German-French Human and Molecular Biology

Saarland University offers a bi-national Master's programme in collaboration with the University of Strasbourg (Université de Strasbourg) in France. Participants in this French-German programme spend the first year studying at their home university and the second year at the partner university. Students who successfully complete the programme will be awarded a French-German double Master's degree. Graduates from the bi-national scheme will have the opportunity to continue their studies as part of a bi-national doctoral research programme.
The MSc programme lies at the interface of medicine and the biosciences and provides students with an advanced theoretical and experimental understanding of the modern life sciences. In contrast to traditional degree programmes in biology, the MSc programme in Human and Molecular Biology focuses on molecular and pathophysiological aspects of a wide variety of human diseases. The bi-national degree programme also provides an excellent opportunity for students to practice their foreign language skills and their intercultural competence.
The programme is supported by the Deutsch-Französische Hochschule DFH (Franco-German University). Students from France and Germany thus receive financial support while studying in the partner country.

Educational organisation

The four-semester Master's programme aims to link and combine the students' prior knowledge of the subject through a series of interdisciplinary modules. The programme focuses on important issues in biomedicine and molecular biology, such as "Genetically Induced Diseases and Epigenetics"; "Signal Transmission and Transport"; "Hormones, Stress and Memory" and "Infection Biology". Students also prepare and develop a research project and draft the associated funding application.
During their second year, students spends several months carrying out practical laboratory work in one of the departmental research groups. This gives students the chance to contribute in a meaningful way to a real-life research project before they begin to work on their own Master's research project.
Students on the programme spend the first two semesters at their respective home university. The third and fourth semesters are spent at the partner university. The final-year research project and thesis are completed at the student's partner university.

Study abroad unit(s)

Students on the programme spend the first two semesters at their respective home university. The third and fourth semesters are spent at the partner university. Graduates from the MSc programme have the opportunity to pursue further research by entering a doctoral research programme.

Forms of assessment

Exams, credit points, project work, thesis

Course objectives

The course aims:

• to provide students with an advanced understanding of human and molecular biology in their chosen fields of specialisation
• to give students deeper insight into important issues in contemporary research
• to prepare students for doctoral research work
• to provide students with the skills needed to work internationally in an academic or industrial environment

Language requirements

Applicants must have German (DSH certificate required for non-native speakers) and French skills.

Required DSH / TestDaF

Yes

Academic requirements

Applicants must have a German higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or an equivalent higher education entrance qualification from the student's home country. They must also hold a Bachelor's degree (BSc) or equivalent in biology or another relevant discipline.

Enrolment fees

Approx. 200 EUR per semester, including a semester ticket covering public transport in the Saarbrücken area

Costs of living

About 800 EUR per month to cover personal expenses (incl. accommodation)

Job opportunities

It is possible to work at the department, for example, doing laboratory work or accompanying Bachelor's/Master's students in their practical work/seminars.

Funding opportunities within the university

Students receive financial support from the DFH (German-French University) during the study abroad phase.

Arrival support

The International Office can help incoming students with a number of issues that need to be dealt with on arrival, including finding suitable accommodation as well as registering with the university and with the local authorities. The International Office also organises social and recreational events and intercultural training sessions.

Services and support for international students

Saarland University offers a special support and guidance service for our international students and visiting scholars. As well as welcoming new foreign students to the university, we organise excursions and cultural events where students and scholars from abroad can meet German students and colleagues. We also provide support in dealing with official and administrative matters. To encourage interaction between German and international students, the international office also runs a successful peer mentoring programme called "you and me".

Accommodation

Rooms and apartments are relatively easy to find and are affordable. For more information, please visit. For more information, please visit: http://www.studentenwerk-saarland.de/en/Wohnen