Designing your individual programme
Master Biomedical Sciences
July 2014 Vera van Limpt Moniek Munneke
2 Contents
1. The structure of the BMS Master’s programme ... 3
General ... 3
Major subject ... 3
Combination of two majors ... 3
Career profiles ... 3
Electives ... 4
Extending the minimal obligatory study load ... 5
2. Rules and guidelines for internships ... 6
Research internships ... 6
Profile internships ... 6
Internship agreement ... 7
Internship assessment ... 7
Procedures for preventing infection ... 7
3. Theoretical modules ... 8
Compulsory modules in major subject areas: ... 8
Compulsory modules in the Consultancy and Communication profiles ... 9
Bachelor’s modules in major subjects ... 9
4. Guidance during the programme ... 10
Major tutors ... 10
HERA and infectious disease ... 10
Profile coordinator ... 10
Student counseling ... 10
5. Composition and approval of your study plan ... 11
Standard forms to request for approval ... 11
Board of Examiners procedures ... 11
Processing of grades for internships and individual educational components ... 12
6. Graduation ... 12
Appendix ... 13
Study plan and assessment forms ... 13
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1. The structure of the BMS Master’s programme
General
A Master’s degree programme consists of theoretical modules and internships with a minimal study load of 120 EC. The programme must include at least one major subject and a research, communication, or consultancy profile. Within the Master’s programme students carry out at least two internships: 1) A major research internship and 2) A profile internship (for students who opt for a communication or consultancy profile) or a second research internship.
Major subject
A BMS programme consists primarily of the core modules (see ‘Theoretical modules’ below) and the research internship (see Research internships below) in one of the following major subject areas:
a. Clinical Human Movement Sciences (CHMS) b. Epidemiology (EPI)
c. Health Technology Assessment (HTA) d. Human Health Risk Assessment (HRA) e. Human Pathobiology (PB)
f. Human Toxicology (TOX)
You will select your major subject before starting the programme.
Students can compose another major themselves, its contents being subject to approval by the Board of Examiners. Such a request needs to be supplied with a comprehensive written motivation.
Combination of two majors
It is possible to combine two majors of choice.
In addition to the six majors mentioned above two additional subjects are optional as second major;
g. Students with a major in HRA or TOX can choose for ‘Human and environmental risk assessment’ (HERA) as a second major.
h. Students with a major in EPI, HTA, PB or TOX can choose for ‘Infectious diseases’ as a second major.
Compulsory modules for all majors are listed in chapter 3.
Career profiles
The composition of the programme is further determined by your choice of one of the following profiles: A. The research profile
B. The communication profile C. The consultancy profile A. Research profile
Table 1: The programme of the research profile with one major
Programme component Number Credits (EC)
Compulsory major modules 4 22
Major internship (at least 27 weeks) 1 38
Second research internship (at least 18 weeks) 1 25
Electives 35
Total 120
Table 2: The programme of the research profile with two majors
Programme component Number Credits (EC)
Compulsory major modules 6 - 8 28 – 44*
Major internships (27 weeks each) 2 76
Electives 0 - 16
Total 120
*The number of compulsory modules varies per major subject (see chapter 3). The list of compulsory major modules might be extended with Bachelor’s modules that are essential for a specific major but not yet part of the students’ individual Bachelor’s programme.
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B. Communication profile
Table 3: The programme of the communication profile
Programme component Number Credits (EC)
Compulsory major modules 4 22
Major internship ( at least 27 weeks) 1 38 Profile specific compulsory modules a) 2 11 Profile internship (at least 18 weeks) 1 25
Electives 24
Total 120
a)
The theoretical modules in the communication profile, 5ECWO and 5AM06, are taught in Dutch as these relate to the Dutch health care system.
C. Consultancy profile
Table 4: The programme of the consultancy profile
Programme component Number Credits (EC)
Compulsory major modules 4 22
Major internship (at least 27 weeks) 1 38
Profile specific compulsory modules a) 3 16.5 Profile internship (at least 18 weeks) 1 25
Electives 18.5
Total 120
a)
The theoretical modules in the consultancy profile, 5ICHC, 5AM06 and 5OZBC, are taught in Dutch as these relate to the Dutch health care system.
Note: Extension of an internship (major internship to 50 EC, second research internship to 38 or 50 EC) is optional. Requests for a prolonged internship are to be supplied with a specific motivation and will be subject to a critical review by the Board of Examiners. Internships of 25 EC require approval of the major tutor. Internships of 38 EC or 50 EC require prior approval by the Board of Examiners (see below for procedures).
Electives
The structure of BMS programme allows students to put together an individual programme. First you choose a major and subsequently a profile. With these choices you determine part of your programme, as each major and profile has compulsory elements. For the remaining study load, you can opt for a second major, for another combination of courses and/or internships to specialize yourself in a specific biomedical subject or for standalone elements. ‘Electives’ are courses (and internships) that are not compulsory in the BMS Master’s programme. Students choose these elements in consultation with their major tutor. Within an individual programme, electives can be related to the major subject, they can be part of another specialization within the field of biomedical sciences, they might belong to profile‐specific education and/or they may be added to the programme as independent elements. Besides electives in biomedical sciences, a maximum of 12 EC within the obligatory study load can be free electives. These are subjects/courses at academic level that are not necessarily related to biomedical sciences.
Existing courses
Students are allowed to choose electives in other major subject areas, in other programmes at the University or at other universities in the Netherlands and abroad. It has to be mentioned that specific entry requirements may apply for admission to modules elsewhere. It is the students’ responsibility to meet these requirements. Electives in the BMS and Medicine programmes of the Radboudumc require prior approval from your major tutor. Electives in other programmes and universities may not be started without the approval of the Board of Examiners. Note that electives must comprise at least 2.5 EC.
Biomedical subjects
The list of eligible specializations within the field of biomedical sciences is almost unlimited. The list below does not provide a complete overview. The coordinators mentioned have insight in the disciplines mentioned and are also familiar with the Biomedical Sciences master's programme. You can consult them to compose a package of two to three courses (if desired in combination with an internship) within their specific discipline.
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List of optional biomedical subjects (not complete)
Drug Research Dr. Roos Masereeuw Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Ergonomics Dr. Nathalie Donders Department of Public Health
Evidence-based laboratory
animal science Prof.dr. Merel Ritskes-Hoitinga Central Animal Laboratory
HERA Dr. Paul Scheepers Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and HTA Physiology Prof. Maria Hopman Department of Physiology
International Health Dr. Rob Baltussen Drs. Henri van Asten
Department of Public Health
Department of General Internal Medicine Medical Microbiology Prof. Robert Sauerwein Department of Medical Microbiology Neurosciences Dr. Dirk Schubert Department of Cognitive Neuroscience
Nutrition and Health Prof. Ellen Kampman Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and HTA Oncology Prof.dr. Han van Krieken Department of Pathology
Occupational Hygiene Dr. Paul Scheepers Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and HTA Pathology Dr. Rob de Waal Department of Pathology
Radiology Prof. Wim Oyen Department of Nuclear Medicine
Reproduction Dr. Nel Roeleveld Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and HTA Urology Prof. Jack Schalken Department of Urology
Vascular Medicine Prof. Jacques Lenders Department of General Internal Medicine
Individual modules and systematic reviews
As an supplement to the package of existing modules offered in programmes in and outside the Radboudumc, it is also possible to design an individual module. This specific format of electives refers to a course or module that is made to measure for one student (or a number of students). In an individual module, students acquire theoretical and/or practical skills as set out in the form of one or more learning objectives to be achieved by the end of the module. The student will need to master the teaching materials that are supplied for independent study, so the lecturer’s effort remains minimal. There will, however, be regular contact between student and lecturer to discuss questions and progress. The students’ achievements will be tested by an examination.
Another form of an individual module is a ‘systematic review’. A systematic review is a literature review focused on a research question trying to identify, appraise, select and synthesize all high quality research evidence relevant to this question. Systematic reviews of high-quality randomized controlled trials are crucial to evidence-based medicine. A systematic review aims to provide an exhaustive summary of literature relevant to a research question. The first step of a systematic review is a thorough search of the literature for relevant papers. The methodology section of the review will list the databases and citation indexes searched, as well as any individual journals. Next, titles and abstracts of the identified articles are checked against pre-determined criteria for eligibility and relevance. Each paper is to be objectively assessed on methodological quality using a rating system. International guidelines for systematic review1 set the standard for this type of module and must be part of the literature. Supervision and assessment must be done by a content expert.
An individual module or systematic review must comprise 5.5 EC and may not be started without the approval of the Board of Examiners.
Requests for approval of individual modules and courses outside the Radboudumc must be submitted to StIP, along with the signature of the content expert and major tutor, approximately three months before the start of the course (for the exact procedures see ‘Board of Examiners procedures’ below).
Extending the minimal obligatory study load
The minimal study load required to obtain an MSc degree in Biomedical Sciences is 120 EC. If desired, however, students can extend the standard two-year degree programme with additional components such as internships and theoretical modules. For example, you could choose to combine an communication or consultancy profile with two major subjects (see Table 5). You may choose additional modules of the BMS programme or modules within other academic programmes. Proposals for extension require the approval of the Board of Examiners.
1
More information on systematic review; website off Cochrane Collaboration, www.cochrane.org, including a handbook:
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Additional components approved by the Board become part of the programme and must be completed in order to pass the final Master’s examination.
Table 5: The programme of the communication or consultancy profile, combined with two majors
Programme component Number Credits (EC)
Compulsory major modules 6 - 8* 28 - 44
Major internships (27 weeks each) 2 76
Profile specific modules and profile internship 36 - 41,5
Total > 120
*The number of compulsory modules varies per major subject (see chapter 3). The list of compulsory major modules might be extended with Bachelor’s modules that are essential for a specific major but not yet part of the students’ individual Bachelor’s programme.
2. Rules and guidelines for internships
Table 6: From 2014-2015 on the programme includes internships with the following duration and study load (see education and examination regulations, OER 2014-2015, including transitional arrangements in appendix): Duration (weeks)* Duration (months) Credits (EC)
18 4 25
27 6 38
36 8 50
*Duration in weeks is only an indication (based on a full working week).
Research internships
Students can arrange both major and short/second research internships in consultation with their major tutor, who is responsible for determining whether an internship is suitable. The description of an internship should include background information on the research project, a clearly defined research question, the experimental set up and an overview of the techniques that will be used, plus a time schedule. The latter is important, as the Board of Examiners should be able to judge on the basis of your proposal whether the internship features sufficient learning objectives and challenges. Internship proposals should not exceed 2 pages A4. The criteria for internships as set by the Board of Examiners (see criteria for internships MSc Biomedical Sciences, Radboudumc website, including an example of a research plan for a major internship). Internships worth 38 or 50 EC require advance approval by the Board of Examiners (see details of the procedure below).
The aim of a research internship is to perform scientific research, including a written report and an oral presentation. Learning objectives (not research aims) are the central issue of an internship plan (see appendix). You carry out a research project under supervision, however during the course of the programme you are expected to become increasingly autonomous. As a MSc student, you should be able to perform research independently, to analyze and critically interpret results, to reflect on these results in light of the relevant scientific literature and to report your findings to a scientific audience. Your report or article (obligatory for major internship) must be written according to the guidelines for a scientific article.
You can approach research departments both inside and outside the Radboudumc that can offer interesting projects. Your starting point may be a specific subject or technique that you want to explore further. You may benefit from the professional network of a major tutor, a lecturer or a supervisor during a previous internship. Cutting-edge research takes place in institutes such as the Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), the Radboud Institute for Health Sciences (RIHS) and Donders Institute for Neuroscience (Donders). Several Radboudumc research groups are presented at the BMS Information Fair which takes place each year in September.
Students are encouraged to perform an internship abroad. This requires additional organization, which is an experience in itself. If you are interested in an internship abroad, contact your major tutor and the international
office of the Radboudumc for support.
Profile internships
A communication or consultancy profile includes a profile internship of at least 25 EC in which you communicate biomedical information to the general public and/or apply biomedical knowledge to societal issues. The aim of the profile internship is to perform a project in the field of health communication or health policy analysis, to write a report and to give a presentation regarding the subject. Students with a communication profile usually engage in developing and/or evaluating a communicative intervention. Students with a consultancy profile take up a role as
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a consultant, writing an advisory report that explicitly departs from the perspectives of stakeholders. Students can arrange a profile internship in consultation with the profile coordinator and the major tutor.
Examples of organizations offering internships are governments (national, regional, and local), advisory bodies (e.g. Health Council, Health Care Insurance Board), consultants (e.g. Royal Haskoning, Prismant), health care institutes (e.g. GGD, hospitals), and research institutes (e.g. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Rathenau Institute). In addition, research institutes (e.g. those in the pharmaceutical industry), regional cancer centres and local government organizations have public relations departments where students who have chosen the communication profile may do their internships. Internships at organizations in the field of health education (e.g. those related to food, alcohol and drugs), patient advocacy groups and science education centres (e.g. NEMO in Amsterdam) are also worth looking at.
Internship agreement
For internships at departments outside the Radboudumc an internship agreement is required. Your major tutor can provide an internship agreement for internships outside the Radboudumc.
Internship assessment
The following people will be involved in supervising and assessing your research internships:
The internship supervisor; For research internships the supervisor is a senior scientist or postdoc. He/she provides the means, both material and intellectual, to enable the student to carry out his/her research project. In particular, regular meetings are arranged with the internship supervisor to discuss progress. The internship supervisor will support the student, by giving feedback and asking the student to reflect, on his/her progress in achieving the end/final qualifications that are to be expressed in the report.
The daily supervisor (optional); who could be, for example, a PhD student coaches you during your practical training.
Radboudumc supervisor; In case the internship is performed outside of the Radboudumc. The student contacts a senior researcher at the Radboudumc who is in the applicable field of research.
Major tutor; Each major is coordinated by a major tutor. The major tutor usually stays in the background, but might engage in regular consultations about your progress with the internship supervisor. The major tutor can help to find a second assessor. The major tutor always completes the final assessment form.
Second assessor; Each internship report is assessed by a second assessor. For major internships the second assessor is appointed by the major tutor. For the other internships the second assessor is the Radboudumc coordinator, major tutor or profile coordinator.
Assessment consists of the following components:
assessment of the internship report /draft manuscript for a scientific paper by the internship supervisor and second assessor
the internship performance assessment, which is mainly determined by the internship supervisor
assessment of the oral presentation by the internship supervisor
The performance during the internship and the article/report are assessed by the internship supervisor. The second assessor will assess the article/report. Your major tutor then evaluates these scores and is responsible for the final grading. If the supervisor and second assessor have a difference in grading of more than 1.5 points, a third assessor is asked to review the report.
Students make sure that the major tutor obtains a copy of the report of each internship. The report of the major internship should be supplied in duplicate to the major tutor within one month after finishing the internship. A copy of the report should also be given to the StIP. This report will be stored at the medical library for 5 years for perusal.
Procedures for preventing infection
In line with the national guidelines from the Dutch Healthcare Inspectorate, the Radboudumc has determined that all its employees, including those doing a trainee period or an internship, who are involved in dealing with material that may be infected with hepatitis B or hazardous activities are obliged to demonstrate a sufficient titre against hepatitis B. For BMS students this means that for research internships in which human blood is used, a hepatitis B vaccination is obligatory. As a result we recommend that all PB and TOX students are vaccinated for hepatitis B. BMS students are eligible for free vaccination. You can find more information on this and register for
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vaccination (collect a ‘vaccinatieregistratie’ form) at the StIP. For appointments and vaccination please contact the Arbo- en Milieudienst RU/Radboudumc (http://www.ru.nl/amd/). As the hepatitis B vaccination takes a long time (over 7 months) to provide fully protection, it is important to indicate that you need a vaccination as early as possible. From 2009-2010 onwards BMS Bachelor's students are plenary informed on infection prevention and they are offered Hepatitis B vaccination in groups. Vaccination is provided on a voluntarily basis. For more information on preventing infection you can read the protocol at:
https://www.radboudumc.nl/Onderwijs/Studenten/Pages/Infectiepreventie.aspx
3. Theoretical modules
A description of the contents of the courses can be found in the prospectus.
Compulsory modules in major subject areas:
Theoretical modules in the Master’s degree programme in BMS have a study load of 4 weeks’ full- time education (5.5 EC).
a. Clinical Human Movement Sciences
5HM02 Tissue: Biomechanics and Engineering 5HM03 Clinical exercise physiology
5HM04 Neural control of movement and posture 5HM05 Clinical rehabilitation sciences
b. Epidemiology
5E007 Molecular epidemiology
5E003 Multivariable statistical methods 5E004 Clinical epidemiology
Choice of one course from the following two: 5E005 Genetic epidemiology
5E006 Infectious disease epidemiology c. Health Technology Assessment
5HTA4 Policy research
5HTA3 Health outcome measurement 5HTA1 Economic analysis in health care
5HTA2 Advanced modelling in observational research d. Human health risk assessment (HRA)
5E007 Molecular epidemiology 5HRA2 Risk characterization 5HRA3 Disaster management 5HRA4 Health risk management e. Human Pathobiology
5P003 Cause and effect in tissue damage
5P004 Repair and regeneration of tissues and organs 5AM01 Laboratory animal science / Radiation safety 5P005 Cellular communication in health and disease f. Human Toxicology
5T003 Chemical mutagenesis and carcinogenesis 5T007 Cellular, organs and systems toxicology 5T006 Clinical Toxicology
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g. Human and environmental risk assessment In combination with major HRA
MM002 Environmental and ecological modelling (3 EC, Faculty of Science) Choice of:
MM014 Risk Management of Chemicals (3 EC, Faculty of Science) or MM020 Sustainable production and consumption (3 EC, Faculty of Science) In combination with major human Toxicology
5E007 Molecular epidemiology 5HRA2 Risk characterization
MM002 Environmental and ecological modelling (3 EC, Faculty of Science) Choice of:
MM014 Risk Management of Chemicals (3 EC, Faculty of Science) or MM020 Sustainable production and consumption (3 EC, Faculty of Science) h. Infectious diseases
In combination with major HTA or Epidemiology: 5KVZ12 Neglected diseases
5KVZ2 International public health 5KVZ7 AIDS
In combination with major Human Pathobiology or Human Toxicology 5KIA6 Immunological defense against micro-organisms 5KIA9 Pediatric infectious disease
5KIA8 Severe infectious diseases
Compulsory modules in the Consultancy and Communication profiles
The theoretical modules in the Consultancy and Communication profiles are taught in Dutch. 5AM06 Popularisatie van biomedische wetenschap (Science popularisation)
5ECWO Effectieve communicatie over biomedische kennis (Communication of biomedical information) 5ICHC Interventie en coördinatie in de gezondheidszorg
(intervention and coordination in health care)
5OZBC Beleidsanayse en advisering (Policy analysis and management) 5AM06 is compulsory for both the Communication and Consultancy profiles. 5ECWO is compulsory for the Communication profile.
5ICHC and 5OZBC are compulsory for the Consultancy profile.
Bachelor’s modules in major subjects
The following Bachelor’s modules can be included as electives in your study plan. For students with a BSc degree other than BMS at Radboud University Nijmegen (RU) and for students with a double major, certain Bachelor’s modules may be compulsory. Please check this with your major tutor(s).
5E001 Methods of data collection (HRA and EPI) 5AM03 Health monitoring (HRA)
5MK12 Understanding the perception of health risks in the workplace (HRA) 5HM01 Introduction to clinical human movement sciences (CHMS)
5AM07 Design and analysis of small-scale experiments (CHMS) 5E002 Statistical analysis with SAS and SPSS (EPI and HTA) 5E004 Clinical epidemiology (EPI)
5IHTA Introduction to Health Technology Assessment (HTA) 5PT01 Molecular Pathobiology and Toxicology (PB and TOX) 5TP02 Immunotoxicology and Immunopathology (PB and TOX).
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4. Guidance during the programme
Major tutors
The six major tutors are responsible for maintaining the quality of each of the major programmes as well as coaching students in their specialist area. The tutor will advise you on the design of your Master's programme, career profiles, major, minor and elective courses, as well as internships. The tutor will also monitor your progress, give feedback on your choices, and keep an eye on the quality of the external internships. The major tutor keeps a file on every major student. The major tutor is responsible for the coherence of your study programme. All components of your programme require his or her approval. Your study plan, as well as supplements and changes made to it, must be presented to the Board of Examiners supplied together with your major tutor’s signature. Modules in the BMS Master’s programme and internships of 25 EC can be included in your study plan with the consent of your tutor. However, modules within programmes other than the BMS Master’s programme or any individually designed modules as well as internships worth 38 EC or more require advance approval by the Board of Examiners. Requests for approval of such modules and internships must be signed by your major tutor before submission to the Board of Examiners.
It is advisable to meet regularly with your major tutor. You can thus get maximum benefit from the tutor’s (inter)national research network. These contacts can be helpful when, for example, you want to set up an internship.
Major tutors
CHMS Dr. Esther Tanck Department of Orthopaedics
EPI Dr. Femmie de Vegt Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and HTA
HRA Dr. Paul Scheepers Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and HTA
HTA Dr. Wietske Kievit Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and HTA
PB Dr. Peter van der Kraan Department of Rheumatology
TOX Dr. Roos Masereeuw Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
HERA and infectious disease
For more information on the contents and modules in the HERA programme see the prospectus,
http://www.ebp-umcn.org/home.htm and www.ru.nl/hera/. For information on the programme in Infectious diseases see the
prospectus and http://www.ru.nl/master/bms/the_programme/tracks/infectious-diseases/ You can contact the coordinators below and/or your major tutor.
HERA Dr. Paul Scheepers Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and HTA Infectious diseases Prof. dr. André van der Ven Department of general internal medicine
Profile coordinator
In consultation with the major tutor, the profile coordinator coaches a student for the profile specific part of the programme. This concerns the theoretical modules, the profile internship and the specific career perspectives. Profile coordinators
Consultancy profile Dr. Rob Reuzel Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and HTA Communication profile Prof. Gert Jan van der Wilt Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and HTA Research profile Major tutors
Student counseling
The BMS academic advisor, Hilde Swinkels, can answer general questions about the programme. You should also contact Hilde if you experience problems in your study due to personal circumstances. In certain cases she may refer you to an expert.
At the University Student Affairs Desk there are psychologists, study and career advisors and professional skills trainers whose job it is to help students at the University. Student counsellors at the University can give advice and guidance in the event of problems such as financial difficulties, illness, termination of enrolment, student accommodation, or if you feel you have been unjustly treated during a regular or final exam.
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For practical information on study activities and internships abroad, please contact the International office of the
Radboudumc.
5. Composition and approval of your study plan
This section deals with procedures related to the Board of Examiners. Requests for approval of components of your programme and your (total) study plan must be submitted to the Board of Examiners. It is your responsibility to hand in all the required documents on time. Requests and plans can only be agreed by the Board of Examiners if they are signed by your major tutor.
Standard forms to request for approval
Standard forms are to be used to submit requests for approval of your study plan to the Board of Examiners. The study plan, including attachments for approval of specific components of your individual programme (major, minor and profile internships and individual education) should be completed in consultation with your major tutor. The forms can be found at:
https://www.radboudumc.nl/Onderwijs/Studenten/MScBiomedicalSciences/Examinationsandregulations/Pages/f
orms_board_of_examiners.aspx
You cannot graduate without a confirmed total study plan. You should draw up a temporary study plan at an early stage. Courses of other programmes than the BMS Master’s programme, individually designed modules and internships worth more than 23 EC require advance approval by the Board of Examiners. Requests for approval of such modules and internships must be signed by your major tutor before submission to the Board of Examiners. You should hand in your (preliminary) study plan supplied with the descriptions of the components for which you ask approval approximately three months before the start of the intended course or internship. This will give sufficient time to adjust your plan should the Board of Examiners disapprove of it. The Board of Examiners will provide reasons for such disapproval, so you will be able to find alternatives.
You can introducechanges or supplementsto your (preliminary) study plan after approval. In such cases, the relevant pages must be adapted and submitted to the Board of Examiners, together with descriptions of altered/new components which require approval (attachments). Descriptions of unaltered components do not need to be resubmitted.
Board of Examiners procedures
1. The Board of Examiners meets several times a year to keep up to date with students’ progress, to approve study plans submitted by students and to assess whether students have fulfilled the requirements for the final examination.
2. The study plan proposed by the student and approved by the major tutor, must be submitted for review by the Board of Examiners. The Board of Examiners certifies all internships worth 38 EC (27 weeks) or more. Internships worth 25 EC (18 weeks) only need approval by the major tutor. The Board of Examiners also decides on requests for approval of external education and changes to the standard curriculum.
3. Students are responsible for obtaining timely approval for specific modules, internships as well as for their total study plan. This means:
modules which require approval by the Board of Examiners should be submitted to a regular meeting of the Board of Examiners at least 2 months before teaching of the module starts
descriptions of internships worth 38 EC or more should be submitted to a regular meeting of the Board of Examiners at least 2 months before the intended starting date
the total study plan (at least 120 EC) or changes to the study plan should be submitted to a regular meeting of the Board of Examiners at least 2 months before the meeting of the Board of Examiners in which your Master’s examination takes place.
Requests and plans must be handed in at StIP at least 2 weeks before the meeting of the Board of Examiners at which you wish your case to be discussed. The dates of the regular meetings of the Board of Examiners are published at UMCN website
4. The Board of Examiners will react within 4 weeks of receiving a request for approval or a draft study plan. The board may report its decision immediately or announce a period within which a decision will be made. 5. Students can object to the decision of the Board of Examiners by submitting their case to the University’s
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Processing of grades for internships and individual educational components
It is important to report the results of modules taken outside the Radboud University, of individual education and of internships to the Board of Examiners. Assessment forms for internships and other ‘individual’ educational components can be found at
https://www.radboudumc.nl/Onderwijs/Studenten/MScBiomedicalSciences/Examinationsandregulations/Pages/f orms_board_of_examiners.aspx
Your results cannot be processed until you have delivered a completed form to StIP. Results of theoretical modules within the University will be processed automatically (provided that you were properly registered for the course/module concerned).
6. Graduation
Once you have successfully completed all interim examinations of the Master’s programme in Biomedical Sciences there still are some formalities that need to be followed in order to obtain your MSc degree. In short, graduation requires that:
your definitive study plan is approved by the Board of Examiners (at least three months before graduation)
you have successfully completed all interim examinations of all teaching units that are part of your programme and all the marks have been processed accordingly (at least two weeks before graduation).
you have formally requested admission to the Master’s examination (at least one month before graduation).
In order to be admitted to the Master’s exam you need to sign an application form. You should hand in this form at StIP at least a month before the meeting of the Board of Examiners at which you would like to graduate. The dates of the meetings of the Board of Examiners are published at Radboudumc website. You must be registered at the Radboud University Nijmegen (for the correct study) up to and including the date of the results meeting in which the Board of Examiners assesses whether you have successfully fulfilled all the requirements for the Master’s examination. The date of this results meeting is the examination/graduation date. If you don’t pass the Master's examination, you must apply again for a future results meeting. You can retract your application up to two weeks before the date of the results meeting.
If your Master’s examination is completed successfully, the Board of Examiners will issue a certificate. The presentation of the certificate and the accompanying supplement sheet will take place in public during a separate graduation ceremony. The dates of graduation ceremonies are published at the Radboudumc website. Naturally, you will receive an invitation from the Board of Examiners to attend your graduation ceremony.
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Appendix
Study plan and assessment forms
Link to Radboudumc site
Routing:
www.radboudumc.nl/student > Master Biomedical Sciences
> Examinations and regulations
