Tesla is a minor programme (30 ECTS) for Master's students from science faculties (UvA or other university). During the programme, a selected group of students works on a complex challenge for a company or societal organisation. This allows them to utilise science and their academic background in a project on the interface of science, business and society.
• Apply your scientific and academic background in business and society;
• Work on a project for a real client;
• Develop your professional skills;
• And engage in intensive training in different environments?
Then the Tesla minor might be something for you!
The Tesla programme has the objective to move students out of their academic comfort zone and engage them in different types of real challenges. They learn how to manage a project, communicate in different situations, and create value in ‘non-scientific settings’.
The Tesla Minor is an interdisciplinary 30 EC minor for research master students from science faculties. During the minor students work in small groups on complex client projects that combine science with a business or society challenge. Thereby Tesla minor cuts across traditional boundaries between disciplines and professional environments. Besides working on a project for an external partner organization, students attend lectures by speakers from within and outside of academia, participate in a range of skills training and are responsible for organising part of the programme. Special elements such as an integrated sports programme make Tesla Minor a unique learning experience.
During the programme, students have full-time access to their own office space. Most trainings, guest lectures and project work takes place here. Surely, other locations will be visited as well (visiting companies, going on excursions, engaging in training sessions, etc.). The programme takes place in the second semester of the second year of your Master's programme.
Working on a real challenge posed by an external client (in 2019: TNO, Politie, FrieslandCampina, ARTIS, Fungalogic and more)
Guest speakers from all sorts of disciplines visit to speak and provide insights on science, business, and society. Tesla students partially organise the lectures themselves and are welcome to invite inspiring individuals
On top of the normal work week, students participate in a specialised Tesla sports programme, designed in cooperation with the University Sports Center to encourage physical health and team building.
Please note that there is a maximum of 24 participants for the programme. A selection, based on the above mentioned criteria, is part of the admission procedure.
The Tesla minor has limited space (24 participants) and is a selective programme. This means that not all applicants will be granted admission.
If you consider applying for the Tesla Minor inform your study advisor ASAP and make sure you get approval of the examination board of your Master's programme to adjust your PEP (personal education plan).
Every applicant is required to deliver a resume (C.V.), list of courses and grades, a motivation letter (not exceeding one page), and a recommendation letter before being invited to participate in the rest of the intake procedure.
Based on the ‘paper application’ the applicant may be invited to participate in the second phase. In this phase of the intake procedure each applicant is asked to prepare a short presentation (10 minutes). The general theme of the presentation is ‘connecting your science background to practice’, but applicants are free to choose their own specific topic and approach. The audience will consist of other candidates and UvA staff. Each of the applicants will present their story and provide feedback and questions on the presentations of the others.
After the presentation round follows a personal interview with the coordinator of the Tesla Minor and possibly another FNWI staff member. After this personal intake, you will be personally contacted and invited to join the Tesla Minor or given feedback on why you have not been selected.
When the application for Tesla is open, you can apply using the Tesla application form and upload the required documents. Log in to Datanose using your UvANetID and password.
Tesla application form in Datanose
If you are a non-UvA student, email your application to Jarik Guijt.
If you have questions, please contact course coordinator Jarik Guijt.
Weekly presentations
You can also visit (a part of) the weekly Friday afternoon presentations at Science Park in G3.10 in the period between March and the end of July. During these presentations the current students present the progress of their projects in 10 minutes per group.
Presentations are held on most Fridays, from 15.30 – 17.30. There is an opportunity to ask the students and coordinators questions during drinks. Ask the course coordinator for the best moment to come by.