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