Understand innovations in life science and energy science

Science, Business and Innovation

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Choose between the Energy & Sustainability or the Life & Health track

The SBI Master’s programme is a collaboration between the Faculty of Science, the School of Business and Economics, and the Faculty of Social Sciences. And it’s the only such degree in the Netherlands, making it a unique proposition for prospective candidates. This challenging programme has been especially designed for students who already have a solid background in natural sciences, technology studies and science-based innovation studies.

Depending on your area of interest, you’ll take either the Energy & Sustainability track or the Life & Health track. The energy science track focuses on the development and implementation of sustainable solutions, while the life science track emphasises drug development, molecular diagnostics and innovative medical equipment.

No matter which track you choose, you’ll take compulsory core courses in the business aspects of, and science behind, scientific innovations. You’ll also follow courses specific to your track (some compulsory, others elective). Moreover, on the practical side, you’ll carry out a four-month science project, complete a six-month internship, and write your Master’s thesis.

By the end of the programme, you’ll have developed into a business-oriented and management-driven innovation professional, with knowledge and insight in natural sciences as well as the business and social science of your specialisation. You’ll also have the chance to exchange results, experience, insights and knowledge with your fellow students. Plus, you’ll attend Master’s group meetings to improve your communication and teamwork skills, and to help build your network.

The start date of this programme is September 1^st.

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1st year

Which specialisation do you choose?

The Master SBI is a two years programme. All SBI Master students will take general courses in the business aspects of and science behind scientific innovations. Alongside these mandatory courses, students will take specific courses depending on the specialisation they choose.

The second year you finish your SBI project and Master Thesis.

Energy & Sustainability
Life & Health

Summary

The energy problem is one of the biggest challenges the world has to face in the 21^st century. Climate change, rapidly rising oil prices and political instability in oil-rich regions all mean we need to switch from fossil fuels to sustainable energy – and fast.

The Energy & Sustainability track focuses on innovations in the rapidly changing energy science sector – including the development and implementation of sustainable solutions. You’ll learn not only about the scientific aspects of renewable energy but also about the business side of implementing sustainable innovations in the energy sector.

In your first year, you’ll take courses that cover research methodology in SBI, biosolar cells or green chemistry, current sustainable energy technologies and organic photovoltaics. On the business side, you’ll cover the management of sustainable innovation, changes in organisational culture, and new ways of organising and working in businesses through digital innovation. Last but not least, you’ll carry out a science project as well as a group project on what a sustainable future might look like.

You can read more about the programme and course descriptions in the study guide.

Compulsory courses

SBI Project & Master Thesis
SBI Research Methodology
Changing Organizational Culture
Digital Innovation: New Ways of Organizing and Working
Management of Sustainable Innovation

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the study guide.

Summary

Huge steps have been made in medical and pharmaceutical sciences in the last 100 years. But still over 60% of all known diseases cannot be cured. Innovations in healthcare are therefore absolutely critical.

The Life & Health track focuses on drug development, molecular diagnostics and innovative medical equipment. As a graduate from this track, you’ll be trained to guide new drugs and technology from the laboratory to the market.

In your first year, you’ll take courses that cover research methodology in SBI, protein science, green chemistry, biomedical modelling and simulation, chemical biology, and the principles of pharmaceuticals. On the business side, you’ll cover the management of sustainable innovation, changes in organisational culture, new ways of organising and working in businesses through digital innovation, and value creation in the life science sector. Last but not least, you’ll carry out a science project as well as writing a review or giving a presentation on recent advances in the research of molecular disease based on protein structure.

You can read more about the programme and course descriptions in the study guide.

Compulsory courses

SBI Project & Master Thesis
SBI Research Methodology
Changing Organizational Culture
Digital Innovation: New Ways of Organizing and Working
Management of Sustainable Innovation

You can find the complete course overview for this year in the study guide.

Energy & Sustainability
Summary

The energy problem is one of the biggest challenges the world has to face in the 21^st century. Climate change, rapidly rising oil prices and political instability in oil-rich regions all mean we need to switch from fossil fuels to sustainable energy – and fast.
The Energy & Sustainability track focuses on innovations in the rapidly changing energy science sector – including the development and implementation of sustainable solutions. You’ll learn not only about the scientific aspects of renewable energy but also about the business side of implementing sustainable innovations in the energy sector.
In your first year, you’ll take courses that cover research methodology in SBI, biosolar cells or green chemistry, current sustainable energy technologies and organic photovoltaics. On the business side, you’ll cover the management of sustainable innovation, changes in organisational culture, and new ways of organising and working in businesses through digital innovation. Last but not least, you’ll carry out a science project as well as a group project on what a sustainable future might look like.
You can read more about the programme and course descriptions in the study guide.
Compulsory courses
- SBI Project & Master Thesis
- SBI Research Methodology
- Changing Organizational Culture
- Digital Innovation: New Ways of Organizing and Working
- Management of Sustainable Innovation
You can find the complete course overview for this year in the study guide.
Life & Health
Summary

Huge steps have been made in medical and pharmaceutical sciences in the last 100 years. But still over 60% of all known diseases cannot be cured. Innovations in healthcare are therefore absolutely critical.
The Life & Health track focuses on drug development, molecular diagnostics and innovative medical equipment. As a graduate from this track, you’ll be trained to guide new drugs and technology from the laboratory to the market.
In your first year, you’ll take courses that cover research methodology in SBI, protein science, green chemistry, biomedical modelling and simulation, chemical biology, and the principles of pharmaceuticals. On the business side, you’ll cover the management of sustainable innovation, changes in organisational culture, new ways of organising and working in businesses through digital innovation, and value creation in the life science sector. Last but not least, you’ll carry out a science project as well as writing a review or giving a presentation on recent advances in the research of molecular disease based on protein structure.
You can read more about the programme and course descriptions in the study guide.
Compulsory courses
- SBI Project & Master Thesis
- SBI Research Methodology
- Changing Organizational Culture
- Digital Innovation: New Ways of Organizing and Working
- Management of Sustainable Innovation
You can find the complete course overview for this year in the study guide.

The internship forms an important component of the SBI Master’s programme – preparing you for a career in either the energy science or the life science sector. Most students decide to do their internship at a private-sector company in Amsterdam. The university is conveniently located in the Zuidas, the financial and economic heart of the Netherlands, and is well connected to the rest of the country. But you can also opt to do your internship abroad.

The programme has an internship coordinator who maintains close contact with various innovative companies, and will support you in finding an interesting environment to do your internship.

Having graduated with a Master’s degree in SBI, you’ll be well-prepared to start work as an assistant R&D project manager, assistant business analyst, high-tech marketing trainee, or strategy consultant in the public or private sector.

The range of possibilities are as extensive as they are fascinating. You could join a venture capital company investing in innovative new concepts, a consultancy company for both governments and businesses, or the energy and pharmaceutical sector, where research and development are of crucial importance. The Master’s is also an excellent entry point for starting your own business.

Explore your future prospects

Science, Business and Innovation

Energy & Sustainability

Life & Health

Internships

Change your future with the Science, Business and Innovation programme

Change your future with the Science, Business and Innovation programme