Welcome to Tracks in 2019 Top-Labeled Research master Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences

How to make more effective and needle-free pulmonary vaccines? How can we better assess drug toxicity for humans? How can we fight antibiotic resistance? How can we use Big data to improve preventive drug programmes? How can we optimize chronic drug use in ageing populations? How can we develop a business case for a new biological?

If you have a pharmaceutical bachelor or bachelor from chemistry, biology or biomedical sciences with pharmaceutical elements, this two-year master research programme may enhance your career in the exciting world of the drug development life cycle! This master programme covers all drug-related elements from basic target discovery to molecular drug design, from analysis of drugs and biomarkers to pharmacology, from toxicology and biopharmacy to clinical pharmacoepidemiology, post marketing surveillance, policy and business. 


An unique asset of the master of medical pharmaceutical sciences is that the lectures and research take place in an interdisciplinary Life Sciences environment from chemistry to statistics, from biology to medicine, from epidemiology to economics, management and business.

Learning research by actually doing it is a second unique asset, and students will have the opportunity to design two large research projects according to their needs and talent. Teaching professors from the Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy (see http://www.rug.nl/research/grip/) as well as from the medical sciences all work within 500 meters distance range.

Lecturers will supervise you while you are independently performing experiments and go through the whole process of conducting a scientific drug-related study. You will learn and practice scientific developing skills such as retrieving and systematic reviewing relevant literature on your topic, formulating hypotheses, design and perform experiments, and interpret, present and scientifically report your results. The programme therefore is an excellent preparation for a succeeding PhD programme in the biological, medical or pharmaceutical sciences, or for independent practice of pharmaceutical sciences in your future career. A third asset is the global atmosphere with small international academic student communities which will prepare you for challenging global job positions.

Students can enter throughout the academic year, though 1 September is most common. You will be in the lead to design your own research programme or may choose a clear track which will prepare for specialist positions. Currently we have two unique research tracks: (1) Pharmacoepidemiology&-Economics the science that focuses on issues of drug/vaccine use in patients as well as the beneficial and side effects as well as cost-effectiveness of drugs in populations both applying clinical trials and observational Big Database studies, (2) Drug Toxicology & Translational Technology the science that focuses on adverse drug reactions and  pharmaco- and toxicokinetics of drugs, and (3) Pharmaceutical Design & Engineering. A different track focuses on the relation between Science, Business and Policy and you will learn how to develop for example a business case for a new drug, or to support policy with pharmaco-economical modeling.

Why Groningen?

  • Internationally oriented university, master programmes and lively student city (see alumni song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GEPXS5Gl-s).
  • Groningen drug research and education is among the best in the world! Pharmacy education was ranked number 1 among students in the Netherlands (Elsevier). The Dutch Keuzegids ranked our programme as Top-labeled in 2017 and 2019!
  • Three-week modular course programme which prevents delays and enhances your chance of obtaining your certificate within 24 months. Currently, more than 70% of enrollees obtains their certificate in 24 months!
  • Unique interdisciplinary cooperation between preclinical, pharmaceutical, medical and economical research fields, with teaching professors within walking distance.
  • Research and education cover all drug/vaccine-related aspects that are relevant to the drug development life cycle.
  • Unique tracks: Pharmacoepidemiology  | Toxicology and Drug Disposition  | Science, Business and Policy.
  • Our faculty is the home of the 2016 Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry, Ben Feringa, and the Nobel Prize winner in Physics, Frits Zernike.
  • Strong Linked in Alumni Network who may help you with designing your program or preparing for your career.

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