Why study Biology in Nijmegen?
Biology is an English-taught Bachelor's programme that lays a solid foundation of biology as seen from a variety of perspectives. You develop an understanding of the entire field by following courses from seven learning trajectories: Ecology, Environment and Sustainability, Microbiology, Physiology & Adaptation, Functional Genomics, Human Biology and Neurobiology.
Each learning trajectory consists of a set of courses, enabling you to specialise in a specific topic. The different learning trajectories are connected to the Master's specialisations in Biology and Medical Biology. This is why the courses are more specialised in the second part of the programme. It enables you to deepen your knowledge and align your courses with your interests. You also get familiar with the philosophical and ethical debates within your field.
Biology: something for you?
- The programme lays the foundation in biology and medical biology while offering a lot of flexibility.
- Choose your own learning trajectory based on your interests.
- Strong emphasis on biology in society, team-based learning and lab sessions.
- Use excellent research facilities, such as the green houses, the Phytotron root laboratory, and scanners for measuring brain activity.
- Get the chance to complete an internship with one of the RIBES, RIMLS and DCN research groups where you can develop research skills and get involved in the cutting edge research conducted at our university.
- Receive excellent guidance. Student advisors and tutors can answer all your questions. Lecturers and students have regular, informal contact during lectures and tutorials.
- Study association BeeVee takes care of your downtime. BeeVee helps you with studying and your career as well as organising activities where you can meet your fellow students, alumni, and teachers.
- The study programme Biology received the Top Rated Programme designation according to Keuzegids Universities 2023.
Do you want to know more about what Radboud University has to offer?
Team-based learning
At the beginning of each academic year, you will be assigned to a team that you will work with during courses that use team-based learning (TBL). TBL is a flipped classroom method that requires you to study the subject matter independently before coming to campus. Once on campus, you will be tested on this, individually and as a team. You will then apply and deepen this knowledge by discussing complex, real-life problems. In this way, TBL not only trains your professional knowledge, but also the skills that you need in your future workplace, such as taking responsibility, problem-solving and critical thinking, and effective communication and collaboration.
Research in Biology
Are you curious what type of research questions you could be studying if you choose Biology? Have a look at the videos below, in which our researchers talk about their work in biodiversity, neurobiology, molecular biology and ecology.
Biodiversity
How can we help insect communities restore themselves? Ecologist Constant Swinkels hopes to find the answer in the relationship between bees and plants. He researches how different species of bees make use of the flowers growing on the dikes round Nijmegen. With the gained knowledge, we know how to design the dikes in an environmentally-friendly way, creating a safe habitat for bees and other insects.
Neurophysiology
During his 'tour' of the Faculty of Science, our dean Prof. Sijbrand de Jong interviewed dr. Freyja Ólafsdóttir about her research on 'childhood amnesia'.
Cell Biology & Molecular Biology
Our dean Prof. Sijbrand de Jong interviewed Jorine Eeftens and Rosemary Yu about their research at the Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS).
Aquatic Ecology
Dean Prof. Sijbrand de Jong interviewed Sarian Kosten about her research in Aquatic Ecology, as she studies how global change impacts aquatic systems and how negative effects can be mitigated.