Master Oncology
Be part of live-saving cancer research
Do you have an affinity with scientific research? Are you a talented student with an interest in oncology? If your answer is yes, then the two-year Master’s in Oncology at the VUmc School of Medical Sciences is definitely the programme for you. This brochure explains what the Master’s in Oncology is all about, what the admission requirements are and how you can enrol.
Each year worldwide around 12,7 million people
The major part of the programme consists of
are diagnosed with cancer*. At the VUmc Cancer
working in the world of research. You will
Center Amsterdam (VUmc CCA) 26 departments
complete internships and carry out a literature
cooperate to make sure that patients with
review. You get the opportunity to persue part of
(suspicion of) cancer get treated as fast and
the programme in one of our leading national and
competent as possible. Together we want to
international partner institutes. The Master’s in
increase the life expectancy and quality of life of
Oncology at the VUmc School of Medical Sciences
people with cancer. Good research forms the basis
is a highly flexible programme. To a large extent,
for everything they do. During your Master’s in
you are free to decide your own research topics
Oncology, you will be working on this research,
and choose your research locations. A wide range
not only within the VUmc CCA, but far beyond
of optional courses are available to deepen your
its walls.
knowledge in the subjects of your interest.
The Master’s in Oncology at the VUmc School of Medical Sciences is a unique programme. Each year it offers places to only 35 students, making it a small-scale programme to which only the best students are admitted. You can count on intensive and personal guidance and supervision from the programme coordinator and the leading researchers affiliated with the programme.
* The incidence and mortality statistics for cancers worldwide were taken from the International Agency for Research on Cancer GLOBOCAN database (version 1.2), which presents estimates for 2008
2
“The Master’s in Oncology offers you the greatest possible freedom to organize your own study programme and choose optional courses and internships of your interest.” Marjan van Duist (Master’s Coordinator)
“For me the Master’s in Oncology fulfills all my expectations: wide variations of subjects on cancer research topics, well structured programme and a small and diverse group of classmates.” Maria Quiles del Rey
| The nature of the programme The Master’s in Oncology is a two-year
take optional subjects at other faculties and
programme in which practical learning is
universities, both in the Netherlands and abroad.
paramount. You will complete internships and carry out a literature review. The programme
In the practical section of your studies, you will
has a number of compulsory courses and a
carry out research at the VUmc CCA or at one of
wide range of optional subjects.
our partner institutes in the Netherlands or abroad. Throughout the programme, you can rely
Compulsory courses of the programme include
on the supervision of researchers with an
oncogenesis, tumour immunology, tumour
importance expertise in the field.
biology and clinical behaviour, innovative tumour therapies, biostatistics and scientific writing in
During the 2 year programme you are trained in
English.
important academic skills to prepare you for a significant research career.
Students are free to choose from a wide range of optional subjects, including biobusiness, viral
Over half of the Master’s in Oncology students
oncogenesis, clinical oncology, animal
start working on their PhD either during the
experimentation, research ethics, and the cultural
programme or in the first few months after
and symbolic meaning of cancer. You can also
graduating.
Structure
Practical Training 1 27- 33 EC
Academic Core
Optional Courses 12 EC
Practical Training 2 33-39 EC Master Thesis
Literature Study 9 EC
2 year, 120 EC
Compulsory Courses 30 EC
Academic Core (3EC)
5
ho is the Master’s W aimed at?
Do you have a Bachelor’s degree in medicine, biomedical sciences or related life sciences?
Does the idea of working in a multidisciplinary and research environment appeal to you?
Do you like to work with people who challenge each other in order to achieve the best results?
Does the impact of cancer on the lives of
Where can the Master’s take you?
During your studies, you will acquire a wealth of knowledge about oncology within the context of biomedical and life sciences. You learn to work with the latest techniques and methods within oncology research. The programme offers you the chance to interact with experts in the field, creating a network for your career as a researcher.
patients, their families and friends make you
In addition, you will be exposed to a wide range
want to help find a cure?
of literature that is relevant to oncology and learn about the social and societal aspects of cancer
If your answer is yes, then the two-year Master’s
research.
in Oncology at the VUmc School of Medical Sciences is definitely the programme for you.
Succesfull completion of the Master’s in Oncology
During the Master’s in Oncology, you will work
qualifies you for research at PhD level in academia
closely with students from all over the world and
and non-academic research institutes, such as
from a range of educational backgrounds.
pharmaceutical and biotech companies in the Netherlands or abroad.
| Admission and enrolment To be part of the Master’s programme in Oncology
More details about this process can be found on
at the VUmc School of Medical Sciences, positive
our website, http://www.med.vu.nl/nl/
completion of the selection procedure is required.
opleidingen/master-oncology/index.asp.
6
“The Master’s Oncology Programma made it possible to do my internship at Harvard Medical School. I now work there as a postdoctoral fellow.” Eleonora Balaj (alumnus)
Photography: DigiDaan | Editor: Marre Roozen | Design: designyard | Print: DeltaHage
Edition November 2013
VUmc School of Medical Sciences
VUmc
Coordinator Master’s programme in Oncology
Postbox 7057
020 444 6345
1007 MB Amsterdam
masteroncology@vumc.nl www.med.vu.nl