Master’s Programme Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical Sciences

• Two-year international MSc

• Aim of the programme:

An excellent preparation for anyone contemplating a

career dedicated to improving human health by doing

biomedical research or apply research in practice.

• From molecular to human to population

Biomedical Sciences

Six major subject areas • Human pathobiology

• Toxicology

• Clinical human movement sciences

• Occupational and environmental health

• Epidemiology

• Health technology assessment

Biomedical Sciences

Three career-oriented profiles

• Research profile: preparation for a PhD

• Consultancy profile: training in health policy

analysis and counceling

• Communication profile: training in

communication about health issues

Biomedical Sciences

Additional programmes:

• Human and Environmental Risk Assessment

(HERA)

• Track Infectious diseases

Biomedical Sciences

• Personal guidance by subject area tutor

• Unique opportunity to combine two majors

• Choose one or more minor subjects

• Development of reporting skills

BMS: Overview of majors

Fundamental processes

Basic research

Human / Population level

Applied research

Human Pathobiology

Toxicology

Clinical Human Movement Sciences Epidemiology

Health Technology Assessment

Occupational and Environmental Health

Human pathobiology

Research on the biological mechanisms of diseases and the development of novel, advanced therapies at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels

Mandatory courses:

• Cause and effect in tissue damage

• Repair and regeneration of tissues and organs

• Cellular communication in health and disease

•Laboratory animal science / radiation safety

Links with research at Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences (NCMLS)

Toxicology

Research on the effects of harmful substances, from molecular mechanisms to safety testing on new drugs, societal impacts and prevention strategies

Mandatory courses:

•Chemical mutagenesis and carcinogenesis

•Occupational toxicology

•Clinical toxicology

•Laboratory animal sciences / radiation safety

•Research and development of drugs

Links with research at Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences (NCMLS)

Clinical human movement sciences

Research on the physiological and physical aspects of human movements including the determinants of health and disease in the human locomotor apparatus and associated tissues. The results form the basis of therapies

Mandatory courses:

•Tissue: Biomechanics and engineering

• Clinical exercise physiology

• Neural control of movement and posture

• Clinical rehabilitation sciences

Links with research at Nijmegen Centre for Neuroscience and

Nijmegen Centre for Evidence Based Practice (NCEBP)

Occupational and environmental health

Research on factors in the workplace and in the general environment that influence health and disease, leading to legislation and improvement programmes

Mandatory courses

• Health surveillance

• Risk assessment

• Occupational toxicology

• Accidents and disasters involving hazardous substances

• Ergonomics and consultancy

Links with research at Nijmegen Centre for Evidence Based Practice (NCEBP)

Epidemiology

Research on the distribution in human populations and the factors that determine it. The results are used to plan health services and to devise strategies for the prevention and control of diseases

Mandatory courses

• Risk assesment

• Genetic epidemiology or

• Infectious disease epidemiology

• Multivariable statistical methods

Links with research at Nijmegen Centre for Evidence Based Practice (NCEBP)

Health technology assessment

Research on the effectiveness, safety, costs and the appropiateness of medical interventions gives policy makers and practitioners evidence-based choices in health services and patient care

Mandatory courses

• Cost-effectiveness of health care

• Policy research

• Outcome assessment

• Evidence from secondary research

Links with research at Nijmegen Centre for Evidence Based Practice (NCEBP)

Additional programme

Human and Environmental Risk Assessment (HERA):

• Two-year programme for majors in Occupational and

environmental health (or Toxicology)

• Jointly offered by Faculty of Medical Sciences and

Faculty of Sciences

Additional programme: Human and

Environmental Risk Assessment

• New international master programme, first starting in September 2008

• Duration 24 months

• Focus on research

• Target group: students with BSc in environmental sciences and biomedical sciences

• Supported by Royal Haskoning HERA

Biomedical Sciences

Additional track Infectious diseases:

Courses and internship in combination with major:

• Health technology assessment

• Epidemiology

• Pathobiology

Track Infectious disease

With major health technology

assessment or epidemiology:

With major human pathobiology:

Health and disease in the tropics Immunological defense against

micro-organisms

International public health Pediatric infectious diseases

AIDS Severe infectious diseases

Compulsory courses of major Compulsory courses of major

Two research internships

(20 + 32 weeks or 2 x 26 weeks)

Two research internships

(20 + 32 weeks or 2 x 26 weeks)

Consultancy profile

Topics

• Policy analysis

• Stakeholder analysis

• Work breakdown structures and feasibility assessment

• Writing an advisory report

• Interviewing

• Win-win negotiation

• Engaging in tense conversations

Communication profile

Topics

• Processing information

• Risk perception

• Determinants of health behaviour

• Dealing with media

• Developing educational and informational products

• Effective communication (oral and in writing)

• Presentation techniques

Programme design

Course programme

General courses

4 week modules, 5.5 EC

2 Internships

Research profile

Major intership (MSc Thesis): 32 weeks

Minor Internship, > 12 weeks

Consultancy profile or communication profile

Major internship (MSc Thesis): 20 weeks

Profile internship: 12 or 16 weeks

Course programme

Electives

• Animal testing and 'in vitro' alternatives / Radiation safety

• Drug research according to Good Clinical Practice

• Design and analysis of small scale experiments

• Research and development of drugs

• Communication of biomedical information

• Policy analysis and management

• Health monitoring

• Implementation of biomedical evidence

• Qualitative research

Career perspectives

What biomedical scientists become

• Pathobiologists

• Toxicologists

• Epidemiologists

• Researchers at universities and companies

• Supervisors of clinical trials

• Consultants

• Lecturers

• Policy coordinators

EC

‘again the highest scores for

biomedical sciences’

Why should I choose Nijmegen?

• Ambition to do research or to apply biomedical research in practice

• Excellent preparation for a career dedicated to improving human health

• 70 graduates each year with good career perspectives

• Programme is ranked best among Dutch universities (accredited by NVAO)

• Unique form of guidance by subject area tutors

• The ambiance of the city of Nijmegen and its breathtaking environment

General information

• BSc degree in Biomedical Sciences or related discipline in life sciences

• Strong motivation to succeed

• Fluent command of the English language (TOEFL >600 or IELTS >6.5)

Admission requirements

• Applications should be made by June 1 (Dutch students)

• For further details see brochure or www.ru.nl/master/bms

How to enrol

• Students from EEA countries (2008/2009 €1,565)

• Outside the EU €8,000 per year + one-off handling charge of €75

• Scholarships for foreign students, see www.nuffic.nl

Costs

• Radboud University Nijmegen is a student-oriented research university.

• Established in 1923 and situated in the oldest city of The Netherlands

• Its teaching is geared to students as actively participating members of

the academic community.

• Personal style of teaching - offering plenty of opportunity to work

closely with instructors and fellow students in small seminars - ensures

that the university does not become a mere 'degree factory'.

Biomedical Sciences

Radboud University Nijmegen