HAN University, BS, Life Sciences

Modules

Each year is divided into two semesters and each semester is divided into two terms. You take exams, write reports and give presentations at the end of each term.

1st year

During your 1st year, your lecturers guide you through current research topics in the life sciences. You gain a broad theoretical overview of the field as well as practical skills. Because you work in small groups, you receive plenty of individual attention from your lecturers.

In your 1st year you get the opportunity to experience working in a lab for a day. This provides you with a concrete idea of your future profession and gives you the chance to see whether you are truly suited for the field.

Subjects in the 1st year:

• Basic Knowledge of Life Sciences 
  
• Basic theory of Biology and Chemistry 
• Basic practical Biology and Chemistry Skills 
• Biomolecules in their Environment 
• The Cell in a Medical Context 

In the 1st year you have about 10 hours of practical and 10 hours of theory classes. You spend the remaining 20 hours each week working independently.

2nd year

In the 2nd, 3rd and 4th years, your instructors challenge you to work more independently. You take part in group and individual projects on current issues in the life sciences. You also design experiments, organise activities, draw conclusions and present your results just as a professional laboratory technician would.

Subjects in the 2nd year:

• Molecular and biochemical research 
• Interaction between human, plant and microorganisms

3rd year

In the 3rd and 4th years, you specialize in either molecular plant biology or molecular pathogenesis. During your 3rd year you do a work placement at a research institute, a teaching hospital or a company, either in the Netherlands or abroad. The goal of this training is to professionalise your knowledge and skills, and prepare you for the job market.

Subjects in the 3rd year:

• Biomedical research 
  
• Molecular plant biology 
• Biotechnology 
• Minor (semester, 3rd or 4th year)

4th year

During your minor, which takes place in either your 3rd or 4th year, you will have the opportunity to study at one of our international partner institutions. This semester abroad will deepen your knowledge of the life sciences field and help you grow more comfortable working in foreign labs. HAN collaborates with a number of institutions throughout Europe, the USA and Canada, giving you a wide range of countries to choose from for this semester.

The graduation assignment will take up the last semester of your 4th year and will focus on a major issue in the field of life sciences. This will give you hands-on experience at setting up and carrying out your very own research project within a hospital, research institute or company. You will be responsible for defining the research question, completing a literature study, organizing lab activities, obtaining the results and writing lab reports. Upon completion of the project, you will be expected to present your results in a professional manner.