Individual studies makes you stand out of the crowd

 

Excellent planning of his studies makes it possible for Jakub (BSc in Biology) to do an individual research project as a part of his MSc programme in Biology-Biotechnology. The secret is that he passed some of the obligatory MSc courses in the programme while being an exchange student at LIFE one year prior to the beginning of his MSc degree.

 

Ten years from now, you could have the opportunity to purchase a drug based on research done by Jakub right now. Every day, he is working on an individual research project at LIFE in which he is purifying and characterising proteins. Potentially, this research can by used by large international biotech companies for e.g. antibiotics.

 

“The way that I have planned my studies gives me time to do what I want to do, meaning working on my research project. In my opinion, you learn much more from learning by doing, including learning from your mistakes, than you do by only taking courses. It also prepares you for your future career”, Jakub says.

 

But having the opportunity to do your own research while being a student is not something Jakub takes for granted. He thinks it is a unique feature of LIFE that students are trusted to work on a confidential research project and use professionally equipped labs in the process without supervision.

 

Another great thing about his study plan is that he has the flexibility to take elective courses. Something which he enjoys more than taking obligatory courses as it makes it possible for him to study exactly what he finds is most interesting or relevant for his future career. In fact, Jakub believes that the combination of individual research and elective courses will give him a unique academic profile which will make him stand out the crowd upon graduation.

 

In touch with real life

Jakubs individual research project has great perspectives in terms of being applied in real life as the research is sponsored by a company. It would be brilliant for him as well, if he succeeds in getting his research for the MSc thesis next year sponsored, however, he knows it requires a lot of recommendation. But the applicable approach to education at LIFE and in the Biology-Biotechnology programme does make the likelihood of success bigger, Jakub thinks.

 

Doing an individual research project is most definitely preparing Jakub to go for a career as a researcher, but he has not yet decided whether he should apply for a PhD position or a position in a biotech company. No matter what the decision will be, Jakub would like to stay in Denmark if the right opening shows up.

 

International study environment

As Jakub is doing a lot of individual research in stead of taking courses, it is not as easy as when he was an exchange student at LIFE to socialise with fellow international or Danish students. He does, however, live with two international students in a flat in Copenhagen and he has a Danish girlfriend.

 

But the programme definitely offers an international perspective on the academic field of studies, there are international students in class and consequently Jakub feels that gaining international competences is integrated in the programme. And as an exchange student Jakub enjoyed the excellent welcome activities, social events and services that LIFE offers international students.