Life Science and Technology - Life Science and Business Studies Specialisation Leiden University

Overview

In the master's specialisation Life Science and Business Studies, you combine high quality research in life sciences with training in management and entrepreneurship.
Business Studies bridges science and business by focusing on areas such as technology management, innovation, entrepreneurship, operations and decision-making. In this master's specialisation you combine life science research with Business Studies. You will learn about analytical frameworks and skills for managerial decision-making. The emphasis of the business specialisation is on the application of these frameworks and skills in the context of R&D-intensive organisations. After completion, you have obtained the necessary knowledge and skills to take on managerial responsibilities in your work.

Do you pursue a management career in industry from a LST research perspective? Do you want to learn all about technology commercialization and business development? Then, LST and Business Studies is the master's specialisation of choice for you. It enables you to broaden your scope outside research in Life Science and Technology. The specialisation offers training that is analytically rigorous and connected to practice through class discussions based on real-life business cases, company visits, guest speakers, and an internship experience.

What you will learn

The specialisation enables you to understand the fundamentals of management and entrepreneurship alongside high quality research in Life Science and Technology.
The compulsory LST modules in this specialisation comprise a research training project (at least 30 EC), four core courses (24 EC) and a course related to academic training (6 EC). You can choose electives (maximum of 20 EC) in consultation with your mentor. The Science Based Business component comprises at least 40 EC. Within the business component you can choose from two tracks:

* The Management track is for students who consider employment opportunities in industry, and who are looking to acquire knowledge of business principles and training in managerial skills. The track provides an introduction to general management theory and practice.
* The New Technology Ventures track is for students interested in the process of creating and managing novel technology-based businesses.

Career prospects

The master's degree is a stepping-stone for those graduates with the aspiration to pursue a PhD degree. Students with a desire to apply their knowledge of the life sciences outside the university, have good job possibilities in R&D departments in industry, business, public utility companies, teaching, consultancy and government bodies. Many students eventually attain higher management positions.

Accreditation

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