Brain disorders such as neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases pose a major health problem, with limited treatment options available. What are the molecular mechanisms underlying these diseases, and how do they lead to brain dysfunction that causes neurological and psychiatric symptoms? The master’s program at RPTU University of Kaiserslautern-Landau provides fundamental background knowledge as well as practical training in state-of-the-art techniques for addressing the challenges of molecular and medical neuroscience. It is a program with a friendly atmosphere and an exceptional student-to-faculty ratio, fostering close interactions. Early on, students begin conducting experiments in faculty labs, with access to advanced approaches in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, electrophysiology, optogenetics, behavioral neurobiology, super-resolution microscopy, and in vivo 2-photon imaging. Participants will have the opportunity to become familiar with diverse model systems ranging from primary neuron cultures to Drosophila, rodents, and cellular models derived from human iPSCs.

The two-year program, which can begin in April or October, comprises a series of interactive seminar courses designed to provide students with an in-depth theoretical foundation and the ability to analyze and discuss current research, three extended lab rotations to acquire technical and analytical skills, and a master’s thesis to develop students’ ability to conduct independent scientific research and to write up and present their scientific results.

A prerequisite for admission is a basic knowledge of molecular biology in theory and practice, particularly in the following areas:

• Neurobiology
• Zoology and/or Animal Physiology
• Cell Biology
• Genetics
• basic knowledge of chemistry, physics, and mathematics/statistics.

Career Options for Master’s Students

Successful candidates will be qualified to conduct research in basic neurobiology and translational biomedical neuroscience, in academia and industry, and to pursue a Ph.D.