Training and education program

Master program

Compatible with the elective space of the Master programs of the partner institutes, NMARRS offers an education program consisting of

An introductionary course covering the basics of magnetic resonance (3 ec); magnetic resonance techniques have a broad range of application in chemistry, physics, life sciences, materials science and medicine. This course, given at Radboud University, covers the basics of magnetic resonance spectroscopy and will describe its applications relevant to the chemistry lab. First, the theoretical framework of magnetic resonance is covered in the lectures using the vector model. The chemical shift, J-coupling and multiplet structure is described. Spectral editing techniques and 2D NMR experiments that are used for structure elucidation in addition to dynamical effects such as chemical exchange will all help the student to use NMR as a tool in their future research.

An in-depth course covering general NMR topics (spin dynamics, 6ec); magnetic resonance techniques have a broad range of application in chemistry, physics, biochemistry materials science and medicine. This lecture course, given at Radboud University, covers the basics of magnetic resonance spectroscopy as well as applications of this important technique. First, the theoretical framework of magnetic resonance is covered in the lectures. The theory is covered both from a classical as well as the quantummechanical viewpoint The practical part is intended to illustrate the material covered in the lectures and workshops. After the theoretical framework is covered, various fields within magnetic resonance are discussed among which are: solid state NMR, electron spin resonance, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biomolecular NMR, as well as applications in organic and inorganic chemistry.

Three advanced courses (Magnetic Resonance II, Advanced solid-state NMR; Advanced Biomolecular NMR, 3ec each) of which the students choose two.
Biophysical imaging; in this course (given at Wageningen University) the principles of spectroscopic microscopy [confocal laser scanning microscopy, fluorescence (life time) and NMR imaging (MRI), ultra-microscopy (atomic force microscopy) will be presented. In addition, principles of image processing and analysis, manipulation and interpretation of two- and three dimensional datasets will be treated. The techniques will be illustrated by applications on biological processes, structure-function relationship, assembly and complexation of macro-molecules and the determination of the structure of surfaces.
Advances in Magnetic Resonance; NMR can be considered special because fundamentally novel scientific discoveries in NMR and MRI have consistently emerged with the development of science. In this course, given at Wageningen University, a generalized formalism will be introduced to analyze and understand diverse classes of modern NMR and MRI experiments. The course material will be exemplified by using practical examples of both NMR and MRI from the field of molecular life sciences.
In vivo NMR (MRI); this PhD course is organized annually by departments from Wageningen (Van As), Amsterdam (Strijkers, AMC), Nijmegen (Heerschap/Scheenen) and Utrecht (Dijkhuizen). This course has a certain focus on (bio)medical MRI.
Fundamentals of NMR Spectroscopy; in this course, given at Leiden University, you will learn the fundamentals of NMR spectroscopy so that you can understand commonly used experiments in chemical or life science research. Emphasis will be on a conceptual understanding of NMR theory, including a classical vector model description, an intuitive quantum mechanical description, origins of relaxation, and multidimensional NMR. In addition, there will be time to gain hands-on experience at a spectrometer.
This course is an obligatory preparation for the NMR courses of the Netherlands Magnetic Resonance Research School.
NMARRS summerschool Bio-Molecular Solution State NMR; this summerschool has been organized at Leiden University in 2016. This course is developed for early PhD and eager MSc-students. Through lectures and practicals, the students will be trained in the intelligent use of both common and sophisticated NMR experiments to study protein structure, interactions, & dynamics. Students should be familiar with the basics of NMR theory and practice.
'Advanced NMR' for mastersstudents by Prof. Boelens (UU) from May 29th till June 12th 2017 (June 19th extra tutorial, June 26th exam). This course will be taught if a minimum of 12 students have enrolled.

a rotations program consisting of three 10 ec internships at different NMARRS groups, based on this the students choose a group for their major internship. Therefore one of the rotations counts as being part of the major internship (generally 60 ec).

Major internship (generally 60 ec). During the major internship in one of the NMARRS groups, Master students will become acquainted with magnetic resonance research in an academic setting.

PhD training and education program

During the course of their major internship, NMARRS master students can submit their own PhD proposal, or apply to specific PhD vacancies at one of the host institutes. The training program for PhD students consists of various elements such as NMARRS workshops, summerschools and seminars. Master and PhD students both participate in the weekly group seminars and the NMARRS workshops. NMARRS PhD students will act as supervisors in the tutorial sessions associated with the NMARRS courses for master students. In addition, PhD students will be assigned as advisors on an individual basis to master students during their major and minor internships (rotations program). Finally some of the educational activities will be organized in a ‘retreat’ setting for the NMARRS students, not only aimed at scientific interaction but also involving social activities thus facilitating team building between the NMARRS students.

Training and education program