The brain represents one of the most challenging frontiers in science. While the precise function and inner working of other organs is well known, the brain – the organ that allows us to feel, think and act – remains very poorly understood. Not suprisingly, without a thorough scientific base, treatments for disturbances of higher brain functions, such as dementia or other psychiatric disorders, remain speculative and ineffective. At the same time, new technological advances in molecular biology, genetics, imaging and data sciences are revolutionizing the way we can investigate the brain. Such new technology allow to obtain complete molecular inventories (‚omics‘), monitor and record the activity of large numbers of neurons while an organism acts, and emulate brain processes in increasingly sophisticated and ‚intelligent‘ models. Neuroscience is therefore a very quickly developing field that is still in its infancy: great discoveries lie ahead.
The aim of our MSc program »Biomedical Neuroscience« is to provide students with the interdisciplinary tools required to be part of these future discoveries in all areas of modern neuroscience: a broad spectrum that spans from systems neuroscience to disease-related research in neurology or psychiatry, and encompasses everything in between.
Our MSc program is part of the TUM School of Medicine, is funded by the Elite Network of Bavaria and is closely linked to the Excellence Cluster SyNergy. We are looking for highly motivated graduates holding a BSc or an equivalent 3-year degree in the natural, data, life or physical sciences, but also medical or cognitive sciences.
Our MSc is a small (approximately 15 students) interdisciplinary program with expert faculty from the basic neurosciences, as well as from neurology, neuropathology and psychiatry. The curriculum covers all levels of neuroscience from molecules to systems. The small size of the program allows us to emphasize individualized academic and career mentoring.
We strongly believe in ‘learning-by-doing’ and that science is taught in the lab, not in the classroom. Students are therefore assigned, from day one, to faculty labs, and can flexibly choose a number of lab assignments as part of their training. At the same time, we provide in-depth theory and practice classes on all aspects of neuroscience to account for the diverse background of our students, with special focus on programming, data analysis and transferable skills training, mostly in a flexible flipped-classroom format.The primary aim is to prepare you for a PhD, e.g. in one of our collaborating PhD programs, which can be accessed via a special ‘PhD transition track’ – or for a career in industry and biotech.
Highlights
- Experiment-based scientific education
- Personalized mentorship
- International exchange program
- High-level scientific training
- Integrated doctoral training opportunities
Schematic overview of the highlights and the curriculum
The Elite-Master program Biomedical Neuroscience offers an excellent scientific training to get a top-level understanding of neuroscience theory and practice, as well as on neuropsychiatric disorders. It fills the gap between standard medical education and natural science curricula.
Degree Type: Master of Science
Duration of Studies: 4 semesters
Credits: 120 ECTS, full-time program
Costs per semester: Student fees (138,00 € per semester)
Main Location: Medical School of TUM, Munich
Language: English
Start of Degree Program: only in Winter Semester (October)
Annual Application Period: 01.01. – 31.05.
Admission Category: Aptitude Assessment for Master
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in the field of natural science such as biology, chemistry, molecular medicine, physics or medical state examination (if applicable)
- Adequate knowledge of the English language
- Passing the selection procedure (see APPLICATION)
Curriculum:
The curriculum offers cutting-edge training in biomedical neuroscience conveyed by innovative didactical teaching methods. The curriculum is modularly structured to convey three types of overreaching competences:
1. Scientific Theory & Reasoning (6 modules)
2. Scientific Skills & Practice (7 modules incl. extensive lab time)
3. Transferable Skills & Professional Competence (3 modules incl. colloquium)
In the first two semesters teaching is mainly offered as theoretical lectures and hands-on courses (italicised), followed by subscribed scientific projects in the laboratories of the participating institutes. After the fourth semester the program ends with the experimental master's project and the written thesis. By the extensive lab time an early integration into the research environment of the participating institutes is achieved. For detailed description of each modul, click here.
1. Semester
Molecular Neuroscience 5 credits
Cellular Neuroscience 5 credits
Neuroanatomy and Neuropathology 5 credits
Mol. biology and -omics approaches 5 credits
Microscopy of nervous system structure 5 credits
Computational analysis and modelling 2.5 credits
Scientific practice 1 credit
Life & Science 1.5 credits
Lab visit I 1 credit
2. Semester
Systems and behavior 5 credits
Pathophysiology of circuits and systems 5 credits
Nervous system disorders and treatment 5 credits
Computational analysis and modelling 2.5 credits
Neuroimaging and electrophysiology 5 credits
Scientific practice 1 credit
Life & Science 1.5 credits
Lab visit II 1 credit
3. Semester
Lab visits III-IV 2 credits
Lab rotation I-II 24 credits
Qualifying colloquium 2 credits
4. Semester
Master thesis and colloquium 30 credits
Career Profile:
The qualification profile of the graduates includes an in-depth understanding of brain function and structure, from molecules and cells to large-scale circuits, behavior and the mechanisms and treatment strategies of different neuropsychiatric diseases. Through their lab rotations and practical scientific work, the graduates will be familiar with the most relevant technologies for basic and clinical research and with their capabilities in the field of neuroscience. Furthermore, the graduates will be able to evaluate scientific data and apply appropriated statistical tests. With their interdisciplinary knowledge, the graduates have a wide neuro-biomedical competence, bridging the usual gap between standard medical education and natural science curricula. They are ideal candidates for one of the numerous PhD-programs offered in the field of biomedical neuroscience. Furthermore, the classical pharmaceutical companies as well as start-up companies are seeking for graduates with an in depth understanding of basic as well as translational neuroscience.
Regulations:
Detailed description of the curriculum
A detailed description of the curriculum can be found in the program documentation.
