Biomedical Sciences

Overview

The Biomedical Sciences program from Maastricht University explores how the human body works in day-to-day life, during periods of illness, while ageing and while performing to the very best of its ability. You explore the relationship between human beings and their environment from molecule, to gene, to cell and organ, to individual and to entire populations. The programme is often described as the ‘research side of medicine’. So if you would like to make a contribution to the health and wellbeing of others, but would prefer to not become a doctor, Biomedical Sciences is the right choice for you.

Broad and flexible programme

The flexible nature of the programme means you’ll have plenty of opportunity to specialise. You’ll start by taking mandatory courses, followed by several electives and a minor. This means you’ll have the opportunity to select the topics that best fit your talents and ambitions, allowing you to develop a unique professional profile within the field of biomedical sciences. A personal mentor will guide you in the decisions you'll have to make. You’ll complete your bachelor’s by writing a thesis.

At the interface of research, medicine and biology

Though this programme shares common ground with both biology and medicine, it has a notable different emphasis. In biology, you study the links between biological species and their environment. In medicine, you study the phenomenon of illness with the objective to heal individual patients. As a biomedical scientist (and a student Biomedical Sciences), you don't treat or get into contact with patients. Instead, you use scientific knowledge to gain insight into the processes underlying human health and disease.

Career opportunities:

The knowledge you'll gain in this programme can be used to improve the health and wellbeing of people in many different ways. You could end up working in:

• Research - At universities and hospitals, biomedical scientists conduct investigations into the causes and possible preventions of different diseases, and the processes that take place in our bodies. Others go on to help pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms develop new drugs. You could, for example, end up working on the development of new treatments for cancer patients.

• Policy - A diploma in Biomedical Sciences will also allow you to pursue a career in government, as a policy maker at the Department of Health, for example. Gradutes often end up working at government departments where they advise on topics such as the introduction of new food and nutrition legislation, or new initiatives to promote an active and healthy lifestyle.

• Education - If you take the education track in Biomedical Sciences, you can become a biology teacher at a secondary school, or work as an instructor in tertiary and higher education.