Study programme
Tracks
The Master's programme in Biomedical Sciences is a two-year programme of 120 EC in total. Your study programme largely depends on the track you choose. Within the neurobiological cluster there are four tracks, focusing on important fields within the larger scope of neuroscience. The picture below illustrates the scope of the four tracks: from genes to cognition.
All of the tracks are organised by UvA research groups specialised in exactly these topics, creating an atmosphere of research based education. Also, experts from different institutes such as the Amsterdam UMC (location AMC) and the Netherlands Institute for Neurosciences (NIN) take on major parts of the courses and research projects. Read more about the different tracks via the links:
First year
In the first year, all tracks start off with an advanced eight week compulsory course in the specific area of interest followed by an optional course elaborating on the subject (See the information pages per track for more information). Furthermore, every student has to write an academic thesis and do at least one research project of 30 EC. In the third period a number of courses focusing on research skills will be offered.
Second year
In the second year, the student has a number of options: students may opt to take on additional courses, for example from another track, or choose to focus more on research by taking on a larger research project.
For detailed information regarding the curriculum and courses, please see the UvA Course Catalogue via the link below.
Major: Big Biomedical Data Analysis
Within Biomedical Sciences it is possible to follow a 60 EC major called Big Biomedical Data Analysis (BBDA) within all tracks. This one year programme is developed to teach biomedical students the essential bioinformatics to be able to handle, analyse and interpret big omics data sets. The major consists of courses on Genomics, Transcriptomics, Proteomics and Metabolomics, plus a 42EC internship.
Michelle Smulders, Master's student in Biomedical Sciences, explains why she chose the Big Biomedical Data Analysis Major and tells you more about the study programme.
Professional specialisations
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 specialisation, that focuses on other skills than doing research.
Double degree Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Students that have completed the double Bachelor's degree programme in Medicine and Biomedical Sciences or students that have completed a Bachelor's in Medicine and Biomedical Sciences can enrol in the double Master's degree programme in Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Accreditation and academic title
Degree requirements
A Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences is awarded upon successful completion of all the core courses in the curriculum, a written literature thesis and two independent research projects. This translates into a total of 120 EC credits.
Degree certificate
Neurobiology is a cluster of the accredited degree programme Biomedical Sciences. After successful completion of this programme, you will receive a legally accredited Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences and the title Master of Science (MSc).
Accreditation
The Master's programme in Biomedical Sciences has been legally accredited by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). This means that upon successful completion of the programme, students will receive a legally accredited Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences and the title of Master of Science (MSc).
In 2018 the Master's programmes in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Amsterdam received a final rating of "Good" in the reaccreditation recently concluded by the NVAO. This rating means the programmes 'consistently surpass the standard quality level'.
Bring your own device
All students enrolled in Biomedical Sciences are requested to bring their own laptop, due to the nature of the programme. More information on specific system requirements can be found here.