Prospectus

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Biology: Molecular Genetics & Biotechnology

The master specialisation Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology integrates genetics, molecular biology, genomics and biotechnology into an attractive program for students, with excellent career perspectives. Through courses and research projects, students are trained by experts in the areas of molecular biology, microbiology, plant genetics, cellular imaging, animal disease models, and various –omics technologies and the corresponding bioinformatics. Attention is paid to the application of these techniques to biotechnology, i.e. how studies on model organisms can be translated to improve crops or human health. Students graduating in this master specialisation are well trained to start a research career in biological and medical sciences or lead projects in industrial or institutional research environments.

Coordinator: Dr. D. Claessen
Email: d.claessen@biology.leidenuniv.nl

Website Instituut Biologie Leiden

For a description of the full programme click the more information button!

This MSc specialisation will start on Monday 3 September, 2018 at the Sylvius Laboratory, with an information lecture.

Compulsory elements

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Compulsory elements:

Orientation on Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology 2
Advanced Statistics 4
Genomic Architecture 6
Advanced Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology 3
Research Project Biology 60

At least one of the following courses is compulsory:

Advanced Cell Biology 4
Global Regulatory Networks in Bacteria (GRNB) 6
Mechanisms of Disease 6
Innate Immune Systems 6

Specialisation related elective components

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2
Advanced Academic Skills Elite Course 6
Book exam 6
Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science 1
Metabolomics 6
Top Lectures Basic 1
Top Lectures Elite 3

Courses organized by the Faculty of Science or LUMC:

Advances in Data Mining 6
Computational Molecular Biology 6
From genetic disease to functional genomics 6
Image Analysis with Applications in Microscopy 6
Metabolic Network Analysis (BM) 6
Model organisms in cancer drug discovery and development 4
Multiscale Mathematical Biology (BM) 6
Stem Cells 6

Other elective courses

Course EC Semester 1 Semester 2
Biogeochemistry of System Earth 3
Development and Evolution 6
Ecosystem Services 6
Human Impacts on Biodiversity 6
Methods in Biodiversity Analysis 6
Integrative Taxonomy 6
Paleobiology 3
Pharmaceuticals from Plants 4
Plant Families of the Tropics 5
Tropical Biodiversity and Field Methods (South East Asia / Caribbean) 6
Practical Assistance 2/10

Courses organized by the Faculty of Science or LUMC:

Science and the public: contemporary and historical perspectives 6
Science Methodology (SCM) 4
Other approved electives 1/6

More info

Programme (120 EC)
The MSc specialisation consists of:

  • a theoretical part (30-60 EC)

  • one or more research projects (60-90 EC).

The programme includes some compulsory components and can be expanded with a wide choice of elective elements. The mandatory components in the 1st semester aim to provide students with the theoretical and practical background needed for an efficient start of the Research Project at the end of this semester. The Research Projects are the actual core of the MSc programme. Students will be member of a research group of their choice and work full time on a specific project. Each project will be finished with an MSc thesis written in the form of a manuscript for an international scientific journal. At least one but preferably two Research Projects are part of the study programme.
The Specialisation Research Project has to be done within the theme of the specialisation at the IBL, at other departments of the Faculty of Science or at the LUMC or NIOO. Prior to the start of the Research Project, the Board of Examiners has to approve the individual study plan of the student and the Research Project agreement.

Compulsory components
The compulsory theoretical components consist of at least 30 EC, and the minimum time to be spent on research projects is 60 EC. The specialisation Research Project should be minimally 36 EC, and a second Research Project should be at least 30 EC. A single research project cannot exceed 60 EC.

Electives/optional elements
Electives can consist of either additional courses or lectures, or an extension of the duration of a research project. A list of approved elective courses is available on the e-prospectus. For courses outside the LU Biology programme and for all research projects, prior approval of the Board of Examiners is required. Note: No more than 12 EC of optional theoretical elements of level < 400 are permitted and at most 15 EC of non-biology courses.

Approval of programme
The individual study programme consisting of choices of courses and one or two research projects must have prior approval of the Board of Examiners.

Short description of the courses
The Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology study programme comprises several compulsory courses. The course Orientation on Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology provides an overview of the scientific research and research methods used in the departments participating in this MSc specialisation. The course “Genomic Architecture” aims at training students to become “genome-enabled” biologists by giving an overview of the structure, function and evolution of genomes, and an introduction into the bio-informatics required to study these genomes. Together with the Advanced Statistics course, and the specialisation courses, this will prepare the students theoretically for their training in scientific research during the Research Project(s).
A variety of additional courses from other MSc specialisations in Biology and from other MSc programmes at the Faculty of Science and LUMC can be chosen as electives. For details (description, literature, exam dates and further calendar events) about the different courses see the e-prospectus and Blackboard.