Origins Interspecial
Help solve one of science’s greatest mysteries. In this hands-on minor, you’ll explore the theme of Origin of Life by working on a research project with an interdisciplinary team of students. Learn by doing as you combine ideas from different fields, tackle a complex question, and develop the skills needed to work effectively in a team of experts.
The programme is built around a central research project in which you work in a small interdisciplinary team on a topic proposed by researchers at the University of Amsterdam, combining your own disciplinary expertise with that of students from other fields. Alongside the project, you attend seminars by experts on key unresolved questions in the field and participate in workshops that develop skills such as interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific communication, and problem-solving. The minor concludes with a student symposium where teams present their research results.
Programme
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Origins InterspecialPeriod 1Period 2Period 330
Discover everything you need to know about the minor 'Origins Interspecial'—a unique programme with a focus on working in small teams and the use of advanced academic knowledge to address complex research questions related to the field of the Origin of Life.
Meet Eline (BSc Chemistry) who shares her first hand experiences while enrolled in the minor Origins Interspecial.
Continue your studies with a master
With a minor you sometimes have access to certain (extra) masters.
Entry requirements
This full-time 30 EC minor is open to motivated students from all natural sciences disciplines, but particularly interesting for students of Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science, Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence, Informatics and Information Science. English language proficiency is required. International students are welcome.
Application and Admission
This full-time minor is open to students from all natural sciences disciplines, especially Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence, Information Sciences, Informatics, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, and Bèta-Gamma. International students are also welcome. If you would like to participate as an elective student (not a UvA student), first register with the UvA as an elective student (Bijvak) for BSc Natuur- en Sterrenkunde.
The application procedure for the minor for 2026-2027 runs from 1 April up until 6 May.
Have you completed the application form from the step-by-step plan? Then go straight to the selection form to provide all additional information. This form must also be completed before your application can be included in the final selection. Did you miss the application period? Then send us an email to check if there is still space available.
Contact
In order to contact the Minor Origins Interspecial programme, please send an email to the coordinator, Dr. Alessandra Candian (a.candian2@uva.nl).
- Mode
- Full-time
- Credits
- 30 ECTS, 1 semester
- Language of instruction
- English
- Starts in
- September
- Location
- Science Park