Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics Radboud University, Toernooiveld 1, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, +31 (0)24-3653391, postmaster@cmbi.ru.nl

The CM BI offers a master programme in bioinformatics. This is a one (60 ECTS) or two year (120 ECTS) course leading to the Master of Science degree in Bioinformatics.

The programme is available to students with a BSc degree in:

• Chemistry
• Biology
• Molecular Life Sciences
• Natural Sciences

• Biomedical Sciences
• Information technology
• Medicine
• Pharmacology

The master programme differs from any other way you can finish your studies at the KUN. You will spend two years at the CMBI doing bioinformatics research projects (for a total of 60 ECTS) with one or more of the senior CMBI bioinformaticists. During these two years you must also earn 60 ECTS (equivalent to following 42 weeks of theoretical classes). You will follow Bioinformatics Courses for approximately 30 ECTS. The other 30 ECTS will be filled in with courses which will be selected individually for each student to achieve an optimal overall spread of expertise. The bioinformatics study advisor will help you to select these classes from the first three years of the undergraduate courses in medicine, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics and informatics. The idea is that a student with a background in biology will, for example, follow some classes in chemistry, informatics and medicine; a student with a background in chemistry will, for example, follow classes in biology, mathematics and informatics. These are just examples. The actual package of theoretical classes will be individually selected for each student.

A master student can start on the first of any month, but starting during the summer vacation or in December is not encouraged. Starting at September 1-st is ideal.

Individuals with a bachelor degree as listed above, who have already obtained a master degree in any other field can obtain a second master degree in bioinformatics by following the shorter (one year, 60 ECTS) master programme. This one year programme consists of working with the CMBI staff on one of their research topics for one year. During this year the master student will not absorb 60 ECTS as listed above, but 30. Otherwise, the same rules apply as for the two year master training.

The same rules that apply to Dutch students apply to foreign students. Foreign students will have less options when selecting their courses because many courses will be presented in Dutch. The tuition fee is less than Euro 2.000,- per year. Total cost, including all study costs, housing, food, etc., is likely to stay below Euro 10.000,- per year. The CMBI does not give grants or other financial support. The KUN gives financial support only sporadically. The Dutch government has a few schemes for granting foreign students. As these schemes vary from country to country, you are requested to inquire at your own academic institute, or at the Dutch embassy in your country.
Foreign students are requested to FAX all official papers regarding their highest academic degree. Foreign degrees must be approved by a Dutch governmental agency.
It is difficult for a student to find a place to live in Nijmegen. It is even more difficult for a student who cannot easily come over for some days to search for a place. We therefore advise foreign students to start searching for housing many months in advance. This implies that bureaucratic things like, for example, getting a foreign degree approved in The Netherlands, should be done even further in advance.
The Dutch language is difficult for foreigners. Many good courses are available to learn Dutch, and these courses are not very expensive. Most Dutch people speak English sufficiently well to communicate with foreigners. Many (but not all) courses will be presented in English, or at least the books used will be English written. Students who peak neither Dutch, nor English, are discouraged from starting the master training at the CMBI.