Master of Biomedical Sciences

Master of Biomedical Sciences

The 21st century started as the century of molecular life sciences. Various breakthroughs, including the mapping of the human genome, are leading to the rapid development of inter-relationships between formerly autonomous scientific disciplines such as genetics, medicine, pharmacology, biology, and environmental science. This creates new prospects for the academic and business worlds. The Master of Biomedical Sciences focuses on new scientific knowledge in the field f molecular life sciences and on the application of knowledge, e.g. for prevention, diagnosis and therapy. The master programme integrates teaching and training within the scope of cross-border molecular biomedical research and the opportunity for students to participate in this on-going research.

Students can choose between three specialisations:

Bioelectronics and Nanotechnology

This unique specialisation focuses on a novel and interdisciplinary scientific domain at the boundaries between physics, chemistry, electronics and biomedical sciences. Fifty years ago, shortly after J. Watson and F. Crick successfully solved the structure of DNA using X-ray diffraction, R. Feynman made his visionary statement: “There’s plenty of room at the bottom”, with which he effectively heralded the new era of nanosciences. Since that time, research into ‘functional’ molecules and nanomaterials has developed into one of the most important scientific disciplines of today. This is triggered by the fact that a broad range of nanoscopic techniques has become available to study molecules directly at their own length scale and to understand their complex properties.

This master programme offers a strong foundation in all fundamental scientific aspects and provides, in addition, an in depth introduction into several important application areas. Topics range from integrated detection and characterisation techniques for molecules (biosensors) to the nanoscale engineering of implant materials, drug delivery materials and bioimaging agents and the working principles of medical devices like neurochips and pacemakers.

The curriculum of this programme was jointly developed by physicists, chemists, clinical and biomedical researchers and engineers specialised in medical instrumentation. The programme ensures therefore a broad overview of the domain of bioelectronics and nanotechnology and enables graduates to develop their individual skills for a successful career in interdisciplinary research- and development environments.

Environmental Health Sciences

The specialization Environmental Health Sciences focuses on three main approaches used in risk assessment: molecular and human biology, toxicology (science of poisons) and epidemiology (the science of public health). Topics that will also be addressed include global change and health, occupational health, gene-environment interactions and international policy regulations.

The aim of the Environmental Health Sciences specialization is to achieve an understanding of the mechanisms of interaction between humans and their environment. The central theme of this curriculum is therefore to study the complex interactions between the genetic make-up of an individual and environmental factors that may have an impact on human health. This programme is offered at Hasselt University in cooperation with Maastricht University.

Clinical Molecular Sciences

This unique specialisation focuses on state-of-the-art methodology, knowledge, insight and academic skills enabling graduates to unravel the molecular mechanisms of health and disease as independent researchers. The central themes of the curriculum are molecular mechanisms of disease and molecular diagnostics and therapy in disease, e.g. immunological diseases, cardiology, neurology, oncology. This programme is jointly organized with Maastricht University.

Career prospects

Over the years graduates have found positions in:

• Government authorities and centres focusing on public health, genetics, and public relations agencies
• Fundamental and applied research at universities, hospitals, research centres
• Research and development in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries
• PhD programmes in scientific and biomedical disciplines
• Education

Specific admission requirements

In addition to the standard admission requirements, you should:

• hold a bachelor degree in life sciences with a strong motivation to pursue a career as a scientist in this field;
• hold an academic or higher education degree (bachelor’s or master’s) in the field of life sciences (including cell biology, molecular medicine, biomedical sciences, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular genetics and molecular biology) and wants to extend knowledge and skills to build a solid basis for a research career.