Biomedical Sciences help us to better understand how the human body works. The insights and lessons learned can then be used in understanding, diagnosing, treating and preventing human diseases. Biomedical Sciences specifically translate knowledge from the natural sciences to medical applications. In this first course of the master program, students will be introduced to the diverse topics Biomedical Sciences deal with. The course will tackle the pathophysiology, diagnostic, therapy and current research of several diseases, with a focus on their biomedical challenges. Understanding of these fundamental principles is necessary to facilitate the development of diagnostics and therapies to better cope with the diseases.

The focus of this course lies with current biomedical challenges. Several diseases have been selected for this course, giving students ample opportunity to discuss a wide range of challenges to be tackled in unraveling the pathophysiology, diagnostic, therapy and current research of these diseases. The course is divided into 3 themes (mitochondrial disorders, neurological and mental disorders, metabolic disorders) and a Biomedical Project. The 3 themes will be addressed during lectures, PBL cases, journal clubs, workshops and practicals. For the Biomedical Project, students will choose a topic to work on during the course in a team of 3 to 4 students. The state-of-the-art biomedical knowledge and challenges will be presented for this topic. The Biomedical Project focuses on defining a single biomedical challenge, and will be presented during a symposium, as well as described in the project report. Finally, regular meetings with biomedical professionals and a site visit to the Chemelot campus will offer the students perspective on the employment and challenges in various biomedical fields. 

The course’s Intended Learning Goals (ILOs):

ILO1 Distinguish different mechanisms and factors behind molecular dysfunction in

a. Neuromuscular and mitochondrial disorders

b. Mental and neurodegenerative disorders

c. Metabolic disorders including obesity and diabetes mellitus

d. Disease of choice in the context of the group work

ILO2 For aforementioned disorders describe the current knowledge of

a. Etiology of disease including risk factors and lifestyle

b. Biomolecular basis of disease

c. Manifestation of the molecular dysfunction in the form of phenotype

d. Diagnostics (including molecular read-outs)

e. Innovative and personalized treatment options 

ILO3 Elucidate challenges in aforementioned aspects of disease 

ILO4 Work according to the scientific method

ILO5 Synthesize and present complex scientific information on state-of-the-art knowledge and challenges in biomedical field

ILO6 Explore future applications of biomedical knowledge