Biomedical Sciences

This MSc programme is a regular study programme for Dutch MSc students. It differs from other regular master programmes at the Universiteit van Amsterdam in the sense that it is offered in the English language and is adapted to accommodate international students with a relevant degree.

*Medical biology

Medical biology is the cornerstone of modern health care, covering areas as diverse as the molecular mechanisms of a virus and the population dynamics of the malaria parasite. The MSc programme in Medical Biology is for students who do not wish to specialise in only one subject of biomedical research. In this programme it is, for example, possible to combine a specialisation in oncology with research in parasitology or immunology, thus becoming more broadly specialised medical biologists. This MSc programme is especially suitable for students with a broad medical interest who wish to carry out research. The greater part of the programme consists of research practicals, whereby students collaborate on current research within the biology and medical departments.

*Biology and Cognition

Human life is unthinkable without cognitive processes such as thinking, perception, language, reasoning, planning and learning. These processes are central to several disciplines, including neurobiology, psychology, linguistics, logic, computer science and philosophy. Recent developments within the broad domain of the cognitive sciences have led to the conclusion that an interdisciplinary focus is a prerequisite for approaching a unified theory of cognition and the brain.
The programme Biology & Cognition is a Biological programme that includes several interdisciplinary courses, i.e. the mandatory course Introduction to Cognitive Science and the annual Summer School. These courses are followed together with students from the interdisciplinary Master in Cognitive Science. In addition, students from the Biology & Cognition programme will receive extensive experimental training in neurobiological research. Students who are more interested in a theoretical, interdisciplinary approach of Cognition are referred to the interdisciplinary Master in Cognitive Science, which is a joint initiative from tutors in Biology, Psychology, Linguistics, Artificial Intelligence and Philosophy.

*Immunology

Immunology is the science that investigates the way in which complex multicellular organisms (mostly mammals) defend themselves against infectious microbes and tumour cells. Immunologists investigate biological systems at all levels of integration: molecular, subcellular, cellular, tissue, organism and society. The tools include molecular and structural biology and cell biology. The scientific questions range from fundamental biologic issues that can be addressed in test tubes or in animal models to applied issues such as clinical immunology (vaccine development, immunodeficiency, allergy, autoimmune disease and transplantation) and antibody technology (antibodies as therapeutic agents, diagnostic tools or biotechnological reagents).

*Medical Biochemistry

Medical biochemistry concerns the study of biomolecules in relation to health and disease. Apart from the identification and categorization of biomolecules, the biochemistry element involves research into the underlying cellular processes responsible for maintenance of health and / or the development of the diseased state.
The transition of chemical structures and the maintenance of homeostasis at the cellular and organism level upon exposure to a changing environment are studied. In medical biochemistry, classical biochemical techniques are used alongside state-of-the-art protein chemical, proteomics techniques and DNA gene-expression arrays.
The application of data acquisition using sequenced genomes is crucial. Furthermore, in order to translate data into knowledge, a strong accent is put on learning modern bioinformatics with primary genome annotation and clustering techniques for expression analysis. Finally, in situ analysis, i.e. the analysis of biological processes as they take place in the cell, forms an important cornerstone, whereby cell biological, molecular biological, advanced microscopical and biophysical analysis techniques are used. In its application, medical biochemistry has close links with clinical chemistry, pharmacy and biotechnology, including an increasing amount of study on microbial food safety.

*Neurobiology

Neurobiology studies the nervous system in the broadest possible way. It covers all levels of aggregation, from molecules in the nervous cell up to the interactive behavior between individuals. Neuroscience is multidisciplinary and, while biology is the starting discipline, it requires strong support from chemistry, physics and informatics. Students with interests in neuro-anatomy, neuro-physiology, neuro-pharmacology, neuro-pathology, neuro-imaging, neuro-chemistry, neuro-physics, neuro-informatics or neuro-cognition can specialize in any of these subdisciplines; they will all use the nervous system as the study object. Topics that are studied range from very fundamental to highly applied (disease). The majority is experimentally oriented, either using mammals or humans, but solid theory and (computer) modeling of brain function is also covered.

*Oncology

Cancer is a major health problem and society demands the attention of the scientific community. The MSc programme Oncology is tailored to train students in biomedical life science to become qualified researchers, who can make a distinctive contribution to improved diagnosis and treatment of cancer in the near future. The Academic Medical Center and the Netherlands Cancer Institute collaborate to provide a programme that gives a comprehensive introduction to contemporary cancer research. This includes basic cell and molecular biology, genetics, development of novel strategies for cancer diagnosis and treatment, proof-of-principle studies in model systems and clinical trials. Students will obtain practical experience by performing research in two distinct laboratories active in these areas, while a sound theoretical background will be provided by regular group meetings with qualified researchers and by courses taught by leaders in the field. (See below, structure of the programme). The programme is focused on the ultimate aim of translating basic science into clinical practice.

*Medical Biology

 BSc in Biomedical Sciences

*Biology and Cognition

BSc in Biomedical Sciences and Psychobiology

*Immunology

BSc in Biomedical Sciences or BSc in Biological Science, programme Molecular Cell Biology and Bioinformatics

*Medical Biochemistry

BSc in Biomedical Sciences, Life Sciences, and BioExact

*Neurobiology

BSc in Biological sciences; BSc in Biomedical Sciences.

*Oncology

BSc in Biomedical Sciences.