BSc in Molecular Life Sciences

Year 1

In the first year of the Bachelor's Molecular Life Sciences you study biological and chemical processes from a molecular perspective, following a combination of molecular courses and (medical) biological courses. You can analyse molecules by learning about infrared, UV and NMR spectroscopy techniques, or you can study how our livers discharge alcohol from our bodies. Of course, you also need to gain a mathematical and physical foundation. That's why especially in the first year, you follow challenging courses in physics and mathematics.

• Chemical Analysis 1
• Chemical Analysis Lab
• Structure of Atoms and Molecules
• Biochemistry
• Mathematics
• Biochemistry Lab
• Thermodynamics
• Mechanics 1
• Organic Chemistry 1
• Synthesis Lab 1a
• Cell Biophysics
• Electricity and Magnetism 1
• Molecular Sciences Lab
• Sustainable Chemistry
• Academic Skills

Year 2

From the second year on, the emphasis shifts more towards biomedical research. Knowledge of all fields of chemistry is extended and the relevant physical and mathematical background is deepened. In the second semester of the second year, you start your specialisation phase and compose your own programme. You can choose to specialise in medical biology or move in a biochemical direction.

• Biomolecules at Work
• DNA-technology
• Organic Chemistry 2
• DATA: Programming and Statistics
• Crystal Structure
• Chemical Analysis 2
• DATA: Structural Bioinformatics
• Inorganic Chemistry in Biological Systems

Year 3

The specialisation phase continues in the third year. The first semester of the third year is designated as the Faculty’s minor and exchange semester. You can choose courses ranging from genomics, neurobiology, organic chemistry, pharmacochemistry, nanobiotechnology, biophysical chemistry, sustainable chemistry.

• Neural Basis of Motor Control
• Medical biotechnology
• Biomolecular Architectures
• Translational Neuroscience
• Neurodevelopment
• Molecular principles of development
• Neurobiophysics
• Quantitative Bioimaging
• Neural Basis of Cognition and Perception
• Cognitive Neuroimaging (Brain dynamics)

Functional Genomics

• RNA Structure and Function
• Genomics, Health and Environment
• Biomolecular Architectures
• Medical biotechnology
• Genomics for Health and Environment
• Molecular principles of development
• Principles and Practice of Human Pathology
• Comparative genomics
• Immunology
• Functional Genomics

Human Biology

• RNA Structure and Function
• Biomolecular Architectures
• Medical biotechnology
• Molecular principles of development
• Biological Invasions
• Infectious Diseases
• Principles and Practice of Human Pathology
• Molecular basis of Diseases
• Immunology

Chemistry of Life

• RNA Structure and Function
• Spectroscopy of Biomolecules
• Organic chemistry 3
• Molecular principles of development
• Infectious Diseases
• Nanobiotechnology
• Chemometrics
• Nanomaterials in Biomedicine
• Functional Genomics

Medicinal Chemistry

• Spectroscopy of Biomolecules
• Physical Organic Chemistry 2
• Organic chemistry 3
• Synthesis Lab 3
• Stereoselective synthesis
• Metalorganic chemistry
• Nanomaterials in Biomedicine
• Catalysis

What will you learn?

In the Molecular Life Sciences programme you study biological and biomedical processes from a molecular perspective, and you learn about important molecular processes in which cells work together to form a multicellular organism (human, animal or plant). Of course, you will also need to study the relevant mathematical and physical concepts needed to understand molecular processes. That's why especially in the first year, you will follow challenging courses in physics and mathematics. Moreover, you will be studying the differences between healthy and diseased cells. You will get acquainted with these topics during lectures and seminars and perform hands-on experiments in the lab.

Credits:180 ECTS

What will you learn?

In the Molecular Life Sciences program, you study biological and biomedical processes from a molecular perspective, and you learn about important molecular processes in which cells work together to form a multicellular organism (human, animal, or plant). Of course, you will also need to study the relevant mathematical and physical concepts needed to understand molecular processes. That's why especially in the first year, you will follow challenging courses in physics and mathematics. Moreover, you will be studying the differences between healthy and diseased cells. You will get acquainted with these topics during lectures and seminars and perform hands-on experiments in the lab.

With a Bachelor's degree in Molecular Life Sciences, you can advance to Master's specializations in Molecular Sciences, Medical Biology or programs at the Faculty of Medicine (Radboudumc). Or you can get your teaching qualification by doing a Master's in education.

After your studies

Molecular Life Sciences graduates from Radboud University end up in a wide range of jobs. Ten years after starting their careers those who do not have PhDs mainly work as managers in a technological environment. Graduates with PhDs often become specialists with managerial roles. They continue with research in research departments at Radboud University or at other universities at home or abroad.

Possible occupations

• Researcher at a R&D department in industry
• Researcher at a research institute or medical centre
• Project manager/general manager
• Advisor, consultant
• Secondary school teacher
• Inspector or controller

Continue with a Master's

With a Bachelor's degree in Molecular Life Sciences, you can advance to Master's specialisations in Molecular Sciences, Medical Biology or programmes at the Faculty of Medicine (Radboudumc). Or you can get your teaching qualification by doing a Master's in education.

Molecular Sciences

• Chemistry of Life
• Medicinal Chemistry

Medical Biology

• Human Biology
• Medical Epigenomics
• Neurobiology

Society/management specialisations

You can choose to combine one of the research specialisations above with a societal/management specialisation. The first year of your Master's will consist of your research curriculum, and in your second year you can shift to one of the 1-year specialisations below.

• Science, Management and Innovation
• Science in Society

Faculty of Medicine

• Molecular Mechanisms of Disease
• Cognitive Neuroscience

Educational Master's

The Master's in science education combines chemistry subjects, didactics and internships, which trains you to become a qualified teacher in secondary or higher education.

• Educatie in de Bètawetenschappen (Dutch only)

Put your studies to work!

To prepare you for finding a job, Radboud University offers various forms of job market orientation, so that you can prepare for your future during your studies. Career Service Science assists students and young alumni with their journey into the job market. You can contact them for help with job orientation, application tips, and information about internships and vacancies. Furthermore, students organise the BBB Career Event each year, the ideal place for students and employers to meet.

After graduation: what's next?

Sjoerd Postma studied Molecular Life Sciences and now works as a Patent Attorney in Arnhem. In this video he talks about his work at V.O. Patents & Trademarks.