Biological Chemistry
Biological Chemistry
Program structure
Biological Chemistry is one of four tracks in the Biomolecular Sciences Master next to Cell Biology, Systems Biology and Physical Biology. The Biological Chemistry track starts with the compulsory program that runs from September until February. Apart from the first two courses, individual choices regarding the Biological Chemistry program can already be made in the compulsory program. After the first period, students start with one of their two internships. A Major internship in either the Molecular Toxicology or the Medicinal Chemistry section can be extended with additional theoretical courses that provide in depth knowledge of their respective research areas and methodologies. A literature thesis and colloquium and additional courses of choice will complete the full 120 ECTS of the Master program, which takes 2 years.
Compulsory courses
The Biological Chemistry track will start with the compulsory program:
- Protein Science (6 ECTS, Sept)
- Genomes and Gene expression (6 ECTS, Oct)
Followed by a choice of either:
- Cellular Stress and Signaling (6 ECTS, Nov) AND/ OR
- Signal Transduction in Health and Disease (6 ECTS, Dec)
If only one of these courses is followed, one of the following courses, can be chosen as alternative as well as other courses from this or another Master’s programme.
- Cell Structures and Function (6 ECTS, Nov) OR
- Molecular Cell Physiology and Function (6 ECTS, Dec)
In January and February, several technical modules can be selected. The aim of these modules is to prepare the students optimally for their research internships. The students can use this period to acquire (new) research skills and to get acquainted with possible areas of research in which they may want to do their internships.
Formative Academic Skills (9 ECTS in total)
- Ethics (3 ECTS)
- History of Science (3 ECTS) OR Business and Innovation in Life Science (3 ECTS)
- Scientific Writing in English (3 ECTS)
Work placements
One of the specializing internships (Major) should preferably be done within VU University Amsterdam or the VU Medical Centre (VUMC), but this is not compulsory. Of course, the research groups (Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Toxicology) that organize this BMS Master track offer various possibilities to do internships. You are free to do your second internship within VU University Amsterdam or VUMC but can also choose for another institution, for example other universities, academic hospitals, research institutions or companies.
Literature survey
Under supervision of a lecturer from the teaching staff, the students will explore a subject in the literature to answer a specific scientific question. The results will be presented in a thesis and a colloquium (9 ECTS).
Optional courses
The remainder of the 120 ECTS of the Master track Biological Chemistry can be used to attend courses of choice. Those can be courses or selected topics offered within the Biomolecular Sciences Master program, the Drug Discovery and Safety program or other Master programs. The Molecular Toxicology and Medicinal Chemistry groups offer two in-depth courses covering aspects of High Throughput Analysis, Protein Modeling and Analytical Chemistry:
- Chemical Biology (6 ECTS) and
- Protein Modeling, Flexibility and Folding (6 ECTS)
Examples of selected topic are for example:
- Epigenetics (6 ECTS)
- Structural Biology (6 ECTS)
Optional courses of choice need to be approved by the track coordinator.
Course descriptions
Online course information with respect to Biological Chemistry can be found at:Course guide
Contact
For more Information, contact the programme coordinator Biological Chemistry:
Dr. Marco Siderius
Phone: +31 (0)20 598 7564
E-mail: siderius@few.vu.nl
Room: N287a
Faculty of Science
De Boelelaan 1083
1081 HV Amsterdam
