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Orientation on Molecular, Cellular and Organismal Biology

Vak
2024-2025

Admission requirements

This course is for MSc students in Biology.

Description

Lectures will be given by group leaders teaching in the Molecular, Cellular and Organismal Biology specialisation, concentrated around the following themes: Bioactive molecules, Host-microbe interactions, Development & Disease, and Evolution & Biodiversity. The lectures will provide an integrated overview on the research topics studied in the Molecular, Cellular and Organismal Biology specialisation and will highlight the key scientific questions in the research fields covered by this specialisation. At the end of the course the students will write an essay on the topic they found most interesting. In this course, the students will introduce themselves to the rest of the group in a brief (~5 min) presentation.

Course objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to

· Describe basic scientific concepts, key questions and used methodology of research fields that are associated with the specialization and explain how these fields may be integrated in biological research. · Explain which research field(s) or combination of fields they find most interesting. · Formulate specific ideas about research groups or researchers they would like to approach to enquire about a research project. · Define personal aims and plans for their MSc study and possibly for a future career. · Recognize and appreciate the interests and expertise of fellow students in this specialization. · Design and pitch a scientific research idea

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

Lectures

Assessment method

Students will develop a potential research idea tailored to their specialization and present this in a concise 5-minute pitch. Grading is based on the following criteria: the presentation must encompass an overview of the topic and its fundamental concept, a clearly articulated scientific research question and/or hypothesis including the rationale for this choice, potential research methods to address the research question, prospects for application, and key literature references.

Reading list

N.A.

Registration

All students have to register for courses with the new enrollment tool MyStudyMap. There are two registration periods per year: registration for the fall semester opens in July and registration for the spring semester opens in December. Please see this page for more information.

Please note that it is compulsory to register your participation for every exam and retake. Not being registered for a course means that you are not allowed to participate in the final exam of the course. Enrolling is possible until ten days before the exam.
Extensive FAQ's on MyStudymap can be found here.

Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Prospective students website for more information on how to apply.

Contact

Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Herman P. Spaink
Email: h.p.spaink@biology.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks