Netherlands

This course covers the basics of food technology: the chemistry, physics, microbiology, and process engineering of food. The course is designed for students with no or little prior knowledge of chemistry, physics, and biology. The course begins with a case study on an existing food product, studying all elements of the food label (ingredients, nutritional value, rules, and regulations) and finding out the production process of this product. Lectures cover the production processes including theories on chemical, microbial, physical, and process engineering.  Exercises are worked out to illustrate the theory. Processes reviewed include beer brewing, the production of chocolate, dairy production, sugar refinery, and the production of ingredients. The course also reviews the quality of foods as a function of the treatments and conditions, for example during shipment, pasteurization/sterilization, and storage.

This course demonstrates that psychology is a science that encompasses the collaborative efforts of scientists from many different disciplines. Psychology is the study of behavior and mental processes, and as psychologists, we aim to describe, understand, predict, and sometimes change behavior.  This course considers different approaches to understanding the human mind, the brain, and behavior.  Scientific methods of psychological research are introduced by addressing some of the main questions that drive contemporary psychology: How do we experience fear or happiness? How do we (think we) see the world around us? How do we learn, remember, and forget things? Where should we draw the line between normal and abnormal behavior? How social are humans? When do people harm or help others?

This course encourages students to consider if, when, and how ethical considerations can or must play a role in the practice of the medical profession. Students are schooled in philosophical techniques that form the basis of sound ethical reasoning, become aware that the health sciences do not operate in a moral or philosophical vacuum, and that a good knowledge of both the older and recent ethical and philosophical debates is of the greatest significance. There are philosophical lectures, ethical discussions, and the study of practical cases that reflect the most important problems and topics that make up the moral and philosophical challenges of the medical discipline of today. Topics addressed include euthanasia, embryo research, HIV and Aids, imperiled newborns, gene therapy and cloning, involuntary psychiatric treatment, and allocation of limited medical resources.

This course deals with fundamental as well as applied aspects of insects and focuses on major themes in modern insect biology. Students choose their own trajectory to develop essential knowledge on (1) biological phenomena for which insects are good model systems or on (2) novel methods to apply fundamental knowledge to the management of insects in natural or agricultural environments, temperate zones, or in the tropics. The major aspects covered in this course include chemical and molecular ecology, behavioral and population ecology, functional biodiversity and agroecology, insect reproduction, and pollination ecology along with its application in crop protection, protection of human health, vector control, nature conservation, and insects as food and feed. Two topics are selected for essays written under the supervision of the Laboratory of Entomology.

This beginning Dutch language course covers both Dutch language and culture. The language part of the course helps to develop the basic skills and strategies necessary to successfully handle uncomplicated oral and written communication skills. These may occur in a variety of social situations one could encounter in daily life in the Netherlands. The main purpose of the culture and society part of the classes is to provide a basic understanding of present-day Dutch society and culture. Attention is given to various issues pertaining to Dutch culture and society today. Through culture presentations covering the culture of the Netherlands and the Dutch given by the students themselves and group discussions, students learn to understand mainly the inside perspective, in other words the Dutch way of approaching and discussing cultural and society issues. After completing this course students are able to orally communicate and understand uncomplicated speech about various topics beyond the most immediate needs; engage in basic conversation about a variety of topics such as personal history, personal experiences, study, and university life; and participate in simple conversations. After completing this course students are able to communicate and read written communication in simple texts in various general domains; and write in an uncomplicated form on a variety of familiar topics, personal topics, general events, and concrete descriptions.