Biomolecular Sciences: Molecular Cell Biology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Meet the molecular mechanisms behind biology

Are you interested in the molecular mechanisms behind major health problems, such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s? What about their impact on antibiotics or food production? 

The Biomolecular Sciences Master’s programme at VU Amsterdam aims to equip you with the knowledge, skills and insight required to operate as an independent scientist within the field of biomolecular sciences. It’ll also prepare you to become a suitable candidate for a career in research.

This two-year programme gives you the opportunity to choose between three specialisations, depending on your area of interest.

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Biomolecular Sciences: Molecular Cell Biology

Focus on the fundamentals of molecular and cellular processes

With the track Molecular Cell Biology, you can develop your skills further and your performance in molecular and cellular research. You can prepare yourself for an (inter)national research position. The track Molecular Cell Biology has been developed for students with a Bachelors degree in Biology or Biomedical Sciences or any other relevant Bachelor's degree (for instance Biochemistry or HLO).

If you choose the Molecular Cell Biology track, you’ll take two compulsory courses: Protein Science and Genomes and Gene Expression. You’ll also choose from a variety of electives, including:

• Cell Structures & Functions
• Molecular Infection Biology
• Signal Transduction in Health and Disease
• Microbial Genomics
• Biophotonics
• Drug-induced Stress and Cellular Responses
• Developmental Biology

Plus, you’ll take academic skills courses that will prepare you for getting into the lab. These include professional training for a scientific career as well as scientific writing skills.

Your internships are a very important part of the programme, with one shorter placement and one longer placement of around six months. You’re free to carry out internships at VU Amsterdam, off campus or even abroad in your second year.

You’ll also carry out a literature survey in your chosen research area, under the mentorship of a local expert. You can decide on your own topic and the research questions you want to investigate.

And finally, you’ll have the chance to supplement your coursework with selected capstone projects, which aim to provide you with in-depth knowledge and discussion of various research topics. While these projects are optional, they’re a great opportunity to discover the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject as well as completing assignments. Some current capstone topics include:

• Epigenetics
• Structural Biology 
• Protein Structure as Molecular Basis of Disease 
• Molecular Biotechnology 
• Cellular Protein Trafficking 

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Biomolecular Sciences: Molecular Cell Biology

Seek solutions to fundamental life sciences research questions

As a graduate in the Biomolecular Sciences programme, you’ll be well trained to seek solutions to fundamental life sciences research questions. You’ll have excellent research and scientific writing skills, as well as specialist knowledge in your area of scientific expertise.

The life sciences domain has burgeoned in recent years, so a Master’s degree (in addition to your Bachelor’s) is an absolute must to demonstrate the extensive lab experience and critical-thinking skills that you’ll need to conduct PhD research. To prepare you for a career in the academic or scientific sector, you’ll come up with your own professional development plan and learning portfolio as part of a core course (spanning both years of the programme) on professionalism in biomolecular sciences.

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Biomolecular Sciences: Molecular Cell Biology

I have an international degree

The Biomolecular Science programme is open to both Dutch and International Students. The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application.

In order to gain admission to the Biomolecular Sciences Master’s programme, you will need to have at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited research university including at least three full years of academic study amounting to a minimum of 180 ECTS or equivalent. We do not require a GRE or GMAT test score. A Bachelor's degree obtained at an applied university or higher vocational education (HBO in Dutch) in most cases does not grant direct access to the programme (only exceptionally high ranking students stand a chance of admission).

Specific admission requirements for the Biomolecular Sciences Master's programme

All students are strongly encouraged to contact the Master’s coordinator before applying. To be considered for admission to the Master’s programme in Biomolecular Sciences you must meet the following requirements depending on your previous education:

International students:

If you have a international Bachelor’s degree the Admission board will decide on your admission based on the following criteria:

1. A minimum of 24 ECTS coursework in Biochemistry/Molecular Cell Biology at the 300 level (last year of Bachelor).
2. An average Bachelor grade of at least 7.0 out of 10, or equivalent (GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0, second class upper division or higher for example).
3. Bachelor internship in a relevant field (Biochemistry/ Cell Biology) with a minimum grade of 7.5 out of 10 or equivalent in other grading systems. If a final grade is not yet available an interim evaluation by the internship supervision will be considered.
4. Experience with practical laboratory techniques gained in coursework and the Bachelor internship.
5. Academic competence at the MSc level and motivation for a career in research which will be evaluated during an interview (either in person or via computer).

General English language proficiency requirements

VU Amsterdam requires all applicants to take an English test. You can, however, begin your application without having the test results. Exceptions are made for students who have completed a Bachelor's or Master's in Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand or Australia.

The minimum English language proficiency requirements for admission to this Master's programme are:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall
• TOEFL Internet-based test: 92 overall
• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): A, B, C
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): A, B, C

I have a Dutch university level (WO) Bachelor's degree (VU Bachelor's degree, VU pre-Master's programme or Bachelor's degree at another university)

Admission is based on a strict selection procedure. The Faculty’s Admission Board will decide upon your admission after having evaluated your complete online application.

Admission to the Master's programme is possible for an applicant who has obtained a Bachelor’s degree obtained at an institution of academic higher education, which demonstrates the following knowledge, understanding and skills: a. Knowledge and understanding of: - Biochemistry - Molecular Genetics - Molecular Biology - Cell Biology b. Practical laboratory and research skills - basic laboratory techniques and methods obtained in practicals and courses - preferably a bachelor research internship on a subject related to the topics mentioned under a.

General language proficiency requirements

VU Amsterdam requires international students and students with a HBO degree to pass an English language proficiency test. This requirement can be met if no longer than two years before the start of the programme the applicant has successfully completed one of the following examinations with the minimum scores indicated:

• IELTS (Academic): 6.5 (due to Covid-19 the IELTS Indicator will also be accepted for admissions in 2020)
• TOEFL paper based test: 580
• TOEFL internet based test: 92
• VU TOEFL ITP: 580
• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): A, B, C
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): A, B, C

Exceptions are made for students who:

• have obtained a Dutch vwo-diploma including English, or an International Baccalaureate or European Baccalaureate diploma
• have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a Dutch university,
• have completed previous education in Canada, Ireland, UK, USA, Australia or New Zealand.

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Übersicht der Masterstudiengänge - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

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