Biomedical Sciences: Communication

Preliminary program

The master’s programme in Biomedical Sciences – Communication consists of compulsory components (e.g. courses, research projects, training period) and electives. The total amount of credits of this two-year programme is 120 EC. Please check the list below for detailed descriptions of the components involved in the Communication specialisation.

Additional information on the programme and its regulations, can be found on the website of the Leiden University and the learning management system (Brightspace). Information on course schedules is separately provided.

The master’s programme has the following objectives:

• to impart to students academic knowledge, insight, skills, and methodology in the field of biomedical sciences;

• to encourage students to adopt an academic attitude by acquiring the ability to:

• engage in individual and independent academic thinking

• analyse complex issues

• write academic reports

• apply specialist knowledge and skills in a philosophical and social context;

• to prepare students for an academic career and postgraduate education, or to prepare them for a career in teaching or another career outside academia

Communication Specialisation

The Communication specialisation is offered by Leiden University Medical Centre in collaboration with the Faculty of Science. The programme, called Science, Communication and Society (SCS), enables students to develop knowledge and insight of, and opinions on a career outside scientific research. It broadens the student’s perspective predominantly in the field of communication (e.g. writing for a newspaper, website or science magazine or working for a museum). Yet, graduates will also be equipped to pursuit a career within scientific biomedical research. The entire programme is taught in English. For Dutch students it is also possible to follow writing classes in Dutch and to do an internship in an environment where Dutch is the only or preferred language.

The programme encompasses compulsory components of the Research master’s programme (at least 60 EC) combined with the Science, Communication and Society programme at the Faculty of Science. A communication internship will be executed at an organization/company/museum with a link to the biomedical field. The internship should contain a research project related to communication. Approval of the internship should be given beforehand by the examination board.

Programme components are:

• The courses Science, Communication and Society Fundamentals and Scientific Narration and visualization (in total 23 EC)

• Project Proposal: Science, Communication and Society (3 EC)

• JRP2 Communication (23-34 EC)

For more information on SCS (Fundamentals), go to the website of SCS of the Faculty of Science.

Coordinator M-, C- , E- and H-specialisations Ms. Dr.ir. J. v.d. Zee