We offer several Science and Research Based Business Courses. All courses can be followed as electives, whether you are following the SBB Specialization or not.

Master Courses

Business Research Methods (5 EC)

Business Research is a field of practical study which aims to find the truth for business phenomena and tackles real-life business problems through gathering data and applying different scientific methods. The Business Research Methods course focuses on analysing and solving issues in a systematic way. Students learn to use different research methods to answer questions such as: how do entrepreneurs make decisions about whether or not to enter a particular business or to refine a business idea? How do established businesses determine whether they can succeed in a new geographic region? How do they assess competitors or select a marketing approach for a product? Furthermore, students will learn hows customers interact and how they respond to certain products or services. First, the course will focus on the different parts of research process and then on the appropriateness of specific research methods. A variety of research methods which are considered in this course are case studies, surveys, interviews and focus groups.
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Strategy (5 EC)

This course focuses on a critical managerial challenge; how to deal with competition and cultivate a sustainable competitive advantage in the marketplace. Through lectures, case study seminars, readings, and group assignments, students learn about foundational theories and frameworks from the strategic management literature. Students learn to use these theories and frameworks to answer questions such as: why are some firms more successful than other firms in a specific industry? How do I assess the competitive advantage a firm has over other firms in a market? How can managers harness industry dynamics to strengthen a firm’s competitive advantage? What is the role of organisational design in a firm’s competitive advantage? And what are the challenges associated with capitalising on intellectual assets (as opposed to physical assets)? The emphasis of the course is on industrial sectors that intersect with research agendas of Leiden’s Faculty of Science and LUMC, such as the life sciences, ICT, high-tech electronics, and instrumentation sectors.
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Marketing (SBB) (3 EC)

This course focuses on crucial issues and developments that define the field of strategic marketing as it is today. The word “strategic” refers both to the essentiality of marketing to an organisation’s revenue model and to our particular focus on how decision-makers in the field of marketing make the choices that they do, when operating under limited information and with uncertain outcomes. Attention is given to changes made possible by the revolution in ICT that began several decades ago, which are continuing to reshape and redefine the role of marketing and how it is done. The job of marketing manager has changed so much over the past several years that it is a simple truism to state that a CV that was valid at the beginning of the millennium is no longer relevant today.
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Financial Management (3 EC)

Financial Management is an introductory course integrating concepts of corporate finance with investments and the money/capital markets. Topics include the role of money in the economy; the time value of money; financial analysis and planning; security valuation and capital market theory, capital budgeting; short- and long-term financing; and working capital management. Value maximization and risk/return trade-offs in financial decision making are employed as integrative concepts throughout the course. The idea is to make exercises in advance - in groups -, in order to reinforce participants’ knowledge and understanding. Moreover case studies will be used that are discussed in class. To enliven the classes and to make the link with actual business, the lecturer and invited guest speakers will share personal practical experiences.
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Technology & Operations Management (4 EC)

What are the critical challenges in organising a firm’s operational activities and processes? And how can firms use technology to gain an operational edge? This course helps students understand the complex systems and processes underlying the development and manufacture of products and the design and delivery of services.
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New Technology Ventures (NTV1): Entrepreneurial Opportunities (5 EC)

Every business, small dedicated company and big multinational alike, once upon a time was established because their founders saw a business opportunity, or to be more precise: an entrepreneurial business opportunity. Entrepreneurial here indicates that a new firm may have a good chance, and perhaps even a better chance than established companies, of successfully exploiting the opportunity.

Understanding how to recognize and evaluate entrepreneurial business opportunities based on developments in science and technology constitutes the core of this course.
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New Technology Ventures (NTV2): The Entrepreneurial Process (5 EC)

In the course New Technology Ventures (NTV2):The Entrepreneurial Process students will explore the process of growing new ventures (companies) based on developments in science & technology. Core of the course is studying and discussing a number of business cases covering the entrepreneurial process from various angles. In addition, in In-Class Interviews, guest entrepreneurs from the BioScience Park will share their experiences with starting and growing research-based business.
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New Technology Ventures (NTV3): Business Planning (5 EC)

In the course New Technology Ventures (NTV3): Business Planning you will be part of a team that develops a business plan for starting a new research-based company. While doing this, studying a guide and papers on business planning will enhance your understanding of the entrepreneurial process you are experiencing. Next to plenary course sessions, teams will have individual feedback and coaching sessions which involve experienced entrepreneurs.
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Organisational Behaviour (5 EC)

In this course students learn about the relationships between organisations and human beings to improve organisations’ effectiveness. More specifically, through lectures, case study seminars, readings, and assignments, students learn what people do in an organisation and how their behaviour affects the organisation’s performance. This course which addresses the individual, group and organisational levels, includes the main topics of motivation, leader behaviour and power, interpersonal communication, learning, attitude development and perception, conflict, work design, and work stress.
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Decision & Risk Analysis (3 EC)

The course covers key concepts, frameworks, and approaches needed to conduct a decision and risk analysis. These include ways of formalising and modelling different aspects of decisions and risks, and the use of sensitivity, Monte-Carlo simulation, and scenario analyses. The course also familiarises students with the concepts of risk, real option and uncertainty and how to use these in the decision making process. Students will learn how to apply these different concepts, frameworks, and approaches using various decision making add-ons in Excel (e.g. @Risk, Solver, PrecisionTree).
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Introduction to Entrepreneurship (3 EC)

This course aims to provide students with basic knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship. In other words, this course is NOT a step-by-step guide for starting your own business. Through lectures, readings, and group assignments, students learn about foundational theories and frameworks from the Entrepreneurship literature, and link these theories to practice.
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Internships

SBB Business Studies Internship (20-40 EC)

The business studies internship represents an exciting opportunity for students to use and advance managerial knowledge and skills in a real-life business context. Over the course of their internship students become familiar with subject matter expertise and competencies required to be successful in a particular industry- or functional- domain. Moreover, students will contribute to state-of-the art managerial knowledge in this domain. The internship provides an excellent orientation and preparation for students’ post-university career, with many students ending up with a job at their internship organization after graduation. As part of this course, students also attend and complete assignments for five of the ten management sessions that are organised during the academic year that cover topics from the areas of Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management that are relevant to workplace issues students may encounter in interactions with colleagues and line managers.
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New Technology Ventures Assignment (25-35 EC)

In your SBB Assignment you will further develop your business knowledge and entrepeneurial skills as well as gain experience in a start- or scale up company or a Technology Transfer Office, you are also allowed to set up your own company/organization. The New Technology Ventures Assignment is part of the track Research Based Business. To do the New Technology Ventures Assignment it is required to have succesfully completed the courses NTV1, NTV2 and NTV3.
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Bachelor Courses

Management Fundamentals, Bachelor Edition (15 EC)

“Management Fundamentals, the Bachelor edition” is a 10-week full time course for 3rd year bachelor students who wish or consider to pursue a career outside the domain of (fundamental) scientific research or who wants to broaden their horizon e.g. having in mind later career opportunities that may require knowledge of fundamental business principles and training of managerial skills.

The course introduces business principles and managerial skills with a focus on their application in science-based organizations. It has been set up based on what alumni and managers of science-based organizations perceive to be most important for science students. The course is part of the Science & Research Based Business Minor. It is also available as a separate elective, provided there are places available.
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New Technology Ventures (15 EC)

This course provides an integrated programme in which you develop knowledge and skills relating to the commercialisation of technology generated in research. There is some emphasis on research-based business in the Life Sciences sector (Pharma and Biotech), the focal point of activities at the Leiden Bio-Science Park and research conducted at the LUMC and the university.
The course is part of the Science & Research Based Business Minor. It is also available as a separate elective, provided there are places available.
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Further information

If you have any questions about the programme or SBB in general, please contact us via info@sbb.leidenuniv.nl