M.Sc. Neuroscience
Modules
Basic modules
Lecture modules
Lecture modules are held during the whole lecture period in the morning 2 or 3 times a week (45-90 minutes) during winter term. Registration takes place via KLIPS during the 2nd KLIPS phase. Students of the M.Sc. program “Neuroscience” have to select the following lecture series as mandatory lecture:
In addition, you have to select at least one more lectures from the following ones:
- Computational Biology
- Principles of Molecular Genetics, Development and Aging
- Ecology, Evolution, and Environment
- Molecular Plant and Microbial Sciences
- Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine
Credit points (6 CP each) are awarded upon successful completion of the final written examinations.
Seminar module
For students of the M.Sc. program “Neuroscience” the Seminar “Neuroscience (Seminar)” is compulsory.
It has a limited number of participants and is held during the whole lecture period afternoons during winter term. Registration takes place via KLIPS during the 2nd KLIPS phase (priority-based allocation).
Credit points (6 CP) are awarded upon successful completion of the final examination (oral presentation).
Tutorial module
For students of the M.Sc. program “Neuroscience” the Tutorial module “Neuroscience (Tutorial)” is compulsory.
It has a limited number of participants and is held during the whole lecture period afternoons during winter term. Registration takes place via KLIPS during the 2nd KLIPS phase (priority-based allocation).
Credit points (6 CP) are awarded upon successful completion of the final examination (oral presentation).
Lecture Time Slots and Exam Dates
Subject modules
Subject modules
Subject modules are six weeks full-time modules with limited number of participants, offered in summer term. In the seventh week, the module examination(s) take place. Students are able to participate in one module during the first half and another module during the second half of the term. Registration takes place via KLIPS during the 1st registration phase (priority-based allocation).
Depending on the module, the final examination consists of two different parts (each 50 % of the total module mark). Credit points (12 CP) are awarded upon successful completion of all examinations:
- One hour written examination about topics of the lectures and the practical/lab part and 20-30 minute oral presentation
or - 20-30 minute oral presentation and lab report
or - 20-30 minute oral exam about topics of the lectures and the practical/lab part and lab report
- Subject Module portfolio
Single PDF files of portfolio documents:
General Information
Please note:
- Participation in a subject module requires attendance of the introduction to the module (date specified in the subject module description) and at all scheduled days. Students who do not attend may be excluded from the module.
- Students can cancel participation in a subject module only before the module has started (contact Dr. Jan Weber, Mscbiol-office(at)uni-koeln(dot)de). In exceptional cases, the M.Sc. Degree Committee will decide whether a request for cancelling participation in a module that has already begun is justified. Such request must be submitted by the student within the first two weeks of the module.
- Students may apply to exchange one subject module by a laboratory module. For further information please contact Dr. Jan Weber, Mscbiol-office(at)uni-koeln(dot)de at least two weeks before the beginning of the module.
Subject module registration
Subject modules in the M.Sc. programs have to be chosen during the first registration phase in KLIPS. Beginning and duration of the different application phases can be found below (see "Time schedules for subject modules" of the respective term).
To choose your modules, please log in with your smail account-data in KLIPS
Online-help websites are listed here:
Your chance to get a place in one of the courses will increase with the number of courses you apply for and subsequently prioritise. Please apply for at least three courses. However, you should not apply for or prioritise courses you definitely would not participate in.
Please also see the following registration manual.
Time schedule for subject modules
Time schedule for the subject modules in the summer term can be found below. Please note the validity period at the top. There are no fixed time schedules for other types of modules (e.g. project or laboratory modules).
Subject modules | Summer term 2026
1st half (13.04. - 05.06.2026):
- Neural Function I: Neural Basis of Motor Behavior in Animals
- Neurobiology in Drosophila
- Neurobiochemistry
2nd half (08.06. - 24.07.2026):
- Neural Function II: Analyzing the Neural Underpinning of Behavior – from structure to function to behavior
- Computational Neuroscience
- NEW: Experimental Neuroscience: From Cells to Circuits
- Neurophysiological and genetic approaches for brain function analysis
Participation in subject modules from other study programmes requires approval by the program coordinators
Subject modules | Summer term 2025
1st half (07.04. - 23.05.2025):
- Neural Function I: Neural Basis of Motor Behavior in Animals
- Neurobiology in Drosophila
- Neurobiochemistry
2nd half (26.05. - 19.07.2025):
- Neural Function II: Analyzing the Neural Underpinning of Behavior – from structure to function to behavior
- Computational Neuroscience
during the lecture free period after the 2nd half of the semester:
Participation in subject modules from other study programmes requires approval by the program coordinators
Supplementary module
Elective module
Click here for further information about the elective module.
Specialisation modules
Project Module
Click here for further information about project modules.
Master thesis and defense