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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. 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.
The practical-oriented specialisation Biology & Business Studies is designed for MSc students in the fields of sciences and biomedicine who have a keen interest in industry. The objective of the specialisation is to teach students basic analytical frameworks and skills that enable them 1) to analyse business-related problems, and 2) to contribute to managerial decision making, all within the context of established knowledge-intensive organisations or new technology ventures. This faculty-wide specialisation blends discipline-specific scientific knowledge with business and managerial skills. It is designed to meet the evolving needs of start-ups and companies, where a combination of scientific knowledge and effective management has become increasingly important.
Programme (120 EC)
The MSc programme, when coupled with the Business Studies specialisation, comprises two main components:
A Biology component of 60-80 EC
a Business Studies component of 40-60 EC
0-20 EC of electives within either Biology or the Business Studies component
Preferably, the component within the chosen MSc programme should be followed during the first year of study. The Business Studies component should be followed during the second year.
Theoretical components should be minimally at level 400.
Biology
The Biology component comprises at least 60 EC and consists of the following:
24 EC of advanced theory (Biology courses)
a Biology Research Project of 36 EC;
The Biology component can be extended with an additional 20 EC (courses or extension of the Research Project). The internship coordinator has to approve the Research Project Agreement prior to the start of the Biology Research Project.
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.
Business Studies
The Business Studies component comprises at least 40 EC, of which 20 EC should consist of master courses from the Business Studies programme and 20-30 EC of the business internship. An additional maximum of 20 EC of electives can be chosen from the listed business studies courses and electives, or from the MSc Biology . The choice of courses and electives should be made in consultation with a study adviser, or specialisation coordinator.
Approval of program
All students have to submit their individual study plan consisting of choices of courses and one or two research projects to the Study Advisor. Through the submission of this study plan, The Study Advisor determines whether the student’s individual study plan meets the requirements of the MSc Biology programme and can be approved. Prior to the start of the Research Project Biology, the study advisor has to approve the individual study plan of the student and the internship coordinator has to approve the Research Project agreement
Exemptions
Students with prior education in management, business and entrepreneurship may – depending on the contents and extent of said education – be exempted from following (parts of) one or more of the courses. These courses need to be substituted such that their master programme contains at least 20 EC of business courses as mentioned in the overview above and an internship of at least 20 EC. Decisions on these exemptions and substitutions are taken by the Board of Examiners of Science Based Business.
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.
You will also find these employability elements in your study programme.
Employability in the curriculum of Biology
During the MSc Biology, we want to provide you with the best possible preparation to enter the job market after graduation.
Within the Research Project(s), employability is addressed directly and indirectly on an ongoing basis. Students will be member (intern) of a research group of their choice and work full time on a specific project. Each project will be finished with a MSc thesis written in the form of a manuscript for an international scientific journal. This not only allows training of discipline-specific knowledge and skills, but also teaches students to work in a professional environment and fosters the development of an extensive set of transferable skills.
The orientation courses provide a state-of-the-art overview of the scientific research and research methods used in the departments participating in each of the MSc specialisations. In addition, the course Skills for Scientists trains students in the academic skills necessary for designing, conducting, presenting and thinking about research. Many other offered (specialization-related) master courses cover a broad range of relevant subjects and provide in-depth theoretical knowledge as well as training in practical skills and advanced research tools.
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)
Science Career Event/ Betabanenmarkt
Other career events such as BCF Career Event, Bio Science Park excursion
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.
