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Academics

Field of Study: Science

Deepen your knowledge of genetics, clinical nutrition, or molecular biology, gain insight into contemporary European health issues, and discuss medical case studies. In courses similar to a graduate seminar, you’ll collaborate in student groups to analyze real-world problems, set learning goals, and conduct research. Weekly lectures explain the subjects and expand on literature.

Unique study opportunities

  • Understand contemporary health challenges on a national and global level.
  • Develop your own independent research project under the supervision of an instructor.
  • Take a field trip to Bruges, a European capital of decadence and an UNESCO World Heritage City.
  • Attend a workshop on the design of randomized clinical trials.

Language

Language of Instruction: English

Dutch Language Study: None

All instruction is in English. Dutch language study is not available on this program.

Courses and credit

Requirements While Abroad

To successfully complete this program:

  • Take a full-time course of study:
    • Four courses for a total of 24 quarter/16 semester units.
  • You can take one course for pass/no pass.
  • All courses on this program are upper division.


Current Program Courses

The fall semester is split into two blocks. You will enroll in two courses per block. Select one Core Course and one Additional Course per block. 

Block 1 core courses:

  • European Public Health in a Globalizing World – introducing policy, research and practice
  • Roaring Twenties, Nazi Terrors, and the Cold War

Additional courses:

  • Demography and Epidemiology of Ageing, and Migration in the EU
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics 
  • Genetics and Evolution
  • Endocrinology
  • Neuroscience of Action
  • Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health
  • General Zoology
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Health, Health Determinants, and the European Union

Block 2 core courses:

  • Medical Ethics – Moral health care dilemmas from a European and Comparative Perspective
  • Dutch Art History
  • Social Psychology and Health

Additional courses:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Functional Neuroanatomy
  • Advances in Biomedical Sciences
  • Metabolism, Nutrition and Exercise
  • Cognitive Neuroscience -from Sensation to Perception
  • Systems Biology
  • Great Transformations in Vertebrate Evolution
  • Tropical Ecology
  • Biobased Materials and Technology

You also have the option to take a Dutch language course in addition to your required four courses. If 
you take Dutch language for one period, you will earn 1.5 quarter/1 semester units. If you take Dutch 
language for both periods, you will earn 3 quarter/2 semester units. 

Catalogs and resources

  • Fall semester course descriptions: Review course descriptions, objectives, prerequisites, and readings.
  • UCEAP Course Catalog: See a list of courses students have taken on this program. This is not a current representation of course offerings on this program. Reference the above links to review recent course offerings. 
  • Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location. There are currently no listings for this program in the database.

Academic culture

The courses at Maastricht are interdisciplinary and follow a non-traditional lecture format. Using a distinctive problem-based learning (PBL) methodology, you’ll work in small groups of 10–12 students on projects that combine theory and practice. It is an exciting learning style on par with graduate seminar work at UC. You’ll be able to set your own learning objectives based on your background, education, and work experience. In addition to taking personal initiative, you’ll add to your skills and experience in collaborative project management.

The core of PBL is the tutorial that meets for two hours twice a week. You will analyze problems from the Block Book, which provides you with tasks, study material, and learning goals. The group will then disperse, and you can work to reach these goals individually or with others. Study hours each week are intensive. In each tutorial meeting, you will discuss the results of your study activities and actively participate in group discussions. A tutor, usually a lecturer or a senior student, also attends the meetings and serves as a subject expert. The tutor may guide the discussion whenever it is needed.

You will find that the final exams for Maastricht courses emphasize the entire reading list provided in the Block Book for each course. Many exams test your understanding of complicated theories and models covered only in that reading and not in group projects or discussions.

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework. Grades for the fall semester are typically available by late February.