first year, students register at the VUB.
In the second year, students who choose Specialization Plant Production or Specialization Animal Production, register at the K.U.Leuven. Students who choose Specialization Human Health, register at the VUB.
In Depth Courses in Bio-Science
All the courses are compulsory.
- Molecular Biology
- Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Genetic Engineering
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Microbiology
- General Chemistry and Protein Chemistry
- Practicals I
- General and Analytical Biochemistry
- Visits
- Bioinformatics
- Immunology
- Microbial Genetics and Genetics of Eukaryotes
- Virology and Parasitology
- Practicals II
Physiology Course
Students have to choose 3 credits.
- Plant Physiology
- Animal Physiology
Advanced Courses in Molecular Biology
All the courses are compulsory.
- Advanced and Applied Molecular Biology
- Advanced Microbial Genetics and Virology
- Physical Chemistry and Structural Analysis of Macromolecules
- Social and Economical Aspects of Biotechnology
Specialization Courses
Students have to choose one option.
Plant Production (K.U.Leuven)
All the courses are compulsory.
- Phytopathology
- Biocontrol of Plant Diseases and Biofertilisation
- Plant Biodiversity
Animal Production (K.U.Leuven)
All the courses are compulsory.
- Prophylaxis of Infectious Diseases of Farm Animals
- Applied Biotechnology in Livestock Production
- Livestock Genetics
Human Health (VUB)
All the courses are compulsory.
- Human Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology: Study Design and Analysis
- Human Genetics and Diseases
Dissertation
The Dissertation is compulsory.
- Dissertation
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
More informationRequirements
Direct access:
- Bachelor in de biologie
- Bachelor in de chemie
Admission decisions are based upon evaluation of a complete application file:
- Bachelor of Biology
- Bachelor of Chemistry
- Bachelor of Biochemistry
- Bachelor of Biotechnology
- Bachelor of Bioscience Engineering
- Bachelor of Agricultural Engineering
- Bachelor of Medicine
- Bachelor of Medical Technology
- Bachelor of Veterinarian Sciences
- Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences
- Bachelor of Sciences
A good knowledge of the English language, both written and spoken, is essential. Unless English is the native language of the applicant, participants have to present a score on a language test (e.g. TOEFL / IELTS). For TOEFL, a minimum result of 213 (computer test=550 paper) is required. For IELTS, the minimum score is 6.5.
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.5 |
| TOEFL Paper-based: | 550 |
| TOEFL Computer-based: | 213 |
Funding details
A limited number of scholarships is offered by VLIR-UDC for participants from developing countries.
Citizens of countries with bilateral agreements with Belgium can apply through the Belgian Embassy for a scholarship from the Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC). Similarly, citizens of countries that have bilateral agreements with the Flemish community can apply for a scholarship.
Contact
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