More info
Description
The MSc Biology programme builds on the unique combination of biological institutes in Leiden joining forces: the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL), the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), and the Naturalis Biodiversity Center (Naturalis). The choice of courses and research projects is further increased by the embedding in the Faculty of Science and the connections with the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO) and with bioscience-based companies that are located at the Leiden Bioscience Park.
The duration of the programme is two years (120 EC). Students who complete the programme receive the degree Master of Science in Biology (MSc in Biology) with specification of the specialisation.
The specialisation Biology and Education (EDU) prepares students for a career as biology (biologie) teacher qualified to teach in Dutch secondary schools.
Students who complete the specialisation Biology and Education are admissible to a PhD programme
In addition to the E-Prospectus, the aim and content of the MSc Biology programme is described in the Appendices to the Course and Examination Regulations
Programme (120EC)
The MSc Biology in combination with the Education Specialisation (EDU) consists of two components:
Year 1: 60 EC MSc Biology component:
Year 2: 60 EC Education component, as described here
o For students who passed the minor Education (30EC) during the BSc programme, the programme consists of the ‘Verdiepende module’ (30 EC).
o The remaining 30 EC must be used for listed courses and electives of the MSc Biology
Theoretical components should be minimally at level 400.
Biology
The Biology component (60 EC) consists of the following:
24 EC of advanced Biology theory (courses)
A Biology research project of 36 EC; the course Fish species in animal experimentation (3 EC) or Bird species in animal experimentation (3 EC) is obligatory in case of a research project that involves handling or experimental use of fish or birds species, respectively.
Prior to the start of the Biology Research Project, the internship coordinator has to approve the Research Project Agreement.
Education
The education specialisation consists of the following components:
Basic Module (Basismodule) 30 EC
Pedagogy in Practice 1, 7 EC
Adolescent development, 4 EC
Teaching Methodology 1, 4 EC
Teaching Practice 1,15 EC
Advanced Module (verdiepende module) 30 EC
Pedagogy in Practice 2, 3 EC
Teaching Methodology 2, 5 EC
Teaching Practice 2, 15EC
Subject-specific research project, 5 EC
Elective course :
Subject-specific research project 2 2
Adolescent development 2, 2 EC
Innovations in School, 2 EC
World Teachers, 2 EC
Total 60 EC
For further information about the programme and a more detailed description of the programme, see this website.
Questions about the Education component of the programme?
Please contact the Study Advisor of the Leiden University Graduate School of Teaching (ICLON):
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/iclon/lo/contact
Career Orientation
Career preparation at Leiden University
In addition to offering you a solid university education, Leiden University aims to prepare you as well as possible for the labour market, and in doing so contribute to the development of your employability. In this way, it will become easier for you to make the transition to the labour market, to remain employable in a dynamic labour market, in a (career) job that suits your own personal values, preferences and development.
'Employability' consists of the following aspects that you will develop within your study programme, among others:
1. Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.
2. Transferable skills
These are skills that are relevant to every student and that you can use in all kinds of jobs irrespective of your study programme, for example: researching, analysing, project-based working, generating solutions, digital skills, collaborating, oral communication, written communication, presenting, societal awareness, independent learning, resilience.
3. Self-reflection
This concerns self-reflection in the context of your (study) career, including reflecting on the choices you make as a student during your studies, what can you do with your knowledge and skills on the labour market?
In addition, reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development. Who are you, what can you do well, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, what do you want to do?
4. Practical experience
Gaining practical experience through internships, work placements, projects, practical (social) assignments, which are integrated into an elective, minor or graduation assignment.
5. Labour market orientation
Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers and alumni experiences from the work field, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, interviewing people from the work field, and shadowing/visiting companies in the context of a particular subject.
Employability in the curriculum of Biology
You will also find these employability elements in your study programme. Examples of subjects that pay attention to this are:
1. Discipline-specific knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills specific to your study programme.
Examples of subject-specific skills are: using a microscope, cell cultures, sampling, experimental design, executing fieldwork, morphological analysis, laboratory skills, in situ conservation, bio-modeling, bioinformatics, molecular biology techniques such as genome sequencing, microarrays , et-cetera.
2. Transferable skills
These include cognitive skills, such as researching, analysing, project-based working, generating solutions and digital skills; intrapersonal skills, such as reflecting, independent learning, resilience, and metacognition; and interpersonal skills, such as oral and written communication, collaboration, presenting and societal awareness. In short, they are skills that all professionals need in order to perform well.
3. Self-reflection
This concerns self-reflection in the context of your (study) career, including reflecting on the choices you make as a student during your studies: what can you do with your knowledge and skills on the labour market? In addition, reflecting on your own profile and your personal and professional development: who are you, what can you do well, what do you find interesting, what suits you, what do you find important, what do you want to do?
4. Practical experience
Gaining practical experience through research projects/internships, laboratory training, fieldwork, practical assignments et cetera, which are integrated into courses and research projects.
5. Labour market orientation
Gaining insight into the labour market, fields of work, jobs and career paths through, for example, guest speakers and alumni experiences from the work field, career events within the study programme, the use of the alumni mentor network, interviewing people from the work field, and shadowing/visiting companies in the context of a particular subject.
Activities to prepare for the labour market co-curricular or outside the curriculum
Every year, various activities take place, within, alongside and outside of your study programme, which contribute to your preparation for the labour market, especially where it concerns orientation towards the work field/the labour market, (career) skills and self-reflection. These may be information meetings on decision moments within your programme, but also career workshops and events organised by your own programme, the faculty Career Service or your study association.
Science Skills Platform with a Personal and Professional development domain
(Study) career meetings
Guest lectures
Alumni lectures
Company visits and company dinners
Lunch & Learn lectures by companies
IBL, Naturalis and CML symposia & lecture series.
Introductory meeting with the study advisor
Introductory meeting Science Career Service
(International) Leiden Leadership Programme
Mentorship and tutoring
Workshops en Career Colleges (Science Career Service)
Biology Career Event
Other career events such as BCF Career Event, Bio Science Park excursion, Science Career Event/Beta Banenmarkt
Events organized by the Study Association ‘Leidse Biologen Club’, such as a Meet & Greet with PhD candidates
Regular information sessions with the study advisor
Research Project Market
Research skills as part of the master research project
Career Service, LU Career Zone and career workshops calendar
Faculty Career Service
The Career Service of your faculty offers information and advice on study (re)orientation and master's choice, (study) career planning, orientation on the labour market and job applications.
Leiden University Career Zone
Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career. You can find advice, information, (career) tests and tools in the area of (study) career planning, career possibilities with your study, job market orientation, job applications, the Alumni Mentor network, job portal, workshops and events and career services.
Workshops and events
On the course calendar you will find an overview of career and application workshops, organised by the Career services.
