Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSc)
About the programme
The two-years MSc programme spans the entire spectrum of Analytical BioSciences, Biopharmaceutics, Drug Delivery Technology, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology.
Overview of the Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences programme
All students first register for the major research specialisation Research in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences. In your first year, you start with a major research project in one of the research disciplines of the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR). LACDR is a centre of excellence for multidisciplinary research in the area of drug-design and fundamental research of new drugs, optimization of existing drugs, and personalised medicine.
In the second year, you have the option to continue the specialisation Research in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences or to combine the research component with one of these four other specialisations:
- Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and Industrial Pharmacy (in Dutch, max. 2 selected participants): This specialisation trains you in quality control and safety in the production of medicinal products, and prepares students for a career in Quality Assurance and Quality Control in the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industry.
- Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and Business Studies: Combine training in BPS research with education in business and entrepreneurship.
- Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and Science Communication and Society: combine research with programmes in different aspects of science communication, such as journalism.
- Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and Education (taught partly in Dutch): prepare yourself for a career in teaching.
Educational methods
- Colloquium
- Individual paper
- Lab work
- Literature study
- Presentations
- Lectures
- Working group
The research specialisation is considered to be default specialisation of the master BPS. Students following the research specialisation continue their research training in the second year. Student’s opting for a non-research specialisation will be admitted after the successful completion of their first year of the master’s programme.
The programme of the research specialisation consists of an introduction course, one research project, at least one BPS lecture series, and the course Advanced Academic Skills and Career Orientation. The general outline of year one of the master BPS is indicated below:
- Introduction Course Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences (6 EC)
prepares you for Research Project 1 - Research project 1 (47 EC)
a nine-month research project within a division of the LACDR - Lecture series 1 in BPS (4 EC)
select one of the lecture series listed in the e-prospectus of the master BPS - Course Advanced Academic Skills and Career Orientation (3 EC)
The programme of the specialisation consists of an introduction course, two research projects, at least one BPS lecture series, the course Advanced academic skills and career orientation, and optional courses. The general outline of the research-oriented specialisation is indicated below:
- Introduction Course Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences (6 EC)
prepares you for Research Project 1 - Research project 1 (47 EC)
a nine-month research project within a division of the LACDR - Research project 2 (35 EC)
a six-month research project at an academic institute or a pharmaceutical company - Literature study plus thesis (7 EC):
five consecutive weeks at one of the divisions of the LACDR - Lecture series 1 in BPS (4 EC)
select one of the lecture series listed in the e-prospectus of the master BPS - Course Advanced academic skills and career orientation (3 EC)
- Optional courses or traineeships (18 EC)
The non-research specialisations combine at least one year of Biopharmaceutical Sciences (see 'Overview curriculum general part'; 60-62 EC) with training to prepare you for specific science-related careers (58-60 EC).
Find out more about the practical-oriented specialisations: