Course Objective

The internship is a compulsory part of the Master’s programme and
involves many different aspects, such as theoretical preparation,
practical execution, literature survey, report writing, oral
presentation, and participation in the scientific activities of a
research department.

The internship should be related to Immunology.

At the end of the internship a scientific report of the work has to be
written as well as an oral presentation given.

For more (detailed) information, please see the placement manual
Biomedical Sciences

Course Content

The internship is a compulsory part of the Masters’ programme in
Biomedical Sciences.
The internship has to be preceded by a research proposal. During the
internship, you collect your data and you do the final analysis.
Finally, you present your findings both orally and in a report.

Internships can be done at various locations, but should be part of an
academic or research institute. Projects at academic or research
institutes outside the Netherlands are also accepted, provided that they
are
of sufficient academic quality and adequate on-site supervision is
guaranteed. In all cases: make sure you work on research
related to your specialization and that you will be able to collect
sufficient reliable data to eventually write a scientific report. Purely
observational or inventory projects are not accepted.

Teaching Methods

Research project, under supervision of VU-staff.

Method of Assessment

Within six weeks after the start of the internship a Go/No Go evaluation
is made by the VU supervisor. The aim of this interim evaluation is to
decide whether the project and the student both have enough potential to
continue (Go) or not (No Go). This evaluation is based on:
• Written material by the student, including a final research proposal
and either the Introduction or Methods section of the report or both.
• Attitude of the student and execution of the project during the
initial stage.

The final assessment of the internship is undertaken by the VU-
supervisor and the second assessor.
In the final assessment, the VU supervisor assesses four different
aspects of the internship:
• the attitude of the student
• the execution of the research
• the final report
• the oral presentation
The second assessor provides an assessment of the final report only.

The final report counts for 40% of the final grade, the oral
presentation for 20% and the execution of the research also for 40%.
Only if marks for each item given by the VU-supervisor and the second
assessor are 6 or higher and the attitude is ‘sufficient' or 'good', the
internship is
regarded as sufficient. The final grade is calculated from the marks
given by both assessors and, together with other administrative details,
is summarized in the final assessment form, done by the master's
coordinator.

Entry Requirements

The student is enrolled in the Master’s programme Biomedical Sciences of
which the internship is part.
The student attended the courses:
AM_470656, Advanced Molecular Immunology and Cell Biology
AM_1031, 6EC, Immunity and Disease
AM_470655, 6EC, Clinical Immunology
And the student has acquired 12EC of the following courses:
AM_470656, 6EC, Advanced Molecular Immunology and Cell Biology
AM_1031, 6EC, Immunity and Disease
AM_470655, 6EC, Clinical Immunology
AM_470657, 6EC, Molecular Infection Biology

The second internship can only start after the first internship has been
fully completed.

Target Audience

MSc Biomedical Sciences students, specialization Immunology

Additional Information

The Placement Manual is based upon the 'Student Placement (Internship)
and Research Project Regulations' of the Faculty of Science (FS).
Detailed information can be found in the Placement
manual Biomedical Sciences and in the Teaching and
Examination Regulations (TER).

Duration of the internship is 5 months (30 EC) and may, under certain
circumstances, be extended to 33 or 36 EC (see TER and/or Placement
manual).

It is not allowed for your literature thesis and internships to take
place on the same or on a highly similar subject or with same
supervision.

Custom Course Registration

Every research project has to be approved by the masters’ coordinator in advance (on behalf of the examination board). The Placement Manual describes the process of completing the internship from the beginning (the admission) through the actual execution with its supervision to the final stage (assessment and grading) in consecutive order. The various stages of the process will be supported by forms which are supplied in the appendices or in links.