Aim and mission
Our mission is to improve life, by providing an inspiring and innovative academic environment that enables our graduates to thrive in the dynamics of life sciences and society.
The Graduate School of Life Sciences aims to provide future scientists the knowledge, skills and insight they will need to take on top research positions around the world. Graduates will have had a sound academic training and gained a thorough insight into the role played by the life sciences in today’s society.
The academic training covers general professional skills (academic standards of work), reporting and presentation skills, practical skills and science-based professional skills (scientific discipline(s), research experience, how to access scientific knowledge, and problem-specific applications). The core issue of the programme is learning to perform independent research. The GSLS also offers students an opportunity to follow specific profiles for career training in the area of science management, the drug regulatory field, or science education and communication.
The GSLS strongly encourages students to supplement part of their Master’s programme with a course or project offered by another graduate school, university, institute or company, either in the Netherlands, Europe or overseas.
The GSLS aims for:
- Master's programmes tailored to the needs of science and society, based on Utrecht Life Sciences’ research themes and according to the prevailing (inter)national standards;
- an academic environment to develop professional competences with a distinct profile and tailored to individual needs and talents;
- inspiring and state-of-the-art teaching and supervision by a qualified team that actively and effectively facilitates academic and personal growth.
In the end, a GSLS graduate:
- is an interdisciplinary critical thinker and worker;
- creates impact in the dynamics of science and society;
- demonstrates integrity towards science and society;
- shows leadership;
- is a team player;
- is a lifelong learner.