Study programme

The Science, Management and Innovation Master’s specialisation allows you to apply your science background to a societal theme and enables you to make a difference in your future field of work. You graduate in your original Master’s discipline but are also taught how innovation is managed in companies, how policy is made in government, and discuss several approaches to today’s societal challenges. You will improve your ability to cooperate with actors from other disciplines. This combination of science, policy and business, and the capability to work in multi-disciplinary teams is in high demand, not only in companies but also in non-profit organisations and the public sector. You will create a unique profile with your disciplinary background and combine this with one of the focus track areas related to the sustainable development goals. These are Health, Climate & Energy, Green Industries & IT, or Biodiversity.

The curriculum of the Master's specialisation Science, Management and Innovation is a mix of courses that belong to your Research Master's programme (60 EC) and SMI-specific courses and activities (60 EC). Below you can find the course overview of the SMI programme.

Curriculum

Curriculum of Science, Management and Innovation

During your first year, you focus on either Biology, Computing Science, Mathematics, Medical Biology, Molecular Sciences or Physics and Astronomy, depending on the Master's programme that you follow. The specific content of SMI starts in the second year of your Master’s programme, which consists of some compulsory courses, theme courses and a research project.

View curriculum

Study abroad

During your Master's programme, you will have the opportunity to go abroad for your studies, internship and/or thesis. You will learn to look at things from the perspective of a different culture and you will meet new people; it is an experience that will enrich your life. What’s more, it will look great on your CV. Please see the Radboud International web page for information about meetings, scholarships, internships and other practical information.

Additional challenge

Do you want an extra challenge during your studies? Do you find it interesting to think about current, social themes from different academic perspectives? Discover what the Radboud Honours Academy has to offer to achieve your maximum potential during your time as a student.

Themes

When you start with the Master's Specialisation, you will first select your specialisation theme. We offer four themes that are available to all students in this specialisation: Climate and Energy, Health, Green Industries & IT, and Biodiversity.

Climate and Energy

Human interference with the climate system is deeply intertwined with our energy system. In this theme you will learn about climate science and the various causes and effects of climate change. You will gain experience in analysing and modelling the energy system, and you will learn how to investigate options to mitigate climate change, whether via the transition to a more sustainable energy system or via the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in other sectors.

Health

To reach good health and wellbeing, many challenges need to be faced by healthcare systems. In many parts of the world, health has been improving but new diseases threaten progress. Moreover, new forms of organisation and modern IT developments are changing the face of the health sector. In this theme you will learn how to address various aspects of innovations, upcoming diseases, new pharmaceuticals, AI applications and personalized care.

Green Industries & IT

Industries generate a lot of physico-chemical data that contain the potential to make processes more economically viable and more sustainable. Digital prediction models (Industry4.0) are essential to control the process for such gains in efficiency. Valuable industrial prediction models require understanding of the origin of the measurements, of the structure of the processes and of the ways in which new predictions may provide economic and environmental value. This SMI track provides the insight in these three aspects.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is rapidly declining worldwide. Reversing this decline is key in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals as biodiversity is at the heart of human well-being and life in water and life on land. Therefore, biodiversity is (increasingly becoming) a point of focus for governments, organizations and companies. In this theme you will learn about biodiversity conservation and the various causes and effects of biodiversity change.