Science and technology have a profound influence on society, but the reverse is also true: society significantly shapes the ways in which science and technology evolve. However, experience shows that scientists on the one hand and the general public, government and businesses on the other aren’t always able to clearly understand one another. That is why experts with a background in science and an understanding of social processes are indispensable. This specialisation will equip you with the knowledge, tools and skills to be a professional intermediary between science and society whilst getting a broader societal perspective.
Master's in Science in Society: something for you? You will...
Deepen your scientific knowledge from a social science perspective
Connect scientific knowledge with divergent perspectives and interests of various stakeholders
Work with students from various disciplines and backgrounds
Research complex real-world issues.
What will you learn?
This specialisation will teach you the skills and knowledge you’ll need to build a bridge between scientific expertise and societal practices. The issues you’ll deal with in the future will be connected to your own scientific background. Therefore, you’ll become a biologist, chemist, mathematician, etc. that can reflect on the implications of scientific results and can give advice on how to turn this knowledge into practical use for policymaking or communication purposes. This reflection will not just be scientific; you’ll also learn how to detect the philosophical, political and ethical side of scientific developments. You’ll make scientists familiar with social perceptions as much as you’ll be advising governments and businesses or informing the general public on scientific matters.
Career prospects
Master’s specialisation in Science in Society
The societal specialisation Science in Society equips you with the tools and skills to become a professional intermediary between science and society whilst providing you with a broader societal perspective that will be useful in a scientific career.
Master’s students who complete this specialisation develop careers in various fields:
Expected September 2024
Radboud University
Houtlaan 4,
NIJMEGEN,
Gelderland,
6525 XZ, Netherlands
A completed Bachelor's degree in Computing Science or related area.
In order to get admission to the Master’s in Computing Science, you'll need a completed Bachelor’s degree in Computing Sciences or a related discipline, such as Artificial Intelligence and Mathematics. An international degree has to be equivalent to a Dutch university diploma.
A proficiency in English
In order to take part in the programme, you need to have fluency in English, both written and spoken. Non-native speakers of English* without a Dutch Bachelor's degree or VWO diploma need one of the following:
TOEFL iBT: ≥ 90 + subscores ≥ 22;
IELTS Academic: ≥ 6,5 overall + subscores ≥ 6,0 + writing subscore ≥ 6,5;
Cambridge certificate C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: C or higher.
Application Deadline: Non-EU/EEA students - 1 April; EU/EEA students - 1 May (recommended deadline for assistance with finding housing) and 1 July (final application deadline).
Students must have passed (preliminary) examinations containing the following subject matter:
Variety of these mathematical courses, at least 12 EC: Calculus, Linear algebra, Logic, Discrete mathematics, Combinatorics, Probability and Statistics, Information theory, Graph theory, Number theory;
Variety of programming courses, at least 12 EC or equivalent: Courses on programming paradigms and Algorithms and data structures;
Variety of other Computing science or computer engineering courses, at least 12 EC or equivalent: Courses in the domains of Security, Computer networks, Computer hardware and/or electronics, Data science, Theoretical computer science, or similar.
