
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

Nanophysiology

Human Biology

Zoology/Neurobiology
