Radboud University

MSc in Molecular Mechanisms of Disease (Research)

The MMD programme offers a broad and interdisciplinary approach with the opportunity for specialisation in the form of electives and two research internships.

About this study curriculum

Theoretical courses

The MMD programme starts with 5 months of theoretical courses. These courses provide a sound basis for a future career in molecular biomedical research. Besides theoretical knowledge, the courses focus on important skills for scientists, such as:

• Presenting scientific data
• Reading and writing scientific articles
• Writing research proposals

The programme also includes two, one-week “master classes” in which enthusiastic, top-notch researchers (national and international) discuss the latest cutting-edge research.

All students can choose a number of elective courses. This will allow you to customise your programme and create a focus that meets your professional and academic interests.

Research-training periods

There are two research-training periods during the MMD programme. You will discover what a researcher really does by performing your own research projects under the supervision of experienced scientists. Students are strongly stimulated to go abroad into a laboratory of their choice for the second research-training period.

A mentor will guide you throughout the entire programme and will stimulate you to explore your abilities and develop general research competences, including reflection, self-management and mid- and long-term career planning.

Key themes

The MMD programme is organised along three major educational themes which reflect the main research areas present in the Radboudumc and which each include both a fundamental and a disease-related aspect:

• Theme 1 Infection, Immunity and Regenerative Medicine / Immunity-related Disorders and Immunotherapy
• Theme 2 Metabolism, Transport and Motion / Metabolic Disorders
• Theme 3 Cell Growth and Differentiation / Developmental Disorders and Malignancies

After your studies

There is considerable demand for experts in the molecular biomedical sciences as well as in their application to the development of treatments for diseases such as cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, and metabolic diseases.

Graduates in MMD are equipped with cutting-edge knowledge of multidisciplinary research in the mechanisms of disease and in state-of-the-art diagnostic methods and technologies. During the programme, you will develop a highly critical, independent approach to problem-solving. You will also acquire the basic management skills needed to lead R&D projects in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

Most of our graduates will enter an international PhD programme to continue with research in academia or industry.

Possible occupations

• PhD student
• Scientific group leader
• Clinical research associate
• Lecturer
• Data specialist
• Consultant

PhD opportunities

The MSc Molecular Mechanisms of Disease aims to provide all skills and knowledge necessary to rapidly enter an international PhD programme. In the Netherlands and many places in Europe, it is impossible to start a PhD programme directly after obtaining a Bachelor's degree. This research Master’s programme seriously increases your chances for obtaining an excellent PhD training position by giving you a mature perspective and a broad range of experimental approaches. In fact, over 80% of our graduates has started a (funded) PhD project.

MMD graduates are excellent candidates for PhD positions at the Radboud university medical centre.

“I think the Radboud University MMD Master’s programme is the perfect stepping stone for a PhD candidate. The intensive curriculum can be very demanding, but it provides you with all the theoretical background and research techniques you could possibly need. Because of its interdisciplinary design and incorporation within the Radboudumc, the programme shows how research is translated into daily clinical practice."

— Ilse van der Werf, MMD student from the Netherlands