Study programme

The Master’s track Green Life Sciences focuses on the biology of plants and how they interact with their abiotic and biotic environment. You will receive lectures, practicals and tutorials from scientists actively working in this field. In masterclasses, you will participate in scientific discussions and interact with international visiting scientists. Additionally, you will learn state-of-the-art practical and data-analysis skills used in modern research.

Research

Practical training forms the core (75%) of the Green Life Sciences programme. You will carry out one (or two) longer, individual research project(s). You can also opt for a second research project in an industry setting. Alternatively you can choose to combine your scientific background with making societal impact through the minor Collective Futures or decide on one of the major variants for your second year.

You can focus your profile on research aiming at a career in academia, or benefit from the professional network of your teachers and the presence of Amsterdam Green Campus (AGC) to find an internship aimed at a career outside academia. AGC carries out project research in the field of sustainability and circular economy, working together with knowledge institutions, authorities (provinces, municipalities) and entrepreneurs.

Courses & electives

Advanced courses in biomolecular, ecological, genetic and physiological topics, will familiarize you with current hot topics in plant biology. You will help design, carry out, and present your own research and discuss it with the scientists that teach in your Master’s programme.

Detailed course information

For detailed information on the courses and curriculum, check out the UvA Course Catalogue or download the study schedule:

UvA course catalogue - Green Life Sciences Download the study schedule

Majors or Minor: if you want more than research

Students of the Master's programme Biological Sciences further have the option to choose between two professional majors (60 EC) or a minor (30 EC), each designed to train a specific set of skills needed as a secondary school teacher, in policy and communication or elsewhere outside the academia:

The major Big Biomedical Data Analysis (BBDA) is a 60 EC major available to students of all tracks within Biological Sciences. This one-year programme is developed to teach students of Biological and Biomedical Sciences the essential bioinformatics, to be able to handle, analyse and interpret big omics data sets. The major consists of courses on Genomics, Transcriptomics, Proteomics and Metabolomics, plus an internship of 42 EC.
The major Teaching prepares students to become a teacher in Biology at secondary schools and Higher Vocational Education (Dutch: HBO). This major is offered by the Interfacultaire Lerarenopleidingen (ILO).
The minor Collective Futures trains skills needed in interdisciplinary environments by tackling real business or societal cases with external partners. The minor Collective Futures has recently been developed by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies (IIS) at the Faculty of Science.

Accreditation and academic title

Degree requirements

A Master of Science in Biological Sciences is awarded upon successful completion of the core courses of the curriculum and two independent research projects. This translates into a total of 120 ECTS credits and grants the title Master of Science (MSc).

Accreditation

Green Life Sciences is a track of the Master’s programme Biological Sciences. Biological Sciences has been accredited by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO).

Bring your own device

All students enrolled in Biological Sciences must have their own laptop, due to the programme’s technical requirements. Find out more about system requirements here.

Ready to make an impact?

Join the Green Life Sciences track and contribute to solutions for global challenges in food security, sustainability, and biotechnology.

Apply now!