The Master of Science in Neuroscience is being offered since winter term 2023/2024 at the University of Cologne. It is an interdisciplinary program taught by neuroscientists from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences as well as the Faculty of Medicine. The program provides students with the essential theoretical foundations and practical skills and a broad spectrum of state-of the-art technologies to answer current questions in neuroscience that reach from the molecular and subcellular level to the systems level.

Key Facts

• Degree: Master of Science
• Duration: 4 semesters, full-time
• Language: English
• Start: Winter term (October each year)
• Number of places: 16

This programme offers:

• a focus on basic as well as on biomedically oriented research in neurobiology using the latest technologies combined with theoretical and practical, research-oriented training
• deep knowledge and expertise in the field of Neuroscience
• a deep insight in the specific functions of molecules and signaling cascades, as well as cellular and physiological mechanisms of neuronal processes in neurons and glial cells in connection with their function in neuronal networks
• a high degree of practical experience through lab work and collaborative projects ensuring proficiency in applying your gained theoretical knowledge

We offer a broad cutting-edge theoretical and methodological spectrum applied by the participating research groups. This spectrum ranges from in vivo and ex vivo electrophysiology and imaging of single-/multiple-cells, molecular biology and genetics, systematic neuroanatomy and connectome analysis, genetic manipulations of neuronal function, to methods of computational neuroscience and the analysis of behavior. Therefore, you will be able to gather broad essential theoretical foundations and practical skills to understand current issues in neurobiology and will learn to ask pertinent questions in neuroscience.

We provide a diverse range of topics with significant public interest and relevance. Therefore, you will be able to gain a broad knowledge not only in molecular mechanisms and processes governing the functions of cells and tissues in organisms but also how dysfunctions contribute to aging and age-related diseases. Topics introducing strategies for prevention, clinical intervention, and potential treatment of age-related diseases are also included.

Graduate competencies:

With graduation, as a student of the interdisciplinary and multifaceted “Neuroscience” course will have learned to ask relevant questions in the field of neuroscience, to develop appropriate experimental strategies and to document and present their results, taking good scientific practice into account. The participation of high-ranking and renowned scientists and the varied research environment of the working groups involved in the course lays the foundation for promising career opportunities after obtaining the degree. These range from taking up doctoral studies to direct entry into a profession in the life sciences industry in the field of research and development, in science management, in the transfer area, as well as in scientific public relations and communication.