Master of Science in Molecular Biology

  Admission requirements | Study programme | Assets | Career prospects| Registration fee | More information | Application

Fact sheet

The Master's

Molecular biology is the discipline within the life sciences aimed at understanding the molecular basis of life in health and disease. It is a multidisciplinary area of study and deals with the structure and function of molecules as well as their interplay in creating the phenomenon of life. Research in molecular biology not only generates knowledge but also offers new opportunities for the development of diagnostic tools and new strategies for improving agricultural production, animal health, and human health.

I have a vision of becoming a scientist, involved in research and teaching both to undergraduate and graduate students. The Msc I obtained has paved a way for me to pursue a PhD in Molecular Biology. Before my MSc, I was a Research assistant. After my MSc, I am now a Graduate assistant. I consider this as a promotion. With this MSc, I am better placed to assume many positions in the government, which I am currently pursuing.
- Sylvester Anami, Kenya, PhD student at Ghent University, Belgium

Admission requirements

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I am very proud of what I was trained and learnt from you and IPMB. I would like to update my progress. I am a third year PhD student in Immunology and Cancer Biology program at University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center. I just received a award for outstanding young immunologist, and submitted a paper to the Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM), and it is under review now.
- Thang Van Nguyen, Vietnam, PhD student at the University of Texas, USA

Study programme

The IPMB covers two academic years. In view of the diverse background of its students, the first year consists of in-depth courses covering the most important topics in molecular biology. By the end of the first year, students have obtained the level of knowledge required to take part successfully in the advanced, specialised courses of the second year. Intensive laboratory training will prepare you to embark on the preparation of your thesis, which you will complete in the second year along with four advanced courses followed by three specialisation courses in the field of either human health, animal production or plant production. Extensive attention is also devoted to the preparation and writing of the thesis, which is an original research project completed under the guidance of a supervisor and defended in public.

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IPMB has been a propelling force for my career development. Such is the quality of education provided by IPMB that, in addition to the offer in Germany, I have a second PhD offer with the West African Rice Development Agency (WARDA), to work on the genetic mechanisms underlying drought resistance in rice. Part of this work will be conducted at the biotechnology facility of the University of Cornell in the USA. However, I decided to accept the German offer.
- Christian Dimkpa, Nigeria, PhD student at the International Max Planck Research School, Germany

Assets

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships are offered by VLIR-UDC for participants from developing countries. For details on the application procedure and required forms, please consult the VLIR-UDC website.

Citizens of countries with bilateral agreements with Belgium may apply for a scholarship from the Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC) through the Belgian Embassy. For details and procedures, please contact the Belgian diplomatic representation in your country or consult the website. Similarly, citizens of countries that have bilateral agreements with the Flemish community are eligible to apply for scholarships. For details, please consult the website of the Flemish community.

Career prospects

IPMD graduates find employment in universities, hospitals, private and governmental research laboratories, patenting bureaus, as lecturers, consultants, advisors to policy makers, among other careers. Many graduates go on to begin PhD programmes in Belgium or abroad. Students from developing countries may apply for a ‘sandwich’ PhD scholarship from the VLIR-UDC. Flemish students may apply for a PhD scholarship from the VLIR-UDC for research projects on topics relevant to development.

The IPMB MSc was extremely important in my career development as it paved the way for me to receive a promotion from the University of Zambia's staff development program (as a trainee lecturer) to the position of a fulltime lecturer at the institution. The MSc was also pivotal in allowing me to successfully compete and receive a PhD scholarship in the United Kingdom.
- Joseph Nkolola, Zambia, PhD at Oxford University, UK; post-doctoral fellow at Harvard University School of Public Health, USA

Registration fee

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More information

Visit this programme's website

Visit http://ipmbgazette.weebly.com

If you have other questions, contact:

Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Interuniversity Programme Molecular Biology
Building E Room 5.01
Pleinlaan 2
BE-1050 BRUSSELS

Secretariat
Mr Rudi Willems
tel. +32 26 291 956
rwillems@vub.ac.be

Mrs. Greta Verhasselt
tel. +32 26 291 863
ipmb@vub.ac.be

Daily Operations Coordinator
Prof. Dr. E. Van Driessche
tel. +32 26 291 952
edvandri@vub.ac.be

Application