Admission requirements
Preferably students have successfully finished the Orientation course.
For orientation:
Prepare yourself by visiting relevant websites and check out research themes
Visit the internship market on 30 September 2022 for orientation and internship possibilities.
Get in touch with teachers of the courses you find interesting and discuss internships possibilities
Read the MSc research project booklet (BrightSpace > Opleiding Biologie > MSc Research Projects)
For registration:
Prior to the start the research project agreement form must be filled out in ProjectMAP.
ProjectMAP is the online administration tool for IBL research projects (agreements, evaluations and assessments). See below.
Description
Research projects are an important part of the MSc program, not in the least because they allow you to closely interact with scientist in the field who may be your future PhD supervisors, or who will write reference letters for your future job applications. Successful research projects will greatly enhance your CV, and are thus important for your future career.
The research project must be 36 EC. The research project has to take place in one of the research groups of the Institute Biology Leiden (IBL), Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) or Naturalis Biodiversity Center. A research project within one of the ‘Life Science’ research groups of the Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), at the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR) or at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) may substitute for a research project within the IBL pending prior approval by the Board of Examiners.
In the first month the student will get acquainted with the research topic by reading scientific literature directly related to the research project, and by performing the first experiments under guidance of the direct supervisor. At the end of this first month the student will present the research plan in a general work discussion of the department. The next months of the research project the student will perform experiments according to the plan, and keep up to date on the developments in the field by reading literature and participating in regular work discussions. At the end of the project, the student gives a public oral presentation followed by discussion to the relevant research group and hands in a Msc report.
For more information, see the ‘Biology Master Research Projects booklet’ on Blackboard.
Course objectives
Learning goals:
To obtain a more detailed insight into the selected research field, and to obtain training in experimental research, with the final aim to become an independent researcher.
Final qualifications:
An advanced MSc student that is able to independently plan and perform experiments, analyse results, and keep track of scientific developments in the field.
Timetable
You will find the timetables for all courses and degree programmes of Leiden University in the tool MyTimetable (login). Any teaching activities that you have sucessfully registered for in MyStudyMap will automatically be displayed in MyTimeTable. Any timetables that you add manually, will be saved and automatically displayed the next time you sign in.
MyTimetable allows you to integrate your timetable with your calendar apps such as Outlook, Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and other calendar apps on your smartphone. Any timetable changes will be automatically synced with your calendar. If you wish, you can also receive an email notification of the change. You can turn notifications on in ‘Settings’ (after login).
For more information, watch the video or go the the 'help-page' in MyTimetable. Please note: Joint Degree students Leiden/Delft have to merge their two different timetables into one. This video explains how to do this.
Mode of instruction
Theoretical and practical instructions will be provided by the direct supervisor.
Assessment method
The final mark for the MSc-research project is calculated as follows:
Oral presentations: 10 %
Written proposal: 10%
Practical work: 40%
MSc report: 40%
For the assessment of the research project, two evaluation forms have to be completed, see Blackboard. The final grade is the weighted average of the sub scores. The report has to be assessed by two examiners of the Biology Education and both examiners have to fill in and sign an evaluation form. The completed evaluation forms must be submitted to the Education Office.
Reading list
Scientific literature provided by the supervisor
Registration
Contact staff in time for MSc research projects. Prior to the start a research project form (Blackboard) must be filled out together with the supervisor, and submitted to the Educational Office, room 1.5.17b.
via USIS. Note: make sure you use the correct class number for registration. For a research project at CML you have to register at a different code, see document registration in usis and codes.
Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for more information on how to apply.
Contact
Please address any questions regarding the research projects to bio-internshipscoordinator@biology.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
Research projects can be started at any time, however, keep in mind to contact staff or an external supervisor in time to find a project of interest. Daily from 9.00-17.00
Brightspace
The research project agreement form, the Biology Master Research Projects booklet and the evaluation forms can be found on Brightspace in the course folder “Opleiding Biologie.