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Goals of the Master's Programme

The goals of the Master's programme are divided in four parts: A general part applicable for everyone, and one of three bparts applicable to certain specialisations.

General qualifications

The Master’s graduate in Science:

  • has specialized insight in at least one interdisciplinary field of natural sciences (i.e. Chemistry/Biology, Biology/Physics, or Physics/Chemistry, or another combination of disciplines including mathematics and/or computing science)
  • has sufficient knowledge in this specialised field to carry out scientific research under supervision.
  • has the ability to set up, under supervision, experimental or theoretical research
  • has the capacity to read scientific articles about the chosen specialization comprehensively, to master newly acquired knowledge within the field of specialization and to integrate it into existing knowledge
  • has the ability to treat research results systematically, to interpret these critically and to formulate conclusions
  • has the ability to formulate new definitions of questions and hypotheses within their chosen specialisations and to select the correct paths and research methods for resolving these questions.
  • has the capacity to present research results, both orally with clear delivery and, in written form, in a scientific article for professional colleagues and for a non-specific, expert audience
  • has the ability to communicate about scientific knowledge at specialist level with professional colleagues working in the same discipline, as well as with non-specialist audiences, clearly and unambiguously
  • has the ability to follow general scientific developments within the chosen interface of natural sciences
  • has the capacity to adapt at a specialist level of another sub-specialization within the chosen interface of natural sciences
  • has sufficient knowledge of and insight in the societal significance of the natural sciences to be able to reflect on ethical, societal and global issues in practicing his/her profession.

Specialisation specific qualifications

The Master’s graduate in Science with a content/research-oriented specialisation:

  • has sufficient knowledge and skills to carry out independent research within at least one interdisciplinary subject in the Natural Sciences.
  • is able to critically analyse research results and based on these results is able to carry research to the next level.

The Master’s graduate in Science with a specialisation in Science, Management and Innovation:

  • Capable of bridging between their own science discipline and other disciplines, based on profound understanding of the chosen core theme and how this relates to societal, political, economic, and environmental requirements of today’s world.
  • Familiar with and capable of  analysing specific problems within their theme, and able to apply a range of approaches to address these, argue for, select, and implement feasible options, taking into account the full width of technological, societal, political and economic perspectives.
  • Proficient in using research methods and techniques, including basic finance and economics, to verify, justify and substantiate strategies and plans, and capable of effectively using a wide variety of information and communication channels.
  • Capable of balancing perspectives and interests in specific contexts within a company or (non)governmental organisation in order to formulate appropriate strategies and plans towards implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Capable of communicating insights, views and analyses of complex issues to others in a clear, concise and understandable manner, both in written and spoken form.
  • Capable of working in multidisciplinary and multicultural high-performance teams based on sound division of tasks, knowledge, competencies, and responsibilities, whilst respecting diverging views and opinions.

Master’s graduates in Science with a specialisation in Science in Society are:

  • Capable of analysing the role of scientific expertise in societal and political decision making with regard to socio-scientific issues.
  • Capable of designing and conducting independent and methodologically sound social research at the interface of science and society and capable of contributing to academic research.
  • Capable of understanding and designing public and stakeholder participation processes in research and innovation.
  • Capable of analysing, improving and evaluating interdisciplinary collaborations with multiple stakeholders, integrating different perceptions, interests and types of knowledge (experiential, professional and scientific).
  • Capable of substantiating and communicating the relevance of one's scientific discipline in society.

The Master’s graduate in Science with a specialisation in Science and Education:

  • Graduates have knowledge of and insight into the theoretical principles of discipline-specific thinking, educational design, and the methods and techniques of applying didactic research in the discipline.
  • Graduates are able to design, implement and systematically evaluate an educational design and a scientific study, drawing a link between didactic and professional practice concepts, discipline-specific thinking of the students at different levels and problems from teaching practice.
  • Graduates devote attention to discipline-specific learning of individual and unique students, and focus on developing inspiring education.
  • Graduates are able to apply thorough scientific knowledge of general didactic concepts about the learning of individual students, and methods to improve both the social climate in the classroom and to answer individual learning needs of the students.
  • Graduates are able to act in a differentiated way and improve the social climate for collaboration, and in doing so, set independent priorities and, after consultation with relevant third parties, respond appropriately to development and behavioural problems.
  • Graduates focus on collaboration and responsible behaviour based on clear communication with individual students and colleagues, and on the basis of a personal vision.
  • Graduates develop a personal professional knowledge base to justify their own actions and understand the actions of colleagues and supervisors.
  • Graduates use the professional knowledge base and contextual feedback (students, colleagues, supervisors) to evaluate and guide their own professional development.
  • Graduates develop a personal identity in the context of their own actions, external frameworks and ethical dilemmas.