The international Master's program Biochemistry at Freie Universität Berlin is offered to students from Germany and abroad and is entirely held in English. Capitalizing on the city’s unique research landscape consisting of several universities and of research institutes from the Max-Planck, Helmholtz and Leibniz Societies, we offer a vigorous biochemical training in all modern areas of biochemistry. The program offers an excellent theoretical and practical training that thoroughly prepares graduates for a further career in the life sciences. A bachelor’s degree in biochemistry or a related field is a prerequisite to enter the Master’s program and should demonstrate a sufficient level of theoretical and practical training. All courses are held in English and comprise a basic lecture series covering major aspects of current biochemical research from a broad range of fields. The practical course work comprises methods modules of 2-4 weeks that convey in-depth knowledge of particular methods in the areas of structural biology, molecular biology or molecular medicine. Further on, individual 9 week projects are performed in groups within the department or in one of the many affiliated laboratories. Many students perform one of these lab rotations abroad to gain international research experience; scholarships are available to support and encourage such projects. A Master's thesis of six months performed in a selected research group completes the studies.

xemplary curriculum of the biochemistry master

Lecture series “Advanced Biochemistry” (10 credit points)

The major categories of the lecture series (RNA biochemistry, Protein biochemistry, Membrane biochemistry, Signal transduction) are represented by the members of the biochemistry faculty of Freie Universität Berlin and several associated members from major research hubs in Berlin such as the Leibniz institute of Molecular Pharmacology, the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine or the Charité. The curriculum comprises areas of ongoing research such as protein dynamics, post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA expression, membrane remodeling with a focus on neurobiology and signal transduction in the field of chronobiology, immunobiology or bone morphogenesis.

In addition to the mandatory basic lecture, a number of specialized lecture series are offered as elective courses (see below).

Methods courses (5 credit points for per 2 week course; 3 courses required)

These courses are designed as hands-on practical experience for gaining advanced technical skills. These courses are full-time assignments with a high supervisor to student ratio (typically 1-3 tutors for 6 students). Practical work is flanked by 45-90 minutes/day seminars that provide further aspects of the technology and also require the active participation of students, typically in form of a journal club or discussion of results at the end of the respective course. The following courses are currently being offered:

• Biomolecular X-ray crystallography
• Advanced X-ray crystallography
• Biological NMR spectroscopy
• Quantitative fluorescence microscopy
• Biophysical methods
• Protein engineering
• Nucleic acid technology
• Protein analysis and microsequencing
• Bioanalytical mass spectrometry and proteomic analysis
• Alternative splicing and protein-RNA interaction
• Molecular cell biology
• Membrane protein expression in cell-free systems
• Production and biophysical analysis of selected membrane proteins
• Cell biology and signal transduction
• Molecular pharmacology and cellular signal transduction
• Analyzing musculoskeletal development in vivo
• Self-replicating protein particles in neurodegenerative diseases

Lab rotations with examination (15 credit points, 3 appointments required)

Here, students are offered the unique opportunity to perform extended projects in a laboratory of their choice amongst the FU-affiliated and approved institutions in Berlin, Germany or internationally. At the end of these rotations the results are presented in a 15 minute talk followed by an oral examination of 30 minutes.

Lab rotations without examination (5-10 credit points)

These are individual research projects of varying length. They can be performed in preparation of a master thesis, as industry projects or in the form of an elective course.

Elective courses (20 credit points)

This part of the curriculum can be filled with methods modules, lab rotations or practical work in a research institute of the student’s choice. Half of the credit points require to be performed in the area of biochemistry while the other half can be obtained in other areas (soft skill courses, scientific writing, teaching etc.).

Master thesis

Six month research projects that complete the master studies and should prove the ability of students to independently perform and defend a research project.

For admittance to the master’s program applicants need to fulfill the following admission requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry or an equivalent degree with credits in biochemistry that correspond to the bachelor’s program in biochemistry at the Freie Universität Berlin.

• With certain restrictions, it is possible to complete the master’s degree program by taking classes solely in English. The necessary English language skills must as a rule be proven by exam results.

The admission is limited.

Proof of sufficient German (DSH2) or English Skills (IELTS 5.0; TOEFL: Paper 500 or Computer 170 or Internet 80) for all applicants whose first language is not German and who have earned their initial degree from a university (or equivalent institution) where the language of instruction is not German, which are necessary to understand courses and specialist literature.