MSc Studies

During the first year of intensive, research-oriented training (in English), students acquire in-depth knowledge in the various subject areas of molecular biosciences, including Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Genetics, Bioinformatics, Biophysics, Metabolic Physiology, Cell Biology, Oncology, Immunobiology, Neurobiology, Developmental Biology, Microbiology, Systems Biology, Biotechnology.

Our students earn 90 credits (ECTS) in a combination of theoretical and practical modules between October and July:

Lectures / Tutorials (October-July)
Methods courses (October-December)
Short presentations by research groups (October-November)
Professional skills training (November-January)
Lab rotation research projects (January-June)
Master seminar (March-June)

The first year of study concludes with a written and two oral master’s examinations in August.

During the short presentations by research groups, groups leaders of various labs affiliated with our program introduce you to highlights of their research and possible lab rotations projects.

Lab rotations are individually supervised research projects of eight weeks each. You can select from more than 120 project offers for the three rotations which take place between January and June.

During the master seminar, starting in March, you present the results of your first and second lab rotation and discuss it with your peers.

Professional skills such as good scientific practice, scientific writing, presentation techniques, design of scientific illustrations, and handling of experimental animals are taught in workshops and can be applied during lab rotations and reporting seminars.

All students from abroad can participate in free German language courses, which are optionally offered at different levels as introductory intensive courses and evening courses throughout the study program.

After the successful completion of your master’s examinations, a six-month master’s thesis (30 credits ECTS) leads to the award of the Master of Science degree concluding the master’s program after 18 months. Afterwards, the majority of our students continues in our Molecular Biology PhD program without the need for panel-based admission interviews.

Alternatively, good or excellent results in the master’s examinations at the end of the first year qualify you for direct admission to a three-year doctoral project in one of the participating research groups without being required to complete a master's thesis first (fast-track option).