Why did you choose this programme at the time? 

I chose Green Life Sciences (GLS) because I wanted to deepen my knowledge in the molecular aspects of biology. The GLS master focuses on molecular techniques with a specific emphasis on plants, which perfectly matched my interests. 

Why did you choose the UvA? 

I was already studying at the UvA during my bachelor’s degree and wanted to stay close to my hometown (Enkhuizen). Additionally, I already knew what to expect from the lecturers, as I was familiar with many of them from my bachelor’s programme. 

How much freedom did you have when selecting courses or projects? Are there opportunities to tailor the programme to your interests? 

There was limited freedom in choosing courses, partly because there weren’t many courses to begin with. The first half year focused on coursework, while the remainder of the two-year programme was fully dedicated to research projects. However, within these projects, you had a lot of freedom, both in terms of the topic and the location (for example, at a university or a company). 

How practical or theoretical is the programme? 

The master’s is highly practical, with one and a half years devoted to internships. The six months of coursework were mainly theoretical, but they were well-aligned with practical applications. 

How would you describe the atmosphere within the programme? Did you have much contact with fellow students and lecturers? Are there many group assignments, or is the focus more on individual work? 

The atmosphere within the programme was excellent. We had a small group of 12 students in my year, which allowed for a lot of personal contact with the lecturers. During the coursework, there were some group assignments, but overall, the focus was on individual work. During internships, you work within a research group, which is a mix of independent work and collaboration. 

What types of thesis or graduation projects are possible? Can you provide an example of your own project? 

For internships, you can choose between dry lab (computational work) and wet lab (laboratory research) projects. There is a wide variety of topics to choose from, both within and outside the university. If you have a good idea, you can write a proposal to be approved by the programme coordinator. 
I completed my internships with two research groups at the UvA. During my first internship, I worked on moths, studying how caterpillars influence the emission profile of plants. For my second internship, I focused on a molecular mechanism that can silence genes. This project is also the basis of my current PhD research. 

Was it easy for you to find a job after your master’s? How did you end up in your current role? 

Together with my supervisor, I wrote a proposal for a PhD project. We submitted it to EPS, and it was approved. I have now been working on my PhD research for just over two years. 

What advice would you give to someone considering this master’s programme? 

The programme focuses on molecular mechanisms, and what you choose to do with this knowledge is entirely up to you. Use the knowledge you gain during the master’s to explore what interests you most. Don’t hesitate to email a research group if you have questions or want to get involved in their work!