MSC Molecular Biosciences: Neuroscience MajorInformation for prospective students
The Neuroscience Major belongs to the Molecular Biosciences Master Degree of the Faculty of Biosciences at the Heidelberg University.
Why study Neuroscience?
Neuroscience stands as a pivotal and captivating discipline in modern biology, intricately interwoven with fields such as physics, psychology, chemistry, and informatics. Its significance is underscored by the fact that numerous diseases are linked to disruptions in brain processes, rendering any contribution to understanding these intricacies immensely valuable. Beyond its practical implications, delving into neuroscience unveils the awe-inspiring intricacies of the brain's functionality, offering a profound journey into the source of our own identity and behavioral patterns. Embark on the study of Neuroscience and unravel the mysteries that shape our understanding of both the biological and existential facets of human existence.
Why study Neuroscience in Heidelberg?
Joining the Neuroscience Major at Heidelberg University has at least two prime advantages. First, the Neuroscience Major is strongly integrated into the structure of the Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences (IZN). This institute consists of over 60 research groups from Heidelberg University, Heidelberg University Hospital, the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), and the Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI) in Mannheim. There is no other Neuroscience Master in Germany that provides access to such a rich diversity of research groups with interests ranging from investigations of basic molecular biology of the nervous system to clinical neuroscience. Follow the link at right for a complete list of IZN-associated research groups.
The second unique characteristic is the flexibility of the program. There are only a couple of mandatory courses but most of the parts of the program are free to choose: you decide where you want to do your lab rotations and in which seminars you want to participate. This flexibility requires you to express a certain amount of independence, but you are not alone; you can always obtain advice and support from the program coordinator. The flexible nature of the program makes it possible to engage in other courses from other majors or even other faculties.
Although the possibilities of the Neuroscience Major at Heidelberg University and within the IZN are extensive, the program also encourages the students to explore the possibilities abroad.
Career options?
Most of our graduates pursue a career in academic science and therefore continue on to enroll in a PhD program when their Master studies are complete. Our highly individualized, lab-centered program provides a good basis for such a career. There are also students who opt for a career in industry or in other professions. For this reason, it is also possible within the program to do a ‘Working in Bioscience’ traineeship in a more applied setting.
Application
The Neuroscience Major is rather popular and capacity is limited. We therefore select only those students who best fit the profile and can clearly demonstrate their motivation and independence.
As an applicant, you must have a BSc-level background in molecular cell biology. Applicants with non-biological degrees will be considered, but are only successful in exceptional cases. The program suits those students who have a keen interest in neuroscience, but who have not yet decided where to go in this field. If you are in the bachelor program in Heidelberg you could think about participating in these two lecture series: 'Physiologie des Menschen' and ‘Sinnesphysiologie', but it is not considered a requirement for applying to the master program.
While you are here, we urge you to try out at least three different areas of neuroscience research before deciding on a field for your MSc thesis. We believe that the prerequisite for a successful MSc thesis is that a student has found their individual research topic and their own path into the broad field of neuroscience. This can only be done by exploring various neuroscience disciplines and, eventually, making an informed decision concerning one's own preference. The program is almost exclusively conducted in English, so you do not need to be able to speak German.
The program always starts in October, and the admission procedure commences in the preceding February. Applications are only accepted online via the admission portal of the Faculty of Biosciences, with the application period usually ending mid-March. For the ensuing review of the application material, the admission committee mainly considers your BSc transcripts and your letter of motivation. The most important factor for the decision of the committee, however, is a personal interview, to which we invite about 60 of the most promising candidates in April/May. We arrange online interviews for applicants who are unable to come to Heidelberg for an in-person interview. Decisions are usually reached in May/June, and applicants are informed of the committee's decision.
One must upload several documents for the application and although it is mentioned in the faculty's 'how to apply' that motivation letters may be composed in either German or English, we definitively prefer letters written in English.
It is only possible to apply using the following link to the admissions portal of the Faculty of Biosciences:
