M.Sc. in Drug Discovery and Safety: Synthesis of Drugs

Find out what the different possibilities are within the first year of this Master's programme

Organic chemistry in an interdisciplinary drug context

In the Drug Design and Synthesis specialisation, you will focus on the organic chemistry of novel biologically active compounds, peptides/peptidomimetics, radiolabeled molecules or novel synthetic methodologies. You will work with the newest synthesis, purification and compound characterisation equipment. Your classes will reveal how to reap the fruits of life science research and will guide you to becoming an innovative synthetic chemist in a life science context. Opportunities to incorporate molecular modeling angles in your programme are plentiful and highly supported with state-of-the-art computational approaches. A unique aspect of the programme is that you can choose to focus your attention on organic synthesis, on computational design, or on a combination of both.

The Master’s in Drug Discovery and Safety is a two-year programme. This specialisation will be part of your first year of study.

The Drug Design and Synthesis specialisation consists of compulsory (core) and track-specific courses (30-36 EC), a major research project (42-60 EC), a literature thesis and colloquium (12 EC), ethics and academic skills portfolio (6 EC) and an elective space for a minor research project, a traineeship abroad or at a local company, and optional courses (6-30 EC).

Drug Discovery and Target Finding

Study the interaction of biological active molecules with their target

In the Drug Discovery and Target Finding (molecular pharmacology) specialisation, you will investigate the interaction of biological active molecules (small molecule or an antibody [biological]) with their target. The research focuses on ligand-receptor interactions, modulation of signal transduction pathways, and novel concepts like ligand-independent receptor signaling, biased signaling and receptor dimerisation. You will learn concepts of molecular biology and pharmacology and use innovative imaging and biophysical approaches.

The Master’s in Drug Discovery and Safety is a two-year programme. This specialisation will be part of your first year of study.

The Drug Discovery and Target Finding specialisation contains compulsory (core) and track-specific courses (30-36 EC), a major research project (42-60 EC), a literature thesis and colloquium (12 EC), ethics and academic skills portfolio (6 EC) and there is an elective space for a minor research project, a traineeship abroad or at a local company, and optional courses (6-30 EC).

Drug Disposition and Safety Assessment

Develop better and safer drugs

Within the Drug Disposition and Safety Assessment specialisation, you will learn how chemicals are processed in the body and how they can can interfere with cellular and biological processes. This includes biological systems involved in biotransformation and transport of xenobiotics, adaptive stress response pathways and toxicity mechanisms. The specialisation also deals with biological and analytical tools and the application of this information to safety assessment of chemicals. The ultimate aim is to develop better and safer drugs and to identify patients at particular risk for certain outcomes.

The Master’s in Drug Discovery and Safety is a two-year programme. This specialisation will be part of your first year of study.

The Drug Disposition and Safety Assessment specialisation contains compulsory (core) and track-specific courses (30-36 EC), a major research project (42-60 EC), a literature thesis and colloquium (12 EC), ethics and academic skills portfolio (6 EC) and there is an elective space for a minor research project, a traineeship abroad or at a local company, and optional courses (6-30 EC).

The Drug Disposition and Safety Assessment specialisation offers several research topics to choose from. For example, you can study the identification of molecular mechanisms and risk factors underlying rare adverse drug reactions, the differentiation of iPS cells into specific cell types for toxicity studies or the role of mitochondria in drug toxicity.

Computational Medicinal Chemistry and Toxicology

Study new molecules with computational approaches

In the Computational Medicinal Chemistry and Toxicology specialisation, you will utilise state-of-the-art computational approaches to study new molecules and to predict their properties and interactions with biological molecules. You will explore the fascinating structures of proteins and other drug targets, using methods such as molecular docking, molecular dynamics, ab initio studies and free-energy calculations. Even before a molecule has been created and tested, you will be able to predict whether it is likely to have medicinal applications.

The Master’s in Drug Discovery and Safety is a two-year programme. This specialisation will be part of your first year of study.

The Computational Medicinal Chemistry and Toxicology specialisation contains compulsory (core) and track-specific courses (30-36 EC), a major research project (42-60 EC), a literature thesis and colloquium (12 EC), ethics and academic skills portfolio (6 EC) and there is an elective space for a minor research project, a traineeship abroad or at a local company, and optional courses (6-30 EC).

The Computational Medicinal Chemistry and Toxicology specialisation offers several research topics to choose from. You can conduct research in the field of molecular and computational toxicology or medicinal chemistry, e.g. the docking of ligands in GPCR or cytochrome P450 enzymes, or develop new tools to calculate free binding energies.

Diagnostics and Imaging

Learn how to design analytical methods or radiopharmaceuticals

In the Diagnostics and Imaging specialisation, you will combine radiopharmaceutical sciences with bio-analytical sciences.

You can specialise in the development of new bio-analytical methods for analysing living cells, tissues and/or patient samples to find metabolites and proteins associated with particular diseases. You also will learn how to develop bioanalytical methods for measuring drugs and their metabolites in patient samples. Or, you will work on the swift and accurate measurement of large numbers of biological samples, for example to test for performance-enhancing drugs in sport. Another possibility is the development of high-throughput systems for the study of interactions between drugs and proteins.

Alternatively, you can also specialise in the development of radiopharmaceuticals. Radiopharmaceutical sciences is a truly translational discipline in which radiochemistry, organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, molecular pharmacology and imaging come together and where new radiopharmaceuticals are developed from bench-to-bedside. Your classes will reveal how to design, synthesise and evaluate radiopharmaceuticals and will develop you into a radiopharmaceutical chemist/scientist.

The Master’s in Drug Discovery and Safety is a two-year programme. This specialisation will be part of your first year of study.

The Diagnostics and Imaging specialisation contains compulsory (core) and track-specific courses (30-36 EC), a major research project (42-60 EC), a literature thesis and colloquium (12 EC), ethics and academic skills portfolio (6 EC) and there is an elective space for a minor research project, a traineeship abroad or at a local company, and optional courses (6-30 EC).

The Diagnostics and Imaging specialisation offers many research topics to choose from. For example, you can conduct research in the field of radiopharmaceutical sciences, develop a new radiochemistry methodology to expand the radiochemistry toolbox, compare metabolics between different tissues or explore the biological activities in snake venom.

2nd Year

Which second year specialisation do you choose?

Find out what the different possibilities are within the second year of this Master's programme

Research

Gain experience for a career in Research

The second-year Research specialisation focuses on Drug Discovery and Safety Research. With this specialisation, you will gain experience for a career in research, both within a university (PhD) and in the pharmaceutical industry. Besides a major research project, you will also conduct a minor research project. The specialisation also offers space to follow elective courses from the Drug Discovery and Safety Master’s programme. You can also use this elective space to conduct research during a second internship abroad.

The Research specialisation is the only one that offers an optional double degree programme. The first year of your Master’s, you study at VU Amsterdam. The second year, you follow courses and complete an internship at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.

The Master’s in Drug Discovery and Safety is a two-year programme. You can choose the Research specialisation in your second year.

You will conduct a major and minor research project. In addition, there is space to follow elective courses.

Science in Society

Bridge the gap between science and society

There is an urgent need for professionals with an academic background in the natural and life sciences, who have knowledge of policy, management and entrepreneurship. The Science in Society specialisation prepares you for working, for instance, as a consultant, policymaker, researcher or entrepreneur at the interface of science, technology and society. It provides you with tools and strategies for understanding and addressing complex societal problems related to scientific, technological or medical developments.

During the specialisation, you will learn to analyse and create policy advisory reports and to improve on aspects of management such as leadership styles and motivation techniques. The specialisation is open to students of both VU Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam (UvA).

The Science in Society specialisation teaches you how to identify, analyse and manage complex societal problems.

During the first semester, you will follow three compulsory courses:

• Research Methods for Analyzing Complex Problems (6 EC)
• Analyzing Governmental Policy (6 EC)
• Communication, Organization and Management (6 EC).

During the second semester, you will conduct an internship in which you apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired in the courses to professional practice (30 EC).

Please register for your Science in Society courses individually on VUnet using the course codes in the study programme at least four weeks before the semester starts.

Science Communication

Bridge the gap between science and society

Many of the societal challenges that require research and innovation cannot be addressed by scientists alone. And at a time when ‘the facts’ are being questioned, scientists need to engage with the public more openly. Take, for instance, public health issues like the coronavirus pandemic. Scientists conduct numerous studies on the best preventive measures, but those measures need to be understood and adopted by the public in order to be effective. And when it comes to climate change, many members of the public are still resistant to believing the scientific data, which makes them reluctant to change their behaviour in ways that protect the environment. On these and other issues, how can scientists engage with members of the public in thoughtful and productive ways?

This specialisation provides you with the relevant knowledge, skills and practical experience to help shape meaningful conversations about science in public. You will not only learn how to inform and educate the public about science, but you will also learn how to engage the public in addressing societal issues together with scientists and innovators. After completing this specialisation, you will have an in-demand skills set. You can work, for instance, as a science journalist at a newspaper, a communications advisor at a biomedical company, a content manager at a science museum, or as a public relations manager at an environmental organisation. The specialisation is open to students of both VU Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam (UvA).

The Science Communication specialisation immerses you in the world of science communication through five courses and an internship. During the first semester, you will to follow two compulsory courses: Research Methods for Analyzing Complex Problems (6 EC) and Science and Communication (6 EC). You will also choose (at least) two out of three elective courses in science communication (18 EC total): Science Journalism (6 EC), Science in Dialogue (6 EC) and Science Museology (6 EC). The third course is an elective. This could be an elective course from your Master’s programme.

During the second semester, you will conduct an internship in which you apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired in the courses (30 EC). You can choose between a reflective practice internship (only if you follow this specialisation in the second year of your master’s programme) or a research internship. With a reflective practice internship, you will work at a science communication company and apply the knowledge you have acquired to professional practice (21 EC). You will also write a reflection on professional practice (9 EC). If you choose a research internship, you will conduct research in the field of science communication.

Please register for your Science Communication courses individually on VUnet using the course codes in the study programme at least four weeks before the semester starts.

Secondary Education Teacher Training for STEM Disciplines

Motivate & inspire students as a teacher in the STEM disciplines - This specialisation is taught in Dutch.

During the specialisation Secondary Education Teacher Training for STEM Disciplines, you will learn how to transfer your knowledge and motivate and inspire students in your field of study, whether it is Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or Biology. For computer science, there is another route: the one-year teacher training programme. The courses for this teacher training specialisation are taught in Dutch and your teaching qualification will be valid in the Netherlands.

As a teacher, you make an important contribution to the future of young people, society and education in the Netherlands. In our knowledge economy, specialists in the area of knowledge transfer are indispensable. With an abundance of jobs in secondary education, obtaining a teaching qualification guarantees job security and—flexibility—because in addition to being a teacher, you are also a scientist in your field.

The teacher training programmes at VU Amsterdam are unique because of their modular structure that is built around 20 themes (core practices). You will apply these teaching practices directly in the classroom, as you will be working in a school for more than 50% of your study programme. At VU Amsterdam, personal attention and individual guidance are top priority. You will have a mentor from VU Amsterdam and a workplace supervisor who is an experienced first-degree subject teacher.

With this specialisation, you will obtain a specialist Master's degree in a STEM discipline and a first-degree teaching qualification (eerstegraads lesbevoegdheid). This means that in two years, you will be qualified to teach both lower and upper secondary vocational education (HAVO/VWO) and pre-university education (VMBO) in the Netherlands. All teachers in the STEM disciplines are also qualified to teach the STEM elective NLT (Nature, Life and Technology).

The teacher training specialisation in the STEM disciplines starts every academic year in September and February, unless you are following a Master's programme in Ecology, Earth Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, or Biomedical Technology and Physics. Within these Master's programmes, you can only start the specialisation in September.

Second year

What makes you unique as a STEM teacher? We explore your strengths as a teacher while focussing on personal attention, customisation and guidance. You will follow an integrated programme, which includes a practical component (internship) in secondary education and didactic theory at VU Amsterdam. You will be taught general didactics related to core practices as well as specific subject-related didactics for your school subject. The theory is always applied and tested in practice at the school where you conduct your internship. You will start immediately with the practical component. Internships are arranged by VU Amsterdam.