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master s degrees in sciences and technology 2010­2011 thenetherlands 03 science&tech.indd 1 24-08-2009 15:44:01

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a word from the rector magnificus `master your talents thankyouforconsideringusforyour postgraduatestudies.weofferstudentsfrom allovertheworldhighqualityresearchand educationandprovideyouwiththeacademic skillsandknowledgeyouneedforyourfuture roleinsociety theuniversityofgroningen,foundedin 1614,isoneoftheolderuniversitiesin europeandhaseducatedmorethan200,000 graduatesinthelast400years.weareproud tosaythatwedevelopedintooneofthe leadingresearchuniversitiesintheworld weareevenmoreproudtosaythatduring alltheseyearsourtraditionofacademic excellencehasnotchanged weareaninternationalcentreofknowledge thathasmanagedtocreateanatmosphere thatenablesresearcherstodiscoverthings whichwouldotherwisehaveremained hiddentothem.weofferchallengingstudy andresearchpathsthatvaryinintensityto encourageyoutodevelopyourindividual talent studyingattheuniversityofgroningen willprovideyouwithatrulyinternational experience,whichwillbroadenyourhorizon theglobaloutlookweprovideyouwithwill giveyouacompetitiveadvantageinrealizing yourfuturecareerplans.allthistakesplacein thecityoftalent,groningen,acitywhere distancesaresmallandpossibilitiesendless ihopetobewelcomingyoutotheuniversity ofgroningensoon prof dr frans zwarts rector magnificus 03 science&tech.indd 2 24-08-2009 15:44:04

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the university of groningen the most welcoming university of the netherlands 400yearsofacademictraditionand innovation leadingresearchuniversity studyinaninternationalenvironment dedicatedtostudentinvolvement facts figures 26,500students 2,200internationalstudents 9faculties bachelor,masterandphdprogrammes 9graduateschools 83english-taughtdegreeprogrammes 10english-taughtdoubledegree programmes student facilities the groningen personal approach honourscollegeforexceptionaltalent studentsupportcourses talentandcareercenter excellentcomputerandonlinefacilities widevarietyofinternational studentorganizations limitlessaccesstotheuniversity sportscentre 03 science&tech.indd 3 24-08-2009 15:44:07

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groningen safe environment full of life thegroningencanals,portsandwarehouses takeyoubackto14thcenturyhanseatic times,whengroningenwasamemberof thisallianceoftradingguilds groningen city city of talent 180,000inhabitants bestinnercityofthenetherlands2005 best student city of the netherlands 2006 rankedaseuropeancitywiththehighest qualityoflifebyitsinhabitants2006 lively with a safe community character culturalandeconomiccapitalofthenorth groningen museum thegroningenmuseumisthemosthighprofilemuseuminthenetherlands,notonly duetoitsstrikingdesign,butalsobecause ofvariousexhibitions culture fun cinemasandtheatrescaterforallcultural tastes.matchingthegroningenwayoflife thesevenues,largeandsmall,canbefound scatteredthroughoutthecity arthousefilmsincinema`images concertsinthe`oosterpoort theatreatthehistoric`schouwburg livemusic,late-nightjazz,funkand blues-rockcafés musicfestivalslikenoorderzon,eurosonic noorderslagandswinginggroningen www.cityoftalent.nl www.groningen.nl 03 science&tech.indd 4 24-08-2009 15:44:15

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contents the university of groningen leading research university 2 international outlook 3 international student barometer 3 social and cultural university facilities sports facilities 42 student associations 42 cultural student centre usva 42 groningen student platform 42 teaching and research master s degree programmes 4 graduate schools 4 phd opportunities 5 educational system in the netherlands 5 diploma supplement 6 preparing for groningen admission and registration 43 visa and residence permit 43 health insurance 43 cost of living 43 tuition fees 43 scholarships 43 master s degrees in sciences and technology mathematics 10 applied mathematics 12 computing science 14 chemistry 16 chemical engineering 18 physics 20 applied physics 22 nanoscience 26 astronomy 28 biomedical engineering 30 energy and environmental sciences 32 industrial engineering and management 34 artificial intelligence 36 human-machine communication 38 accommodation a home away from home 44 groningen safe environment full of life 45 the netherlands small in size internationally oriented the dutch landscape 46 famous dutch 46 the netherlands in a nutshell 47 english-taught master s degree programmes 2009-2010 49 central university services and facilities international service desk 40 introduction and orientation 40 student advisors 40 language courses 40 student support courses 40 talent and career center 41 computer and online facilities 41 university library 41 disclaimer allinformationpublishedinthisbrochureissubjecttochange.nolegalrightsmaybederivedfromthisbrochure.whiletheuniversityofgroningenmakes everyendeavourtoensuretheaccuracyoftheinformationpresentedinthisbrochure,itcannotbeheldliableforanyerrorsorinaccuraciesyoumayfind theuniversityofgroningenisasignatoryofthe`codeofconductwithrespecttointernationalstudentsindutchhighereducation 03 science&tech.indd 5 24-08-2009 15:44:15

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the university of groningen founded in 1614 the university of groningen is one of the oldest universities in the netherlands and enjoys an international reputation as one of the leading research universities it is a university with a modern studentoriented vision on education theuniversityofgroningenhasalwaysbeenanoutstandingexample ofaninternationalcommunity.almost400yearsago,closetohalf thestudentsandlecturerscamefromoutsidethenetherlands.today closeto50%ofour1500phdstudentsareinternationalstudents althoughinternationallyoriented,theuniversitymaintainsstrongties withthecityofgroningenanditssurroundingregion leading research university passion and performance realizinganultimatedreamisthemainmotiveformanyscientists indoingtheirresearch.theuniversityofgroningenprovidesyouwith astudyenvironmentthatrewardsvision,qualityandachievement webelongtothetop3ofeuropeanresearchuniversitiesinthe fieldsof nanosciencenumber1ineurope/top10worldwide ecology/biology materialssciences chemistry astronomy otherstrongresearchgroupsaremolecular biology medical sciences neurosciences sociology philosophy theology archeology and arts humanities.allawardeddegreeshavebeenaccreditedbythedutch governmentandareinternationallyacknowledged famous scientists past and present fritszernike,nobelprizeforphysics1953 heikekamerlingh-onnes,nobelprizeforphysics1913 albertszent-györgyi,nobelprizeformedicine1937 ergedaan,awardforeminentscientistsofthejapansocietyfor s thepromotionofsciencejsps petrarudolf,descartesawardforherworkonsyntheticmolecular motorsandartificialnanomachines benferinga,spinozaawardforhisworkonnanotechnology the academiegebouw the heart of the university of groningen 2 03 science&tech.indd 6 24-08-2009 15:44:19

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international outlook involved with the world knowledgehasnobordersandknowsnoboundaries­itisuniversal byattractinggenuinetalent,irrespectiveofthecountryoforigin weensurethequalityofteachingandresearch.goingabroadforan internationalexperienceisnottheonlyoptionanymore­homecan beaninternationalenvironmentaswell.wemaintainlong-term partnershipswithuniversitiesaroundtheworldwithsimilarhigh standards,participateininternationalnetworksandincorporate internationalthemesinourprogrammes international student barometer since2007theuniversityofgroningentakespartintheinternational studentbarometer,aglobalsurveyofsatisfactionandwell-being amonginternationalstudents why students choose to study with us internationalreputation qualityofteachingandresearch reputationofgroningenasasafe,friendlyandrelativelycheapcity rated best in the netherlands officialwelcomingceremony socialactivitiesorganizedforinternationalstudents sportsfacilities highly valued internetaccess internationalservicedeskandfacultyinternationaloffices libraryandstudyfacilities dutch/groningenhostculture 9 faculties >arts>behaviouralandsocialsciences>economicsandbusiness >law>mathematicsandnaturalsciences>medicalsciences >philosophy>spatialsciences>theologyandreligiousstudies 9 graduate schools >humanities>lawggsl businessandeconomicssom >philosophy>behaviouralandsocialsciences>spatialscience >theologyandreligiousstudiesthrs medicalsciences>science international rankings esicitationsperpublication:position81ofthe200most productiveuniversitiesworldwide shanghaijiaotongrankingarwu sharedposition 101worldwide 35europe timeshighereducationsupplement:position144 che-excellenceranking:biologyandphysicsreceivedthe `excellencegroup ranking;chemistryandmathematics receivedthe`topgroup ranking strategic partners europe:uppsalauniversitysweden ghentuniversitybelgium universityofgöttingengermany asia:gadjahmadauniversity,universityofindonesia,bandung instituteoftechnologyindonesia universityofbeijing,tsinghua university,fudanuniversitychina osakauniversityjapan latinamerica:nationalautonomousuniversityofmexico­unam mexico universityofsãopaolo­uspbrazil northamerica:universityofcaliforniaatlosangeles­ucla universityofpennsylvaniausa famous graduates alettajacobs,thefirstfemalestudentinthenetherlands wimduisenberg,thefirstpresidentoftheeuropeancentralbank hanswijers,ceooftheboardofmanagementakzonobel jobcohen,mayorofamsterdam peterrehwinkel,mayorofgroningen severalmembersoftheroyalfamily groningen and europe 4erasmusmundusprogrammes leadinguniversityineurope-mexicoerasmusmundusexternal cooperationwindows memberofcoimbragroup bernoulliborg faculty of mathematics natural sciences 03 science&tech.indd 7 24-08-2009 15:44:20

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teaching and research the university of groningen is home to over 26,500 students who are welcomed to an inspiring and stimulating atmosphere with a degree from the university of groningen you can be confident that you have the required skills and theoretical background to pursue your future career master s degree programmes master your talents wetrainyoutobeascholarandascientist,whileinstillingthe professionalskillsenablingyoutofindworkoutsidetheresearch communityaswell.ourhighqualitymaster sprogrammesare groundedinresearch,givingyoutheopportunitytoshareinthe bestandlatestknowledge.theylastbetweenoneandtwoyears successfulcompletionofamaster sprogrammeisawardedwith amaster sdegreema,mscorllm graduate school master s programmes forthoseofyouwithresearchasaspecialfocalpoint,weoffer two-year`researchmaster and`topmaster programmes theyaredesignedtoattractthemostqualifiedstudentsandare incorporatedingraduateschools:anexcellentpreparationfor aphd,orforprofessionalandresearchcareers double degree joint programmes studyingattheuniversityofgroningendoesnotmeanyour experienceislimitedtothenetherlandsalone.theuniversityjoins forceswithstrategicinternationalpartneruniversitiesorpools resourcesinaconsortiumofeuropeanuniversities,enabling studentstostudyindifferentcountriesanddealwithdifferent systems,culturesandsocieties graduate schools a union of teaching and research thegraduateschoolsbringtogetherdistinguishedstaffmembers andtalentedstudentswhoshareacommoninterest.withthese schoolsweaimtoeasethetransitionbetweenthemaster sand phdlevels,givegraduatesstrongresearchskills,andcreatea supportingenvironmentwithexpertscholars.theschoolsoffer outstandingservices,activitiesandeventsthatenhancegraduate study.theinteractionbetweengraduateschools,researchinstitutes andfacultiesensuresaninterdisciplinaryapproachwhileprofiting fromawiderangeofexternalnetworks 03 science&tech.indd 8 24-08-2009 15:44:26

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phd opportunities admissiontoaphdprogrammeishighlyselectiveandbasedon academicmerit:thebestpreparationissuccessfulcompletionofone ofourgraduateschoolmaster sprogrammes.inthefour-yearphd programmes,youconductyourownresearchwhilethegraduate schoolprovidesabalancedmixofexpertsupervision,tailor-made postgraduatetrainingandthefreedomtopursueyourownideas educational system in the netherlands teaching style knowledgeisconsideredquantifiableandthusmeasurable.study programmesarecarefullydefinedandhighlystructuredandyouare expectedtocontributeactivelyandworkindependently.theteachingstaffistheretoassembleandstructurethetruthsandfactsthat makeupthebodyofknowledge.youmustmakesurethatyouabsorb knowledge,filterit,andmakeityourown ground-breakinglearningsystem:thenetherlandshasreceived internationalacclaimforitsproblem-basedlearningsystem,training studentstoworkindependentlythroughemphasisonself-studyand self-discipline student-centred:itprovidesyouwiththeattentionandfreedom youneedtodevelopyourownopinionsandcreativityinapplying youracquiredknowledge teamwork:alargepartofallprogrammesisdedicatedto writingpapers,analysingandsolvingproblemsingroups,acquiring workexperiencethroughinternshipsandconductingexperiments inlaboratories source of information nuffic teaching methods mostofyourcourseswillhaveamixtureoftwoormoreofthebelow mentionedteachingmethods lecture:largegroupofstudents,listeningtoaprofessor,less interactionbetweenteacherandstudent seminar:smallgroup,alotofinteractionbetweenprofessorand student,youareexpectedtoparticipateactively work/projectgroup:agroupof3-5studentsconductingtheir ownresearch,youhavetocontributetotheprojectactively guidancefromtheprofessorwhenneeded independentstudy:youareexpectedtoconductaresearchproject independently,guidancefromtheprofessorwhenneeded study support studyinginadifferentcountrycanbequiteanoverwhelming experienceattimes,everythingisdifferentandyourfriendsand familyarefaraway.toguideandhelpyouthroughyourstudiesas smoothlyaspossibletheuniversityofgroningenoffersstudents severalsupportfacilities.moreinformationonstudysupport facilities:page41 dutch higher education values >independence >individualopinions >teamwork 03 science&tech.indd 9 24-08-2009 15:44:31

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binary system of higher education thenetherlandshastwotypesofuniversities.universitiesofapplied scienceshogescholenareprimarilycareer-orientedandprepare studentsforparticularprofessions.theuniversityofgroningenisa researchuniversityuniversiteit withresearchasitsmainfocalpoint universities research-oriented phd:4years master sdegree:ma/msc/llm:1­2years bachelor sdegree:ba/bsc/llb:3years universities of applied sciences career-oriented phd:notapplicable master sdegree:m:1­2years bachelor sdegree:b:4years ects and grading ectsisaneustandardizedsystemformeasuringstudyloadasaway tofacilitateinternationalmobility 1ects 28hoursofstudyincl.contacthours,reading,exam preparation,etc 60ects oneyear theminimumnumberofectscreditsneededtoobtainamaster s degreeisusually60inthefieldsofthehumanities,economics socialsciencesandlaw 120ectscreditsarerequiredforsome programmesmainlyinthefieldofnaturalsciences whereasother programmesvaryfrom180medicalsciencesto240ectscredits thedutchgradingscalerunsfrom1lowestgradeto10highest grade asanindication,5.5isapassinggrade.grades9,10andall gradeslowerthan3arehighlyexceptional accreditation and quality assurance highereducationinthenetherlandsenjoysaworldwidereputation foritshighquality.thisisachievedthroughanationalsystemoflegal regulationandqualitycontrol.theministryofeducation,cultureand scienceisresponsibleforlegislationpertainingtoeducation.asof 2002,theresponsibilitiesforqualityassurancehavebeenallocated tothenetherlandsaccreditationorganizationnvao alldegree programmesofferedbyuniversitiesanduniversitiesofapplied sciencesareevaluatedaccordingtoestablishedcriteria.only accreditedprogrammeswillbeeligibleforgovernmentfunding thissystemofqualitycontrolandaccreditationguaranteesthat theeducationofferedatalldutchuniversitiesmeetsthesamehigh standards diploma supplement theuniversityofgroningenissuesadiplomasupplementtoevery studentupongraduation.itisdesignedtoprovideadescriptionof thenature,level,context,contentandstatusofthecoursesthatwere followedandsuccessfullycompletedbythestudent.itisfreefrom anyvaluejudgements,equivalencestatementsorsuggestionsabout recognition.thepurposeofthesupplementistoprovidesufficient independentdatatoimproveinternational`transparency andfair academicandprofessionalrecognitionofqualifications theuniversityofgroningenistheonlydutchhighereducation institutiontohaveaectslabelandadiplomasupplementlabel awardedandrecognizedbytheeuropeancommission,councilof europeandunesco/cepes 6 03 science&tech.indd 10 24-08-2009 15:44:39

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the programme is very broad my name is alina veligura i first studied physics in kiev ukraine since september 2006 i have been a student of the top master s programme in nanoscience i decided to study nanoscience because i believe nanoscience is a very challenging and `hot topic it really is the future of physics i was attracted by the integration of chemistry and physics in the programme the design of the modules seemed very promising also i had some friends in holland already the programme is very broad it really gives you an overview of the relevant parts of chemistry and physics on the other hand i sometimes wish we had more time to go into even more depth i guess that will have to wait until my phd programme another strong point is that it really feels like a family the lecturers treat you as colleagues rather than as students and we students form a close-knit community what also makes the programme attractive is that it is nice to have so many foreign lecturers in the programme as role models if i could do it all over again i would definitely select nanoscience again and i would also come to groningen again alina veligura student of the top master s programme in nanoscience 7 03 science&tech.indd 11 24-08-2009 15:44:42

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everything is arranged and i like being here i chose chemical engineering in groningen because of the good relationship with my home university itb in bandung indonesia there is a lot of cooperation in research projects like the development of biodiesel from different plants i am now doing my research project and am working on a new process to gain biodiesel from sterculia oil a special plant which grows in indonesia this biodiesel can be used as an additive for biodiesel from rapeseed oil to enhance the quality when i started here i had a few problems upon arrival like registration and very late contact with the housing office but the student organization for indonesian students ppig helped me a lot new students should always contact them for help everything is arranged now and i like being here i live in an international student house and meet students from all over the world sometimes that is a little bit weird because of the different cultures and languages but the people are very nice and tolerant and not racist towards muslims there are several muslims in our department and we pray together during the day most of the time we can use one of the offices but when all the doors are closed we have to leave the building to go to the mosque after i graduate i want to work in a company in indonesia to develop biodiesel for my own country but if there is a phd position available then i will do that first siti mae maemunah student of the master s programme in chemical engineering 8 03 science&tech.indd 12 24-08-2009 15:44:46

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master s degrees in sciences and technology 2010­2011 thetuitionfeesfor2010­2011forthefacultyofmathematicsand naturalsciences appr.eur1,620foreustudents appr.eur9,500fornon-eustudents inthetopleftcornerofthepageswherethemaster sprogrammesare describedyoucanfindacolouredindicationofthetypeofmaster s programme rm=researchmasterpartofoneofourgraduateschools tm=topmasterpartofoneofourgraduateschools em=erasmusmundusthehighlyesteemederasmusmundusstatus dd=doubledegree j=jointprogramme 9 9 03 science&tech.indd 13 24-08-2009 15:44:47

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t dd jw mathematics key facts startprogramme:1september2010 1february2011 duration:24months language:english degree:masterofsciencemsc inthesecondyear,youwillconductalargeresearchprojecthastobe carriedout.thisprojectwillbesupervisedbyoneofthemathematics professors,andwillbeaboutatopicinthefieldofalgebraand geometry,dynamicalsystemsandanalysis,andstatisticsand probabilitytheory.attheendoftheresearchproject,youwillhaveto presentyourresultsinacolloquiumaswellasinawrittenreport thenumberofstudentsenrolledinthemaster sprogrammein mathematicsingroningenisrelativelysmall.thisresultsinsmall classesandinformalcontactsbetweenstudentsandstaffmembers consequently,youcanbenefitgreatlyfromtheknowledgeand researchcontactsofthestaffmemberswhenworkingonyourresearch project field of research inthesecondyearofthemaster sprogrammeinmathematics youwillconductalargeresearchproject.thisresearchprojectgives youtheopportunitytospecializefurtherinoneofthefollowing selectedareas:algebra,andgeometry,dynamicalsystemsandanalysis andstatisticsandprobabilitytheory.duringyourresearchprojectyou willbesupervisedbystaffmemberswhoareexpertsinoneofthese areas.theresearchprojectcanbetakenintheformofaninternship intheresearchdivisionofacompanyaswell career prospects amaster sdegreeinmathematicsopensupmanyjobopportunities duringthemaster sprogramme,youwilllearntothinkinalogical systematicandproblem-orientedway.thesequalitiesarehighly appreciatedbyemployers ifyouwanttoworkinacompanyyoucanfindemploymentat,for instance,banks,insurancecompanies,theconsultancybranchand researchanddevelopmentdepartmentsofcompanieslikephilips tno,gasunie,ericssonandlogicacmg youcanstartascientificcareerasaphdstudentatauniversity.this meansworkingforfouryearsonaresearchprojectandwritinga thesis.aftersuccessfullydefendingthisthesis,youwillbeawardeda phddegree.afterwardsyoucancontinueyourcareeratauniversityor startacareerinacompany how does a bank check whether your digital signature is a valid one do the planets move in stable orbits or will they eventually collide how can within the three-dimensional figures a 3d-sphere be characterized the mathematics behind these questions is dealt with in the master s degree programme in mathematics general information theobjectiveofthemaster sdegreeinmathematicsistoteachyou themathematicalknowledge,skillsandattitudeneededtopursuea professionalresearchcareer.youwillgainspecializedmathematical knowledgeinselectedareassuchasalgebraandgeometry,dynamical systemsandanalysis,andstatisticsprobabilitytheory furthermore,youwilllearnhowtosolveaproblembyusing abstractionandmodelling,tofindscientificliteratureonthesubject andtodeterminewhethertheproblemcanbesolvedbyusingexisting mathematicaltheoryorwhethernewtheoryshouldbedeveloped finally,youwilllearnhowtopresentmathematicalresultsinwritten andoralform,forbothspecializedandgeneralaudiences programme content thetotaldurationoftheprogrammeis2years inthefirstyearofthemaster sprogramme,youwilltakespecialized coursesinmathematics.examplesofsuchcoursesincludeadvanced differentialequations,hamiltonianmechanics,algebraicnumbertheory ellipticcurves,stochasticprocesses,measuretheoreticprobability functionalanalysisandriemannsurfaces.someofthesecourses aregivenaspartofthenationaldutchmaster sprogramme.this programmeprovidescoursesforallmathematicsstudentswithinthe netherlandsandtakesplaceatvariouscitiesinthenetherlands 0 03 science&tech.indd 14 24-08-2009 15:44:47

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faculty of mathematics and natural sciences admission requirements requirementsforadmissiontothemaster sprogrammein mathematicsinclude abachelor sdegreeinmathematicsorappliedmathematics theadmissionboardwilldecidewetheryoucanbeadmittedtothe master sprogramme.theboardcandecidethatyouhavetotake somebachelor scoursesinmathematicsbeforebeingadmittedto themaster sprogramme sufficientenglishproficiencyisrequired.languagerequirements includeanieltstestscoreof6.5oratoefltestscoreof580 paper-based 237computer-basedor92internet-based,ibt application youcanapplyonline,pleasegoto:www.rug.nl/howtoapply ifyouwishtostarttheprogrammeon1september2010 applicationdeadlineeustudents:1june2010 applicationdeadlinenon-eustudents:15april2010 ifyouwishtostarttheprogrammeon1february2011 applicationdeadlineeustudents:1december2010 applicationdeadlinenon-eustudents:15october2010 further information www.rug.nl/fwn/mscmath contact details forapplication admissions@rug.nl programmecoordinator msg.tiesinga,phd t+31503633989 g.tiesinga@rug.nl 03 science&tech.indd 15 24-08-2009 15:44:48

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