Maastricht Science Programme

MSP
Maastricht Science Programme

Hustinx Mansion, home to MSP
Type Problem-Based Learning & Research-Based Learning
Established 2010
Dean Thomas Cleij
Location Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
Affiliations Maastricht University
Website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/education/bachelor/bachelor-maastricht-science-programme

Maastricht Science Programme (abbreviated as MSP) is an English language, internationally oriented, Liberal Arts & Sciences programme. Founded in 2010, it welcomed its first students in September 2011. The Maastricht Science Programme is unique in its kind. Students are free to design the programme of their choice by choosing courses from an extensive offer of natural science courses, combined with interdisciplinary courses. The Programme is part of Maastricht University (Dutch: Universiteit Maastricht) and offers an honours programme with a high workload for motivated students. Admission is twice a year, with the Introduction courses also running biannually.

History

The Maastricht Science Programme was founded in 2010, and received its first students in the academic year of 2011/12. The MSP is the second Liberal Arts and Sciences programme in Maastricht, working alongside its sister program University College Maastricht(UCM). Like UCM, the Maastricht Science Programme is part of the Faculty of Humanities and Sciences of Maastricht University. The MSP is one of the few science programmes in Maastricht that are not exclusively health-related.

Academics

Courses at the Maastricht Science Programme, are fully taught in English. After graduation from the MSP, students obtain an internationally recognized Bachelor of Science degree. The Programme is a Liberal Arts & Sciences programme which is defined by Encyclopædia Britannica Concise as a "college or university curriculum aimed at imparting general knowledge and developing general intellectual capacities, in contrast to a professional, vocational, or technical curriculum."[1]

Classes are small, with an emphasis on independent learning through a group process that is structured using Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Research-Based Learning (RBL). Research-Based Learning is a new educational method. Students participate in undergraduate research, guided by scientists and researchers.

Curriculum structure

At the Maastricht Science Programme (MSP) students are free to construct their own curriculum by choosing courses from a broad offer of natural science courses in the fields of:[2]

Courses are structured in a 100 to 300-level structure, indicating an increasing level of complexity and required previous knowledge. Per semester, students choose 4 courses (of 5 ECTS) In addition to courses, students are required to choose two skills trainings (of 2,5 ECTS). Thirdly, students are required to take one project (of 5 ECTS) per semester. A BSc at the MSP will comprise a total of 180 ECTS. Students subsequently enrol in a maximum of 30 ECTS per semester, or 60 ECTS for one academic year.

Students create their own curriculum, guided by their personal Academic Advisor, by choosing courses from the course catalogue.[2] The aim of creating a personal, unique curriculum is to provide students with the opportunity to develop their own academic preferences and talents and acquire all the expertise and skills that enable them to enter a high-quality Master programme.

Study Association

The MSP also has a study association (Aperture), which is dealing with better communication between the student body and the head of studies. Also, it is organizing monthly lectures, so called "Broaden your Aperture's" (BYAs) that provide insight into extracurricular topics, often held by lecturers coming from outside the MSP. In addition, the student clubs are organized through Aperture.

Internships

A good scientist does not merely have a lot of theoretical knowledge, but also has the skills necessary to acquire new knowledge and apply this knowledge. Using Research-Based Learning, skills trainings and projects, students gain hands-on experience in science. In addition, students are provided the opportunity to conduct an internship in industry or university (in the Netherlands or abroad) in their third year.

References

  1. ↑ "Liberal Arts: Encyclopædia Britannica Concise". Encyclopædia Britannica.
  2. 1 2 Course Catalog. Maastricht University.

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