Medical Science

The Medical Sciences track is closely linked to a number of other disciplines, for example the disciplines of Biology and Chemistry. Some courses offered in these tracks are pre-requisites for courses of the medical science track. In line with UCU’s interdisciplinary philosophy, the global health courses are also incorporated in the Medical Sciences track, as this field allows for an inter- and transdisciplinary perspective on health(care) including social determinants and health equity.

The Medical Science track does not have its own level 1 course and requires additional courses from other academic disciplines. As an exception to the Academic Rules and Regulations, you can use a level 1 Biology courses as a track starter.

After that, the level 2 course Mechanisms of Diseases is offered twice per academic year. For level 3, you have a choice between Immunology and Infectious Diseases, or Pharmacology. The level 2 and 3 courses of Global Health are each offered once a year. In addition, there are winter and summer laboratory courses linked to Anatomy, Histology and Epidemiology that are recommended to take as well. The thesis offers students the opportunity to explore a specific discipline or topic within Medical Sciences in more depth.

You will plan your exact course curriculum together with your tutor during your years at UCU. However, to give you already an indication of a curriculum designed for a pre-med student there is an example curriculum included below.

UCU students who do the (pre-)medical track and have the right requirements can apply to a number Medical Masters programme in the Netherlands and abroad. Please note: it is the responsibility of students to ascertain what the exact requirements are of possible masters, and together with their tutors map out their course planning accordingly. For medical programs in the Netherlands, this may require language (Dutch) entry tests.

Examples of medical masters in the Netherlands UCU alumni have enrolled into:

• Utrecht University: Selective Utrecht Medical Masters, more info: https://www.uu.nl/masters/selective-utrecht-medical-master-summa
• Maastricht University: Arts-Klinisch Onderzoeker (A-KO): https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/nl/onderwijs/master/master-arts-klinisch-onderzoeker
• VU: Zij-insroom Geneskunde (ZIGMA): https://vu.nl/nl/onderwijs/master/zij-instroomprogramma-geneeskunde-zigma/inhoud
• Rijksuniversiteit Groningen: Pre-master geneeskunde; https://www.rug.nl/umcg/education/geneeskunde/pre-master/

Importantly, not all medical science track students continue with medicine. Many instead choose to continue Biomedical or Life Sciences masters (i.e. more research oriented Master programs) or policy-oriented master programs.

Examples are:

• Masters within the UU Graduate School of Life Sciences: https://www.uu.nl/en/education/graduate-school-of-life-sciences/masters-programmes/future-masters-students
• Many other MA and MSc programs in the Netherlands, Europe and elsewhere.
• Interdisciplinary MSc programs
  • Global Health / Public health / Epidemiology
  • Healthcare management
  • Medical Humantities: https://www.uu.nl/masters/medical-humanities-geesteswetenschappelijke-en-geneeskundige-perspectieven-op-zorg-en-gezondheid
• For inspiration, see our Alumni stories: https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/university-college-utrecht/about-us/alumni-stories

• UCSCIBIO11 Molecular Cell Biology I [officially part of the Biology tack, but requirement for 200-level Medical Sciences courses). An introduction to the fundamental characteristics of life on earth. This course focuses mainly on what all organisms have in common and predominantly the function and origins of cells that make-up organisms.
• UCSCIBIO13 Human and Animal Biology (officially part of the Biology tack, but requirement for 200-level Medical Sciences courses). An introduction to human and animal structures (morphology and anatomy) and relate it to commonalities and similarly differences in terms of physiology, development, and evolutionary origins that account for diversity.
• UCSCIMED21 Mechanisms of Diseases. This course explores the relationship between anatomy and physiology of human organ systems and diseases onset (pathophysiology), and relate important topics in global health to enhance healthcare and overcome disease.
• UCSCIMED31 Immunology and Infectious Diseases. 
• UCSCIMED32 Pharmacology. Explores the various ways of drug action in the human body in terms of drug interaction with molecular targets and subsequent effects as well as the effect of the human body on the distribution and efficacy of drugs. 
• UCSCIMEDL2 Human Anatomy: macroscopically and microscopically. Students will examine the gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy of various organ systems, both in models and in human preparations. This course prepares for USCSCIMED21
• UCSCIMEDL3 Human Anatomy and Pathology. This module builds upon knowledge and insights gained from UCSCIMEDL2 and UCSCIMED21. Students will encounter in-detail anatomy of human organ systems and compare to pathology in organs, both macroscopically and microscopically.
• UCSCIEPIL1 Introduction to Epidemiology. The module provides insight into the basic terminology and principles of the epidemiologic field. The course will cover the basics and design of epidemiological research, ethical considerations regarding research and the discussion, interpretation and communication of epidemiological data.
• UCINTGLO21 Global Health - Interdomain course
• UCINTGLO31 Global Health Practice - Interdomain course

UCU encourages its students to explore multiple fields. This means that minors UCU Med track students have combined include political sciences, history, anthropology, development studies or arts.

Off campus courses are also possible to take for Med Track students, either at the UU, in the Netherlands or during an exchange semester. Given the specific requirements for the track it is important to plan this carefully with you tutor.

While it is not expected that you know from your very first semesters at UCU what possible masters you would like to pursue after, it is important to start your orientations in your second and early third year. This will allow you to tailor your course planning to specific MSc-level entry requirements that may be necessary.