Programme of B1
The Bachelor's programme is comprised of three years of 60 credits (ec). Each year is divided into four periods (quarters) of 15 ec.
The first year is called 'Propedeuse' (sometimes spelled propaedeuse, from the greek προ andπαιδευω) which actually means preparatory education. Nowadays the first year is more than preparatory, but we keep the name and the tradition to celebrate the successful completion of the first year programme with a ceremony and an informal get-together.
First year courses lay the foundation in knowledge and skills for all areas of the Bachelor's programme. The first year, however, also serves as a filter: if you are able to pass all first year courses, you should be able to handle the rest of the programme as well. If you fail to pass at least 39 ec in the first year, you can't continue the programme (See the appropriate section on Binding Study Advice in this prospectus).
The first year courses for each period are listed below, with the study load shown in parentheses (ec). The first year has a fully mandatory curriculum that runs parallel to the Chemistry programme for the first three periods. At the end of the third period you can still transfer between the programmes without any problems. If you have completed all your courses you can apply for your Propedeuse certificate.
| 1st period | 2nd period | 3rd period | 4th period |
| Chemical analysis (3 ec) |
Biochemistry project (6 ec) |
Reactions and kinetics project (6 ec) |
Electricity and Magnetism 1A (3 ec) |
| Structure of Atoms and Molecules (3 ec) |
Molecular structure (3 ec) |
Reactions and kinetics (3 ec) |
Cell biophysics project (6 ec) |
| Biomolecules (3 ec) |
Biochemical processes (3 ec) |
Thermodynamics (3 ec) |
Spectroscopic techniques (3 ec) |
| Mathematics 1 (3 ec) |
Mathematics 2 (3 ec) |
Mathematics 3 (3 ec) |
Aspects of the Molecular Life Sciences (3 ec) |
| Mechanics 1A (3 ec) or Mechanica 1B * (3 ec) |
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| Academic skills (0 ec) | |||
| 15 ec | 15 ec | 15 ec | 15 ec |
Choosing Mechanica 1B (in Dutch)
You can choose to study mechanics together with the physics students. This is a much more abstract and formal version of the course. If you scored a minimal grade of 7 for your final exams in Mathematics and Physics, or if you score a 7 on a diagnostic test in Mechanics during the first lecture week, you can choose this option. Do keep in mind that Mechanics 1B is a lot more challenging than 1A. The course is taught in Dutch.
The course Academic Skills will run throughout the entire Bachelor’s programme. You will complete this at the end of the third year and receive 3 ec. See the course description in this prospectus.
End-of-year symposium presentation and career orientation. The first academic year of the degree programmes in Chemistry, Molecular Life Sciences and Science are concluded with a symposium which is organised by the students themselves. During this symposium the results of the projects from the fourth quarter are presented. In addition, speakers from outside the university with a science-based education will hold a lecture about their career and current work.
Students will prepare for the symposium by holding a field orientation, searching for interesting speakers and inviting them. This activity is part of the course Academic Skills (MOL086). Attendance at the symposium is mandatory.