Why this programme?
The 21st century may well be called the century of medical biology. Amid wide-scale investments in life sciences all over Europe, there is a growing demand for highly specialised professionals in a range of life science fields. The master's in Biomedical Sciences focuses on the state-of-the-art methodology and skills that enable researchers to unravel the molecular and cellular mechanisms in health and disease with the ultimate goal to restore health. You'll explore the relationship between human beings and their environment, from molecule, to gene, to cell and organ, to individual and to entire populations.
Biomedical Sciences in Maastricht is a unique programme
In addition to comprehensive theoretical knowledge, the programme provides you with all the universal career skills that are essential for your future work. You will study and practice these skills both with a personal coach and in small groups.
Next to lectures from experts in the field, you will acquire theoretical knowledge via a special student-centred learning programme and practice your knowledge in modern, high-end equipment laboratories.
This programme also offers you the freedom to tailor your studies to your own interests and ambitions. Develop your own profile in the domain of biomedical sciences by picking one of six specialisations and by designing your own research project.
Finally, this unique programme enables you to discover your own talents and to develop a successful career, also outside the academy.
Tailor your degree to your ambitions
The programme is versatile, offering a large variety of courses that provide you with plenty of opportunity to concentrate on specific areas of interest and specialise in a particular field. You will pick a specialisation, pursue your own research interest and then apply the skills and knowledge gained during a one-year internship at an approved laboratory of your choice. The internship can be undertaken within academic institutes, clinical labs and the pharmaceutical industry, anywhere in the world. This allows you to personalise your degree and specialise in a topic that fits your interests, under the guidance of top experts in the field.
Over the course of the Biomedical Sciences master's, you will gain practical and professional experience and will rapidly develop from working on assignments in small groups to becoming an independent researcher.
A long internship period
Within the master's in Biomedical Sciences, we consider an internship an indispensable experience. You will gain practical and professional experience and will rapidly develop from working on assignments in small groups to becoming an independent researcher. An internship will also give you an advantage when looking for a job. Therefore, as of 2020, the master's in Biomedical Sciences contains an internship of one whole year, which may take place at UM or another approved laboratory, in the Netherlands or abroad.
Six Biomedical Sciences master's students post weekly about their experiences on Instagram. They are also happy to answer your questions about the programme and about (student) life in Maastricht.
Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism: Océane
Neuromodulation: Sara
Regenerative Medicine: Jarod
Genetics and Genomics: Antonella
Biomedical Imaging: Ioana
Inflammation and Pathophysiology: Phillpp
Perfect your competencies
In addition to the theoretical knowledge you'll obtain, you will also improve your practical research skills. An essential focus of the curriculum is developing your own skills and talents: under the guidance of an experienced personal mentor, you will increase and improve your biomedical expertise, communication and networking skills, creativity and professional behaviour skills. You’ll practice these skills in all the stages of academic research, from formulating a testable hypothesis all the way down to conducting critical evaluations. You’ll also practice writing grant proposals and scientific articles, and you’ll give poster presentations during a student-led international conference.
These skills guarantee success both in your studies as well as in any career path you may choose.
After the first multidisciplinary block, choose one of the following specialisations
- Biomedical Imaging
- Genetics and Genomics
- Inflammation and Pathophysiology
- Neuromodulation
- Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism
- Regenerative Medicine
Develop your management skills
During the programme, you will also receive unique training that will allow you to develop management skills that will be particularly useful should you choose to have a career within the pharmaceutical industry. In the Biomedical Science master's, you will learn about strategy, resources and management required to run an innovation project. To ensure that these skills are developed, you will go through the whole cycle of project management several times in the curriculum. The emphasis in the first year will be on project design and the skills needed for that, while in the second year there will be ample opportunities for you to practice these skills in carrying out the project, during the internship phase.
Get two master's degrees in one go!
As a Biomedical Sciences student at Maastricht University, you can enrol in a double degree programme. You'll obtain two Master of Science degrees in considerably less time than it would take to earn them separately.
Double degree in Japan
You may opt for a double degree at one of two Japanese universities (Tohoku University in Sendai and Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine in Kyoto). Possibilities exist in the whole field of Life Sciences including neuroscience, oncology, immunology and metabolism. After completing all the requirements of both master's programmes, you will be awarded a degree from each university. Almost all double degree programmes can be completed with little or no delay in your studies and with no extra tuition fee.
The first year will be in Maastricht and the second year in Japan. The programme in Japan starts on 1 September at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine and on 1 October at Tohoku University.
If you are interested send an e-mail to AskFHML and put DDP Japan in the subject. Based on your motivation letter which you can send after the meeting a selection will be made depending on the possible spots at the universities in Japan. The selected students will have an interview by video call with the Japanese universities as soon as possible.
Exchange Programmes
Exchange programmes (10 months) have been established with several universities. These programmes offer a 10 month stay in various laboratories. After completing the degree is solely from Maastricht University.
EURON partner universities: UC Louvain (Brussels), Université Lille and the University of Crete (Heraklion). Contact via the coordinating office of EURON: secr.euron@maastrichtuniversity.nl. Research focus: Neuroscience
Japan:
- Osaka University, School of Engineering, and its Graduate School of Engineering.
- Kyoto University, Hokkaido University.
Other Japanese universities can be added based on personal relations of UM staff. Contact via AskFHML (put DDP Japan in the subject).
A successful career in biomedical sciences starts with an environment that helps you discover, develop and apply your own talents. At Maastricht University, your personal development comes first.
Biomedical research at Maastricht University
Maastricht University scientists conduct leading research into Biomedical Sciences. This research is conducted at various research institutes. Here are some examples of research topics that scientists are working on at each of these institutes:
- CARIM: thrombosis and haemostasis, cardiac function and failure, and vascular biology
- MheNs: cell signaling, brain plasticity, neurodegeneration, regeneration, genetics and epigenetics in a translational setting
- NUTRIM: the role of diet in the regulation of metabolic processes, the prevention of metabolic disorders, pre- and post-operative care, acute disease conditions, recovery and recuperation and palliative care
- GROW: the factors and processes involved in normal and abnormal growth at the molecular and cellular level, applying this knowledge to the battle against cancer/abnormal development
You'll be able to interact with these researchers during the programme. The knowledge gained from their efforts also serves as input for the content of the programme.
Spend time abroad
The Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences gives you the opportunity to study abroad in a work placement programme. Imagine skiing down a slope in Switzerland, wandering the streets of Cape Town or taking a weekend hike through the Scottish Highlands, all while studying at a top university. The faculty has approximately 130 partner institutions in more than 40 different countries all over the world. Students return having had the experience of a lifetime: travelling the world, meeting new friends, learning about different cultures, and working to complete their studies.
Exchange programme
South Korea
A collaboration is in place with the Institute of Science and Technology in Daegu (DGIST), South Korea. Here the focus is on Neuroscience. The programme offers an 8-10 month stay in various laboratories in Daegu. After completing this course, the degree is from Maastricht University.
If you are interested, a motivation letter and CV have to be send to the coordinators of the programme: n.senden@maastrichtuniversity.nl You will be invited for an information session in February. Based on your motivation and the number of possible spots at DGIST, a selection will be made. The selected students will have a Skype interview with the Korean host in April/May.
Our differences are our greatest strength
Maastricht University is focused on the development of its International Classroom, a place where our differences become our strengths. From day 1, you’ll be challenged with differing viewpoints and experiences as you interact with staff and students from all over Europe and the world. Your preconceptions and worldview will be enhanced by this interaction, bringing you closer to the programme’s goal of teaching students not only facts and concepts but also international accessibility and understanding. Roughly 30% of the students in this master’s programme come from outside the Netherlands. Such diversity creates an international atmosphere that is strengthened by the international orientation of the programme.
Small groups = big advantages
As with many Maastricht University programmes, the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences programmes are taught using Problem-Based Learning (PBL). In small tutorial groups of 10 to 12 students, you seek solutions to ‘problems’ taken from real-world situations. Instructors act as facilitators, giving help as it’s needed. This allows you to build independence and develop problem-solving skills that you’ll need in the field. This active, dynamic and collaborative learning method has one of the highest knowledge retention rates of any instructional method.
Problem Based Learning - quote compilation
Video: UM students talk about their experiences with Problem-Based Learning
PREMIUM honours programme
PREMIUM is our Honours programme for high-performing master’s students. If selected, you will work in an interdisciplinary team on a project for a real client from the public or private sector (e.g. Cisco, DHL, EcoAct). Along with guidance from a project mentor, you will receive individual coaching focused on your personal and professional development. You will also attend several workshops and events designed to cultivate valuable knowledge and skills, as well as build a network that provides you with the best preparation possible for the job market.
Are you up for the PREMIUM challenge?
Programme highlights
- in the first multidisciplinary block you learn about a variation in medical issues and he biological dysfunctions. You also learn about new diagnostics and therapies and you investigate two diseases of choice
- after the first eight weeks you will have the opportunity to develop your own profile in the field of biomedical sciences by choosing one of six specialisations offered by the faculty's research schools
- after the two eight-week courses related to the chosen specialisation, there will be another two multidisciplinary blocks
- the programme has a strong research focus with an internship period during which you can go abroad
- you are free to pursue your own research interests and participate in laboratories of your choice worldwide
- you can participate in a double degree programme with one of several Japanese universities
- there is a strong emphasis on professional skills such as giving poster presentations, writing articles and reports, actively participating in lab meetings, discussing your findings with colleagues and coaches, et cetera. Furthermore, you will get the chance to develop your personal compentencies.
'Genetics & Genomics' is all about exploring, analysing and understanding genetic causes, using test techniques to identify disease and possible treatment options
Fundamental research into how nutrition and physical activity affect your metabolism, how changes in lifestyle have an effect on disease is what interests me most
I want to become meaningful in immunology and discover the mechanisms
My dream is to design my own cannabinoid-based medicine and use it to increase the quality of life of patients and cure diseases
Combining the academic challenges of the master’s with lots of extracurricular activities makes me a very happy person
I’m looking forward to my internship in Japan next year; I will be assisting in research into the use of stem cells to combat tumours in certain types of cancer
Maastricht has gained quite a reputation in neuromodulation and the researchers we have as teachers in this two-year programme are leading in their field
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