Programme

You are an inquisitive person who is eager to learn and find out how things really work. This is a distinct quality of a scientist. But what exactly does biomedical research involve? And how do scientists work? Discover this and more during the Honours Programme Medical Sciences, the perfect opportunity to hone your academic skills and work on your personal development.

First honours year: English Proficiency and research themes

English Proficiency

The honours programme starts with an intensive English Proficiency course. This course will help you develop excellent writing and presenting skills in academic English, which you will need when you go abroad.

Skills

You will choose a skills module in the first semester. In this module, you will focus on specific skills you wish to develop even further, such as storytelling, debating, and creative writing.

Mini internships: introducing the research themes

The second half of the honours programme will focus on mini internships, during which you will discover the eighteen research themes at Radboud university medical center. These themes vary from Alzheimer's disease to rare cancers. The mini internships are offered in small groups under the supervision of one or more researchers and a second-year honours student. Not only will you get a good impression of the various research themes, you will also meet honours students who are already working on their own research.

Starting your research project

At the end of the first honours year you will choose a research project from a list of available projects. Alternatively, you can contact the principle investigator of a research project that interests you. During the summer holiday, you will intern for two weeks at a department of your choice.

Second honours year: individual project

Internship at Radboud university medical center: preparing for your research project

The second honours year is all about your personal research project. You will spend eight to ten hours a week working at the department and/or working from home on your internship. During this time, you will learn more about your field of research and the technology needed to carry out your research. You will also contact your international supervisor during this period.

Internship abroad: conducting research

After your internship at Radboud university medical center, you will go abroad for twelve to twenty weeks to conduct independent research in an inspiring research environment. Common destinations for Medical Sciences honours students include The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Harvard University in Boston, the University of Oxford in England and the University of Western Australia in Perth. To make space for the honours internship, the necessary adaptations will be made to your regular programme to prevent potential study delays.

Supervision

During the two-year programme you will be supervised and supported by the programme director, who will oversee the process, monitor your progress, and offer coaching where necessary. You can also contact the programme director if you have any questions or concerns.

In the second honours year you will be appointed a personal supervisor, both in Nijmegen and abroad. These supervisors are experienced researchers at Radboud university medical center and similar institutions abroad. During your research you can also contact PhD students in your research group for any substantive questions or issues you may have. These students will serve as your daily supervisors.

Publication and honours certificate

You will write a scientific article on your research as part of a collective publication that includes the articles written by all Medical Sciences honours students in your year. You will receive an honours certificate after successfully completing your research study and the Honours Programme Medical Sciences as a whole.

Your publications, your honours certificate and all of your personal and academic experiences will help you kick-start your (academic) career.