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This course sets out to create awareness of what science is or should be, with the aim of fostering broad scientific literacy. It also challenges you to explore your personal perspective on science. Over the course of nine Friday afternoon sessions, we will delve into the historical, philosophical, sociological, commercial, ethical, political, and personal dimensions of the biomedical sciences.

During each session one or two invited speakers will set the scene for a highly interactive session. At the end of every session, there will be drinks and an opportunity to ‘meet the speaker’. Grab this opportunity: these are experts in their field.

Time investment and extra study load in hours (homework)

Each session is planned from 15:15-18:00 and will be closed with drinks and snacks.

The topics for the first three sessions are confirmed. 

Session 1: Starting session
Session 2: What is science?
Session 3: What is responsible innovation in life sciences?
Sessions 4 - 8: will go deeper into the following topics: Open Science, recognition and rewards in academia, public engagement, industry and academia, health and disease, and more.
Session 9: Closing session

In addition to the scheduled sessions, you should take into account an extra study load of approximately 28 hours in total. This study load will be distributed over the course, covering individual preparation for sessions and group assignments.

Group size            

35 to 45 participants

Number of credits                                 

2.0 EC

Trainer

The course will be jointly coordinated by Marc van Mil and Judith Zandstra, who will actively participate in the sessions, facilitating interactions and discussions among speakers and participants.

Course certificate                                

You will receive a course certificate after actively participating in at least 7 out of 9 sessions. You are expected to be active as participant, which means that you prepare the topic and, even more important, that you take part in the general discussion.

Participants are expected to actively attend the full course, but at least 80%. Presence will be registered. It is mandatory to attend the first and last session. Participants who are absent the first session, cannot follow the remaining of the course. Preparation and active participation of participants is key to the quality of the course. One of the course coordinators will be present at every session and they will facilitate interactions and discussions among speakers and participants.

This course is free for GSLS PhD candidates. However: free of charge does not mean free of responsibility. Once you have signed up for a course, we expect you to attend. For every late cancellation or no-show we have had to disappoint others who would have liked to attend. This is our policy:

• You may cancel free of charge up to 4 weeks before the start of the course. After this date you can only cancel if you have a GSLS PhD candidate to replace you in the course. Send the name and contact information of your replacement to pcc@uu.nl, at least 2 working days before the start of the course;
• We expect that you actively attend the full course, but at least 80%. It is mandatory to attend the first and last session. If you are absent the first session you cannot follow the remaining of the course;
• Not meeting the above requirements means you will be charged a no-show fee (€ 150). We will send the invoice after the course has ended. We are unable to make any exceptions, unless you have a valid reason (i.e., illness or death in the family 1^st/2^nd degree or partner). Your supervisor has to send an e-mail to pcc@uu.nl indicating the reason.