Faculteit 2011 / / Study Guide. Utrecht University. Graduate School of Life Sciences

Transcription

1 Faculteit 2011 / / 2013 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences

2 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences Master s Programmes Biology of Disease Biomedical Image Sciences Cancer Genomics and Developmental Biology Drug Innovation Environmental Biology Epidemiology Epidemiology Postgraduate Infection and Immunity Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences Neuroscience and Cognition Regenerative Medicine and Toxicology Toxicology and Environmental Health

3 Communication The information in this study guide gives an overview of the study programmes offered for the academic year of This prospectus has been compiled with the utmost care, but is for informational purposes only and no rights can be derived from its contents. If there are any inaccuracies please inform one of the editors, Dr. Shirrinka Goubitz or Kim van den Heuvel Taverne, MSc. Editorial staff: Utrecht University, Graduate School of Life Sciences Editors: Shirrinka Goubitz, PhD and Kim van den Heuvel Taverne, MSc. Edition: Fifth edition, July 2012 Lay-out and text processing: ZuidamUithof Drukkerijen

4 Contents Preface 5 1. General Information Utrecht University The Graduate School of Life Sciences Aims of the Master s programmes of the Graduate School of Life Sciences Scientific integrity Copyrights and publication 9 2. Study Information Master s programmes of the Graduate School of 11 Life Sciences, 2.2 Admission Application Admission requirements Starting the programme Registration Introduction Outlines for MSc programmes Research projects Theoretical courses Master's thesis Elective component General elective courses Life Sciences seminars Profiles The Xtrack programme Administrative affairs How do I? Guidance and supervision Going abroad Scholarships Student s Charter Names and Addresses Student Life 31 Contents 3

5 Appendix 1 33 Short description of the MSc programmes 33 Appendix 2 41 List of research groups 41 a. Faculty of Science (Bètafaculteit) 41 b. UMC Utrecht 42 c. Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) 44 d. Hubrecht Institute 45 e. Freudenthal Institute 45 Appendix 3 47 Who is who? 47 4 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

6 Preface Dear Master s student, Welcome to Utrecht University and to the Graduate School of Life Sciences. This school is one of six graduate schools that Utrecht University established several years ago, and in which the training and education of both MSc and PhD students is combined. In this way we can optimally integrate theory and practice at these two levels, and guarantee the quality and consistency of all our programmes. The Graduate School of Life Sciences combines 12 MSc programmes that deal with micro-organisms, plants, animals, humans, the molecules of life, and health and disease. The expertise and education facilities of the Faculty of Science, which includes Pharmacy, Chemistry and Biology, and the clinical research of the Faculties of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine are thus combined, and together offer a broad spectrum of research opportunities that is unique in the Netherlands. Our school is built on the strong foundations laid down by internationally renowned research schools and institutes. Despite the size of the Graduate School of Life Sciences, you will find that you are part of a community. Each year about 300 students register for one of the programmes. During their 2-years master programme they are located all over the Uithof recently named Utrecht Science Park - campus, but at least once a month they come together for the Life Sciences seminars, in which top scientists talk about the latest advances in their field. The speakers are invited by the various programmes in turn. In this way, all our students are in touch with the frontiers of the Life Sciences. To encourage you to attend these seminars, there is a happy hour for students and staff held after every talk. Apart from that, student societies organise regular social activities, both within and outside the Life Sciences. This guide will help you find your way in most of the things you come across during the next two years. It provides addresses and websites for information, rules and procedures, and addresses (including ) of all the people who may play a role in your training at any given time. Please read the guide carefully and if you miss any information, do not hesitate to let us know. Most importantly, I hope you will enjoy your study here. We know from previous years that the effort you make will be rewarded by excellent job opportunities. But do also take the time to enjoy Utrecht and being together with colleagues and friends in this old and beautiful city. Prof. Dop Bär, Professor of Biomedical Sciences Vice-chairman Board of Studies of the Graduate School of Life Sciences Preface 5

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8 1. General Information 1.1 Utrecht University Located in the centre of the Netherlands, Utrecht University (UU) is firmly built on tradition. It was founded in 1636 and has developed into one of Europe's largest and most prominent institutes for research and education. With 45 Bachelor's programmes and about 170 Master's programmes including 81 international Master's programmes Utrecht University offers courses in the broadest spectrum of disciplines available in the Netherlands, engages in an extensive range of high quality, innovative research, and liaises with universities and research centres all over the world. At Utrecht University quality is always key, in both teaching and research. Every year some 2000 international students come to Utrecht to take part in our English-language programmes, which are available in nearly all disciplines and at all degree levels. 1.2 The Graduate School of Life Sciences Utrecht University offers a broad range of academic disciplines. Its graduate division was set up in order to strengthen interdisciplinary endeavours in both research and teaching. Within this division the graduate research programmes are clustered in six graduate schools: Graduate School of Arts and Humanities Graduate School of Geosciences Graduate School of Law, Economics and Governance Graduate School of Natural Sciences Graduate School of Social and Behavioural Sciences Graduate School of Life Sciences The Graduate School of Life Sciences (GS-LS) combines the research areas for the MSc degrees in the biological sciences, biomedical sciences, chemical sciences, neuroscience and cognition, and pharmaceutical sciences, and it offers a number of research degree programmes, at MSc and PhD level, thus providing students and researchers with a forum for collaboration and feedback. All programmes of the Graduate School of Life Sciences are linked to renowned research institutes and schools within Utrecht University, and combine the expertise and education facilities of the Faculty of Science with the clinical research and education of the Faculties of Medicine (University Medical Centre Utrecht) General information 7

9 and Veterinary Medicine (UU). This cooperation, combined in Utrecht Life Sciences, and located in the Utrecht Science Park, is unique in the Netherlands and has gained a strong international reputation in biomedical and Life Sciences research. 1.3 Aims of the Master s programmes of Graduate School of Life Sciences 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 GS-LS 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 GS-LS 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. 1.4 Scientific integrity As a master s student, you enter the world of scientific research, which comes with its own code of conduct, based on principles of proper scientific behaviour. You are supposed to follow the guidelines of scientific integrity throughout your study period. The project and thesis manuals contain a chapter with more information on scientific integrity. Utrecht University takes fraud and plagiarism very seriously. It will not be tolerated if you fake responses from questionnaires or research data, or include data or sections of text from others in a thesis without quoting the source. All essays, reports and theses will be scanned for plagiarism. Those (co-) committing fraud or plagiarism will be punished by the sanctions described in the Education- and Examination Regulations, varying from invalidation of a paper and a record in OSIRIS to permanent termination of registration to the programme. Also no Cum laude classification can be obtained. 8 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

10 1.5 Copyrights and publication Publication rights of all products resulting from your studies are always transferred to Utrecht University. Your rights as an author of the thesis will be recognized. When the supervisor or others use part of the data or texts from your work in their own publications, they need to follow the guidelines of scientific fairness. Your contribution may be acknowledged in different ways. Not only does this depend on the amount of data/texts used, but it also depends on the quality of your work and your level of independence during the project. You may be named in the acknowledgments, your report/thesis may be used as a literature reference or you may be asked to be a co-author for an article. Open communication of results is supported by Utrecht university by publishing students theses through IGITUR, the public network of the library. You will be asked to upload you final version in IGITUR. The thesis will be made public after graduation. Discuss uploading your work in IGITUR with your supervisor. In some cases it may be necessary to upload your thesis under embargo (temporarily not open for public) or as no open access (never open to public). The last option may be the case when writing a thesis for a company where secrecy is involved. General information 9

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12 2. Study Information This guide is intended for students of the Graduate School of Life Sciences (GS-LS), Utrecht University. 2.1 Master s programmes in the Graduate School of Life Sciences, Utrecht University The Graduate School of Life Sciences offers the following 12 Master s programmes: Biology of Disease Biomedical Image Sciences Cancer Genomics and Developmental Biology Drug Innovation Environmental Biology Epidemiology Epidemiology Postgraduate Infection and Immunity Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences Neuroscience and Cognition, with 2 tracks: - Cognitive Neuroscience - Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience Regenerative Medicine and Technology Toxicology and Environmental Health See appendix 1 for a short description of the programmes. 2.2 Admission Application Application to a Master s programme should be done online through the Dutch or international Master s website of Utrecht University. The websites provide all the necessary information, including information on deadlines, finances, housing and other relevant links. Dutch site (for students with a Dutch diploma only): International site: Study information 11

13 The Board of Admissions will only handle applications which are complete and submitted in time (see website for application deadlines). Please note that applicants with a Bachelor s degree from Utrecht University also need to submit a CV and letter of motivation, like all other applicants Admission requirements Requirements for admission to a Master s degree programme 1. The holder of a Dutch or foreign degree who demonstrates knowledge, insight and skills in the field of life sciences at the level of a Bachelor s degree in (1) Biology, (2) Biomedical Sciences or Biomedical Technology, (3) Chemistry, (4) Pharmacy or (5) Biomedical sciences, Psychology, Artificial intelligence or Language sciences will be admitted to the Master s degree in (1) Biological Sciences, (2) Biomedical Sciences, (3) Chemical Sciences, (4) Pharmaceutical Sciences or (5) Neuroscience and Cognition The holder of a diploma of a Bachelor s degree in (1) Biology, (2) Biomedical Sciences, (3) Chemistry, or (4) Pharmacy of Utrecht University is assumed to have gained the knowledge, insight, and skills referred to in the first clause, and can therefore be admitted to a Master s degree in (1) Biological Sciences, (2) Biomedical Sciences or Neuroscience and Cognition, (3) Chemical Sciences, or (4) Pharmaceutical Sciences. 3. The holder of a Dutch or foreign higher education degree who demonstrates knowledge, insight and skills in the field of life sciences at the level of a Dutch Master s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, or Pharmacy is eligible for admission to the Master s degree Health Sciences. In addition, language requirements apply as stated in the EER Starting the programme Registration When you have been accepted for a programme you will be sent a registration pack. Utrecht University s Student Service is the address for all questions about your registration, payment of tuition fees, your student address, student card, etc. The Student Service is located at the Utrecht Science Park, De Uithof campus. Visiting address: Heidelberglaan 8, De Uithof, Utrecht Phone: +31 (0) Internet: Frequently asked questions: qdesk.uu.nl Postal address: PO Box 80125, 3508 TC Utrecht, the Netherlands. 1 The numbers correspond to the Bachelor degrees which give access to the Master s degree. 12 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

14 2.3.2 Introduction In the month before the start of the programme you receive information about the introduction period. In the first days of the academic year the programme coordinator and other staff will welcome you and tell you about the options in courses and research projects. 2.4 Outlines for Master s programmes The general outline of the Life Sciences Master s programmes is shown below; they consist of 120 credits in total. Credits are assigned according to the European Credit Transfer System. The main part consists of two research projects, 33 and 51 credits, in which you will learn how to perform scientific research in a laboratory, under the guidance of experienced scientists. The exceptions are Biomedical Image Sciences, Epidemiology and Epidemiology Postgraduate (see schemes below) as these programmes have only one research project. All projects are finished with a written report and an oral presentation. Each programme has one or more specific theoretical courses, for a total of 15 credits (exceptions: Biomedical Image Sciences 45 credits, Epidemiology and Epidemiology Postgraduate both 34 credits). A complete and up-to-date list of the available courses can be found on the website of the Graduate School: All students need to write a Master s thesis (7.5 credits) and attend at least 10 Life Sciences seminars during the 2 years programme (1.5 credits in total), except students in the Epidemiology Postgraduate programme. Programme scheme for all programmes, except Biomedical Image Sciences and Epidemiology / Epidemiology Postgraduate (order of components is optional) Minor research project (incl. presentation and report) 33 credits Mandatory theoretical courses 15 credits Elective component 12 credits Major research project (incl. presentation and report) 51 credits Master s thesis 7.5 credits 10 LS seminars 1.5 credits LS - Life sciences Study information 13

15 Biomedical Image Sciences (order of components is optional) Mandatory theoretical courses 45 credits Elective component 12 credits Master s thesis 7.5 credits Major research project (incl. presentation and report) 54 credits 5 LS seminars/ 5 IMAGO seminars 1.5 credits IMAGO - Research School for Biomedical Image Sciences Epidemiology (order of components is optional) Mandatory theoretical courses 34 credits Elective component 12 credits Master s thesis 7.5 credits Major research project (incl. presentation and report) 65 credits 10 LS seminars 1.5 credits Epidemiology Postgraduate (order of components is optional) Mandatory theoretical courses 34 credits Major research project (incl. presentation and report) 56 credits 14 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

16 2.4.1 Research projects You can choose research projects within the scope of your Master s programme, in consultation with your programme coordinator and after the approval of the Board of Examiners. You can experience working in one of the biomedical/life sciences research groups at Utrecht University, or go to a research laboratory elsewhere in the Netherlands, abroad, or to a biotechnology or pharmaceutical company. However, your major research project has to be done at Utrecht University or at the UMC Utrecht. Research projects of BISM, EPIM and EPMM can partly be conducted abroad, but only in cooperation with Utrecht University. In appendix 2 you will find an overview of all the research groups in the GS-LS and affiliated institutes. More information on research projects can be obtained from the groups websites or via your programme coordinator. On the GS-LS website you can also find guides for both students and supervisors with extended information and guidelines with regard to research project supervision and progress Theoretical courses Every Master s programme of the Graduate School of Life Sciences has its own set of specific theoretical courses. A general overview of theoretical courses from all Master s programmes is given in the course list on Master s thesis For your Master s thesis you need to consider the following points: You choose your topic in consultation with the programme coordinator. The topic of your Master s thesis requires prior approval by the Board of Examiners. The topic may be related to your research project (though it should be clearly distinct), but you may also choose a totally different topic. On the website you can find guides for both students and supervisors with extended information and guidelines with regard to thesis supervision and progress Elective component All Master s programmes in the life sciences have elective components (total of 12 credits), with the exception of Epidemiology Postgraduate. If you lack knowledge on a particular subject, as judged by the programme coordinator upon admission to the programme, you must use the elective component to make this up - e.g. by following BSc courses. These should be planned in advance, as these courses are only given a few times per year. If you have no gaps, you may choose how to use the elective component, as long as the courses you choose are on Master s level and in the area of Life Sciences. Study information 15

17 Your programme coordinator needs to approve your plan. You may also perform a short internship, for which you need approval of the Board of Examiners. The elective component can only be used to extend one of the research projects, if the Board of Examiners believes that this extension will truly make an extra contribution to your research project, and if the extension is requested before starting the project General elective courses The general elective courses are open to all Master s students of the GS-LS and can be followed as part of the elective component. If you would like to take one or more of these courses, always consult your programme coordinator who needs to approve your choices. The following general elective courses are available: Title Credits Academic Writing 1 Basics of Biostatistics 3 Communicating Life Sciences 3 English for Academic Purposes 3 Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Life Sciences & Health 1.5 History, Role and Impact of the Medical Sciences 7.5 Training Onderwijsvaardigheden in Dutch 7.5 Laboratory Animal Sciences course 3 Loopbaanplanning en Professionalisering in Dutch 5 Radiation Safety course 2 Science and Society 3 More information on the content and registration of the courses is available on Some of these courses are expensive and are indicated as such on the website. Prior approval of the Board of Examiners is always required if you would like to follow more than one of these expensive courses Life Sciences Seminars (1.5 credits) The Life Sciences seminars are organised monthly, and given by well-known, international scientists who present their research on topics covering the full range of biomedical and life sciences. Information about dates, locations and speakers can be found on the Life Sciences website: 16 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

18 2.4.7 Profiles All programmes offer so-called 'profiles'. You can replace your minor research project with theoretical courses in other topics, followed by practical work in management, drug regulatory science, or science communication and education. The total duration is about 6 months. You can use your elective component (12 credits) to extend a profile from 33 credits to 45 credits. The profile achievements are given on a separate grade list. There are four profiles: 1. 'Research' profile. This profile is particularly suited to prepare for a career in scientific research, and is the most popular profile, as it provides a strong base for almost all other careers. It involves 2 research projects, of 33 credits (6 months) and 51 credits (9 months). Biomedical Image Sciences and Epidemiology/Epidemiology Postgraduate only have one research project. 2. 'Management' or M-profile. Skills in the life sciences will be combined with courses in management and business economics (33 credits). The 'Fundamentals of Business and Economics' (FBE) course consists of 8 intensive modules and 4 workshops. More information: Prof. dr. A. Buijs, [email protected]. 3. 'Communication and Education' (C&E) profile. This offers a 33-credit programme which provides a theoretical and practical introduction into science communication and education. This profile prepares students for a career in science journalism, communication, profit and non-profit organisations or teaching. For more information please visit: 4. 'Drug Regulatory Sciences' (DRS) profile. This profile is available for Life Sciences Master s students that intent to follow a career in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry. In fact, hundreds of people work full time in regulatory affairs, linked to the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (MEA, similar to the American FDA) or in the Dutch National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). Courses are taught by MEA staff who are experts in the field of regulatory affairs. More information: Irma Meijerman, PhD, [email protected]. For more information about the profiles see: The Xtrack programme The Xtrack programme is a two-year, extracurricular honours programme for a small group of outstanding students who are participating in one of the Life Sciences programmes. The Xtrack programme is additional to the standard curriculum. It provides students with the opportunity to gain broader experience in academic and other skills, as well as allowing them to build up a peer network beyond the boundaries of their own Master s programme, and possibly to gain a better position on the job market. In the first year the Xtrack students will organise a symposium and in the second year each student will write a research proposal. The Xtrack student that writes the best research proposal will be awarded a Study information 17

19 5000,- prize. All students who have successfully completed the Xtrack programme will receive a certificate. Selection The members of the Xtrack team are selected during the first semester of the first year. All talented and highly motivated first-year MSc students are invited to apply for the Xtrack programme. You are requested to submit an application to the Master s Administration Office or Kirsten Boersma van Nierop, MSc: K. Boersma-van Nierop, MSc Xtrack programme coordinator UMCU, directie Onderwijs & Opleidingen HB 4.05 PO Box GA Utrecht Please include: a letter of motivation, your curriculum vitae, proof of your school grades, BSc portfolio, BSc grades, results obtained in the first months of the MSc programme, extra-curricular activities, and a letter of recommendation from your programme coordinator. For more information, see 'Xtrack Programme on www. uu.nl/lifesciences. A committee will judge all applications and select the Xtrack team. Applicants may be asked to attend an interview with the selection committee. It is our aim that the top-5% of all Master s students enter the programme (6-10 students). First year The first stage is a collective project, during which the Xtrack team organises a symposium on a hot topic in Life Sciences. They are responsible for everything: choosing the topic of the symposium, designing the programme, inviting speakers, attracting sponsors, etc. The students are coached by a staff member of Studium Generale (a university-wide series of lectures of general academic interest, www. sg.uu.nl). The symposium is held in September and is open to all who are interested. It is the first of the series of Life Sciences seminars that are compulsory for all Master s students. From 2004 onwards, subjects of the symposium included 'Nanotechnology' (2004), 'Staying alive' (2005) on ageing, 'Survival of the fattest' (2006) on diabetes, and Infection in action global spread of animal viruses to man: fact or fiction (2007), Boost your Body fitter through functional food? (2008), Buy or sell? The neurobiology behind decisions (2009), Ingenious Medicine: Can Gene Therapy Change the Future of Health Care? (2010) and Beyond the Genome: Epigenetics & the Histone Code (2011) each attracted over 400 people, and the programmes included outstanding international and Dutch speakers. 18 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

20 Second year If they complete the first year successfully, Xtrack students may continue to the second stage of the programme. The second stage is performed individually. Each student writes a research proposal for a project lasting at least three years, comparable to a PhD project. The topic of the research project is chosen by the student, and must be compatible with the research interests of one of the UMC Utrecht and/or Utrecht University s Life Sciences groups or institutes. The research proposal must be written according to the terms of the 'application form for Xtrack fellowship'. Students are allowed to find a coach, a senior staff member, who will act as sparring partner during the writing of the project. However, deciding on the topic and writing the proposal has to be the work of the individual student. A jury will judge all the research proposals. The jury consists of top scientists with a great deal of experience in active research and as a PhD supervisor, and are capable of dealing with the whole panorama of Life Sciences research topics. The Xtrack students are asked to give a presentation of their proposal and to answer questions on their research proposal. The jury will judge proposals on: Originality Feasibility Scientific impact Social relevance Clarity of presentation There is a prize of 5000,- for the best research proposal. The jury may decide to announce joint winners. The winner(s) will be announced during the following Xtrack symposium. Xtrack schedule (N.B. dates are estimated) Year 1 November - All first-year students are invited to apply for Xtrack December - Deadline for application January - Selection of students for Xtrack February - Start of the programme September - Symposium as kick-off for the yearly Life Sciences seminar series Year 2 November - Xtrack students are informed about second stage Winter - Writing research project June - Project submission July - Jury reviews projects and makes initial selection August - Oral presentations and final decision of jury September - Award ceremony during Xtrack symposium Study information 19

21 2.5 Administrative affairs All forms and procedures can be downloaded from The assessment forms of research projects and thesis should be collected at the students service desk in the Hijmans van den Bergh building, in the Buijs Ballot building, or in the David de Wied building (see section 2.9) How do I? Plan my programme When you are admitted, the first thing to do is to plan your programme together with your coordinator. Remember, he or she has to approve every part of your programme in advance. To make this process easier, you can download a Planning Form from: You and your programme coordinator fill in this form as far as possible. If you do not know what projects you want to do, or the topic of your thesis, leave these blank, or indicate the direction you are thinking about. This form is an on-going document to help you plan your programme. It has no official status, but we ask for a copy for your personal file. You can change the contents of the form at any time after consulting your coordinator. Apply for a research project The main part of your training as a Life Sciences student is formed by the two research projects. Like any other part of your 2-year programme, the quality and suitability of the projects is assessed by the Board of Examiners. In order to prevent disappointment, this assessment is done before you start the project. This means that you have to make plans and discuss them with your coordinator before you start. You can use the General Application Form to ask for approval from the Board of Examiners ( You have to discuss the subject and starting date with the (laboratory) supervisor. During the projects you are member of a team of researchers in a certain laboratory. You are advised to plan some general matters before you begin, for instance, when you want to go on holiday or when you need to take courses etc. during working hours. The group will also have certain meetings in which you should participate, such as weekly lab meetings, journal clubs, seminars, etc. To get an idea of what is expected, and in order to clarify these issues, you have to get your examiner to sign the form as well. External projects, projects at a non-university institute, and projects abroad require signing of an external contract from Utrecht University by the student, the external supervisor and the examiner. This form can also be found on Please note: You cannot start your project unless you have received approval from the Board of Examiners! The permissions are checked when you are ready to graduate. To give the Board time to assess your project, you must hand in the 20 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

22 application form at the Master s Administration Office at least one month (20 working days) before the starting date of your project. On the website you can also find guides for both students and supervisors with extended information and guidelines with regard to research project supervision and progress. When you have finished the report of your research project you must register your result using the Assessment Form,which can be collected at the students service desk of your programme. Before handing in the Assessment Form at the Master s Administration Office you have to: - Upload your report to Ephorus for a check on plagiarism via Your examiner should have an account and he/she can tell you which address and password to use. The assessment report from Ephorus should be added to your Assessment Form. - Hand in a digital copy (PDF) of your report of your research project when you hand in the assessment form at the Master s Administration Office. Assessment Forms without the Ephorus report and digital copy of your report will not be accepted or registered. Apply for a Master s thesis Prior approval is also obligatory for your Master s thesis. Download the General Application Form from: Fill it in, have it signed by your programme coordinator and the examiner, and hand it in at the Master s Administration Office at least 20 working days before the starting date of your Master s thesis. When you have finished your Master s thesis you must register your result using the Assessment Form. On the website you can also find guides for both students and supervisors with extended information and guidelines with regard to thesis supervision and progress. When you have finished your Master s thesis you must register your result using the Assessment Form. Before handing in the Assessment Form at the Master s Administration Office you have to: - Upload your thesis to Ephorus for a check on plagiarism via Your examiner should have an account and he/she can tell you which address and password to use. The assessment report from Ephorus should be added to your Assessment Form. Study information 21

23 - Upload a digital version (WORD-file) of your thesis to the Igitur Archive of the University Library. You need to hand in a print of the confirmation from the Igitur Archive (as proof of having put it in the archive). You can upload your thesis via: Assessment Forms without the Ephorus report and confirmation from Igitur will not be accepted or registered. Plan my Elective components The elective component must be approved by your programme coordinator. To register your agreement with your programme coordinator, fill in the Planning Form. It has no official status, but we would like a copy for your personal file. Please note: If you wish to use your elective period to extend your research project or profile or if you want to conduct a mini-project (research project in elective), you need prior approval from the Board of Examiners. This extension should be requested with a clear motivation when you apply for the research project via the General Application Form. A request for extension at a later stage in the research project can be filed only through a written request and will only be approved by the Board of Examiners if there are important scientific reasons. Get my results correctly registered To get your results for the projects and thesis correctly registered you should use the Assessment Form study component (only available at the students service desk). Fill these forms in carefully and completely to avoid delays. Forms have to be signed by you, the examiner, and second reviewer as well as the programme coordinator. In addition, you have to: In case of a research project - Upload your report to Ephorus for a check on plagiarism via Your examiner should have an account and he/she can tell you which address and password to use. The assessment report from Ephorus should be added to your Assessment Form. - Hand in a digital copy (PDF) of your report of your research project when you hand in the assessment form at the Master s Administration Office. Assessment Forms without the Ephorus report and digital copy of your report will not be accepted or registered. In case of a Master s thesis - Upload your thesis to Ephorus for a check on plagiarism via Your examiner should have an account and he/she can tell you which address and password to use. The assessment report from Ephorus should be added to your Assessment Form. 22 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

24 - Upload a digital version (WORD-file) of your thesis to the Igitur Archive of the University Library. You need to hand in a print of the confirmation from the Igitur Archive (as proof of having put it in the archive). You can upload your thesis via: Assessment Forms without the Ephorus report and confirmation form Igitur will not be accepted or registered. Please note: after completion of the steps described above, the Master s Administration Office has to contact your examiner to verify your grade, before results can be registered in Osiris (the student administration system). Please take this into account when submitting your final grades before graduation as this might take some time. Enrol for my Master s exam, when I am finished When you have finished all the programme parts, fill out the form Graduation Application Form. It must be signed by your programme coordinator. Make an appointment with the Master s Administration Office to check all applications and registered marks in your file and in Osiris. The Board of Examiners checks this file before approving your graduation application. The file must therefore contain all your application forms. If everything is in order, the Master s Administration Office will take care of the certificate and the International Diploma Supplement (IDS). You will also be informed on the graduation ceremony. For this ceremony you invite a teacher to address you and he/she will make a short speech about your achievements (a laudatio). Your certificate will then be signed by the Board of Examiners and by you. It is presented together with your list of marks (IDS). After the ceremony, drinks are served to celebrate graduation! Please note that the date of graduation is the last day of the month in which you received your last grade and the Board of Examiners has made the decision that you have passed the exam. You can only graduate if your application is completed (all grades are in OSIRIS) and your application form for graduation is handed in at the Master s Administration Office. Each month you delay your graduation request, costs you tuition fee. After graduation you have to actively terminate your enrolment at Utrecht University. More information can be found on the website of the UU ( Know the dates of Master s graduation ceremonies You can find the dates on Study information 23

25 Check the registration of my grades Grades are registered in Osiris, which is an online system for student administration and study progress. The system contains your personal information and an overview of all your grades. Please check these regularly for correctness on www. uu.nl/osirisstudent. 2.6 Guidance and supervision The programme coordinator is your first contact for all matters regarding the content of your individual programme and any other specific information on the programme. The academic counsellor can be contacted if you encounter a study-related problem. This can be any problem, for example, with your motivation, study plan, supervisor, or finances, but also with personal or medical problems that may interfere with your progress. You are urged to contact the counsellors as soon as possible when personal or medical problems present, and not to wait too long. The communication between student and academic counsellor is strictly confidential: without your permission nothing will be mentioned to others within or outside the organisation. The counsellor can help you by analysing the problems and advising on possible solutions. The counsellor may also offer information or can mediate between you and your supervisor, Master s programme coordinator or the Board of Examiners. You may be referred to an expert. The GS-LS has academic counsellors at a couple of locations; you can find their contact information in section Going abroad Many students consider following a part of their programme abroad. In this respect the GS-LS encourages their students to develop intercultural orientation. However, it is the student s responsibility to realise their ambition since there are no ready-made projects. Suitable places to work abroad can be found via the internet, via staff members of Utrecht departments, or via your programme coordinator. Before you make your choice, always consult your coordinator. We strongly advise you to start in good time (6-9 months beforehand) if you would like to study abroad, because many things have to be arranged before you can leave. You can find a step-by-step plan on our website If you are considering studying or doing an internship abroad, you can consult the programmes International Office. They have information on grants, visas, scholarships, administrative affairs, etc. 24 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

26 Students of the Biology of Disease, Biomedical Image Sciences, Cancer Genomics and Developmental Biology, Epidemiology, Epidemiology Postgraduate, Immunity and Infection, Neuroscience and Cognition, Regenerative Medicine and Technology, and Toxicology and Environmental Health programmes can consult the International Office in room G , UMC Utrecht. Counselling hours are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, h. Phone: Students of the Drug Innovation programme can consult Manon Thijssen in room 1.11, De Wied building. Phone: /7310. Students of the Environmental Biology programme can consult Isolde den Tonkelaar in room 1.83, Buijs Ballot building. [email protected]; Phone: Students of Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences can consult Jos Koeckhoven in room 1.23, Buijs Ballot building. [email protected]; Phone: Scholarships Following part of your Master s programme abroad can be costly, but some financial support is available. Make sure you apply for a grant at least six months in advance. You are responsible for arranging your own grant. There are also possibilities to receive funding from a faculty or department - this can be requested via the academic counsellor. To obtain a scholarship you may need to get permission from the academic counsellor after first obtaining approval from the Board of Examiners to perform your project abroad. Information on many of the scholarships can be found on Erasmus Scholarships Leonardo Scholarships Van Wijck-Stam-Caspers (WSC) Fund Van Walree Fund See also (in Dutch): Study information 25

27 2.8 Student s Charter The Students Charter can be found at: It contains a description of the rights and obligations of students, on the one hand, and Utrecht University, on the other. For the Master s degree in Health Sciences a different Charter applies. 2.9 Names and Addresses Here is an overview of the programme coordinators, the academic counsellors and the Master s Administration Offices for each programme. Master s programme Programme Counsellor Administration Coordinator Biology of Disease Maria Zonderland, PhD Jaco de Fockert, MSc Biomedical Sciences Biomedical Image Renée Allebrandi Jaco de Fockert, MSc Biomedical Sciences Sciences Cancer Genomics and Paul Steenbergh, PhD Jaco de Fockert, MSc Biomedical Sciences Developmental Biology. Epidemiology Sabine Uijl, PhD Jaco de Fockert, MSc Biomedical Sciences Epidemiology Sabine Uijl, PhD Jaco de Fockert, MSc Biomedical Sciences Postgraduate Infection and Immunity Kristin Denzer, PhD Jaco de Fockert, MSc Biomedical Sciences Neuroscience and Geert Ramakers, PhD Jaco de Fockert, MSc Biomedical Sciences Cognition: - Cognitive neuroscience Prof. Albert Postma Jaco de Fockert, MSc Biomedical Sciences - Experimental and Pierre de Graan, PhD Jaco de Fockert, MSc Biomedical Sciences Clinical Neuroscience Regenerative Medicine Debby Gawlitta, PhD Jaco de Fockert, MSc Biomedical Sciences and Technology Toxicology and Mieke Lumens, PhD Jaco de Fockert, MSc Biomedical Sciences Environmental Health Molecular and Cellular Anje de Graaf, MSc Jos Koeckhoven, MSc Chemistry Life Sciences Drug Innovation Ed Moret, PhD Manon Thijssen, MSc Pharmacy Environmental Biology Peter Bakker, PhD Isolde den Tonkelaar, MSc Biology Master s Administration Offices Student administration for Biomedical Sciences Room HB1.04, Hijmans van den Bergh building Universiteitsweg GA Utrecht [email protected] 26 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

28 Student administration for Biology and Chemistry Room 1.24b, Buijs Ballot building Princetonplein CC Utrecht [email protected] Student administration Pharmacy Room 1.09, David de Wied building Universiteitsweg CG Utrecht [email protected] Academic counsellors Jaco de Fockert-Koefoed, MSc Department of Biomedical Sciences Visiting hours: daily h For an appointment call: ( h, h) Visiting address: room HB1.38, Hijmans van den Bergh building [email protected] Isolde den Tonkelaar, MSc Department of Biology Visiting hours: Thursday h Appointment hours: Tuesday h, Thursday h For an appointment call: Visiting address: room 1.83, Buijs Ballot building [email protected] Jos Koeckhoven, MSc Department of Chemistry Visiting hours: Wednesday h For an appointment call: Visiting address: room 1.23, Buijs Ballot Building [email protected] Manon Thijssen, MSc Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Visiting hours: Mondays h, Thursdays h For an appointment call: /7310 Visiting address: room 1.11, de Wied Building [email protected] Study information 27

29 Programme coordinators Renée Allebrandi Peter Bakker, PhD Kristin Denzer, PhD Debby Gawlitta, PhD Anje de Graaf, MSc Pierre de Graan, PhD Mieke Lumens, PhD Ed Moret, PhD Prof. Albert Postma Geert Ramakers, PhD Paul Steenbergh, PhD Sabine Uijl, PhD Maria Zonderland, PhD Board of Examiners Chair: M.L. Zonderland, PhD Secretaries: - Gönül Dilaver, PhD, Biomedical Sciences, room 4.04c, Hijmans van den Bergh building, Universiteitsweg 98, Utrecht [email protected] - Shirrinka Goubitz, PhD, Science Faculty, Buys Ballot building, room 119; Princetonplein 5, Utrecht [email protected] Educational Committee Chair: Prof. J. Boonstra Secretaries: - Kirsten Boersma-van Nierop, MSc [email protected] - Loes Sylaj-Brands, Biomedical Sciences, room HB 4.05, Hijmans van den Bergh building, Universiteitsweg 98, Utrecht Postal address: HB 4.05, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht [email protected] The Educational committee of the Graduate School of Life Sciences is composed of 7 staff- and 7 Master s student members representing the research Master s programmes of the Faculties of Science, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. The educational committee is concerned with establishing the quality of education of the Master s programmes in the Graduate School of Life Sciences. This quality is determined by evaluation of Master s courses and internships by students and the response of the relevant teachers, important parameters constituting the scientific level of the course, study efficiency, and student satisfaction. 28 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

30 Board of Admissions Chair: Prof. P.R. Bär Secretary: Gönül Dilaver, PhD, Shirrinka Goubitz, PhD Members: Prof. J. Boonstra Prof. A. de Boer M.L. Zonderland, PhD, advisor Life Sciences Representatives Life Sciences Representatives (LSR) is a student initiative to represent the interests and rights of all Master s students of the Graduate School of Life Sciences at Utrecht University. Constitution The LSR consists of at least one Master s student of every programme within the school, and preferably one from each track of the Master s in Neuroscience & Cognition. All student members of the Educational Committee (EC) and Board of Studies (BoS) are part of the LSR. In addition, at least one representative of the Life Sciences associated study associations be a member of the LSR. Functions: Represent the interests of all Master s students of the GS-LS at the educational level, Feedback between the student members of the EC and BoS and the rest of the students, Identify problems Master s students experience within the course of their studies and try to resolve them, either by: reporting and discussing the problems or complaints in the EC, BoS or programme coordinator meetings, taking direct action or passing on the problem to those who are fit to handle it, Fill the vacant student positions in the EC and BoS at the start of each new academic year, Increase the coherence between the different programmes within the GS-LS, Promotion of the LSR and its functions to the new Master s students every year, Handle the applications of putative new LSR members at the beginning of every academic year. For all your questions and complaints you can mail to: [email protected] Study information 29

31 Computer Facilities Computer facilities can be found on the second and third floor of the Hijmans van den Bergh Building, for Biomedical Sciences students, on the ground floor of the Went Building, and on the fifth floor of the Kruyt Building, for Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy students. Student Services and International Office (UU) Student Services can give you information and advice on all kinds of matters concerning your life as a student, e.g. on admission and enrolment, registration and tuition fees, financial matters, student financial assistance, and university financial schemes, but also on complaints procedures, finding accommodation and the activities of student organisations. The International Office of Utrecht University is a part of Student Services, and has three main tasks: admissions of foreign students, exchanges and visas. Frequently asked questions: Postal address Student Services PO Box TC Utrecht The Netherlands Visitors address University administration building (Bestuursgebouw), Heidelberglaan 8, De Uithof Opening hours: Monday to Friday h Phone: (Monday to Friday h and h) Fax: University Library (UBU) The library of Utrecht University (UBU) has locations in different departments and buildings. The main library is located on Heidelberglaan. You can also search the collection of the UBU via the web: 30 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

32 2.10 Student Life Utrecht Utrecht is a lively city in the geographical centre of the Netherlands. It has 300,000 inhabitants and is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands. With no fewer than 50,000 students, Utrecht is a real student city. Students may choose to become a member of one of the many different student societies. More information (in Dutch): Uithof Campus The Uithof Campus offers several good ways to spend your time when you re not studying. For a list of activities and dates (in Dutch) check Parnassos Cultural Centre is located at Leuvenlaan 19 and offers a good selection of workshops and courses on such subjects as photography and painting. This is also the place to be for musicians and film lovers. More information (in Dutch) on: The Botanical Gardens offer a pleasant place for a picnic lunch and you can take a tour round. They are located at Budapestlaan 17 in De Uithof. More information (in Dutch): Sport facilities are available at the Olympos Sports Centre. It provides sports facilities for all students and staff at Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht, including foreign students and visiting staff. For an overview of the wide range of sport facilities and prices please see: Study association The Graduate School of Life Sciences has four different study-related student associations. These associations organise both social and academic activities. You may become a member and participate in the activities and/or help in organising them. Mebiose is the association for Biomedical Sciences students Information: Proton is the association for Chemical Sciences students Information: UBV is the association for Biological Sciences students Information: UP is the association for Pharmaceutical Sciences students Information: Study information 31

33 International student associations: AIESEC: ESN: AEGEE: Housing Housing is not easy to find in Utrecht. There are however several housing organisations that can help you. Dutch students must make their own arrangements. For general housing information and registration (in Dutch) go to: For international students, mediation through the International office of the university is a good option. The university works together with the SSH, a social housing organisation especially for young people and students. Most of the tenants are students at the university or at colleges in Utrecht. In total, SSH Utrecht lets about 8200 rooms and apartments throughout the town. Read more about the possibilities at 32 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

34 Appendix 1 Short description of the MSc programmes Biology of Disease Biology of Disease studies disease mechanisms via internships in pre-clinical and clinical research in medical, biomedical, biological, industrial and veterinary labs. Two tracks are offered: 1. Cardiovascular research: biomolecular, electrophysiological and clinical aspects of cardiac arrhythmia, stem cells (cardiac progenitor stem cells), chronic heart failure, cardiac hypertrophy and issues of heart transplantation, cardiac surgery and MRI. Within the theme Atherothrombosis, research is aimed to enhance knowledge concerning vascular remodeling, plaque vulnerability, relevance of toll-like receptors, coagulation, arteriogenesis, thrombogenicity of platelets and protein misfolding. 2. Biology of Disease offers the opportunity to focus on more than one clinical specialty, enabling students to conduct research projects on different subjects and diseases in various pre-clinical and clinical labs. The central theme of the Master s programme in Biology of Disease is the translation of a clinical problem (disease) into a scientifically secure experiment or model in order to study the underlying mechanism of the disease. Such experiments and models can reveal therapeutic leads. Research questions may relate to all organizational levels of the body. On completing the programme, you will be able to use various advanced research techniques. The MSc in Biology of Disease is particularly suited to performing disease-related research in co-operation with clinical and pre-clinical staff. Biomedical Image Sciences Biomedical Image Sciences is an interdisciplinary MSc programme at the intersection of the exact and biomedical sciences, focused on biomedical imaging, image processing and medical physics. It is an appropriate choice for students with a BSc degree in an exact discipline who want to work in a biomedical environment, and for students with a BSc degree in a biomedical discipline with a strong interest in exact science. Biomedical Image Sciences offers courses in the exciting area of biomedical imaging. The research character of the second year of the MSc programme offers students the chance to actually contribute to the solution of relevant clinical problems. The close relation with the PhD programme Medical Imaging (ImagO) guarantees that both the educational programme and the research topics will be at the cutting edge of developments in medical imaging. Appendix 1 33

35 Alumni can pursue a career in a research institute or in industry, in either theoretical or application-oriented fields. Possible positions are, for example, as a researcher or developer with Philips Healthcare, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, or the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO). Becoming a PhD student is another option for graduates. Cancer Genomics and Developmental Biology Cancer Genomics and Developmental Biology is aimed at research in the field of molecular developmental biology and genetical processes in plants, animals and humans. Fundamental developmental processes are frequently affected in human disease. Many of the important genes and mechanisms controlling development also regulate adult physiology, and deregulation may result in pathological conditions. Our understanding of the genome (all genes) and the proteome (all proteins) is increasing rapidly, but the regulatory processes that shape our bodies (and, when affected, cause diseases such as cancer) are still poorly understood and require fundamental research. New genomics technologies are now enabling us to monitor the expression of some 20,000 genes simultaneously and to determine which genes are active. These techniques not only help us to better understand physiological pathways, but also help to identify those genes involved in disease and trace their mutations more easily. The Master s programme in Cancer Genomics and Developmental Biology trains students in this research field, building upon the knowledge and methods from information technology applied to biomedical systems and processes. Students on this programme will learn to explore the mysteries of embryonic growth, stem cells, signalling, gene regulation, evolution, and development in relation to health and disease. Drug Innovation Drug Innovation is aimed at interdisciplinary research in the field of innovation and usage of drugs, biologicals (vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, gene therapeutics) and diagnostics. Facts: - The medical revolution since World War II has been heavily based on the discovery of new drugs. - Drugs improve health at a relatively low cost. - Enormous sums of money are spent on research to discover new drugs. More facts: - No new class of antibiotics was discovered between 1962 and More and more micro-organisms have become resistant to most drugs. - There is no cure for many chronic diseases. 34 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

36 In today's world there is a growing need for new and innovative drugs, vaccines, biologicals, diagnostics and gene therapeuticals, particularly now that people are getting older and micro-organisms are becoming more resistant to drugs. To meet this demand, scientists are continually using and adapting state-of-the-art technology from many disciplines, such as medicine and veterinary medicine, biology, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, physics and computer science. These technologies should ensure that new drug candidates keep emerging from the drug pipeline. This unique Master s programme is intended to train enthusiastic researchers to make a contribution to drug innovation in research institutes, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, their own start-up companies or policy-making in science and health care. Both nationally and internationally (e.g. in Europe, America), there is an enormous need for scientists trained in state-of-the-art techniques in bioinformatics, combinatorial chemistry, pharmacogenomics, proteomics, drug delivery and epidemiology. Graduates with an MSc in Drug Innovation should have no problem finding a PhD project for further training and research. Environmental Biology Environmental Biology explores environmental interactions from an evolutionary and historical perspective, with organisational levels ranging from genes to ecosystems. As a Master s student in Environmental Biology you will study the biological mechanisms underlying the interactions of plants, animals and microorganisms with the biotic and abiotic environment, including evolutionary and historical aspects. Environmental Biology is multidisciplinary in its approach and includes organisational levels ranging from genes, cells, organisms to populations and ecosystems. The following examples illustrate typical research questions in plant biology: How does global change affect biodiversity How can tropical rain forests be preserved? How do plants adapt to flooding? How do plants defend themselves against harmful pathogens and insects? How do plants respond to light? How do fungi choose from nature s menu? How can animal behaviour be explained from an ecological and evolutionary perspective? Environmental Biology trains you to a high academic level. You will, individually or in a team, be challenged to solve fundamental and applied environmental biology problems. You will learn about the most modern experimental and mathematical methods and techniques and also how to apply molecular and genetic tools to a wide range of biological problems. Appendix 1 35

37 Epidemiology/Epidemiology Postgraduate Epidemiology examines the distribution of health and morbidity in populations and their determinants. It is a scientific discipline increasingly asked for in clinical (human, pharmaceutical or veterinary) research, industry and policymaking. With 'evidence-based medicine' setting new standards, specialists are needed in the design, data collection, analysis and interpretation of epidemiological and health research. Students will acquire extensive knowledge and practical skills in epidemiology and statistics. You will become familiar with methods for quantitative analysis and evaluating occurrence relations in human or veterinary medicine and public health. You will gain expert knowledge in research design and analysis and its application to clinical practice. The knowledge and skills gained form a solid basis for health research and disease control programmes, including applications in developing countries. With graduation, students are eligible for registration as Epidemiologist A (Dutch registration system). In epidemiology, cause, detection, prognosis and treatment of disease can be the focus of investigation. In epidemiological terms we talk about etiologic, diagnostic, prognostic or therapeutic research. The domain of study may vary. Five specialisations are offered in the programme: - Clinical Epidemiology - Environmental Occupational Epidemiology - Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases - Pharmaco-epidemiology - Veterinary Epidemiology Epidemiology is characterised by a well-established set of principles and methods for applied research. At the same time, the context in which these methods are applied can be quite diverse. The unique combination of epidemiological research groups in medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmaceutical sciences and risk assessment science in Utrecht University offers the possibility for education over the full spectrum: from animal to human, and from population to patient. Epidemiology Postgraduate is a 1,5 year variant of the Master s programme in Epidemiology; it is for those students who already have a Master s degree in Life Sciences. Infection and Immunity Infection and Immunity studies the molecular, cellular and clinical aspects of pathogens and immune responses. Infectious diseases and disorders of immunity are a continuous threat to the life and well-being of humans and animals. The aim of the participating groups is to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases and disorders of immunity by performing basic and clinical research in a multidisciplinary approach. 36 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

38 The aim of this Master s programme is to train the next generation of researchers, thus ensuring the continuity and quality of research in the field of immunology and infectious diseases. There is a great demand for scientists with expert knowledge in both the fundamental and disease-oriented aspects of immunology and infectious diseases. They can work in: university hospitals (disease-oriented research) research institutes (fundamental research) pharmaceutical industry (applied research) policy-making in science and health care education Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences focuses on understanding of cellular function at the molecular level and rests at the crossroads of chemical, biological, physical and computational science. Research groups from the Faculties of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Physics), Medicine and Veterinary Medicine are all involved in this interdisciplinary programme. It is also directly linked to the PhD programmes of the Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research and the Institute of Biomembranes and the PhD programme Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics. Powerful modeling systems which have already been established will be even more effective when used in combination. The programme offers expert training in several of the most prominent biological models, including bacteria, fungi, plants and animals, as well as cultured mammalian and insect cells. Students are trained in state-of-the-art techniques ranging from advanced methodologies in structural biology (X-ray, NMR, modeling), genetics (genomics) and cell biology (microscopy, proteomics) and computational approaches (computational and theoretical biology). In the past, research has often focused on a single level of observation: molecules, cells, tissues or organisms. Courses and projects in the programme emphasize crossing former boundaries. The current challenge is to bring all these levels together into a comprehensive understanding of life. Neuroscience and Cognition The neurosciences comprise a vast, multidisciplinary field aimed at understanding normal and pathological brain functions. It is this multidisciplinary character that makes the neurosciences so very interesting and challenging. To be able to plan experiments, collect, interpret and analyse data in this field and to get an idea of how the brain really functions, you need to know how to combine information from the different disciplines. Such a common action as seeing provides a clear example of the complexity of neuroscience: when you see something familiar Appendix 1 37

39 many different things occur in your brain cognition, since you recognise it; plasticity of neurons, since you remember; signal transduction, what you see has to be "translated"; behaviour, you act on what you see. This international Master s programme will teach you the fundamental principles of neuroscience and will train you to conduct neuroscience research in a multidisciplinary team. There are two tracks: - Cognitive Neuroscience - Experimental and Clinical Neuroscience These programmes also offer some additional features: students have the opportunity to meet international scientists in the neuroscience and cognition fields during Master classes, the student symposium, and lectures provided by the participating institutes. They may participate in the PhD Summer School and the programme provides excellent bio-informatics facilities. Regenerative Medicine and Technology Regenerative Medicine and Technology (RMT) is a programme of the UU and UMCU in cooperation with the department of Biomedical Engineering of the Eindhoven University of Technology. It aims to educate the next generation of scientists and engineers to innovate at the intersection of biomedical science, technology and clinical applications. This rapidly emerging, multidisciplinary field has significant impact on current and future health care. It combines the expertise of both universities and provides access to their state-of-the-art laboratories. The research in the field of RMT comprises all studies that focus on applications that can help the body to heal itself. Various research lines are explored at the UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, and Eindhoven University of Technology. In Utrecht, RM is a major focus in virtually all research disciplines, including cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, paediatrics, liver, and stem cell. For example, at the Department of Orthopaedics, the regeneration of cartilage and bone is studied at the cellular and tissue level. Additionally, translational studies at the preclinical and clinical levels are conducted. Research goals include tissue regeneration, product evaluation and development for clinical applications. In Eindhoven, major topics are regeneration of heart valves, muscle, cartilage and intervertebral disc. Upon completion of the programme, you will be trained to perform RM-related research, predominantly in the lab. As a consequence, you could for example then start a PhD project, work in biomedical consultancy or in R&D. 38 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

40 Toxicology and Environmental Health Toxicology and Environmental Health deals with the health risks of exposure to potentially harmful agents in the environment, at the work place and through the food chain. This programme is run by the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) and it aims to train students in knowledge of the field, in developing practical skills, and in recognising potentially hazardous environmental factors. The effects caused by such exposure on the health of man, animals and the environment are studied. Fundamental and applied research is performed into environmental factors of a chemical, biological or physical nature, with qualitative and quantitative analyses and the evaluation of exposure of man and animals to such factors. The Master s programme will prepare students for a PhD position in fundamental or applied research, or for a direct societal position at an academic level. The programme also aims to form a basis for the professional recognition and registration as a toxicologist, epidemiologist or occupational hygienist. The course has a strong multidisciplinary character in the life sciences. Expertise and practical skills in diverse biomedical and life science areas are integrated into the typical IRAS disciplines: toxicology, environmental and occupational epidemiology, and occupational hygiene. IRAS implements its MSc programme in close collaboration with the Dutch National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM, Bilthoven) and with TNO-Quality of Life (Zeist). Appendix 1 39

41 40 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

42 Appendix 2 List of research groups Note that internships linked to specific Master s programmes can also be found on the programme websites. a. Faculty of Science Department of Biology chairs/pages/default.aspx Behavioural Biology Biological Toxicology Cell Biology Developmental Biology Ecophysiology of Plants Endocrinology and Metabolism Evolutionary Population Biology Functional Neurobiology Landscape Ecology Microbiology Molecular Genetics Molecular Plant Physiology Palaeo-ecology Plant Microbe Interactions Plant Ecology and Biodiversity Theoretical Biology Department of Chemistry default.aspx Debye Institute (Physics and Chemistry of Interfaces and Nanomaterials) Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis Condensed Matter and Interfaces Physical and Colloid Chemistry Organic Chemistry and Catalysis: - Physical Organic Chemistry - Metal-mediated Synthesis - Theoretical Chemistry Appendix 2 41

43 Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research Cellular Protein Chemistry Bio-Organic Chemistry Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry (Dept. of Chemistry and Pharmacy) Crystal and Structural Chemistry Medicinal Chemistry (Dept. of Chemistry and Pharmacy) NMR Spectroscopy Biochemistry of Lipids Biochemistry of Membranes Membrane Enzymology Copernicus Institute Science, Technology and Society Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS) Pharmacology Medicinal Chemistry and chemical biology Pharmaceutics Biomolecular mass spectrometry and proteomics Pharmacoepidemiology and clinical pharmacology Department of Physics and Astronomy Physics of Man Human Perception Visual Motor Integration b. UMC Utrecht Division of Internal Medicine and Dermatology Oncology Haematology Acute Medicine and Infectious Diseases Geriatrics Internal Medicine Diseases of the internal organs Rheumatology Nephrology Dermatology 42 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

44 Division of Heart and Lungs Medical Physiology Cardiology Pulmonary Diseases Cardiothoracic surgery Division of Surgical Specialties Otorhinolaryngology Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery Orthopaedics Urology Surgery Plastic Reconstructive Surgery Ophthalmology Anatomy Division of Women and Babies Reproduction Perinatal Centre Division of Perioperative and Emergency Care Anaesthesiology Emergency Care Division of Laboratories and Pharmacy Pharmacy Laboratory for Clinical Chemistry and Haematology Medical Microbiology Pathology Immunology Imaging Division Medical Imaging Radiology Radiotherapy Division of Neurosciences Neurology and Neurosurgery Clinical Neurophysiology Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Psychiatry Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Neuroscience and Pharmacology Appendix 2 43

45 Division of Paediatrics Paediatric Medicine Medical Psychology & Social Work Paediatric Physiotherapy Division of Biomedical Genetics Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases Cell Biology Physiological Chemistry Medical Genetics Division Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care Epidemiology Public Health, Health Technology Assessment and Medical Humanities General Practice Biostatistics and Research Support Dietetics c. Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) research/pages/default.aspx Environmental Epidemiology Environment and Health Occupation and Health Exposure Assessment and Occupational Hygiene Toxicology Cellular and Molecular Toxicology Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Immunotoxicology Veterinary Public Health d. Hubrecht Institute Genetics of Cardiac Development Small RNA Biology WNT Signalling and Cancer Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics Genetics of Axial Patterning in the Mouse Protein-Tyrosine Phosphatases in Development RNA Silencing 44 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

46 Wnt Signalling and Cell Migration in C. elegans Genetics of Mammalian Development Early Differentiation in Mammalian Development Zebra Fish Vasculogenesis and Bone Morphogenesis Genome Dynamics and Stability Genetics of Heart Failure Brain Development in Zebra Fish Cancer Biophysics Cancer in Model Organisms Ubiquitin Ligases and Cancer Genome Structure and Function e. Freudenthal Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Didactics/education in: - Biology - Chemistry - Other natural sciences f. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FVM-UU) There are five thematic FVM-UU research programmes: Advances in veterinary Medicine Biology of Reproductive Cells (BRC) Emotion and Cognition (E&C) Risk Assessment of Toxic and Immunomodulatory Agents (RATIA) Strategic Infection Biology (SIB) Tissue Repair (TR) Appendix 2 45

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48 Appendix 3 Who s who? Prof. S. van den Heuvel Chair, Board of Studies, Graduate School of Life Sciences Prof. P.R. Bär Vice-Chair, Board of Studies, Graduate School of Life Sciences Prof. R. Voesenek Vice-Chair, Board of Studies, Graduate School of Life Sciences Saskia Ebeling, PhD Secretary, Board of Studies, Graduate School of Life Sciences Gönül Dilaver, PhD Coordinator of Master s Programmes in Biomedical Sciences Appendix 3 47

49 Shirrinka Goubitz, PhD Coordinator of Master s Programmes Science Faculty Prof. J. Boonstra Chair, Educational Committee, Graduate School of Life Sciences Kirsten Boersma - van Nierop, MSc and Loes Sylaj-Brands Secretary to the Educational Committee Maria Zonderland, PhD Chair, Board of Examiners Elena Donner Master s Administration Office for Biomedical Sciences 48 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

50 Carolien Bakker Master s Administration Office for Biomedical Sciences Suzanne Kollar Master s Administration Office Biology (Environmental Biology) Edith van den Ham and Nel Annen Master s Administration Office Pharmacy (Drug Innovation) Yolande Lutteke Master s Administration Office Chemistry (Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences) Jaco de Fockert-Koefoed, MSc Academic counsellor, Biomedical Sciences Appendix 3 49

51 Isolde den Tonkelaar, PhD Academic counsellor, Biology Manon Thijssen, MSc Academic counsellor, Pharmaceutical Sciences Jos Koeckhoven, PhD Academic counsellor, Chemistry Renée Allebrandi Programme coordinator Biomedical Image Sciences Peter Bakker, PhD Programme coordinator Environmental Biology 50 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

52 Kristin Denzer, PhD Programme coordinator Infection and Immunity Debby Gawlitta, PhD Programme coordinator Regenerative Medicine and Technology Anje de Graaf, MSc Programme coordinator Molecular and Cellular Life Science Pierre de Graan, PhD Programme coordinator Neuroscience & Cognition/ ECN Mieke Lumens, PhD Programme coordinator Toxicology and Environmental Health Appendix 3 51

53 Ed Moret, PhD Programme coordinator Drug Innovation Prof. Albert Postma Programme coordinator Neuroscience & Cognition/ CN Geert Ramakers, PhD Programme coordinator Neuroscience and Cognition Paul Steenbergh, PhD Programme coordinator Cancer Genomics and Developmental Biology Sabine Uijl, PhD Programme coordinator Epidemiology and Epidemiology Postgraduate 52 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

54 Maria Zonderland, PhD Programme coordinator Biology of Disease Appendix 3 53

55 54 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

56 Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences Education and Examination Regulations of the Master s Degrees in Biological Sciences Biomedical Sciences Chemical Sciences Health Sciences Neuroscience and Cognition Pharmaceutical Sciences

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58 Contents Section 1 General provisions Applicability of the regulations Definition of terms 59 Section 2 Admission Requirements for admission to a Master s degree programme English language Admission to the Master s programmes Pre-Master track Admission procedure Numerical limitation 63 Section 3 Contents and structure of the study programme Aim of the Master s degree Attendance Language in which the programme is given Credit load Master s programmes; starting times Composition of the Master s programmes Components taken elsewhere Honours programme 68 Section 4 Education Study components Required sequence of components Registration for courses Attendance obligation and obligation to perform to the best 69 of one s ability Section 5 Testing General Board of examiners Assessment: research project, traineeship or Master's thesis Marks Making-up: additional or substitute test Type of test Oral testing Provision for testing in special cases Time limit for marking tests Period of validity Right of inspection Storage time of test papers Exemption Fraud and plagiarism 73 Education and Examination Regulations 57

59 Section 6 Examinations Examination Cum laude classification Degree Honours Degree certificate Grade point average (GPA) 77 Section 7 Student counselling Students progress records Student counselling Disability 78 Section 8 Transitional and final provisions Safety-net scheme Amendments Publication Effective date 79 Appendix Composition of the Master s programmes (Regulations, art. 3.6) Maximum number of students (art. 2.7) Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

60 These Education and Examination Regulations contain the programme-specific rights and obligations of students, on the one hand, and Utrecht University, on the other. The general University Students Charter contains the rights and duties that apply to all students. For the Master s degree in Health Sciences a different Charter applies. These regulations are duly adopted by the dean in July 2012 with consent from the Faculty Councils. SECTION 1 General provisions 1.1 Applicability of the Regulations These regulations apply to the education, tests and the examination of the Master s programmes in the Life Sciences, of the Master s degrees in the Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Sciences 2, Health Sciences, Neuroscience and Cognition, and Pharmaceutical Sciences (hereinafter referred to as the Master s degrees ) and to all students who are registered for the Master s degrees in the academic year The Master s degrees are provided by the Utrecht Graduate School of Life Sciences within the Faculties of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and Science (Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences), hereinafter referred to as the School and the Faculties. 1.2 Definition of terms In these regulations, the terms below are defined as follows: a. the Act: the Dutch Higher Education and Research Act (Wet op het hoger onderwijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek); b. student: anyone who is registered at the university to take courses and/or to sit interim examinations and the examinations of the Master s degree; c. credit: unit expressed in ECTS, whereby one credit is equal to 28 hours of study; d. language code of conduct: the rules of conduct relating to academic programmes and examinations in languages other than Dutch, determined by the Executive Board on the basis of Section 7(2)(c) of the Higher Education and Research Act (Wet op het hoger onderwijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek); e. degree: the Master s degree referred to in section 1.1 of these regulations. A Master s degree can consist of several Master s programmes. 2 Programme Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences only. Education and Examination Regulations 59

61 f. Master s programme: a coherent whole of components of study, within a Master s degree, as described in article 3.6 of these regulations; g. study component: a unit of study (e.g. a course) of the study programme, included in the university course catalogue; h. test: interim examination as referred to in section 7.10 of the Act; i. examination: the final Master s examination of the study programme that is passed if all obligations of the entire Master s Degree Programme have been fulfilled; j. University Course Catalogue: register of courses provided by Utrecht university, under responsibility of the Executive board (College van bestuur). k. Educational Facilities Contract: the contract concluded by the education director (or another officer on behalf of the study programme) and the disabled student, which lays down the necessary and reasonable facilities to which the student is entitled; l. International Diploma Supplement: the appendix to the Bachelor s degree certificate, which includes an explanation of the nature and contents of the study programme (partly in an international context); m. Dean: the deans of the faculties; n. Board of Studies: the directors of the School; o. Board of Admissions: the committee which is responsible for the admission of applicants to the Master s degrees; p. Programme committee: the members of the academic staff teaching in a Master s programme and responsible for the Master s programme; q. Programme coordinator: the member of the programme committee who is the liaison between the programme committee and the student; r. Board of Examiners: the examiners for all Master s programmes of the School; s. Study guide: study guide for all Master s programme s within the School. The other terms have the meanings ascribed to them by the Act. SECTION 2 Admission This section applies to admissions for the academic year Requirements for admission to a Master s degree programme 1. The holder of a Dutch or foreign degree who demonstrates knowledge, insight and skills in the field of life sciences at the level of a Bachelor s degree in (1) Biology, (2) Biomedical Sciences or Biomedical Technology, (3) Chemistry, (4) Pharmacy or (5) Biomedical sciences, Psychology, Artificial intelligence or Language sciences will be admitted to the Master s degree in (1) Biological Sciences, (2) Biomedical Sciences, (3) Chemical Sciences, (4) Pharmaceutical Sciences or (5) Neuroscience and Cognition 3. 3 The numbers correspond to the Bachelor degrees which give access to the Master s degree. 60 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

62 2. The holder of a diploma of a Bachelor s degree in (1) Biology, (2) Biomedical Sciences, (3) Chemistry, or (4) Pharmacy of Utrecht University is assumed to have gained the knowledge, insight, and skills referred to in the first clause, and can therefore be admitted to a Master s degree in (1) Biological Sciences, (2) Biomedical Sciences or Neuroscience and Cognition, (3) Chemical Sciences, or (4) Pharmaceutical Sciences. 3. The holder of a Dutch or foreign higher education degree who demonstrates knowledge, insight and skills in the field of life sciences at the level of a Dutch Master s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, or Pharmacy is eligible for admission to the Master s degree Health Sciences. 2.2 English language 1. Registration is possible only after fulfilling the requirement of sufficient command of the English language. 2. Candidates have sufficient command of the English language if they hold: a Bachelor degree from a Dutch university a Bachelor degree from an English programme are a native English speaker the holder of a Dutch HBO diploma 3. Deficiencies in the command of the English language are fulfilled taking one of these tests: IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The minimum required IELTS score (overall band) must be: 6.5, with at least 6.0 for the writing component. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). The minimum required TOEFL score is 93 for the internet test: Cambridge EFL (English as a Foreign Language) examinations, with one of the following certificates: - Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English; minimum score: B - Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English; minimum score: C. 2.3 Admission to the Master s Programmes In addition to the provisions of article 2.1, the following requirements apply for admission to the Master s programmes specified (the level of required knowledge must be equivalent to the advanced level of the Bachelor of Science degree of Utrecht University): 1. Biology of Disease: the student must have a knowledge of the pathology and (patho)physiology of organs and organ systems; 2. Biomedical Image Sciences: the student must have sufficient knowledge of mathematics, physics and computer science; Education and Examination Regulations 61

63 3. Cancer Genomics and Developmental Biology: the student must have a thorough basic knowledge of molecular biology, cell biology, metabolism and signal transduction; 4. Drug Innovation: the student must have a knowledge of pharmacology, (patho) physiology, biochemistry, and analytical and organic chemistry; 5. Environmental Biology: the student must have a knowledge of ecological, physiological, or molecular aspects of plant biology, marine biology, microbiology and/or behavioural biology; 6. Epidemiology: the student must have a knowledge of basic medical terminology, explicit interest in (applied) biomedical research and affinity with one of the domains of specialisation and must also have a minimum international B-level for quantative courses in their pre-education (mathematics, statistics, epidemiology); 7. Epidemiology Postgraduate: the student must have a knowledge of basic medical terminology, explicit interest in (applied) biomedical research and affinity with one of the domains of specialisation, and must have high grades (minimum international B-level) for quantative courses in their pre-education (mathematics, statistics, epidemiology); 8. Infection and Immunity: the student must have a knowledge of immunology and microbiology; 9. Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences; the student must have a knowledge of structural and/or molecular biology and/or systems biology, the main life processes (such as development, metabolism, reproduction) and a broad interest in advances from genetics, theoretical biology and computer science. 10. Neuroscience and Cognition: the student must have a knowledge of neuroscience and/or cognition; 11. Regenerative Medicine and Technology: the student must have a knowledge and skills in biomedical techniques and/or technologies and a broad interest in approaches from technical innovation (e.g. biomaterials, bioreactors); 12. Toxicology and Environmental Health: the student must have a knowledge of toxicology and epidemiology. 2.4 Pre-Master track 1. Those who do not fulfil the admission requirements referred to in articles 2.1 and 2.3 can satisfy them by successfully passing pre-master courses. Exception to this rule is Health Sciences, which does not provide pre-master courses. 2. The pre-master courses have a communal maximum number of 60 credits. 3. On application, the Board of Admissions decides if a student needs to follow pre-master courses and determines its credit load and content. 62 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

64 2.5 Admission procedure 1. Admission to a Master s degree and Master s programme is bestowed by the Board of Admissions. Admission decisions are made by the Board of Admissions, after consulting the programme committee. 2. In order to determine eligibility for admission to a Master s programme, the Board of Admissions will carefully consider and evaluate the knowledge, insight and skills of the applicant. The committee may ask experts within or outside the university to assess the applicant s knowledge, insight and skills in particular areas, in addition to reviewing written documents of qualifications gained. 3. In order to determine eligibility for admission to a Master s programme, the Board of Admissions will check whether the applicant meets the requirements referred to in articles or will have fulfilled them by the deadline date. In its evaluation the committee will consider the applicant s motivation and ambition with respect to the Master s programme in question, as well as the applicant s command of the English language. 4. The admission test is administered once or twice a year (see 3.5.2). 5. Applications for admission to a Master s programme should be submitted to the Board of Admissions before 1 April (for Master s programmes starting on 1 September) or before 1 September (for Master s programmes starting on 1 February) for students holding a foreign degree. Later deadlines may apply to holders of Dutch degrees. In special cases, the Board of Admissions may consider applications submitted after the deadline dates. 6. The Board of Admissions will make a decision within 6 weeks after the deadline. Admission will be granted on the condition that by the starting date of the Master s programme, the applicant will have satisfied the knowledge and skills requirements referred to in , as evidenced by qualifications obtained. 7. The applicant will receive written notification that he/she has been admitted to the degree and to a particular Master s programme. The possibility to appeal to the Examinations Appeals Board is pointed out in this notification. 2.6 Numerical limitation 1. The maximum number of students that will be admitted per year to the Master s programmes will never exceed the number indicated in the appendix under point The Board of Admissions will rank the applications according to the knowledge and skills of the applicants. 3. The Board of Admissions will admit applicants on the basis of the ranking it has established. Education and Examination Regulations 63

65 SECTION 3 Contents and structure of the study programme 3.1 Aim of the Master s degree 1. The Master s degrees aim to: provide specialised knowledge, skills and insight in (parts of) the life sciences, and enable achievement of the exit qualifications referred to in the second clause below; prepare the student for a career in research, regulation, management and/or communication in the life sciences. 2. The successful candidate in the Life Sciences Master s degree programme will satisfy the following objectives: Graduates will have profound knowledge of, and insights into: at least one of the specialised subjects of Life Sciences. With this knowledge graduates are able to make a substantial contribution to the development and/ or application of scientific concepts and methods, often in a research context; important, recent developments within the Life Sciences. Graduates are able to point out the implications of these developments on the Life Sciences field and society; the way to adequately use and interpret specialist literature in at least one of the subjects of Life Sciences. Graduates will become skilled in: translating a Life Sciences problem into a relevant research question, suitable for research development or product design; designing a suitable research plan to test the formulated research questions, according to methodological and scientific standards; independently performing research, with the required accuracy. Graduates are able to handle, analyse, interpret and evaluate the empirically derived data in a correct manner; discussing the outcomes of empirical research and linking them with scientific theories; indicating the importance of research activities for solving a biomedical question or problem, if applicable from a social perspective; critically reflecting on their own research work in Life Sciences, from a social perspective; comprehensibly reporting research results verbally and in writing, to specialised and non-specialised audiences in an international context. 64 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

66 Graduates will display attitudes that enable them to: function effectively in a multidisciplinary research team; reflect on their own development and study career. If necessary, graduates will be able to motivate themselves and make any necessary adjustments; function independently and result-oriented in a competitive labour market; to be eligible for a PhD position or a position in another sector. 3.2 Attendance The Master s degrees in Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Health Sciences and Neuroscience and Cognition are full-time programmes. The Master s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences is offered both fulltime and part-time. 3.3 Language in which the programme is given 1. The Master s programmes are given in English. This is governed by the Utrecht University Language Code of Conduct. 2. The communication/education profile (see clause 3.6.5) is offered only in Dutch. 3.4 Credit load The credit load for the Master s degrees in Biological Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Neuroscience and Cognition is 120 credits. The credit load for the Master s degree in Health Sciences is 90 credits. 3.5 Master s programmes; starting times 1. The School provides the following Master s programmes with the abbreviations as used in the University registration system OSIRIS: Biology of Disease BIDM Biomedical Image Sciences BISM Cancer Genomics and Developmental Biology CGDB Drug Innovation DINN Environmental Biology PLBI (a.k.a. ENVB) Epidemiology EPIM Epidemiology Postgraduate EPMM Infection and Immunity IMIF Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences BMOL (a.k.a. MCLS) Neuroscience and Cognition NSCN Regenerative Medicine and Technology RMTM Toxicology and Environmental Health TXEH Education and Examination Regulations 65

67 2. Master s programmes can be offered by more than one Master s degree although students will be registered under only one Master s degree. The Master s degree is subject to the approval of the Board of Admissions. The Master s degrees of the School encompass the following Master s programmes and starting times: Programme Start Biomedical Sciences BIDM Sept./Feb. x BISM Sept./Feb. x CGDB Sept./Feb. x Biological Sciences Master s degree in: Chemical Sciences Health Sciences Neuro- Science & Cognition Pharmac. DINN Sept./Feb. x x x PLBI Sept./Feb. x EPIM Sept. x EPMM Sept. x IMIF Sept./Feb. x BMOL Sept./Feb. x x x NSCN Sept. x x x RMTM Sept. x TXEH Sept./Feb. x x Biology of Disease prepares the student for a career in research in a clinical or biomedical setting to gain insight into mechanisms and processes of disease. Biomedical Image Sciences prepares the student for a career in multidisciplinary research in the field of medical imaging. Cancer Genomics and Developmental Biology prepares the student for a career in research in the field of developmental biology, molecular oncology, signal transduction, stem cell technology and molecular genetics. Drug Innovation prepares the student for a career in interdisciplinary research in the field of innovation of drugs, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, diagnostics and gene therapeutics. Environmental Biology prepares the student for a career in molecular and/or ecological research on plants, plant communities, micro-organisms, animals and/or (marine) ecosystems. Epidemiology or Epidemiology Postgraduate prepares the student for a career in research in the field of quantitative analysis of the distribution of health and morbidity in populations (human or veterinary) and their determinants. Sciences 66 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

68 Infection and Immunity prepares the student for a career in research in the field of fundamental and clinical immunology, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases and disorders of immunity. Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences prepares the student for a career in interdisciplinary research in the field of structural biology, molecular biology and systems biology. Neuroscience and Cognition prepares the student for a career in interdisciplinary research in the fields of physiology and pathophysiology of the nervous system and cognition in humans and experimental animals. Regenerative Medicine and Technology prepares the student for a career in multidisciplinary research on the interface of regenerative medicine, technology and clinical applications. Toxicology and Environmental Health prepares the student for a career in research in the field of risk assessment of chemical, physical and biological agents on humans, animals and the environment. 3. The Master s programmes start once or twice a year: always in September and usually also in February. See table, under part Composition of the Master s programmes 1. The Master s programmes consist of the following compulsory components, with the specified credit load: a. theoretical components with a credit load of at least 22.5 credits (15 credits courses and 7,5 credits thesis); b. a major research project with a credit load of at least 51 credits; c. a minor research project or internship with a credit load of at least 33 credits (with the exception of Biomedical Image Sciences, Epidemiology, and Epidemiology Postgraduate, see appendix under 1). An exception to clause b is possible for students of Neuroscience and Cognition and Drug Innovation, in which a major of at least 42 credits is conducted and 9 credits in extra theoretical courses, subject to the approval of the programme coordinator. The credit loads of the components of each specific Master s programme are given in the appendix under Subject to approval by the Board of Examiners, the student will be required to select one or more elective components. Students may choose elective components from additional components of their Master s programme and/or components of other Master s programmes in the area of Life Sciences. The credit loads of the elective components of the specific Master s programmes are given in the appendix under If a student has a learning gap at the start of a Master s programme, clause does not apply and he/she must use all or part of the elective period to reme- Education and Examination Regulations 67

69 dy the gap. It can be remedied with Bachelor s courses (advanced level) or selfstudy, whose content and nature will be determined by the programme coordinator. In these cases a maximum number of 7,5 credits will be awarded. 4. Study components which are already a part of another degree certificate cannot be used for components mentioned in clause The minor research project, in combination with elective components, can also be used for a management, communication/education, or drug regulatory sciences profile. The elective component can be used to extend this profile. Within the Master s programmes for Biomedical Image Sciences and Epidemiology and Epidemiology Postgraduate, it is only possible to do the research profile. 6. In the University Course Catalogue, the contents and type of courses of the components of the different programmes are described in more detail, stating the previous education required to pass the relevant component. 3.7 Components taken elsewhere 1. A condition for gaining the degree awarded after passing the Master s examination of the study programme is that at least 75 credits of the study programme are gained in components provided by Utrecht University. The exception is Health Sciences, which requires 56 credits. 2. Components passed elsewhere during the study programme can only be incorporated in the student s examination programme with prior permission from the Board of Examiners. 3. Exemption can be granted for components passed at another institute of higher education prior to the start of the Master s programme only on the basis of article Honours programme 1. The study programme has two Honours programmes: a. Xtrack, which is open to all students of the School; b. Honours programme in Pharmaceutical Sciences, which is open to students of the Master s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2. Xtrack is a two-year extracurricular programme that consists of the following components: - organisation of a life sciences symposium (together with the other honours students); - writing of a research proposal (individual task). Each year, a committee will select several students for participation in the Xtrack. Selection will be based on the following criteria: - motivation of the student; - his/her curriculum vitae; - past performance study results 68 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

70 The selection procedure will be published on the life sciences website (www. uu.nl/lifesciences). 3. The composition of the Honours programme in Pharmaceutical Sciences is determined in collaboration with a professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences with whom the student will form a master-apprentice alliance. Each year, a committee will select several students for participation in the Honours programme in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Selection will be based on the following criteria: - motivation of the student; - his/her curriculum vitae; - past performance study results The selection procedure will be published on the Pharmaceutical Sciences website ( opleidingen/farmacie/studieprogramma/pages/honours.aspx). SECTION 4 Education 4.1 Study components All study components which can make up part of the study are published on the School s website ( 4.2 Required sequence of components 1. The programme coordinator determines the order in which compulsory components of a Master s programme must be completed. 2. Course-specific entry requirements are given in the University Course Catalogue. 4.3 Registration for courses Participation in a course is possible only if the student has registered for it in good time. The programme coordinator determines how and when registration takes places. 4.4 Attendance obligation and obligation to perform to the best of one s ability 1. Each student is expected to participate actively during each study component for which he or she is registered. Education and Examination Regulations 69

71 2. Besides the general requirement for the student to participate actively in the study component, the additional requirements for each component are listed in the University Course Catalogue. 3. In the event of qualitatively or quantitatively inadequate participation, the coordinator may exclude the student from further participation in the study component or from part of it. SECTION 5 Testing 5.1 General 1. During the study component, the student will be tested for the extent to which the student has sufficiently achieved the learning objectives, in order to achieve the learning outcomes of the School. The testing of the student will be concluded at the end of the study component. 2. The University Course Catalogue describes what the student must achieve in order to pass the course and the criteria on which the student is assessed. 3. The testing procedure is described in the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Examiners. 5.2 Board of Examiners 1. For each academic programme or group of programmes, the dean will set up a Board of Examiners and will put in place sufficient guarantees that this Board will work in an independent and expert manner. 2. The dean will appoint the chair and the members of the Board of Examiners for a period of three years on the basis of their expertise in the field of the programme(s) in question or the field of examining. Re-appointment is possible. Before making this appointment, the dean will consult the members of the Board of Examiners concerned. 3. Persons holding a management position with financial responsibility or (partial) responsibility for a programme of study may not be appointed a as member or chair of the Board of Examiners. This will in any event include: the dean, vice-dean; the Director/Head/Manager of a department; a member of a departmental management/administrative team; the Director/Head/Manager of a section; any member of a management or administration team; a member/ chair of the Board of Studies of the Graduate School or the Undergraduate School and the Director of Education. 4. Membership of the Board of Examiners will terminate upon expiry of the period of appointment. In addition, the dean will discharge the chair and the members from their duties at their request. The chair and the members will 70 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

72 also be dismissed by the dean in the event that they no longer fulfil the requirements stated in paragraphs 2 or 3 of this article. In addition, the dean may dismiss the chair and the members in the event that they fail to perform their statutory duties inadequately. 5. The dean will make the composition of the Board(s) of Examiners known to the students and teaching staff. 5.3 Assessment: research project, internship, or Master s thesis An internship, thesis or research project is assessed by the examiner (a staff member of Utrecht University) and one or more other internal and/or external experts. 5.4 Marks Marks are awarded on a scale of 1 to 10. A mark of 5.5 or higher is satisfactory, and lower is unsatisfactory. In the final grading the mark 5 is not expressed in decimals. In the final marks, unsatisfactory marks (5 or lower) are expressed as whole figures, while satisfactory marks (6 or higher) are expressed in whole and half figures. 5.5 Making-up: additional or substitute test If the student has fulfilled all the obligations to perform to the best of his or her ability during the course, and he or she is nonetheless awarded a failing mark, but the final mark is at least an unrounded 4.0, he or she will be given a once-only possibility to sit an additional or substitute test. Satisfactory tests are not eligible for re-examination. 5.6 Type of test 1. Testing within a study component is done in the manner described in the University Course Catalogue. 2. At the student s request, the Board of Examiners may allow a test to be administered otherwise than as stipulated in the first clause. 5.7 Oral testing 1. Unless the Board of Examiners decides otherwise, only one person at a time may be tested orally. 2. Oral tests will be administered in public, unless the Board of Examiners or the examiner concerned decides otherwise, or if the student objects to this. Education and Examination Regulations 71

73 5.8 Provision for testing in special cases 1. The Board of Examiners may decide to grant an individual testing possibility if not providing such a possibility would result in a special case of manifest unfairness. 2. Requests for a special possibility to take a test must be submitted to the Board of Examiners as soon as possible, with supporting evidence. 5.9 Time limit for marking tests 1. The examiner will determine the mark immediately, or within 24 hours, after administering an oral test, and will provide the student with written proof of the outcome. 2. The examiner will record the assessment of a test, whether written or taken in another manner, within 10 working days of the day on which this test was taken, and will supply the School s administration with the data required for it to issue the student with the written or electronic proof of this assessment. 3. The written proof of the outcome shall inform the student of the right of inspection referred to in article 5.11 and of the possibility to appeal to the Examinations Appeals Board Period of validity 1. A pass remains valid for a period of 60 months. The Board of Examiners may impose an additional or substitute test for a test taken more than five years ago. 2. Partial tests and assignments which were passed within a component which was not passed in full will lose their validity after the academic year in which they were passed Right of inspection 1. Upon request, the student will be allowed to inspect his/her marked work for at least thirty days after the result of a written test has been announced. At his or her request, a copy of that work will be provided to him/her at cost. 2. During this thirty-day period, the student may inspect the questions and assignments of the test concerned, and, if possible, the standards on which the mark was based Storage time of test papers 1. The assignments, their completion and the work assessed in the written tests will be kept for a period of two years following the assessment. 2. The reports of minor and major research projects and the thesis as well as the assessment forms will be kept for a period of seven years following the assessment. 72 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

74 5.13 Exemption 1. At the student s request, the Board of Examiners may, after consulting the examiner concerned, grant the student exemption of (part of) the electives (maximum 12 credits) from a programme if he/she: a. has completed an equivalent component of a university Master s programme prior to the start of this Master s programme; or b. has demonstrated through work or professional experience that he/she has sufficient knowledge and skills in relation to that component. 2. Credit transfer: at the request of a student the Board of Examiners may allow components, taken at an institute for higher education and complying with clause 1 of this article, and that were not used for other degree certificates, to contribute to the requirements of final examination Fraud and plagiarism 1. Fraud and plagiarism are defined as an action or failure to act on the part of a student, whereby a correct assessment of his or her knowledge, insight and skills is made impossible, in full or in part. Fraud includes: cheating during examinations. The person offering the opportunity to cheat is an accessory to fraud; possession of tools and resources during examinations, such as preprogrammed calculators, mobile phones, books, course readers, notes, etc., consultation of which is not explicitly permitted; having others carry out all or part of an assignment; gaining access to questions of an examination prior to the date or time that the examination takes place; making up survey or interview answers or research data; signing attendance forms, assessment forms i.e., in the name of someone else. Plagiarism is defined as including data or sections of text from others in a thesis or other paper without quoting the source. Plagiarism includes the following: cutting and pasting text from digital sources such as encyclopaedias or digital publications without using quotation marks and referring to the source; cutting and pasting text from the internet without using quotation marks and referring to the source; using excerpts from printed material such as books, magazines or other publications or encyclopaedias without using quotation marks and referring to the source; using a translation of the abovementioned texts without using quotation marks and referring to the source; Education and Examination Regulations 73

75 paraphrasing the abovementioned texts without referring to the (sound) source: paraphrasing should be marked in such a way that it does not suggest the text is the students range of thought; using visual, audio or test material from others without referring to the source and presenting this as own work; using the work of other students and passing this off as own work. If this happens with the permission of the other student, the latter is also guilty of plagiarism; in the event that, in a joint paper, one of the authors commits plagiarism, the other authors are also guilty of plagiarism, if they could or should have known that the other was committing plagiarism; submitting papers obtained from a commercial institution (such as an internet site offering excerpts or papers) or having such written by someone else in return for payment. 2. a. In all cases in which fraud is found or suspected, the examiner will inform the Board of Examiners of this in writing. b. In all cases in which the examiner finds or suspects fraud or plagiarism: he or she will inform the student of this in writing; he or she will give the student a possibility to respond to this in writing; he or she will then send the written documents and findings to the Board of Examiners. c. The Board of Examiners will allow the examinee a possibility to speak. 3. The Board of Examiners will determine whether fraud or plagiarism has occurred and will inform the examinee of its decision in writing and of the sanctions in accordance with the stipulations of the fourth paragraph, stating the possibility of appeal to the Examinations Appeals Board. 4. Fraud and plagiarism will be punished by the Board of Examiners as follows: a. In any event: invalidation of the paper or examination submitted; a reprimand, a note of which will be made in OSIRIS. b In addition depending on the nature and scale of the fraud or plagiarism, and on the examinee s phase of study one or more of the following sanctions: removal from the study component no longer being eligible for a positive degree classification (cum laude) as referred to in art. 6.2 exclusion from participation in examinations or other forms of testing belonging to the educational component concerned for the current academic year, or for a period of 12 months complete exclusion from participation in all examinations or other forms of testing for a period of 12 months. c. In the event that the student has already received a reprimand: complete exclusion from participation in all examinations or other forms of 74 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

76 testing for a period of 12 months and a recommendation to leave the Master s degree. d. In the case of extremely serious and/or repeated fraud, the Board of Examiners may recommend that the Executive Board to permanently terminate the concerned student s registration for the programme. SECTION 6 Examinations 6.1 Examination 1. As soon as the student has fulfilled the requirements of the examinations programme, the Board of Examiners will determine the result of the examination and award a degree certificate as referred to in art. 6.5 of this regulation. 2. Prior to determining the examination result, the Board of Examiners may examine the student s knowledge of one or more components or aspects of the study programme, if and in so far as the results of the relevant tests give them reason to do so. 3. Assessment of the examinations file constitutes part of the final examination. The date of examination will be the last working day of the month in which the Board of Examiners has determined that the student has fulfilled the requirements of the examinations programme. 4. The examination will be passed on condition that all components have been passed. 5. A further condition for passing the examination and receiving the certificate is that the student was registered for the course during the period in which the tests were taken. If the student does not fulfil this condition, the Executive Board may issue a statement of no objection in relation to the passing of the examination and the issue of the certificate, after the student has paid the tuition fees and administration charges owing for the missing periods. 6. A student who has passed an examination and is therefore entitled to be awarded a certificate, may request that the Board of Examiners delay the granting of the certificate. Such a request must be submitted within two weeks after the student has been informed of the examination results, stating the date on which the student wishes to receive the certificate. The Board of Examiners will in any case grant the request in the academic year if the student: a. plans to fulfil a management position for which Utrecht University has provided a board activities grant. The Board of Examiners may also grant the request if refusal would result in an exceptional case of extreme unfairness on account of the circumstance that Education and Examination Regulations 75

77 the student concerned could not have taken into account the implementation in September 2011 of automatic graduation when he was planning his study. 6.2 Cum laude classification 1. The cum laude classification will be awarded to the Master s student if each of the following conditions has been met: a. a mark of at least 8.5 has been earned for the major research project; b. a mark of at least 8.5 has been earned for the minor research project or profile; c. a mark of at least 8.5 has been earned for the Master s thesis; d. a weighted (to credits) average mark of at least 8.0 has been earned for the other components of the programme, and no grades below 7.0; e. no re-examinations or substitute or replacement tests were taken; f. exemptions that do not count have been obtained for no more than 12 credits; g. the Board of Examiners has not taken any decision (as referred to in article 5.14, clause 4 under b) that fraud/plagiarism was committed; h. the final examination of the Master s Degree Programme was passed within three years. 2. For Biomedical Image Sciences and Epidemiology condition b of part 1 is not applicable. 3. For Epidemiology Postgraduate conditions b and c of part 1 are not applicable. 6.3 Degree 1. The Master of Science (MSc) degree will be awarded to students who pass the examination. 2. The degree awarded will be stated on the examination certificate. 3. The examination certificate will also state the Master s degree and the specific Master s programme followed. 6.4 Honours If the Honours programme as referred to in article 3.8 has been passed, a separate certificate will be awarded on which this is stated. 6.5 Degree certificate 1. The Board of Examiners will award a certificate as proof that the examination was passed. One certificate will be issued for each Graduate School course (programme), even if a student completes several programmes. 76 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

78 2. The Board of Examiners will add the International Diploma Supplement to this certificate (including a list of all study components and their related assessments), which provides (international) insight into the nature and contents of the completed study programme. 6.6 Grade point average (GPA) 1. For students who commenced the first year of their studies in September 2007 or later, the final grade point average (GPA) will be stated on the International Diploma Supplement, and represents the academic performance of the student concerned. 2. The final GPA is the average figure from the results achieved within the examinations programme, weighted by the credits and expressed on a scale of 1 to 4, with two decimals. 3. The calculation of the final GPA is made as follows: - all applicable examinations achieved as part of the examinations programme of the Master s degree are converted into quality points; - quality points are the applicable final examination result x the number of course credits (ECTS) for the section in question; - the total number of quality points achieved divided by the total number of course credits obtained (ECTS) gives the average examination result; - the average examination result is converted into the final GPA (see website: SECTION 7 Student counselling 7.1 Students progress records 1. The School records individual student s results and makes them available through Osiris-student (the university student administration system). 2. A certified student progress file can be obtained from the School s administration. 7.2 Student counselling 1. The Board of Studies will ensure adequate study support for those students registered for a Master s degree. 2. During the admissions procedure the programme coordinator and the student will agree on an individual study plan. Education and Examination Regulations 77

79 3. The School will provide personal support from an independent study counsellor. 7.3 Disability Students with a disability will be given the opportunity to do course work and take tests in an adapted manner as laid down in his/her Education Facilities Contract. Requests to draw up such a study contract must be submitted to the student counsellor. SECTION 8 Transitional and final provisions 8.1 Safety-net scheme In cases for which these Education and Examination Regulations make no (clear) provision or lead to obviously unreasonable outcomes, the decision of the Board of Studies (on behalf of the Dean), after consulting the Board of Examiners, will be final. In case of differences (of interpretation) between the Dutch and English version of these Education and Examination Regulations, the Dutch version prevails. 8.2 Amendments 1. Amendments to these regulations will be adopted by the Dean in a separate resolution after consulting the Board of Studies and after the approval of the faculty councils for Science, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. 2. Amendments to these regulations shall not apply to the current academic year, unless it is reasonable to assume that they will not harm the interests of the students. 3. Furthermore, amendments may not have an adverse effect on students as regards any decision taken in relation to a student pursuant to these regulations. 8.3 Publication The Dean shall ensure proper publication of these regulations, and of the rules and guidelines adopted by the Board of Examiners, and of any amendment to these documents, on the website of the School ( 78 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

80 8.4 Effective date These Education and Examination Regulations come into force on September 1st 2012, and replace the Education and Examination Regulations of the previous academic year In exception to the above, students may appeal to these regulations for a maximum period of three years after the effective date. In exceptional cases the Board of examiners may decide to deviate from the articles stated in this EER. Education and Examination Regulations 79

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82 Appendix 1. Composition of the Master s programmes (art. 3.6) 1a. Programmes: Biology of Disease Biomolecular Sciences Cancer Genomics and Developmental Biology Drug Innovation Environmental Biology Infection and Immunity Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences Neuroscience and Cognition Regenerative Medicine and Technology Toxicology and Environmental Health Component: credits Major research project 51 * Minor research project 33 Theoretical Master s courses 15 * Elective components 12 Master s thesis 7.5 Life Sciences seminars (10) 1.5 * Students in the programmes Neuroscience and Cognition and Drug Innovation may perform a major research project of 42 credits and include 9 additional credits for theoretical courses (see art. 3.6, clause 1), subject to approval of the programme coordinator. 1b. Biomedical Image Sciences Component: credits Research project 54 Theoretical Master s courses 45 Elective components 12 Master s thesis 7.5 Life Sciences seminars (10) 1.5 Education and Examination Regulations 81

83 1c. Epidemiology Component: credits Research project 65 Theoretical Master s courses 34 Elective components 12 Master s thesis 7.5 Life Sciences seminars (10) 1.5 1d. Epidemiology Postgraduate Component: credits Research project 56 Theoretical Master s courses Maximum number of students (art. 2.7) Master s Programme max. number of students Biology of Disease 40 Biomedical Image Sciences 40 Cancer Genomics and Developmental Biology 30 Drug Innovation 40 Environmental Biology no maximum Epidemiology and Epidemiology Postgraduate 60 Infection and Immunity 25 Molecular and cellular life sciences 50 Neuroscience and Cognition 55 Regenerative Medicine and Technology 30 * Toxicology and Environmental Health 25 * Total number of students from both Utrecht University and Eindhoven University of Technology. 82 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

84 Regulations of the Board of Examiners of the Master s programmes of the Graduate School of Life Sciences, Utrecht University (Rules & Guidelines pursuant to article 7.12, clause 4 of the Dutch Higher Education and Research Act, WHW) The examination regulations contain the rules of the Board of Examiners pertaining to the proper procedure during the interim examinations and the guidelines for assessment. These regulations cannot be viewed separately from the provisions and rules of the Higher Education and Research Act, the Education and Examination Regulations (EER) and the University s Students Charter. The EER contain the programme-specific rights and obligations of students, on the one hand, and of Utrecht University, on the other. The University s Students Charter outlines the rights and obligations which apply to all students, with the exception of Health Sciences students, for whom a separate document is available. Article Board of Examiners 1. Each study programme or group of study programmes at the institution will have a Board of Examiners. 2. The Board of Examiners is the body that assesses, in an objective and expert manner, whether a student satisfies the requirements set in the teaching and examinations regulations in relation to the knowledge, insight and skills necessary to obtain a degree. Article 7.12a. Appointment and composition of the Board of Examiners 1. The Board of the institution will set up the Board of Examiners and appoint its members on the basis of their expertise in the field of the study programme or group of study programmes concerned. At least one member will be associated as a lecturer with the study programme or one of the study programmes that make up the group of study programmes. 2. The Board of the institution will ensure sufficient guarantees of the impartial, expert functioning of the Board of Examiners. 3. Before appointing a member, the Board of the institution will hear the members of the Board of Examiners concerned. Article 7.12b. Tasks and authorities Board of Examiners 1. Alongside the tasks and authorities laid down in Articles 7.11 and 7.12, second paragraph, the Board of Examiners will have the following tasks and authorities: Rules & Guidelines 83

85 a. to ensure the quality of the examinations, without prejudice to Article 7.12c, b. the adoption of guidelines and instructions within the context of the teaching and examinations regulations referred to in Article 7.13, in order to assess and record the results of examinations, c. the granting of permission by the most appropriate Board of Examinations to a student to follow a study programme compiled by that student, as referred to in Article 7.3d, the examinations following which lead to the obtaining of a degree, whereby the Board of Examinations will also indicate to which study programme by this institution the study programme is considered to belong for the purposes of the application of this law, and d. the granting of exemptions from taking one or more examinations. 2. In the event that a student or extraneus is guilty of fraud, the Board of Examiners may deny the person concerned the right to take one or more examinations to be specified by the Board of Examiners, during a period of no more than one year, to be determined by the Board of Examiners. In the case of serious fraud, the Board of the institution may, at the suggestion of the Board of Examiners, permanently terminate the registration for the study programme of the person concerned. 3. The Board of Examiners will draw up rules on the implementation of the tasks and authorities referred to in the first paragraph, items a, b and d, and the second paragraph, and on the measures it may take in this regard. The Board of Examiners may, subject to conditions it may set, determine that not every part of an examination need be successfully passed in order to successfully pass the examination as a whole. 4. In the event that a student submits a request or complaint to the Board of Examiners concerning an examiner who is a member of the Board of Examiners, the examiner in question will not take any part in the processing of this request or complaint. 5. Each year, the Board of Examiners will draw up a report on its work. The Board of Examinations will submit this report to the Board of the institution or the Dean. Article 7.12c. Examiners 1. The Board of Examiners will appoint examiners to take the various parts of the examinations and to determine the results of these. 2. The examiners will provide the Board of Examiners with the information it requires. 84 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

86 Contents Paragraph 1 General Stipulations 87 Art. 1 Scope of application 87 Art. 2 Board of Examiners 87 Art. 3 - Standards 87 Art. 4 - Examiners 88 Paragraph 2 Organisation And Good Procedure 88 Art. 5 - Procedures during the Master s programme Approval of Board of Examiners for programme components Research projects Master s thesis Elective component 90 Art. 6 Order during a final or interim examination 91 Paragraph 3 Assessment Of Tests, Thesis 92 Art. 7 Marking and assessment 92 Art. 8 - Assessment regulations of the specific programme components 93 Art. 9 Subsequent discussion 94 Art. 10 Fraude and plagiarism 95 Art Mark of distinction Cum Laude 95 Paragraph 4 Assuring The Quality Of Examination 96 Art. 12 assuring the quality of testing 96 Art. 13 determination of the quality of testing 96 Art. 14 assuring the quality of examinations (final level for the graduates) 96 Art. 15 Graduation procedures 96 Paragraph 5 Exemptions 98 Art. 16 exemption 98 Paragraph 6 - Transitional Provisions And Amendments 98 Art Transitional provisions 98 Art Amendments 98 Art. 19 Effective date 98 Appendix 1. List of Master's programmes 99 Appendix 2. Profiles 99 Rules & Guidelines 85

87 86 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

88 PARAGRAPH 1 General stipulations Art. 1 Scope of application These regulations apply to the interim and final examinations of the Master s degrees in life sciences of the Master s programmes in the biological sciences, biomedical sciences, chemical sciences, health science, neuroscience and cognition, and pharmaceutical sciences and to all students who are registered for the Master s programmes as listed in appendix 1. The Master s degrees are offered by the Graduate School of Life Sciences, Utrecht University, within the Faculties of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and Science (Departments of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences), hereinafter referred to as the School. The terms defined in the Education and Examination Regulations of these Master s degrees also apply to these regulations. Art. 2 Board of Examiners 1. The Board of Examiners will appoint a member from its ranks who is charged with managing the daily course of affairs of the Board of Examiners. 2. The Board of Examiners will take decisions by an ordinary majority of votes. If the votes are equal, the student or his or her request will be rejected. 3. The Board of Examiners must take a decision within 20 working days of receiving an application. Art. 3 - Standards In its decisions, the Board of Examiners will be guided by the following standards: a. the retention of quality criteria in an examination or test; b. efficiency requirements, expressed inter alia in efforts to: - limit as far as possible loss of time for students, who can thereby make rapid progress which their studies; - motivate students to terminate their studies as quickly as possible, if it is unlikely that they will pass an examination or test; c. protecting students from themselves in the event that they wish to take on an excessive study load; d. leniency in relation to students who, through factors outside their control, have experienced delays in the progress of their studies. Rules & Guidelines 87

89 Art. 4 - Examiners Members of the academic staff of Utrecht University who are examiners of a study component will also be responsible for the testing of that component. The Board of Examiners may also appoint other members of the academic staff and experts outside the study programme as examiners. The Board of Examiners may withdraw the appointment as an examiner in the event that the examiner fails to comply with the applicable legislation or regulations or guidelines of the Board of Examiners, or if the competence of the examiner in the area of examinations (creating, invigilating, assessing thereof) repeatedly proves to be of insufficient quality. PARAGRAPH 2 Organisation and good procedure Art. 5 - Procedures during the Master s programme From admission to graduation, students should follow the procedures described on the website: In order to facilitate proper administration, students must collect the set of forms mentioned on this website. In addition to the information provided on the website, the following guidelines apply: 5.1 Approval of Board of Examiners for programme components 1. Prior approval by the Board of Examiners is obligatory for each and every of the following components of the Master s programme: the research projects, the Master s thesis, and in specific cases, see the elective component. The relevant forms must be submitted at least 20 working days before the start of the particular component. 2. Within 20 working days not including academic holidays - the Board of Examiners will take a decision. 3. If application from deadlines are not met, the starting date of the particular component will be reset to the date of approval given by the Board of Examiners. 5.2 Research projects 1. All projects are to be conducted under the responsibility of an examiner (a staff member of Utrecht University). Daily supervision is done by one or more experts in the field, which can also be a PhD candidate or post doc. In the case of an external project, the daily supervision is the responsibility of an external supervisor at the host institute. 88 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

90 2. All research projects require prior approval by the Board of Examiners. The application form must be signed by the student, examiner, and the programme coordinator and, in case of a project outside Utrecht University, the supervisor at the host institute. 3. Projects conducted in a non-university institute require signing of an internship contract from Utrecht University by the student, the supervisor at the host institute and the examiner. 4. The student has to conduct two research projects: a minor (33 credits) and a major one (51 credits). The BISM Master s programme requires one major research project of 54 credits, EPIM requires 65 credits and EPMM requires 56 credits. Because the major research project is the central element of the Master s programme, this component must be conducted at Utrecht University (which includes the UMC Utrecht and Hubrecht Laboratory). Consequently, only the minor research project can be done outside Utrecht University or abroad upon approval of the programme coordinator. The topic of the project should be within the scope of the research focus of the Master s programme. Research projects of BISM, EPIM and EPMM can partly be conducted abroad, but only in cooperation with Utrecht University. 5. A research project consists of experimental research, on which the student will usually give (oral) interim progress reports within the host institute, and it is completed by writing a report and giving a final presentation. 6. The supervisor determines the format of the written report. It should typically contain the following sections: Abstract, Introduction, Materials & Methods, Results (containing a clear presentation of all results obtained), Discussion (in which the student critically evaluates the results and discusses them in the context of the relevant literature), and References. 7. The report also includes a summary specifically aimed at informing laymen about the content of the research project. 8. If the research project is performed externally, the final presentation has to be given both at the host institute and at the department of the examiner. 9. The final presentation and the final written report must be delivered within two months of the end of the defined research project period. This period can only be extended in exceptional cases, in which case it is the student s responsibility to obtain written approval from the examiner for a limited, pre-determined, extension period. 10. The minor research project may be replaced by a profile (see appendix 2). The profile contains theoretical and practical components in the field of Management (M profile), Communication and education (C&E profile) or Drug Regulatory Sciences (DRS profile). 11. The Board of Examiners will only accept assessments of research projects from formal examiners (article 3). 12. Upon completion of the report, a PDF file should be sent to the administration office. Assessments should be made as stated in article 6. Rules & Guidelines 89

91 5.3 Master s thesis 1. A thesis is conducted under the responsibility of an examiner (a staff member of Utrecht University). Daily supervision is done by one or more experts in the field, which can also a PhD student or post doc. In the case of an external project, the daily supervision is the responsibility of an external supervisor at the host institute. 2. The Master s thesis requires prior approval by the Board of Examiners. The application form should contain the signatures of the examiner and programme coordinator and if applicable the supervisor at the host institute. The form should also contain the title, an appendix with rationale, and three key references. 3. Writing a Master s thesis is a unique and independent learning component of the Master s programme. Hence, the topic of the Master s thesis should be clearly distinct from the topic(s) of the research project(s). 4. The thesis should present a clear and adequate overview of recent literature addressing the issue of interest. It should have an in-depth discussion, in which the student demonstrates his/her ability to critically evaluate hypotheses and results, presents his/her own views, and draws conclusions that point towards new research opportunities. 5. The format of the thesis should conform to that of a review paper in the relevant research field or to that of a grant proposal for PhD research. 6. The thesis also includes a summary specifically aimed at informing the laymen about the content of the thesis. 7. Writing a Master s thesis requires a concentrated effort. The student has a maximum of three months to write and deliver the final thesis. This period can only be extended in exceptional cases, in which case it is the student s responsibility to obtain written approval from the examiner for a limited, defined, extension period. 8. The Board of Examiners will only accept assessments of theses from formal examiners (article 3). 9. Upon completion of the thesis a PDF file should be sent to the administration office. Assessments should be made as stated in article Elective component The content of the elective component requires the approval of the coordinator of the Master s programme (Elective agreement form) see clauses 1 and 3. In some cases (clause 2 and 3) the approval of the Board of Examiners is required (clause 2). 1. Students without deficiencies, may fill the elective component with Life sciences related master degree courses. This requires the approval of the programme coordinator. Although the approval of the Board of Examiners is not required, a copy of the arrangement should be sent to the Master s Administration Office. When selecting courses outside the Graduate School of Life Sciences, the student should provide all the information needed to evalu- 90 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

92 ate the course s suitability. This information should include the level of the course (should be Master s level), as well as its length and intensity (hours/day), supervision/ guidance, books to be studied, examination procedures, and any other relevant material. 2. Electives can be used for extension of their minor or major research project, or an extra research project, or they can combine the elective component with the minor (33 credits) for an extended M, C&E or DRS profile. This should be done in consultation with the programme coordinator and with prior approval of the Board of Examiners. A clear motivation should be given on the application form. If the extension is requested after already starting the project, this should be done by writing a letter to the board of examiners stating the reasons for extension and describing the content and credit load of the extra work to be done. This letter should be co-signed by the examiner. 3. Students without learning gaps can also fill their elective component with a technical training or mini-project. Approval should be asked by writing a letter to the board of examiners, describing the content and credit load of the work to be done. This letter should be co-signed by the programme coordinator. 4. Students with a learning gap (as defined by the programme coordinator upon admission to the School) are allowed to use a maximum of 12 credits to make up the gap, e.g. by following Bachelor courses (at level 3 bachelor), or the courses in animal care, VMT (safe microbiological techniques) or radiation. This should be planned in advance, in consultation with the programme coordinator. Although no approval is required, a copy of the arrangement should be sent to the Master s Administration Office for administrative purposes. Art. 6 Order during a final or interim examination 1. The examiner (or alternatively the Board of Examiners) must ensure that an adequate number of invigilators are appointed for the written interim examinations to ensure that the examination is taken properly. 2. The student must identify him- or herself on request by, or on behalf of, the Board of Examiners by showing his or her student card and a valid proof of identity. Admission to the interim examination will be denied if the student is unable to identify him- or herself. 3. The student must follow the instructions of the Board of Examiners, or the examiner or invigilator, which are given before, during and after the interim examination. 4. Should the student fail to follow one or more instructions referred to in clause 3, he or she may be excluded by the Board of Examiners or examiner from further participation in the interim examination in question. As a direct consequence of the exclusion, no result will be given for that interim examination. Before the Board of Examiners takes such a decision, at the student s request, they must give him/her the opportunity to be heard on the matter. Rules & Guidelines 91

93 5. The duration of an interim examination must be such that students reasonably have enough time to answer the questions. 6. Latecomers will be admitted to an interim examination at the latest 30 minutes after the start of the examination. If a student is prevented by force majeure from being present within this time limit, the Board of Examiners, or examiner, will decide whether he or she can still be admitted to the interim examination. 7. Students may not leave the room where the interim examination is being held within 30 minutes of the start of the examination. 8. After one participant has left the room, no more latecomers will be admitted to the interim examination. PARAGRAPH 3 Assessment of tests, thesis Art. 7 Marking and assessment 1. Marks are awarded on a scale of 1 to 10. A mark of 5.5 or higher is satisfactory, and lower is unsatisfactory. Final grades that are unsatisfactory are not rounded off (1 decimal), final satisfactory grades are rounded off as follows: Grade Rounding off from up to Written examinations are to be marked by examiners only, on the basis of predetermined, written standards, possibly adjusted on the basis of a correction. 92 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

94 3. If more than one examiner is involved in marking an examination, the Board of Examiners must ensure that all examiners mark on the basis of the same standards. 4. The manner of marking must be such that the student can check how the result of his or her examination was reached. 5. In case of research projects and thesis a second reviewer should be involved in the assessment. He/she is an expert in the field and is not directly involved in the supervision of the student and the project the student has been working on. He/she may be from outside Utrecht University. He/she is a staff member (not a PhD candidate). 6. The classification is to be made by determining the average of the marks given by these examiners. If the examiners and second reviewers marks differ by more than 2 points, the board of examiners will take a decision on the classification. This decision will be binding on all parties. 7. The examiners will provide insight, using an assessment form, into the way in which the final assessment has been reached. This form will be part of a student s file and available to the board of examiners. 8. If an examiner gives a final grade of 8,5 or higher (fulfilling the Cum laude criterium) for a research project or thesis, he/she should give a motivation for this grade. The same applies to grades lower than 6. Art. 8 - Assessment regulations of the specific programme components Research projects a. The assessment of research projects is based on an evaluation of three elements: practical work, the written report, the final presentation. In principle, these elements make up 60%, 30% and 10% of the final mark, respectively. For details please refer to the assessment criteria ( The practical work will be judged by the examiner, the marks for the report and the final presentation by the examiner and a second reviewer. b. If the project was supervised by daily supervisors other than the examiner, the examiner will consult them closely on all marks. c. The examiner has to complete the assessment within 20 working days after the student has turned in his final report and presentation, by filling in and signing the assessment form. It is the student s responsibility to deliver the form to the Master s Administration Office as soon as possible. Master s thesis a. The final version of the thesis will be graded by the examiner and a second reviewer. Details are listed in the assessment criteria ( b. If the thesis was supervised by daily supervisors other than the examiner, the examiner will consult with them closely on all marks. Rules & Guidelines 93

95 c. The examiner has to complete the assessment within 20 working days after the student has handed in his/her (final) thesis, by filling in and signing the assessment form. It is the student s responsibility to deliver the form to the Master s Administration Office as soon as possible. Elective component All elements of the elective component are graded separately, when applicable. Technical trainings or mini-projects should be assessed by filling in the assessment form. Profiles The coordinator of the profile determines the final mark of all components. Theoretical courses/modules The student receives a mark for each course. The way in which the final mark for each course is computed from the various components (e.g. presentation and test) should be described in the course manual. Seminars a. During the two years of the MSc programme, the student has to attend at least 10 research seminars (life sciences seminars) organised by the School, or at other institutes, after approval by the programme coordinator. The number of credits for this mandatory part of the curriculum is 1.5. The student is required to individually write a brief report (maximum 1 A4) of each seminar attended, and submit these reports to the coordinator. The coordinator informs the Master s Administration Office when the set is complete. b. Each seminar report should contain: the date, the title, the speaker, and a concise summary of the major point(s) made in the seminar. Art. 9 Subsequent discussion 1. As soon as possible after the result of an oral interim examination is announced, if a student so requests or on the initiative of the examiner, a subsequent discussion will be held between the examiner and the student, in which the examiner will give reasons for the decision. 2. During a period of 30 days, starting on the day after the results of a written interim examination were announced, the student may request the examiner to hold a discussion. The discussion will be held at a place and time determined by the examiner. 94 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

96 3. If a collective discussion is organized, the student can submit a request as referred to in the second paragraph only if he or she was present at the collective discussion and he or she gives reasons for that request, or if he or she was prevented by force majeure from attending the collective discussion. The provisions of the preceding paragraph will apply mutatis mutandis if the examiner offers the student the opportunity to compare his or her answers with model answers Art. 10 Fraude and plagiarism In order to check reports, theses, essays and other written assignments for plagiarism, the documents should be uploaded to Ephorus by the student. The Ephorus report should be sent to the examiner. In case of plagiarism the Board of examiners will be notified, in accordance to article 5.14 of the EER. In addition to art clause 2 of the EER on fraude and plagiarism, the Board of Examiners will notify the examiner about any decision in a fraude or plagiarism case. Art Mark of distinction Cum Laude 1. Excellent students, operationally defined as those among the top 10% in the field, may be granted the mark of distinction cum laude. 2. The cum laude classification will be awarded to the Master s student if each of the following conditions has been met: a. a mark of at least 8.5 has been earned for the major research project; b. a mark of at least 8.5 has been earned for the minor research project or profile; c. a mark of at least 8.5 has been earned for the Master s thesis; d. a weighted (to credits) average mark of at least 8.0 has been earned for the other components of the programme, and no grades below 7.0; e. no re-examinations were taken; f. exemptions that do not count have been obtained for no more than 12 credits; g. the Board of Examiners has not taken any decision (as referred to in article 5.12, clause 4 that fraud/plagiarism was committed. h. the final examination of the Master s Degree Programme was passed within three years under b) 3. For Biomedical Image Sciences and Epidemiology condition b of part 2 is not applicable. 4. For Epidemiology Postgraduate conditions b and c of part 2 are not applicable. Rules & Guidelines 95

97 PARAGRAPH 4 Assuring the quality of examination Art. 12 assuring the quality of testing The Board of Examiners will ensure that: a. an examinations policy/plan is in place, and that this is implemented b. examinations are created in line with the learning aims and final terms of the course in question c. uniform agreements are made on the way in which examinations are created Art. 13 determination of the quality of testing 1. The testing panel is charged with the provision of analysis and advice in relation to the quality of the examinations. To this end, it will test the quality of individual examinations on the basis of random samples and following complaints, evaluation of results, pass rates and suchlike in relation to the validity (they measure knowledge, skills and competences) and reliability (are they consistent and accurate) and will inform the Board of Examiners of this. 2. The Board of Examiners may grant the testing panel an assignment to provide information, undertake research and make proposals concerning the organisation of the examinations. The testing panel is obliged to perform these assignments. The testing panel is responsible in relation to the performance of these assignments to the Board of Examiners. Art. 14 assuring the quality of examinations (final level for the graduates) The Board of Examiners will ensure that: a. the final qualifications for the course as described in the Education and Examinations Regulations are translated into testable learning aims for each course b. there is a systematic investigation of whether there is sufficient connection between the course aims and the final terms, or the sum of the learning aims for each course corresponds to the final qualifications for that course. Art. 15 Graduation procedures Before awarding the Master s degree certificate, the Board of Examiners will determine whether the composition of the student s study programme complies with the programme described in the EER. In order to obtain their certificate, students must also have fulfilled all registration requirements at Utrecht University during the total period of the course. 96 Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

98 Application for graduation: 1. Four weeks prior to the graduation ceremony (for dates: see website www. uu.nl/lifesciences), the student must hand in the graduation form plus all remaining marks (for research projects, Master s thesis, theoretical courses and elective components) to the Master s Administration Office. In case a student has already fulfilled all requirements he/she may also be asked to send in the form. 2. The student should invite the person who will be addressing him/her during the graduation ceremony (laudation) to attend the ceremony, and inform the Master s Administration Office of his/her name and affiliation. 3. The date of examination will be the last working day of the month in which the Board of Examiners has determined that the student has fulfilled the requirements of the examinations programme. Degree certificates The degree certificate will make notice of the name of the Master s degree, the name of the Master s programme and if applicable the cum laude distinction. The International Diploma Supplement (IDS) will include the student s course list with marks and credits. If a formal track was followed within a Masters programme, this will also be mentioned on the IDS. Marine sciences In the case of the Master s programme in Environmental Biology, students that followed a specific national study programme in the field of marine sciences can have the extra distinction added to the IDS: Marine scientists of the Netherlands. Requirements are: 1. Registration for the Master s programme in Environmental Biology. 2. A pass for two of the following courses: - Extreme Climate Transitions, BIO - MABP03, 7.5 ECTS - Astronomical Forcing of Climate & Timescales, GEO4-1412, 7.5 ECTS - Biogeochemistry, GEO4-1413, 7.5 ECTS - Paleo-oceanography & Climate Variability, GEO4-1405, 7.5 ECTS - Organic Geochemistry, GEO4-1420, 7.5 ECTS 3. The major research project should be within the focus of the Marine Sciences research, with approval of the programme coordinator. 4. The student should request the special distinction when applying for the graduation. Rules & Guidelines 97

99 PARAGRAPH 5 Exemptions Art. 16 exemption 1. Students wishing to receive one or more exemptions, must submit a request with grounds to the Board of Examiners. The request must be signed and contain: - the student s name, address and student number - a description of the grounds on which the exemption is being sought - for which element(s) the exemption is being sought - an authenticated copy of the student s diploma, examination results or proof of examinations previously taken - and/or a description of the knowledge and experience the student has obtained outside of higher education, accompanied by the relevant documents showing this. 2. The Board of Examiners will submit the request for advice to the examiner(s) charged with the teaching of the course(s) for which the exemption is being sought or a programme coordinator. 3. The Board of Examiners will decide within 6 weeks of the date of receipt of the request on whether the exemption will be granted. PARAGRAPH 6 - Transitional provisions and amendments Art Transitional provisions None. Art Amendments 1. Amendments to these regulations will be determined by the Board of Examiners in a separate decision. 2. No amendments may be made which apply to the current study year, unless this would reasonably harm the interests of the students. 3. In exceptional cases, the Board of Examiners may deviate from these rules and regulations, if this would be to the student s advantage. Art. 19 Effective date These regulations take effect on September 1st, Adopted by the Board of Examiners for the Master s degrees of the Graduate School of Life Sciences, Utrecht University, June Study Guide Utrecht University Graduate School of Life Sciences 20112/2013

100 Appendix 1. List of Master s programmes Biology of Disease Biomedical Image Sciences Cancer Genomics and Developmental Biology Drug Innovation Environmental Biology Epidemiology Epidemiology Postgraduate Infection and Immunity Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences Neuroscience and Cognition Regenerative Medicine and Technology Toxicology and Environmental Health Appendix 2. Profiles M Management profile: otherwise known as FBE: Fundamental Business and Economics C&E Communication and Education (Communicatie en Educatie: in Dutch only) DRS Drug Regulatory Sciences Rules & Guidelines 99

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