Bursa » University of Heidelberg, Gjermani

Eligibility

The MSc/PhD program is targeted at outstanding students with a Bachelor degree in biosciences, mathematics, chemistry, physics, computational sciences, pharmacy, and engineering.

About the program

Doctoral researchers enrolled in the MSc/PhD program will receive a Masters degree (after submitting an experimental Masters thesis) and a PhD (after submitting an experimental PhD thesis) with the dissertation phase. The MSc/PhD program emphasizes research-based training, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills and the development of individual interests.
Moreover, the concept combines the two years of the Masters program with the 3 to 3.5 years of the PhD phase into one continuous period of 5 to 5.5 years devoted to research-based training and individual research (Figure 14). Students will attend lectures and tutorials from 8.00 – 10.00 in the morning during the first semester, and lectures and tutorials in specialized areas, according to their interest and the topic of the individual research during the second semester. After 10.00 am students participate in lab rotations (four from at least two different majors) during the first year. Every second week MSc/PhD students gather for a 60 min research seminar where two of the students will give a scientific progress report in form of an oral presentation. This meeting will be attended by the tutors of the MSc/PhD students (see below), the direct supervisors of the MSc/PhD students, the director of HBIGS, a representative of the Deans Office and the teaching coordinator. The event will unwind with an informal get-together. After two years the MSc/PhD students will submit an experimental thesis and take the examination to obtain a Masters degree in Biosciences. Provided the students excel they will continue their research project and, after an additional 3 to 3.5 years, submit their doctoral thesis. Those students who are not qualified will leave the program with an MSc degree.
A tutor will guide each MSc/PhD student through their study program and advise them on lab rotations and possible host laboratories. MSc/PhD students will partake in the training, the tutoring and mentoring program and the vocational activities of HBIGS. The MSc/PhD students, like any other HBIGS doctoral researcher, will participate in the PhD core course and other curricular activities of HBIGS. The MSc/PhD program leaves enough time and flexibility for mobility and exchange and intersectoral training (e.g. six to eight weeks at the end of the first year).