Immerse yourself in how the body works and in medication and diseases.

Do you know what you should eat before a soccer match, and more importantly, why you should eat it? Would you like to know why one cell is susceptible to a disease and another one isn't? The bachelor’s programme Biomedical Sciences completely revolves around sickness and health.

Whether you choose to specialise in the molecular processes in a cancer cell, or would like to know more about exercise programmes for people with obesity; the programme offers a solid foundation for a successful future. You could - for example - become a researcher at a pharmaceutical company that develops new medication, or a physiologist at a university.

Why this programme?

The bachelor's programme in Biomedical Sciences explores how the human body works in day-to-day life, during periods of illness, while ageing and while performing to the very best of its ability.

You explore the relationship between human beings and their environment from molecule, to gene, to cell and organ, to individual and to entire populations. The programme is often described as the ‘research side of medicine’. So if you would like to make a contribution to the health and wellbeing of others, but would prefer to not become a doctor, Biomedical Sciences is the right choice for you.

Broad and flexible programme:

The flexible nature of the programme means you’ll have plenty of opportunity to specialise. You’ll start by taking mandatory courses, followed by several electives and a minor.

This means you’ll have the opportunity to select the topics that best fit your talents and ambitions, allowing you to develop a unique professional profile within the field of biomedical sciences. A personal mentor will guide you in the decisions you'll have to make. You’ll complete your bachelor’s by writing a thesis.

At the interface of research, medicine and biology:

Though this programme shares common ground with both biology and medicine, it has a notable different emphasis. ​In biology, you study the links between biological species and their environment.

In medicine, you study the phenomenon of illness with the objective to heal individual patients. As a biomedical scientist (and a student Biomedical Sciences), you don't treat or get into contact with patients. Instead, you use scientific knowledge to gain insight into the processes underlying human health and disease.

Five themes:

• Living: chemistry of life, cells, organisation and communication in tissues.
• Protecting: threats, immunity, lymphatic system, infection and infectious diseases, epidemiology.
• Acting: moving, sensing your position, nervous system and musculoskeletal system.
• Thriving: oxygen supply, nutrient processing, maintenance of physiological equilibrium and nutrition.
• Populating: inheritance, reproduction, development and growth, hormones and evolution.

Small groups=big advantages:

At Maastricht University, courses are taught using Problem-Based Learning (PBL). In small groups of up to twelve students, you’ll work on practical assignments that approach a biomedical theme from different angles.

You’ll gain knowledge, and you’ll also learn how to collaborate, present and set up a laboratory project. Practical and research skills training sessions are also included. You discuss a given problem, set learning goals, study relevant literature and then meet to discuss your findings. You do this independently, but always under the supervision of a tutor.