Overview

Brain disorders like neurodegeneration and neuropsychiatric diseases present a major health problem with limited treatment options available. What are the molecular mechanisms underlying disease and how do they translate into brain dysfunction causing neurological and psychiatric symptoms? The Master Program at the 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 familiar atmosphere and an exceptional student-to-faculty ratio allowing for close interactions. Early on students start experimenting in the 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 possibility to become familiar with diverse model systems ranging from primary neuron cultures to Drosophila, rodents and human iPSC derived cellular models. 

The 2-year study program, which can be started in April or October, comprises a series of interactive reading courses to provide students with in-depth theoretical background and the ability to analyze and discuss current research, three extended lab rotations to acquire technical and analytical skills, and a master thesis to develop the students' ability to conduct independent scientific research and to write up and present their scientific results.

Required qualifications for the major (non-legally binding): 

Prerequisite for admission is a basic knowledge of molecular biology in theory and practice and especially in the subjects of:

  • neurobiology
  • zoology and/or animal physiology
  • cell biology
  • genetics
  • basic knowledge of chemistry, physics and mathematics/statistics.
Career Options for Master Students

Successful candidates will be qualified for research in basic neurobiology and translational biomedical neuroscience, in academia and industry, and also for pursuing a PhD.

Deadline for international Applications

April 30 for fall semester (Oct) start

October 31 for summer semester (Apr) start

Contact details

Do you have questions about the program or would you like more details about the research areas of the degree program?
 
Prof. Dr. Jan Pielage

Research group leader Department of Zoology/Neurobiology

Mail: pielage(at)rptu.de

Phone: 49 (0)631-205-2426

Main research groups

Below you will find the research groups that mainly supervise the major Molecular and Medical Neuroscience. Of course, you can also attend courses from other research groups during your study program.

Animal physiology

Research group leader: Prof. Dr. Volker Scheuss

Department Homepage

Main research focus: 

Nanophysiology

Research group leader: Prof. Dr. Tanja Maritzen

Department Homepage

Main research focus: 

Human Biology

Research group leader: Prof. Dr. Stefan Kins

Department Homepage

Main research focus: 

Zoology/Neurobiology

Research group leader: Prof. Dr. Jan Pielage

Department Homepage

Main research focus: