The four core courses are chosen from the list below. MSc LST students have to choose one course from each of the series (Biomedical, Molecular and Biophysical Sciences), plus one additional course from one of the three series.

• Biomedical Sciences
  • Biomedical Informatics
  • Chemical Immunology
  • In-vivo Biomolecular Interactions underlying Diseases
• Biophysical Sciences
  • Bionanotechnology
  • Biomaterials
  • Enzyme Dynamics: NMR Spectroscopy and Kinetics
• Molecular Sciences
  • Chemical Biology
  • Metals and Life 
  • Molecular Chemistry
     

The specialisation-specific component for the research specialisation consists of the essay and colloquium (6 EC). With this component, students have to show that they are able to find and digest relevant literature on a topic not related to their MSc research project, write in their own words a review of the material in their own words, including their personal view and potential future prospects. The student then presents this essay for fellow students and an independent jury. More information can be found in the Prospectus.

The education part of this specialisation is organised by the Leiden University Graduate School of Teaching (ICLON). The 60 EC education component can best be started in September. For students who have taken a minor in Education (“tweedegraadsbevoegdheid”) of 30 EC in the BSc programme, only 30 EC are necessary in the MSc programme to obtain the “eerstegraadsbevoegdheid”; then 30 EC electives are added to the programme of the MSc LST. Students are required to finish all LST components before the start of their education component. Exceptions to this obligatory sequence can only be granted by the Board of Examiners. 

The specialisation-specific components encompass:

• Teaching Practice 1 & 2
• Pedagogy in Practice 1 & 2 
• Teaching Methodology 1 & 2
• Adolescent Development (ICLON)
• Subject-specific research project 
• Electives:
  Innovations in School
  Adolescent Development 2
  Subject-specific research project 2
  World Teachers 

More information can be found on the ICLON website and in the Prospectus.
 

The specialisation-specific components are offered by lecturers in Science Communication & Society (SCS) and is open to students from MSc programmes from the Faculty of Science and the MSc programme in Biomedical Sciences of the Faculty of Medicine (LUMC). Preferably, the BSc programme has included some coursework in communication. The primary focus in this specialisation is on science communication in the Netherlands, and students explore various aspects of professional science communication. A minimum of 40 EC and a maximum of 60 EC of SCS components is required to complete the SCS specialisation.

The specialisation-specific components comprise:

• Informal Science Education (4 EC)
• Policy & Development in science and Society (4 EC)
• Research in science communication (4EC) 
• Science Journalism (4 EC) 
• Science Communication product development (4 EC) 
• Scientific Narration and Visualisation (3 EC)
• one or more SCS internships (14-34 EC) with corresponding project proposals (3 EC). 
• SCS electives are limited to 10 EC. 

The internship will be in the field of science communication (e.g. science journalism, museology, new media, health communication). The total internship period may consist of one internship, or can be divided into 2 smaller internships. Each internship includes a written report and an oral presentation. The total internship period includes a minimum of 10 EC of research in science communication. The choice of internships should be approved beforehand by the coordinator of the specialisation. A plan for the optional SCS Elective (e.g. book exam, product development) should be approved beforehand by the SCS coordinator. 

More information can be found on the SCS website and in the Prospectus.
 

The Business Studies specialisation is offered by the department of Science Based Business. The objective of the specialisation is to teach students basic analytical frameworks and skills to analyse business-related problems and to contribute to managerial decision making within the context of established knowledge-intensive organisations or new technology ventures. It is for science students who consider employment opportunities in industry, and who are looking to acquire knowledge of business principles and training in managerial skills. A minimum of 40 EC and a maximum of 60 EC of BS components is required to complete the BS specialisation.

The specialisation-specific components for this track consist of:

• Strategy and Technology (5 EC) 
• Strategic Financial Management (3 EC) 
• Marketing Science (3 EC) 
• Operations Management (4 EC) 
• Research Methods (5 EC)
• Business Internship (20, 30 or 40 EC)

In addition a number of electives are offered, such as ‘Accounting’, ‘Entrepreneurship’ or ‘Business Intelligence’.

More information and registration instructions for Business Studies is available on the BS website and in the Prospectus. The BS courses start twice a year in September and February.