Life Sciences
A life sciences degree puts you on track for a meaningful career. Ever thought about working on projects to cure diseases? Or doing research to solve environmental problems? Or to solve world food shortages? Study Life Sciences at HAN and get a head start on one of these rewarding paths.
The life sciences program at HAN is geared to industry needs. And to working in an international environment. So you get the skills employers are looking for. Lab skills. Research skills. Communication skills. And much more.
A BSc in Life Sciences at HAN guides you through current research topics in life sciences. You explore a range of chemistry and biology topics. Like molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, biochemistry and biotechnology.
You also get loads of practice in the life science lab. There you work on group projects. Delve into the latest issues in the field. Boost your problem-solving skills. Become a better communicator.
Finally, you get valuable professional experience. In short, this program opens doors to a rewarding international career.
Specializaions
- Biomedical research. Biomedical research focuses on biomolecules. Research the effect of biomolecules during biological and biochemical processes in cancer with the nematode C.elegans. Try to find the gene that stops the rapid cell divisions. Or culture cells in flasks and see what affects their migration behavior. Sound interesting? Choose the Biomedical Research specialization.
- Biotechnology. Biotechnology is about using living organisms to develop different products. The organism in question is grown in a bioreactor. An example is E.coli, which is used to produce insulin. Would you like to produce interesting compounds using micro-organisms? And to purify them so they can be applied in medicine or food? Then Biotechnology is the specialization for you.
- Molecular plant biology. Plant research has never been more vital. After all, plants provide us with food, clothing, medicine and fuel. By understanding cellular mechanisms better, we can grow food sustainably and develop new medicines. Want to work in a team that investigates the effect of soil bacteria or plant hormones on plant growth? Then choose the Molecular Plant Biology specialization.
- Neuroimmunology. Neuroimmunology is a rapidly developing field of study. Scientists in this field investigate neurological and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis. Are you fascinated by the brain and the role your immune system plays in fending off invading pathogens? And are you interested in how the food you eat affects this process? Choose Neuroimmunology as your specialization.
- Transcript of Records – If you have not yet completed Secondary School, you must upload a transcript showing your current grades. You can find the transcript template here.
- Secondary School Leaving Certificate – If you have already completed Secondary School, you do not need to upload a separate transcript. Simply upload your Secondary School Leaving Certificate to the application.
Note: Each programme includes a Matching procedure to help determine whether the bachelor's programme you have chosen is the right fit for you. The process starts with completing a self-reflection questionnaire. After that, you can participate in one or more Matching activities, which vary depending on the programme.
Important! View the full requirements on the university’s official website. Requirements may vary depending on your nationality and the country where you completed your previous education.
You may not need to take IELTS or TOEFL. University usually allow you to prove your English proficiency in one of the following ways:
- TOEFL iBT*
- IELTS Academic
- A Cambridge English qualification
- A national English examination listed on your secondary school leaving certificate
- An English subject and grade on your secondary school leaving certificate that meet the university’s requirements
- Secondary education completed in English in a country or school qualification accepted by the university
- An International Baccalaureate (IB) or European Baccalaureate (EB) diploma
- Other
Important: Accepted methods and minimum results depend on study programme, your secondary school qualification and the country where you completed your education. Check the official requirements for your chosen study programme.
*Use the Kastu promo code LTU1000102 when registering for TOEFL iBT and receive a 5% discount.
To study Life Sciences, 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 Life Sciences 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 life science 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 / Lab manager. 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.
