Research Project

As a GSLS Master's student, you will conduct a Research Project during your Master's programme. A Research Project consists of experimental research, which is completed by a report and a final presentation. 

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GSLS principles on scientific integrity

You are part of the research community since the beginning of your Master. To guard the scientific integrity, especially during your research project, we created an overview of the principles, including proper research conduct, key ethical norms, and definitions of misconduct such as plagiarism, falsification, and fabrication, visit the scientific integrity page.

End products

The final assessment (step 4 on the step-by-step page) consists of three elements: research skills (60%), the written report (30%), and the final presentation (10%). On the step-by-step page, you will also find the rubrics, which explain clearly how each element is assessed.

Research Report 

Consult your examiner about the report format before you begin writing. A typical structure includes an abstract, plain language summary*, introduction, materials and methods, results, conclusion and discussion, and references. You must write the final report in English and must contain a statement if and how AI was used to generate the end product. If a company or government organisation explicitly requires a report in Dutch, you may request an exception. In that case, you must include an English summary. You may submit no more than one Dutch report during your Master’s degree programme.

* Plain language summary: ~500-word summary for an audience that understands Biology/Science at high school level

Final presentation

The final presentation occurs at the research group where the research was conducted. If the project takes place outside UU/UMCU, the presentation must be given at both the host institute and the examiner’s department, or the examiner can attend the presentation at the host institute.

Related documents

Extending Research Projects and Rescheduling End Dates

To ensure smooth progression and proper planning, it’s important to understand the rules surrounding extensions for your Research Profile projects and the adjustments of your project's end dates. These pages provide an overview of the key procedures for requesting additional credits or postponing your project’s end date. It includes details on eligibility, application steps, and valid justifications, helping you manage the process effectively while complying with programme requirements.

Discontinuing a Research Project

You may decide not to complete your research project for various reasons, such as the project not meeting your expectations or personal circumstances making it impossible to continue. Before making this decision, contact your programme coordinator and/or academic counsellor to discuss the challenges and explore possible solutions. The academic counsellor will guide you on the next steps in your study programme. If you choose to stop the project, you must inform your supervisor, examiner, programme coordinator, and the Master’s administration office as soon as possible.

Get in touch with the coordinators:

When you reach out to our coordinators, please include your student number in any email conversation. 

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  BMS programmes

  Tania Morán Luengo & Rianne Bouwmeester

  researchprojectcoordinator@umcutrecht.nl

  Phone: +31 (0)6 11619289  / +31 (0)6 55234411

  Location: Hijmans van den Bergh building (fourth floor), Universiteitsweg 98, 3584 CG Utrecht

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  Beta programmes

  Noor Weelink & Rebecca Puyk

  science.researchprojectcoordinator@uu.nl

  Location: Minnaert building Leuvenlaan 4, Room: 1.20 (waiting room)
  Walk-in hours: Mondays between 10:00 and 12:00 (please report to Minnaert 1.20)
  Phone hours: Fridays between 10:00 and 12:00 on the number: +31 641553879

  If you have short questions (5-10 minutes) please visit walk-in hours or call during phone hours.