Master of Science in Biology of Disease
Utrecht University
Key Information
Campus location
Utrecht, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 2,209 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* EU/EEA, Surinam or Swiss students; €20,750: International students
Introduction
Explore the Intersection of Basic and Clinical Research
Biology of Disease positions you at the cutting edge of basic and clinical science, in particular in the cardiovascular research field. You study disease mechanisms in the broadest sense, and learn to conduct (cardiovascular) disease-related translational research in cooperation with clinical and pre-clinical staff.
Learn to translate a disease into a scientifically sound experiment or model or the other way around. Expand your knowledge concerning the disease or build bridges towards therapeutic leads by studying underlying mechanisms of the disease. Our various research projects focus on different subjects and diseases, allowing you to gain experience in multiple labs.
Become an Expert of Cardiovascular Diseases
We offer the option to put additional focus on cardiovascular diseases by following our cardiovascular track. It’s an excellent preparation to flow smoothly towards the Ph.D. program in Cardiovascular Research.
Program Outcome
Why you should study Biology of Disease at Utrecht University
- Compared to other Master’s programs in (cardiovascular) disease mechanisms in the Netherlands, our program in Utrecht allows you to become an expert in the cardiovascular research field.
- It gives you the opportunity to compose a personalized program of multiple clinical specialties within disease biology.
- Carry out two hands-on research projects at research groups and do your minor research project abroad to gain additional skills and an international perspective on your chosen specialization.
- Benefit from a solid mentoring system. Discuss your study progress with the Programme Coordinator and work under the supervision of a Ph.D. student or post-doc from amongst our enthusiastic and international staff.
Curriculum
Cardiovascular Track
Cardiovascular diseases are still one of the leading causes of mortality and disease within our society and deserve special attention within the Master’s program Biology of Disease. The Cardiovascular track gives you the opportunity to focus on cardiovascular diseases, without losing the broad biomedical perspective. By following this track, at least 75 EC should be dedicated to a cardiovascular-related topic (major research project, courses, and writing assignment), but you are also encouraged to enlarge your knowledge within other disease fields, searching for new insights that might also be valuable for the cardiovascular research field. For this, you can use the minor and the electives.
This track is intended for students who want to become specialists in cardiovascular research and is an excellent preparation to flow smoothly towards the Ph.D. program.
On completing the Master’s program including the Cardiovascular track, the track will officially be registered on your International Diploma Supplement.
Biology of Disease Track
This track offers the opportunity to focus on more than one clinical specialization, enabling students to conduct research projects on different subjects and diseases in various pre-clinical and clinical labs.
Program Structure
You can create your own Master’s program of 120 European Credits (EC). The components of the program can be followed in any given order.
- Major research project 51
- Profile 33
- Mandatory theoretical courses 15
- Elective component 12
- Writing assignment 7.5
- Life Sciences Academy 1.5
Career Opportunities
Career prospects include scientific research, science journalism, and education along with jobs in the private, public or non-profit sectors.
Depending on the career perspectives that appeal to you most, you can decide to replace your Minor research project with one of our professional profiles:
- Applied Data Science profile
- Bioinformatics profile
- Communication profile
- Complex systems profile
- Education profile
- Management profile
- Research profile
Academic Careers
Graduates find Ph.D. positions in:
- The Graduate School of Life Sciences-PhD programs, in particular, Cardiovascular Research
- National and international institutions partnered with Utrecht University research institutes
- Various other national and international institutes
Facts & Figures
About 70% of the graduates become a Ph.D. candidate, 15% start a career in a science-related field (e.g. jobs in the medical, technical, or pharmaceutical industry, or science journalism), 10% continue the academic career in a new study program (forensic sciences, (veterinary) medicine, teaching) and 5% leave the world of Life Sciences behind.