Medical Life Sciences

To lay the foundation for working in molecular disease research, Medical Life Sciences (MedLife) first provides basic knowledge in courses on clinical manifestations of diseases, human biology, pathology, and diagnostic imaging.
Lectures, seminars and tutorials in molecular biology, bioinformatics, clinical cell biology, medical statistics, immunology and human genetics broaden existing knowledge and make the interfaces between medicine and the sciences visible. You learn how to acquire knowledge, verify and use it in research.

From the second semester, you specialise in one of the following focus areas:
INFLAMMATION takes you deep into the molecular mechanisms of chronic inflammatory diseases, the causal network between inflammatory processes and disease, genetics and environment. New research results for prevention, diagnosis, and therapy will be presented and discussed.
LONGEVITY focuses on molecular mechanisms that seem to counteract the detrimental effect of ageing. The disease resilience and metabolic stability of extraordinarily fit people well over 90 years of age are of special interest. You look at the molecular pathways of ageing and discuss which role genes and the environment play. The central question is: how does this web of counteracting effects that trigger ageing and/or longevity work?
ONCOLOGY leads you into molecular research on malignant diseases, the interplay of genetics and environment, cell biology of tumours, and many other aspects. You will gain a better understanding of unresolved problems and opportunities of current research approaches.
EVOLUTIONARY MEDICINE investigates how interrelations between humans and their environment have led to current disease susceptibility: why do we suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity? Why are certain genetic variants maintained in populations despite their disease risk? Evolutionary Medicine looks at evolutionary origins of diseases to find new approaches for preventing and treating them.

Experts in their fields guide you through lectures and seminars; a clinical internship allows you to gain insights into the "bedside" end of medical research because it is crucial to understand how research is translated into clinical applications. Lab practicals and project work in state-of-the-art research labs and your Master's thesis provide ample opportunity to train your skills and be involved in research projects.

To broaden your perspective, you choose electives that complement the focus areas. You may be interested in Tracing Disease through Time, which looks at disease etiology by analysing biomolecules, diets, and pathogens in archaeological specimens; or you may opt for Cardiovascular Epidemiology to immerse yourself in epidemiological approaches with a special emphasis on cardiovascular diseases, which belong to the greatest health threats in modern societies. Or you may be particularly interested in the world of high-tech imaging in medical research.
Tissue Engineering, Neurosciences or Epithelial Barrier Functions are other electives that explore the interface between medicine and the sciences.
Soft skills such as Project Management, Career Orientation, and English Scientific Writing are integrated into the curriculum as well.

Educational organisation

For an overview of courses, examinations and credit points, check http://www.medlife.uni-kiel.de/module/module-descriptions-curriculum-module-overview.

First semester (summer semester):

• Lectures in Molecular Biology, Human Biology, Pathology, Clinical Manifestations of Diseases, Medical Statistics, Immunology
• Seminars in English Proficiency, Career Orientation
• Tutorials in Medical Statistics, Basic Medical Diagnostic Techniques, Molecular Biology, English Proficiency
• Practicals in Human Biology, Molecular Biology

Second semester (winter semester):

• Lectures in Molecular Pathology, Bioinformatics, Pharmacology, Focus Areas, Electives 1 (= Imaging, Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Tracing Disease through Time)
• Seminars in Bioinformatics, English Scientific Writing, Project Management, Focus Areas, Electives 1
• Tutorials in Bioinformatics
• Practicals in Focus Area Labs
• Clinical practical

Third semester (summer semester):

• Lectures in Electives 1 and 2 (Electives 1 see above, Electives 2 = Neurosciences, Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering, Epithelial Barrier Functions), Human Genetics, Scientific Studies and Biobanking
• Seminars in Electives 1 and 2, English Scientific Writing, New Technologies in Biomedical Research, Focus Areas, Scientific Studies and Biobanking
• Practicals in Focus Areas (lab project), Human Genetics
• Excursions in New Technologies in Biomedical Research, Tracing Disease through Time

Fourth semester (winter semester):
Master's thesis (no curricular classes scheduled)

Study abroad unit(s)

Depending on which focus area you choose and which topic you want to work on for your Master's thesis, project stays at partner institutions in Stellenbosch/South Africa, Odense/Denmark, Hawaii/USA or Israel are possible in your fourth semester. This does not preclude you from discussing further options with your supervisor.

Internships

Lab practicals (two weeks molecular biology, two weeks lab methods) and a clinical practical (one week) are part of the curriculum. Work at your Master's thesis is preceded by a project thesis, which consists of experimental work in a research lab (approx. three weeks) connected to your focus area. You choose your lab group yourself and organise the project topic.
The Master's thesis is based on lab work, thus large parts of the thesis period (six months) are spent in a research lab of your choice that is connected to your focus area. If you are especially interested in computational analyses of lab results, your Master's thesis may focus on this field.

Forms of assessment

For an overview on curricular courses and examinations, check http://www.medlife.uni-kiel.de/module/module-descriptions-curriculum-module-overview.

We space exams as evenly as possible and want to train you in presenting your work orally or in writing. To make sure you retain vital knowledge, assessments take various forms:
Modules that lay the foundation for further studies use written or oral exams. You need to know your subject matter and be able to transfer it to new scientific questions.
Modules that introduce you to skills you have to train throughout your career require written or oral assignments and presentations throughout the semester. Working in teams may be part of this training.
Modules that revolve around self-guided research demand a written scientific essay and an oral presentation. For this, you organise your lab project yourself (with the help of supervisors).
The Master's thesis (big lab project) is an exam in itself and takes six months to complete.

Course objectives

MedLife prepares students for a career in translational research in academia and the industry. To translate results gained in fields such as cell biology, genetics or proteomics from bench to bedside for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases is the ultimate goal of medical research. Demonstrating how to conduct scientific research and translate its findings into medical applications is the major objective of MedLife.

Language requirements

A very good knowledge of English is required.

Academic requirements

Bachelor's degree in a discipline such as biology, molecular biology, molecular medicine, biochemistry, (molecular) biotechnology, human biology, or life science.
Sound molecular biology knowledge and lab skills.
Bachelor's degree-level knowledge of vertebrate physiology.
A two-stage ability assessment is in place.

Enrolment fees

An enrolment fee ("Einschreibegebühr") currently amounting to 55 EUR is charged for the first enrolment at Kiel University.
A semester contribution ("Semesterbeitrag") currently amounting to approx. 120 EUR must be paid each semester. This covers free public transport ("Semesterticket"), reduced lunch prices, and other financial benefits for students.
For the latest information, see: www.studium.uni-kiel.de/de/studium-organisieren/studienangelegenheiten/rueckmeldung

Costs of living

Monthly expenses in Kiel (e.g., for housing, food) range between 700-800 EUR, depending on individual needs.

Job opportunities

Many of the institutes involved in Medical Life Sciences offer student jobs (scientific assistants) depending on project funding as well as the students' skills and interests.

Arrival support

The International Center at Kiel University offers a wide range of services and will support international students with any questions related to a successful arrival in Kiel.
See: http://www.international.uni-kiel.de/en

Services and support for international students

The International Center at Kiel University offers a wide range of services.
See: http://www.international.uni-kiel.de/en

In Medical Life Sciences, we provide an introduction to the Master's programme during the first days of the summer semester. A mentoring programme provides additional information and opportunities to get into contact with mentors, lecturers, and fellow students to exchange information and advice.

For general information about living and studying in Kiel, see http://www.medlife.uni-kiel.de/kiel-for-students.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Kiel is available through the office for student affairs ("Studentenwerk Schleswig-Holstein") or on the private market. Looking for a place to stay in a foreign country is not always easy. The office for student affairs supports students seeking accommodation at reasonable prices and is continually improving the quality and standard of the residence halls.
In general, the chances of obtaining a room in a residence hall can be improved by submitting an application form before 15 June. The rent depends on the location and standard of the particular residence.
Please note that due to high demands for accommodation in Kiel, the office for student affairs can currently only assign rooms in residence halls to first-semester students (Bachelor's/Master's students). PhD students cannot be assigned rooms.

For information and to contact us, see: http://www.studentenwerk.sh