Molecular Biosciences (Joint Degree)
A degree in Molecular Biosciences prepares you for a meaningful and innovative career. Your expertise will contribute to groundbreaking discoveries, finding cures for diseases that have plagued humanity. You'll be at the forefront of innovative solutions that change the world for the better.
The Joint Degree Molecular Biosciences is geared to industry needs, both in the Netherlands and the UK. Naturally, working in an international environment is key in this program. You get the skills employers are looking for: Lab skills. Research skills. Communication skills. Entrepreneurial skills.
In the first 2 years of this joint degree, you'll study at HAN University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. The focus? Learning how to do research in a lab. But you don’t just train to become a scientist. You also work on project management and communication skills. After all, getting results is a team effort.
In year 3 and 4, you'll study at the University of Dundee. You will be following several advanced theory modules from the Biological and Biomedical Sciences courses. The lecturers are often researchers from within the excellent research departments at the University of Dundee.
To study Molecular Biosciences, you need to have prior knowledge in a few areas. So your secondary school certificate needs to show good grades in:
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Biology (recommended)
With a BSc in Molecular Biosciences with Honours you can find jobs in the private and public sector. At research institutes, hospitals and health agencies. Or at life sciences companies, like biotech and pharmaceutical firms. The kind of work? Researching diseases. Designing new drugs. Working as a product or marketing specialist. Or focusing on quality assurance. Here are some molecular bioscience jobs you could pursue:
- Research Assistant. As a research assistant, you work in fundamental or applied research. Your job? To provide support in the lab to more senior researchers. Where? At a university or in the commercial sector. You can grow into positions of more responsibility and leadership if you choose the commercial sector. Want to progress in the academic world? Then you would pursue a master or PhD first.
- Assay Development Scientist. Assay development is a procedure in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Basically, it’s testing how an organism or organic sample reacts to a drug or biochemical. The aim? To identify and characterize potential new drug molecules. As an assay development scientist, you work with a team of scientists in a lab.
- Technical Sales Specialist. As a technical sales specialist you build relationships with clients. How? Through cold-calling, visiting clients, going to network events. The market for technical products and services is global. So you’ll be working in an internationally oriented environment.
- Junior Project Leader. In this position you run short to medium-length projects. Your tasks? To communicate with the lab technicians. Contribute innovative ideas. Communicate with management. About anything from quality assurance to financial issues. Where? At a pharmaceutical, biotech or other life science company.
