Biology

Together, the specialisations within the Master’s in Biology cover the whole range from molecule to organism and ecosystem, which means you have ample choice to define your exact study path.You’ll have the option to perform a half-year internship abroad and thus get an extensive experience in scientific methods in an international setting.The courses and internships take place in a stimulating, personal setting.This programme has close ties with the Institute for Water and Wetlands Research (IWWR), a leading institute in wetland ecosystem and stress biology research.Radboud University has close relationships with water authorities, counties and other related organisations, such as Natuurplaza.Radboud University opened a new greenhouse complex in 2015 and offers students the possibility to work with advanced research equipment and techniques, like electron microscopy, mass spectrometry and next-generation sequencing.As a Biology student, you’ll choose one of the following specialisations:-Adaptive OrganismsHow do plants adapt in areas with regular flooding or drought? And what are the consequences of an increase of water acidity for a fish or a micro-organism? In the Adaptive Organisms specialisation, you’ll become an expert in stress adaptation of individual organisms.-Communities and EcosystemsAn ecosystem is a complex equilibrium consisting of numerous plants, animals and micro-organisms, influenced by soil and water characteristics, weather conditions and human intervention. In this specialisation you’ll get insight in the relations between different communities and how they react to environmental stress, such as drought, nutrient shortage or eutrophication.-MicrobiologyThis specialisation deals with the interface between fundamental biological and medical sciences. It focuses on molecular, medical and environmental microbiology to improve our health and environment and provides in-depth insight into present-day microbial research in general and clinical microbiology.-Water and EnvironmentIn this specialisation you’ll be trained to become an environmental expert, analysing the human impact on nature. This might require a change of perspective: whereas biologists are used to argue from a specific organism or ecosystem, we in this programme with a stressor, such as the emission of carbon dioxide or toxic agricultural pesticides. You’ll learn to unravel the effects of such stressors on all size scales, from cells to ecosystems.-Double Degree programme: Transnational Ecosystem-based Water ManagementWhat is the best way to handle invasive species in a river ecosystem? And how do you protect a city like New Orleans from floods? In this double degree programme, together with the University of Duisburg-Essen (in Germany), you’ll learn how to tackle these kinds of problems on the basis of ecological, hydrological and social-economic aspects.-Conservation and Restoration Ecology:An ecosystem is a biological community consisting of numerous plants, animals and micro-organisms, influenced by soil and water characteristics, weather conditions and human intervention. In this Master’s specialisation, you will get insight in the relations between individuals, populations and communities with their environment. -Science in Society: Science and technology have a profound influence on society, but the reverse is also true: society significantly shapes the ways in which science and technology evolve. However, experience shows that scientists on the one hand and the general public, government and businesses on the other aren’t always able to clearly understand one another. That is why experts with a background in science and an understanding of social processes are indispensable. This specialisation will equip you with the knowledge, tools and skills to be a professional intermediary between science and society whilst getting a broader societal perspective.-Science, Management and Innovation: In Science, Management and Innovation (SMI) you will gain expertise in societal challenges, work on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and learn the ability to speak the language of policy and business.