One course that really stood out to me was the application of statistics to forensic science, by calculating likelihood ratio’s, doing computations with DNA profiles and building a Bayesian framework. That is when I discovered that this master would be the suitable educational sequel for me.  

This master turned out to be much more than I anticipated and I mean that in a good way. Conventional lectures sometimes made way for laboratory sessions, mock crime scene investigations, moot court ‘interrogations’, physical experiment performances and classical (ethical) discussions.  Not only is this very different from the lecture/tutorial structure that I was so used to, the wide array of subjects covered throughout the first year also attests to the uniqueness of this master. The interdisciplinary aspect ensures that people from all different backgrounds, e.g. biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and neuropsychology, can work together on a group project that requires this diverse knowledge.  

The unfamiliarity with a specific subject may feel challenging at times, but said subject will never be explored for too long, in my opinion. The second year gives you the possibility to specialize in one of the research areas of your choosing, which is naturally often aligned with your BSc background. I am currently doing an internship at the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), an organization that students will encounter and hear about a lot during the first year. Here, I’m testing and validating a DNA model. The NFI is one of the many institutes that students of my year are currently doing their research project at.