Molecular Life Sciences (MML) / MSc

Profile

Being a 'University for Life Sciences', Wageningen University is concerned with the improvement of the quality of life. Research and educational programmes aimed at improving the quality of life can be done on different levels of integration, varying from atoms and molecules at the smaller end of the scale, to climatic changes at the other extreme. Chemistry, biology and physics play a key role in many of these research and educational programmes that are further grouped in various University for Life Sciences domains. In some programmes the natural sciences are used in a more applied sense and in others, including Molecular Life Sciences, in a more fundamental sense, i.e. the focus is on molecules and their chemical and physical properties in relation to the context where they occur.
The MSc programme Molecular Life Sciences of Wageningen University provides students with a spectrum of professional and personal competencies needed to work under supervision of an academic scientist (PhD Level) in fields related to fundamental molecular aspects of the 'University for Life Sciences' domains. The main goal of the MSc programme Molecular Life Sciences is that it delivers researchers that are well prepared to do an excellent job.
The MSc programme Molecular Life Sciences of Wageningen University offers the following specializations: A. Biomedical Research, B. Biological Chemistry, C. Physical Biology, and D. Physical Chemistry. The programme also provides domain specific knowledge to become a fully licensed secondary school teacher in chemistry. For the latter a supplementary training in pedagogical and didactic aspects of teaching is required, which in part can be achieved in the Educational Variant.
Mission statement 'To develop the potential of students to extend molecular life sciences'.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this MSc programme graduates are expected to be able to:
- apply various advanced research methods in the field of chemistry, physics, microbiology and / or molecular biology;
- accomplish tasks that may be part of a research job including determination of project aims, execution of various team functions, defence of points of view and conclusions, assess the contribution of other team members and give feedback in writing and verbally;
- properly function in an academic research setting outside Wageningen University;
- keep up with the scientific literature and utilise new developments in his specialised domain, participate in a research team and discussions, write a scientifically sound report;
- respond to environmental, ethical, societal and global considerations in practicing his profession;
- implement strategies in the field of molecular sciences that are compatible with a sustainable society;
- participate successfully in research under supervision of a PhD-level scientist and to be able to write and carry out a small research plan, to report the results and to evaluate the findings in view of existing literature in his own field of specialisation.
And, in addition, for specialisation A, Biomedical Research:
-design and execute a research plan which combines advanced concepts from chemistry, biology and physics with physiology, pathology, virology, immunotechnology or other medical subjects.
for specialisation B, Biological Chemistry:
-design and execute a research plan about the (bio)chemical properties of complex ensembles of biomolecules, their genomic and proteomic interactions and molecular regulation of cellular processes and other molecules in living systems
for specialisation C, Physical Biology:
-design and execute a research plan about the physical basis of cellular organization and dynamics, complex ensembles of biomolecules, their functions, properties and biogeneses.
for specialisation D, Physical Chemistry:
- design and execute a research plan about chemical and physical properties of molecules and molecular assemblies in relation with their behaviour in (bio)chemical processes, their interactions in complex systems and their phase and interfacial behaviour.

Specializations

- A. Biomedical Research;
- B. Biological Chemistry;
- C. Physical Biology;
- D. Physical Chemistry;

Programme Director

Dr. ir. W.K.P. van Loon
Phone: 0317-(4)85216
Email: wilko.vanloon@wur.nl

Study Adviser(s)

- Dr. C.W. Hoogendam (A-G)
Phone: 0317-(4)84426
Email: rene.hoogendam@wur.nl
- R. Möwes (H-O)
Phone: 0317-(4)86571
Email: randy.mowes@wur.nl
- Dr. ir. J. Wellink (P-Z)
Phone: 0317-(4)83266
Email: joan.wellink@wur.n

Programme Committee

Chair: S. Wintermans
Secretary: Dr. ir. W.K.P. van Loon

Internet

www.wur.eu/mml
https://teamsites.wur.nl/sites/mls/default.aspx

Study Association

MSV Alchimica
Email: msv.alchimica@wur.nl
Internet: www.msvalchimica.nl/