Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and Science Communication and Society Leiden University

Overview

The master's specialisation Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and Science Communication & Society focuses on the interaction between science and society.

Increasingly, the general public wants to be and needs to be informed about scientific topics. At the same time, scientists need to show accountability to the general public about their research. In this specialisation you bridge the gap between experts and the public by combining high quality research in bio-pharmaceutical sciences with extensive training in science communication. After completion you have obtained the necessary knowledge and skills to either become science communicator with a strong bio-pharmaceutical science background, or a researcher with a communicating mindset.

What you will learn

The specialisation Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and Science Communication and Society consists of 60 EC in Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences, 40-60 EC in Science Communication and Society and 0-20 EC electives.

In addition to general achievements, graduates of the master programme BPS with the specialisation Science Communication and Society have reached the following specific achievement levels:

a. Knowledge of the relationship between science & society through science communication frameworks and transdisciplinary perspectives.

b. Experience with these frameworks and skills to apply them in practice, e.g. in science journalism, visual communication, or in informal science education.

c. Basic skills in performing science communication research independently.

Career prospects

Students are trained for a research career in drug research and development, not for a career as a (public) pharmacist. Most graduates proceed to a PhD training at Leiden University or another university. Graduates from the LACDR are in great demand in the pharmaceutical industry and in other research institutes. An extensive worldwide network of research contacts allows students to obtain research experience abroad during their MSc or PhD studies.

Students with the specialisation Bio-Pharmaceutical Sciences and Science Communication and Society are also prepared for a career as a science or health communicator, policy maker, PR officer, science journalist, health officer, museum educator or a researcher with a communicating mindset.

Examples of jobs

• Science communicator
• Museum educator
• Science journalist
• Science editor
• Information officer
• Communication officer

Accreditation

Accredited by NVAO, the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders.