E N V I R O N M E N T F O R T A L E N T
Leiden University. The university to discover.
Graduate School
of Science
I A M P R O U D T O
P R E S E N T O U R R E S E A R C H
I N S T I T U T E S
Sjoerd Verduyn Lunel
Graduate School
the Faculty of Science
03
Welcome!
The Leiden Graduate School of Science is an exciting place for students, faculty members and
researchers. Leiden has a century-old tradition in cutting edge education and research in
mathematics, physics and biological sciences. We are committed to provide meaningful, rigorous
and quality graduate experiences in a personalized environment. Our faculty members are inspired
by the fundamental fascination with the unknown, the smallest particle, the youngest planet, the
oldest galaxy, but at the same time, together with students, they collaborate in interdisciplinary
teams with counterparts from the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), the Graduate School
of Social Sciences and Delft University of Technology. Our location, in the middle of one of
Europe’s most successful Bioscience Parks, enables close collaboration with life science companies.
Students can expand their intellectual horizons while deepening their expertise in an array of disciplines. They can learn about the fundamentals of science in a compelling and challenging environment, learn techniques to manipulate genes and their expression to allow for an unprecedented degree of control over biological processes, yielding new insights into the working mechanisms of cells, organs and organisms. These disciplinary and interdisciplinary challenges provide a unique learning and research environment for our graduate programmes.
The Leiden Graduate School of Science aims to provide an academic and international environment with seminars, work shops, performances, exhibits as well as opportunities for dialogue, quiet study, and focused experimentation. We are committed to show that a graduate study in the sciences is far from solitary and monastic, but rather that, at its very core, it is social and collegial. Many of our graduates consider their years of
education at Leiden University to be some of the most fulfilling years of their professional lives. Our MSc and PhD alumni go on to hold positions in the front ranks of research and teaching, policy and administration across the world.
At the Leiden Graduate School of Science we challenge you to achieve new heights of intellectual engagement, while providing you at the same time with the support, tools and resources to aid in your success.
I am proud to be able to present our Research Institutes to you and the Master’s and PhD programmes that they are running.
I hope you will enjoy reading about The Leiden Graduate School of Science and that it may inspire and help you in discovering your future.
Hier graag nog een titel...
It gives me pleasure to introduce the Master of Science and PhD programmes that Leiden
University offers through the Graduate School of Science.
In Leiden, our philosophy is that students study in a research environment. Already at the start of their master, students become a member of the research institute that is responsible for the education programme. Master students follow courses that aim at the deepening of their knowledge, and spend an appreciable amount of time in research groups of the institutes. Courses and working classes concern small groups, while the students are in one-to-one contact with a staff member during their research periods. The research environment stimulates the curiosity and is ideally suited to develop an academic attitude, to acquire knowledge and skills, to learn how to define, analyze and solve a problem, and to train how to present and discuss results. The emphasis on research does prepare the student for a career in science, but not only. The potential to approach a problem in an analytical way presents a quality highly appreciated also outside the natural sciences. For those students that want to broaden their scope, the Graduate School offers the possibility to combine the research training with elements of Science Based Business, Communication, and, for Dutch students, Education to get a qualification to teach.
The Graduate School has an international orientation. Not only comes an appreciable number of master and PhD students from abroad, the same applies to the scientific staff and the post-doctorate fellows. English is the language of the courses, the colloquia, the scientific meetings and the daily conversations in the research groups.
Those master students that perform excellently are stimulated to enroll in one of the PhD programs. The Graduate School of Science will offer them a paid position for four years to do independent research, to follow advanced courses and develop personal skills, and finally defend their PhD thesis.
Graduate School
the Faculty of Science
S T U D Y I N A R E S E A R C H
E N V I R O N M E N T
Prof.dr. E.J.J. Groenen
Master of Science
The Graduate School of the Faculty of Science organises a total of
12
different
2
year
research oriented Master’s programmes in the following subjects:
• Astronomy
• Biology
• Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Chemistry
• Computer Sciences
• ICT in Business
• Industrial Ecology
• Life Science and Technology
• Mathematics
• Media Technology
• Nanoscience
• Physics
These Master’s programmes reflect the research themes in the Research Institutes of the Faculty. Independent of the chosen specialisation each student comes into contact with the latest developments in research by participating in courses, lecture series, discussion groups, and/or seminars. For several months each student is imbedded in a research group and performs his/her own research project. Each Master’s programme offers one or more research oriented tracks in which students deepen their knowledge even further by following additional advanced courses and seminars. A major part of the two year Master’s course is focused on the practical work of performing a research project and writing a Master’s thesis.
Astronomy
The Master of Astronomy course focuses on knowledge and understanding of the origin, structure, and evolution of galaxies and stars, including the interstellar medium, circumstellar gas and dust, planetary systems and the
universe they are part of. The Leiden programme is particularly known for its emphasis on the interface between observation and theory: interpretation, modelling, and simulation.
Biology
Leiden houses many biological Institutes providing ample opportunities for students interested in Life Science or Biodiversity. The Master’s programme in Biology is based on top research in evolutionary and molecular biology. The Master of Science programme offers a broad range of specialisations, from molecular up to population level and from fundamental to applied science. The close proximity of the Bio Science Park and Leiden University Medical Centre, together with the availability of large invaluable collections in the Herbarium, the Hortus Botanicus, and the Museum of Natural History ‘Naturalis’ contribute to an excellent environment for biologists in Leiden.
Graduate School
the Faculty of Science
Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences
Leiden University has a long tradition in pharmaceutical sciences. Over the last 20 years however, the emphasis has shifted from a traditional pharmacy education to research oriented training in pharmaceutical sciences. The programme focuses on understanding of drug action as the basis for efficacy and safety of drugs. This research orientation in the teaching programme is unique in Europe and enjoys a highly international profile.
Chemistry
The Leiden Institute of Chemistry is surrounded by a science park with high-tech industries and several other institutes. This setting facilitates interdisciplinary research in physics, biology, pharmaceutical and medical sciences. The Chemistry Master’s programme offers three tracks that correspond to major research themes in the Leiden Institute of Chemistry: Biological Chemistry, Physical and Theoretical Chemistry and Design and Synthesis. Another three tracks are Chemistry combined with Communication, Education or Science-Based Business.
Computer Sciences
The Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science at Leiden University has a strong tradition in combining a theoretical, experimental and applied approach to the field of expertise. This reflects in the research profile of the Institute and the education programme it offers.
ICT in Business
ICT in Business aims at providing a deeper understanding of the rapid changes in ICT and its applications for individuals, organizations and companies. The specific focus is on the alignment of ICT and
management. The Master degree is of particular interest to students who wish to pursue an international career involving both ICT and management.
Industrial Ecology
Industrial Ecology is an emerging scientific discipline in which the sustainable co-evolution of economy, technology and environment is the core issue. Industrial Ecology aims to balance people, planet, and profit and therefore utilizes knowledge from the natural, technical and social sciences. It is a joint programme of Leiden University, Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University Rotterdam. The programme is still a part of the Chemistry Master but it will become a separate Master’s programme in the near future.
Life Science & Technology
Life Science & Technology researches the processes in the living cell. The cell is the building block of life, the smallest unit with the characteristics of living systems. Increased knowledge of the mechanisms of the cell can lead to a cleaner industry, better medicines, new methods for combating diseases and isolating enzymes for the development of improved foodstuffs. The Life Science & Technology Master’s programme offers several research options resulting from the collaboration of Leiden University with the Technical University of Delft.
Mathematics
The Mathematics Master’s programme in Leiden has a focus on both analysis and number theory. Analysis is centred around two main research themes: 1) computational science and dynamical systems, and 2)
probability, statistics and operations research. Number theory is part
Graduate School
the Faculty of Science
Graduate School
the Faculty of Science
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of a bigger programme including cryptology, algebra and geometry. The Master’s programme will be tailor made for each student according o their background and personal interest. Students can take advantage of the intensive co-operation with other national and international research centres.
Media Technology
The Media Technology Masters is a joint initiative of the Computer Science Institute and the Faculty of Creative and Performing Arts. Students are strongly encouraged to translate personal inspirations and interests into their own manageable and compact research projects. The programme recognises creativity as an important factor in scientific innovation. Projects most often involve creating actual products (software or hardware) which are exhibited at conferences and exhibitions.
Nanoscience
The Leiden Institute of Physics organises the Master of NanoScience, which is a combined specialisation with the Delft University of
Technology. Nanoscience is an emerging research field, which is expected to play a crucial role in future scientific discoveries and new technologies. The focus is on the ability to construct tiny objects atom by atom and molecule by molecule.
Physics
Leiden Institute of Physics (LIOP) is an excellent place to study the foundations of nature. According to a recent international peer review, LIOP is one of the best Institutes of Physics in the World. Strong programmes exist in condensed matter physics, surface physics,
theoretical physics, quantum optics and quantum information, biological
and molecular physics. Besides fundamental research oriented tracks, it is also possible for students to explore the specialisations of Science Based Business (SBB), Science Communication, or Science and Education. These tracks aim at specific career opportunities in science related professions. Nevertheless, a student who has a degree in any one of the tracks has a possibility to enrol in the PhD programme.
• The Science Based Business (SBB) track combines research training with business education. The emphasis is on science oriented activities and organizations. SBB students learn about management with a focus on enterprises. Once they finished the SBB Fundamentals course, students can do an internship at a company. For students who want to enhance their understanding of how to start and grow science-based companies there is a course called Orientation on Technopreneurship.
• The Science, Communication and Society (SCS) track combines research training with science communication (journalism, communication via new media such as the internet, museology and visualization). Science communication triggers students to broaden their horizon, since science communicators must have knowledge about different science subjects. • The Science and Education track is offered by the Leiden Graduate
School of Education (ICLON).
This education track consists of training in didactics, professional training, educational research and school training. Students who finish the Education Master get a qualification to teach their main research subject to secondary school children.
Graduate School
the Faculty of Science
PhD
With a Master of Science degree, students can enrol in the PhD programme of the Graduate
School of Science. The PhD programme combines original independent research, advanced
courses on research topics, development of personal skills and teaching.
Research
PhD candidates are expected to spend a minimum of 80% of their appointment on a research project. Many of the research projects include international collaboration and travel. The results of this research are published in international scientific journals.
Scientific meetings
PhD candidates are expected to frequently present their scientific results in writing and by oral presentation at national and international conferences and workshops. Visits to these meetings also serve to expand their (inter) national scientific network and form an important aspect of their training.
Education
A maximum of 10% of the appointment is dedicated to personal development. PhD candidates follow training at three levels: professional courses, skills training, and personal effectiveness. Professional courses train students to further deepen their scientific knowledge. Skill training is offered to develop personal skills, including oral presentations, intense English language courses and the writing of a grant proposal. Personal
ef-fectiveness trains students to develop skills like time management and communication.
Teaching
As part of their training PhD candidates assist in the Institute’s teaching programme for a maximum of 20% of their appointment. Teaching may include activities for talented high school students. PhD candidates will be prepared for teaching by didactic courses. Before the start of the appointment an individual training agreement is signed between the PhD candidate and their supervisor. The PhD candidate meets with his/her supervisor on a regular basis, discussing research, training and teaching. The program culminates in the production of a PhD thesis. The PhD thesis is presented in book form and is based on a number of scientific papers, yet presented as a coherent text. The international context of the research is explained in an introductory chapter and/or a summarizing conclusion. The PhD thesis is written in English. An external referee and a promotion committee review the work. The PhD thesis is formally defended in front of a PhD defence committee. Successful defence of the thesis is awarded with the Doctor (PhD) degree.
Graduate School
the Faculty of Science
P E R S O N A L E F F E C T I V E N E S S
T R A I N S S T U D E N T S
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Graduate School of Science
P.O. Box 9502
2300 RA Leiden
www.science.leidenuniv.nl/graduateschool
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