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Biology: Biology and Science Communication & Society

The practical-oriented specialisation Biology & Science Communication and Society (SCS) offers students the possibility to combine biology and science communication.

Students are prepared for a career in science communication or for a career as a scientist with a communicating mind-set.

Students who complete the specialisation Biology & Science Communication and Society are admissible to a PhD programme in biology or in science communication.

The Biology and Education (EDU) programme consists of:

  • 24 EC of advanced Biology theory;

  • 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 in which experiments with fish or birds are involved;

  • 60 EC Education component as described on the tab 'Year 2: Commucation'.

Theoretical components should be minimally at level 400.

Coordinator: Prof.dr.ir. Ionica Smeets

Email: i.smeets@biology.leidenuniv.nl

Year 1: Biology programme

Year 2: Science Communication programme (Please then apply to the SCS specialisation through our registration form (see Registration)

For a description of the full programme read the more information button!

Year 1: Biology

The Biology component comprises at least 60 EC and 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 in which experiments with fish or birds are involved

The Biology component can be extended with an additional 20 EC (courses or extension of the research project to 80 EC in total). Prior to the start of the Biology Research Project, the internship coordinator has to approve the Research Project Agreement.

Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Compulsory courses:

Safety instructions 0
Genomic Architecture 6
Research Project Biology 36

Compulsory Statistics courses (choose one)

Basic Statistics for Master students 4
Advanced Statistics 4

Compulsory Orientation course (choose one)

Orientation on Biodiversity and Sustainability 2
Orientation on Evolutionary Biology 2
Orientation on Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology 2
Orientation on Molecular, Cellular and Organismal Biology 2

In case of a research project that involves experiments with fish or birds the corresponding course is compulsory:

Bird species in animal experimentation 3
Fish species in animal experimentation 3

Electives (choose at least 12EC from this list or from 'biology electives or 'other electives'):

Development and Evolution 6
Human Impacts on Biodiversity 6
Mechanisms of Disease 6
Advanced Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology 3
Systematics and Biodiversity 6
Ecotoxicology (2025-2026) 6
Ecosystem Services (2024-2025) 6
Paleobiology 6
Urban Ecology and Evolution 6
Animal Cognition (2024-2025) 6
Advanced Cell Biology 4
Innate Immune systems 6

Year 2: Communication

Science Communication and Society

The Science Communication component consists of the parts specified as follows:

  • Science Journalism/Wetenschapsjournalistiek, 4 EC

  • Policy and Development in Science and Society, 4 EC

  • Research in Science Communication, 4 EC

  • Informal Science Education, 4 EC

  • Innovative Methods in Science Communication and Society, 3 EC

  • Science Communication Product Development, 4EC

Internship

  • SCS Project Proposal, 3 EC

  • SCS internship(s), 14-34 EC

Note: the course Science Communication product development is only admissible for students who have completed all other SCS courses

Course information on the SCS courses can be obtained from the Science Communication & Society programme.

Please apply to the SCS specialisation through our registration form (see Registration).

For any information regarding the courses or the SCS specialisation in general you can contact the SCS department through: infoscs@biology.leidenuniv.nl.

Biology Electives

Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2
Advanced Academic Skills Course 6
Literature Review 6
Book exam 6
Metabolomics 6
Plant Families of the Tropics 5
Portugal Conservation Field Course (2024-2025) 4
Top Lectures in Biology 3
Tropical Biodiversity and Field Methods 6
Systems Microbiology 6

Other Electives

Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Faculty of Science and LUMC electives (always check with the coordinator of the course whether you can join):

Advances in Data Mining 6
Image Analysis with Applications in Microscopy 6
Model organisms in cancer drug discovery and development 4
Multiscale Mathematical Biology (BM) 6
Science and the public: contemporary and historical perspectives 6
Science Methodology (SCM) 4
Introduction to Machine Learning 6
Bio-Modeling 6
Biological and Biomedical Informatics 6
Multicriteria Optimization and Decision Analysis 6
Evolutionary Algorithms 6
Other approved electives 4-6

TU Delft elective

Joint Interdisciplinary Project (JIP) 15

More info

Description

The specialisation Science Communication and Society (SCS) concerns science communication in a broad sense. The programme focuses on the link between science and society and covers knowledge and skills in the field of science communication.

The programme prepares students for a career in the area of science communication, for example, as a science communicator, a science policymaker or a public relations or health communication officer, or for a career as a scientist with a communicating mind-set. For future science teachers the specialisation is also a valuable preparation.

Students with an MSc specialisation Science Communication and Society are admissible to a PhD programme in their MSc research field or in Science Communication.

Programme

The MSc programme in combination with the Science Communication and Society (SCS) specialisation consists of two components:

  • a component within the chosen MSc programme.

  • a Science Communication and Society component.

Preferably, the component within the chosen MSc programme should be followed during the first year of study, the Science Communication and Society component should be followed during the second year. The SCS specialisation programme comprises at least 40 EC. A maximum of 20 EC of electives can be filled in with either SCS courses, or with components within the MSc programme of choice.

Biology
The Biology component consist of a research project of 36 EC and 24 EC of advanced theory (courses and lectures). The Biology component can be extended with an additional 20 EC (courses or extension of the research project).

The Specialisation Research Project has to be done within the theme of the specialization.

A “Fish specific animal experimentation course (2 EC) or a “Bird specific animal experimentation course (2 EC) is obligatory in case of a research project in which experiments with fish or birds are involved.

Theoretical components should be minimally at level 400. The individual study programme consisting of choices of courses and the research project must have prior approval by the Board of Examiners through approval of the individual study plan of a student and approval of the research agreement.

Science Communication and Society
The Science Communication component consists of the parts specified as follows:

  • Science Journalism/Wetenschapsjournalistiek, 4 EC

  • Policy and Development in Science and Society, 4 EC

  • Research in Science Communication, 4 EC

  • Informal Science Education, 4 EC

  • Science Communication Product Development, 4EC

  • SCS: Scientific Narration and Visualization, 3 EC

Internship

  • SCS Project Proposal, 3 EC

  • SCS internship(s), 14-34 EC

Approval of program

All master students have to submit a study plan, consisting of choices of courses and one or two research projects to the Study Adviser. Through the submission of this study plan, the Board of Examiners determines whether the individual study program can be approved.

Career Orientation

Employability

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. It is therefore important that during your study programme you not only acquire as much knowledge as possible about your subject, but also are aware of the skills you have gained and the further skills you still want to learn.

Future employers are interested not only in the subject-related knowledge that you acquired during your study programme, but also in the ‘transferable skills’. We speak of transferable skills when a skill developed in a specific context can also be applied in a completely different one. This is in contrast to subject-specific skills that are linked to a certain context and are less applicable in other settings.

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.
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.

Career preparation in the MSc Biology

During the study program MSc Biology we want to provide you with the best possible preparation for the job market. In addition to knowledge, it is important that you develop skills, gain practical experience, orientate on positions & careers, and reflect on your own profile and development

At various times during the Msc Biology, questions about this subject may arise, such as: How can you use the knowledge and skills you gain within and outside your study program in the labor market? Which direction do you choose within your study and why? What are you already able to do, and what skills do you still want to learn? How do you translate the courses you choose into something you would like to do later?

You may have already discussed this with the study advisor, mentor, tutor, the Science Career Service, fellow students or made use of the Leiden University Career Zone. All kinds of activities are organized where you get the chance to orientate yourself on the job market and gives opportunities to reflect on your own development, possibilities and (study) career profile as well. Central to this are the questions: "What are my capabilities?", "What do I want?" and "How do I achieve my goals?".

In the prospectus, learning objectives have been formulated for each subject, the purpose of which is to inform you which components are covered in the development of your (study) career profile and preparation for the labour market. Various activities are also organized that help you in making all kinds of career choices and to develop skills. An overview of activities is shown below.

Activities

  • 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

Science Career Service

Science Career Service, one of the utilities of the Science faculty, offers information and advice on study (re)orientation, career planning and personal professional profile as well as preparation for the job market, such as job applications. Facilities provided to students include online information, walk-in consultations, workshops and individual counselling sessions. In addition, Science Career Service offers expertise and support to programmes that want to strengthen the connection between their curriculum and the job market. This can vary from providing specific guest lectures/workshops to advising on integrating career orientation programmes into the curriculum.

Open Consultation Hour

On Thursdays between 12:30 – 13:30 hrs., you can reach us by phone (+31 (0)71 527 1867) for short questions, e.g. about your CV, motivation letter, LinkedIn, or job application.

Individual appointment

You can book your appointment (30 minutes) with one of the Career Advisors via the online calendar.

LU Career Zone

The Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career planning. You will find advice, information, video recordings of webinars and tools such as professional tests to get an idea of your personal profile. You can also explore positions and sectors, you will find tips about CV, job application, LinkedIn and there is a vacancy platform that you can make use of.

Mentor Network

Leiden University likes to prepare students and young alumni well for the job market. For this we use the knowledge and experience of Leiden alumni. To bring students and young alumni with questions about their careers into contact with experienced alumni, Leiden University has established the Mentor Network. Students and young alumni can register for free.

Contact

Do you have questions about your (study) career choices and has the above information not been able to help you further? Your study adviser is available to discuss your plans and concerns: BioMScStudieadviseur@biology.leidenuniv.nl.