Study programme - MSc Biology

The first year has the following components:

Common Courses (12 ECTS)

All students have to take the course ‘Frontiers in Biology’ (6 ECTS). This course deals with the latest developments in biology and covers a wide range of themes. Highlights in modern biology will be addressed by studying recent articles and by keynote speakers from various biological disciplines.

All students also have to take a course on data science. You can select a data science course in consultation with your study advisor.

Specialisation courses (12 ECTS)

The master’s Biology offers four specialisations. In each specialisation, students follow two specialisation courses to deepen their knowledge of literature and scientific analysis, and to develop research skills relevant for the scientific discipline of the specialisation. This way, students obtain the level of knowledge needed to carry out a thesis or internship. Which courses are required varies among specialisations. Click on the specialisations for more information.

• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Organismal Adaptation and Development
• Human and Animal Health Biology
• Ecology and Biodiversity

Electives (24 ECTS)

Within this master’s you have 24 ECTS of electives. Within these 24 ECTS you can decide what you want to do in order to reach your personal goals. You can follow courses from any relevant MSc programme offered at Wageningen University or any other academic institution (subject to approval). You could for example choose courses on systems biology, big data analysis or statistics. You can also choose to do an extra thesis as an elective in order to obtain additional experience in conducting a research.

Academic Master Cluster (12 ECTS)

For Academic Master Cluster you can choose one of the two options below:

1. Academic Consultancy Training (9 ECTS) and Modular Skills Training (3 ECTS): In Academic Consultancy Training you will work with students from different master’s programmes on an assignment for an external client. This way, you can apply the knowledge you gained during your studies and experience what it’s like to work as a consultant. Your group will be supported by an academic expert focusing on the contents of the project and a coach focusing on the group process and personal development of the team members. In Modular Skills Training you select modules to work on specific skills that you would like to develop, like scientific writing, management skills or career orientation.

2. Research Master Cluster (12 ECTS): In this course you will write a PhD proposal with the support of experts, coaches and fellow students. This is very useful if you want to pursue a PhD after graduation.

In your second year you will do a thesis and an internship.

Thesis (36 ECTS)

In your thesis you will perform a research project at one of the 30 biological chair groups of Wageningen University. You will perform research (lab/field/literature), write a report and present your findings at the chair group. On the pages of the different specialisations, you can find examples of thesis topics. On the student experiences page some students share their stories about their thesis.

Internship (24 ECTS)

In your internship you will work at an organisation outside of the university. This way, you will get a taste of what kind of job you could do after graduating. On the student experiences page some students share their stories about their internship.