Programme outline

A 36-week research project with one of the participating research groups. This includes giving a presentation and writing a report.

All the research groups belong to one of the research institutes:

Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research or
the Institute for Biodynamics and Biocomplexity

If approved by the programme committee, it is also possible to conduct the Major Research Project outside Utrecht University under the supervision of one of the research groups. This is only allowed when the Minor Research Project is done in one of participating research groups.

For formal approval from the Board of examiners of the GSLS you’ll have to fill in the general application form (see research project page) hand it in 1 month before the start of the research project.

As part of your study programme you have to select a profile. There is a choice of 9 different profiles with the aim of focusing your education in a specific direction. These include profiles with a research project component and a flexible curriculum, profiles with a more set course-list and assignments, and profiles that are a mix of the two.

For more information visit the GSLS-page Profiles.

All Graduate School of Life Sciences programmes devote ten weeks to theoretical courses. The Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences programme offers you a range of practical and theoretical courses. To meet the MCLS track criteria you have to obtain at least 9 EC track-specified courses. MCLS offers three general track courses (3 EC each) of which you have to follow at least two.

Check the tracks for a list of courses relevant for your track.

Electives give you the possibility to create your personal profile. Contact the programme coordinator how to use the electives in your programme.

For more information on the courses that you can choose to fulfill your elective component, visit the GSLS page on electives.

You will write a review presenting a literature overview including a discussion/evaluation of hypotheses and a personal view. Alternatively, you write a research proposal using the format of the open programme of NOW-ALW.

For more information visit the GSLS-page Writing assignment.

The Life Sciences Academy (BMB509718, GSLS-ACAD) is a compulsory 3-part module of 1.5 EC in total. This module is a combination of courses, workshops, seminars, and career events designed to cover all aspects of academic education and to acquaint you with a wide range of life sciences-related topics. Moreover, special focus is put on giving a comprehensive overview of the different choices you can make, both in terms of study components and personal development opportunities, but also to prepare you for your upcoming entry into the job market.

For more information visit the GSLS-page Life Sciences Academy.