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Program

The life sciences program at HAN is geared to industry needs. And to working in an international environment. So you get the skills employers are looking for. Lab skills. Research skills. Communication skills. And much more.

Full program of the English-taught Life Sciences Bachelor at HAN University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands

Life Sciences: program in brief

A BSc in Life Sciences at HAN guides you through current research topics in life sciences. You explore a range of chemistry and biology topics. Like molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, biochemistry and biotechnology.  

You also get loads of practice in the life science lab. There you work on group projects. Delve into the latest issues in the field. Boost your problem-solving skills. Become a better communicator. 

Finally, you get valuable professional experience. In short, this program opens doors to a rewarding international career.  

Study molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry and biotechnology at HAN University of Applied Sciences
Learn more about Life Sciences
 

Meet lecturers & students

Get an inside view of the Life Sciences program at HAN. Become a student for a day, join a sample lecture or meet 1:1 with a lecturer or student online. We are currently offering the following activities:

32251 Studievoortgang student gesprek overleg, FM Commerciele economie
Student in lab met petrischaal

Solid foundation

Your 1st year gives you a solid foundation in the fundamental theories and techniques for the life science lab.

1st-year courses

You learn about the relevant topics in biology, chemistry and mathematics. You also work on group projects in the lab. For example, projects on cancer research, diagnosis of diseases and alternative energy sources. And you work in a professional life science lab during your mini internship. 

Academic calendar

The academic year runs from September to August. In that time you have 42 weeks of education. The rest of the time you have holidays.

STUDY COACHING   

PERSONALIZED GUIDANCE

At HAN you have a study coach. That's a lecturer who helps you with all your questions related to the study. In the 1st year you'll have weekly classes with your study coach. Since we believe in personalized guidance, multiple personal talks are scheduled throughout the year to keep track of your progress.

Credits

HAN uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). This system is part of the bachelor-master structure. ECTS credits are a measure of the workload of a degree program.  

TO THE 2ND YEAR? CHECK YOUR STUDY ADVICE! 

At the end of 1st year, you receive study advice. The credits you’ve earned are an important factor in this. Positive advice means you can move on to the 2nd year. Negative advice means you have to stop. That way you don’t waste time on a program that doesn't really suit you. 

student vult erlenmeyer

Growing independence

In your 2nd year you enter the main phase of the degree program. By now you’re confident using test tubes, microscopes and Petri dishes. Ready to get to know the profession in-depth? And use your knowledge in real research projects?

2nd year themes and topics

In the 2nd year you focus on 2 main themes. You'll dive into the theory and practical side of all the related topics.

Theme 1: Molecular and biochemical research

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular biology
  • Cell biology
  • Bio-informatics

Theme 2: Interaction between human, plant and micro-organisms

  • Microbiology 
  • Plant biology
  • Immunology
  • Human biology
  • Histology
  • Cytology

Lab facilities

HAN has all the basic lab facilities and more. Take the specialized microbiological, plant and biochemical labs. Here you can research DNA, RNA and protein in different organisms. How do you make the cells visible? Using light microscopy, fluorescent microscopy and electron microscopy. You can also do research on cancer. With real-time PCR apparatus, a high-performance plate reader and a flow cytometer. And use our fermentation lab. Ferment bacteria, fungi and yeasts and create your own biological products!

Projects with impact

Research from the Radboud UMC

Work on a project from the Radboud UMC in 2nd year: about genes that are important in the energy metabolism of brain tumors.

Research from Vanderbilt University (USA)

3rd-year Biomedical Research students take on research into the development of skin cancer. The project comes from Vanderbilt University in the USA.

Oxford University research with C. elegans

Which genes play a role in the regulation of stem cell divisions? What happens when something goes wrong? As a 3rd-year Biomedical Research student you can discover how cancer develops using a model organism: the microscopic worm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans).

Student aan het werk in lab bij zuurkast

Professional experience

In your 3rd year you specialize in your chosen topic. Choose from biomedical research, biotechnology, molecular plant biology or neuroimmunology. Then you complete an internship focused on this area. Put your knowledge and skills to the test in a professional life science lab. This experience will be a great asset to future employers.

Choose your specialization

Biomedical Research

Biomedical research focuses on biomolecules. Research the effect of biomolecules during biological and biochemical processes in cancer with the nematode C.elegans. Try to find the gene that stops the rapid cell divisions. Or culture cells in flasks and see what affects their migration behavior. Sound interesting? Choose the Biomedical Research specialization.

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is about using living organisms to develop different products. The organism in question is grown in a bioreactor. An example is E.coli, which is used to produce insulin. Would you like to produce interesting compounds using micro-organisms? And to purify them so they can be applied in medicine or food? Then Biotechnology is the specialization for you.

Molecular Plant Biology

Plant research has never been more vital. After all, plants provide us with food, clothing, medicine and fuel. By understanding cellular mechanisms better, we can grow food sustainably and develop new medicines. Want to work in a team that investigates the effect of soil bacteria or plant hormones on plant growth? Then choose the Molecular Plant Biology specialization.

Neuroimmunology

Neuroimmunology is a rapidly developing field of study. Scientists in this field investigate neurological and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis. Are you fascinated by the brain and the role your immune system plays in fending off invading pathogens? And are you interested in how the food you eat affects this process? Choose Neuroimmunology as your specialization.

Internship

Your life sciences internship gets you ready for the international job market. Where you’ll go? To a teaching hospital, research institute or company in the Netherlands or abroad. The type of lab? One that researches cancer, for example, or perhaps a biotech lab. In your 2nd year you follow a preparation program that covers all the important aspects of the internship. 

Experience it for yourself!

Want to discover whether Life Sciences at HAN is the right choice for you? Experience it for yourself at an Open Day. Our students and staff look forward to meeting you there!

HAN Open Day
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Graduation year

This is the 4th and final year of your BSc in Life Sciences. First, you choose a subject for your minor. This is a semester where you broaden your knowledge. Or gain more in-depth knowledge of a specific life sciences subject. Next, you embark on your graduation internship.

Minor

HAN offers excellent minors for Life Sciences students. Choose from Biomedical Research, Molecular Plant Biology, Biotechnology or Biorefinery. Want to broaden your experiences even further? Why not study at another university, in the Netherlands or abroad. Do you want to continue your studies after your BSc in Life Sciences? Then a bridging pre-master program is a great option for your minor.

Graduation internship

The final challenge in your BSc in Life Sciences is your graduation internship. That's where you show all the knowledge you gained during your studies. Where you’ll do your internship? At a company, research institute or hospital. In the Netherlands or abroad.

Innovative Research 

The HAN BioCentre

As a Life Sciences student you can do your internship or graduation project at our own center of expertise: the HAN BioCentre. You’ll perform research within the “biodiscovery chain”: discover, analyze, produce and apply your work in real projects. Achieve something real. Harvest biobased oil from yeast or harness the power of fungi. An exciting internship or graduation project guaranteed!

Results of graduation project published!

Marta Bogaczyńska is originally from Poland. She graduated from the international Life Sciences program at HAN in 2017. Just 3 months later she co-authored an article in Cell Metabolism. That’s the leading journal on cell biology and endocrinology.  

Bachelor of Science

After 4 years of study you have earned your Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences. Congratulations! The program you've completed is accredited by the Accreditation Organization of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). That means you now have an internationally recognized degree. Ready to join an international company? Or continue your studies with a master or PhD?

Bachelor of Science

Our students help in cutting-edge cancer research

Lab work and specializations

#Ask a student

What about lab experiments?

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Careers

Find out about job opportunities, experiences of alumni and options for further studies in Life Sciences. 

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