Nature of Life meetings (3 ECTS)
Structure of the course
The total course consists of 10 Nature of Life meetings. Each meeting includes three components:
1. Reading of literature.
Articles should be thoroughly studied in preparation for the tutorials. Papers are announced on the NoL website. We shall usually select two or three papers from the ones supplied by the speaker for the tutorials, but you are encouraged to read additional ones. Try not only to read the papers but also reflect upon several questions such as:
- What is the theoretical background of the study
- What do you know about those theories already, how does it connect with different courses you followed
- What is the main research question
- Is the experimental methodology suitable, do you understand the methodology
- What are strengths and weaknesses of the research
- Do you agree with the main conclusion of the article
- How do the papers relate to each other
These are all important questions to consider in preparation for the discussion of those articles during the tutorials. Try to think also of at least one discussion point per paper to bring up during the tutorials. Expect to spend on average 4 to 5 hours on reading and preparation for the tutorials.
2. Tutorials
During the tutorials you will discuss the papers with one staff member of the IEW, who has expertise on the subject. The discussion will center around the questions described above but also discussion points brought in by students or staff will be addressed. Your active participation is required during the tutorials and your input during the tutorials (in combination with mandatory presence during the NoL meetings) is what will determine your grade for the course. The tutorials should take about 1- 1.5 hours (usually the Monday before the lecture at 15.00 h).
3. Nature of Life meeting
Every 2nd Tuesday of the month a guest speaker will present his/her research at the NoL meeting. You can check the NoL website (www.falw.vu.nl/iew/natureoflife, link at bottom of page) for the abstract and details about the speaker. Your presence at the meetings is mandatory if you want the accompanying tutorial to count. During the discussion you are encouraged to ask the speaker questions (possibly the ones that have emerged in the tutorials!)
The meetings take about one hour (45 min lecture + 15 min discussion) and there will be drinks afterwards.
Course schedule
Obviously the schedule of this course is a little different from the other MSc.-courses due to the monthly frequency of the Nature of Life meetings. NoL- meetings take place year-round every 2nd Tuesday of the month (usually at 15.45 h in C147), except for July and August. Participation at 10 meetings is mandatory to complete the course, so this can be achieved in one year, or spread out over the two years of your Master.
Assesment
Grades for the course will be based on your participation, insight and contribution to the discussion during tutorials and meetings.
Please encourage others, inside or outside the VU, to join the Nature of Life meetings. It is a rather new and so far successful initiative, which should reach as many people as possible! The list of upcoming speakers includes many national and international stars.
Upcoming speakers
