Program
The Idea
The Master program "FOKUS Life Sciences" is a very comprehensive, interdisciplinary and fast track preparation for performing a PhD project at the Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS), University of Würzburg.
Available research topics for the Master program as well as for the subsequent PhD are clustered in the sections of Biomedicine, Integrative Biology, Infection and Immunity, and Neuroscience, comprising more than 240 research groups.
The Master program FOKUS Life Sciences thus bundles the leading Life Sciences expertise in Würzburg under the auspices of the faculty of Biology, including the other faculties participating in the Graduate School of Life Sciences: Physics, Chemistry & Pharmacy, Medicine and Psychology.
Prior Bachelor studies in Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedicine, Pharmacy, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, or other natural science programs can be the basis to apply.
Substantial laboratory experience, most likely in the form of an experimental Bachelor thesis, is required. Please note that a prior education and training in medical programs is NOT considered sufficient (exceptions may apply if substantial practical research experience in basic science can be demonstrated).
The prospective students have finished their BSc (or are close to completion) and
- have excellent theoretical knowledge
- want to enter research and a doctoral thesis project as quickly as possible without omitting the MSc degree
- are willing and able to take a high work load
- want to study in a highly international class of peers with English as the teaching language
- are keen on working in a highly interdisciplinary environment
The Study Program
Term 1
Lecture series "Topics and Concepts in Life Sciences" and Methods in Life Sciences" (10 ECTS each)
The lectures provide first hand insight into ongoing Life Science research, covering the most advanced methods, model organisms and current research topics. They are taught by principal investigators who are also members of the Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS).
Lab-course "Methods in Life Sciences" (10 ECTS)
The lab courses will take place within the research labs of any of the >170 GSLS members.
Candidates averaging a mark of 1.7 or better in the first term may immediately proceed to the MSc Thesis in the second term. All others will continue taking courses in the second and third term, before finishing their MSc program with a thesis in the 4th term.
Term 2 and following
The Master thesis project (25 ECTS) will take place in one of the laboratories of the >170 participating research groups. If the thesis is evaluated with 1.3 or better, candidates may directly proceed to a doctoral project.
The Master thesis defense (5 ECTS) and the other remaining 60 ECTS credit points may then be obtained in parallel with doctoral research. This is facilitated by earning credits for program elements which are anyhow obligatory during the doctoral study program, such as special lectures and courses provided by the different GSLS sections (program). The figure below depicts this course of events.
Alternatively, students may regularly finish the MSc study program in four semesters without a doctoral project in parallel.
