StudyQA — Master: Neuroscience — University of Albert Ludwig in Freiburg

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Description Contents Requirements

Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system and the brain, with the aim to unravel their function. Modern neuroscience investigates the brain on multiple scales, ranging from the molecular level to behaviour using a combination of experimental and theoretical techniques.Thus, neuroscience is multi-disciplinary drawing from biology, medicine, behavioural sciences, engineering, computer science, mathematics and physics. Beyond fundamental research, neuroscientific research comprises the development and application of new technologies to understand, repair, replace and enhance nervous system function, as well as the exploitation of neuroscientific advances for technological innovation. Such applications hold the potential to revolutionise medical treatments and are therefore of relevance for the medical devices and pharmaceutical industries. Freiburg University has created an MSc program that caters to the demands of this growing discipline.
The Neuroscience master program at Freiburg University unites teaching expertise at the faculties of biology, engineering, and behavioral sciences and economics to offer a coherent course program that provides the training needed by the next generation neuroscientists.

First Semester

You will begin your program obtaining a comprehensive education in the foundations of neuroscience and the experimental and theoretical methods used in neuroscientific research. In the lecture "From Membrane to Brain" and the accompanying seminar you will acquire in depth knowledge about the structure and functional principles underlying brain function and neuroanatomical structures, organizational schemes, and processes in nerve cells and functional systems of the brain (e.g. visual, auditory, motor, somatosensory and cognitive systems). In two practical courses "Physiology and anatomy of neuronal systems" and "Neurophysiology: Measurement and Analysis of Neuronal Activity" practical experience in basic neurobiology will be gained in (i) measuring and analyzing physiological properties of neurons and neuronal networks and (ii) in comparative and functional neuroanatomy in rodents and humans on the basis of fixed tissue specimens and models. Important theoretical concepts and mathematical tools essential for model building and data analysis in neuroscience will be taught in a separate "Quantitative Methods in Neuroscience" course consisting of lectures and practical exercises. ]

Second Semester

As soon as in the second term you will have the chance to focus on a specific neuroscientific topic. While you will meet with all students of your semester in the "Advanced topics in Neuroscience I" module, consisting of a lecture series and regular "Journal Clubs" to discuss recent neuroscience publications, you can individually choose from various elective subjects such as computational neuroscience, neuro- and optophysiology, neurotechnology, and neurodevelopment. Each elective offers multiple courses to choose from, including a subset of courses from other electives, enabling you to compose an individual and multidisciplinary curriculum.

Third Semester

In the third semester you will continue with lab work related to your specialization, diving deeper into practical work. You will enter two research laboratories for research internships during which you carry out a six weeks research project which matches your specific neuroscientific interests. Furthermore this will allow you explore research fields for future MSc thesis opportunities. In a parallel advanced seminar series with local and international speakers, you will continue to meet your fellow students and scientists from all over the world to attend top level research presentations, and extend your network.

Fourth Semester

The fourth semester will be dedicated to your masters thesis project and the preparation of your written thesis and the final oral exam.

Entry requirements

The MSc Neuroscience has the following entry requirements:

A Bachelor degree (or equivalent international qualification) with a major in natural sciences, engineering sciences, mathematics, computer sciences, behavioural sciences or sport sciences. If you have already obtained multiple degrees then it is your first degree that counts.
A Bachelor degree (or equivalent international qualifications) with a final grade of at least 2.5 (according to the German grading system) or a Bachelor degree with a final grade that ranks among the top 33% across the last 3 years. Again it is your first degree which counts in case you have obtained multiple degrees already. To transfer foreign grades to the German grading system you can use this table for orientation but please note that the information in the table is not legally binding.
A first Bachelor degree with at least 100 ECTS in natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering sciences of which at least 20 ECTS must be in mathematics or physics. For degree programs which do not use ECTS: 1 ECTS amounts to 25-30 hours of student work, details can be found here.
If you have not completed a Bachelor degree yet you can still apply if you meet the following three criteria at the time of application: (i) You have already obtained 135 ECTS in total. (ii) You have already obtained at least 80 ECTS in natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering sciences of which at least 20 ECTS must be in mathematics or physics. (iii) You have already submitted your Bachelor thesis or you have at least already registered for your Bachelor thesis project. Please contact us as soon as possible (mscneuro@uni-freiburg.de) if it is a problem for you to meet criterion (iii).
If your application is successful you will still need to demonstrate before enrolment for the MSc Neuroscience that you successfully completed your Bachelor degree and that your degree fulfills the requirements 2. and 3. above.
Proficiency in English (level B2 or above according to Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). English proficiency can be demonstrated by a recognised English language test (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS etc.), a German Abitur or a Bachelor degree which was taught entirely in English. Further information can be found here.