Molecular Medicine – (M.Sc.)

Contents

The Master's Program in Molecular Medicine is a two-year program consisting of a two week orientation period, followed by seven different, nine-week modules. The entire program consists of 2500 hours and 120 Credits.

The first six modules are similarly structured and include lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical work in the lab. They differ, however, with respect to content and instructors. The purpose of the first six modules is to give students an overview of the various different research areas in the field.

With the exception of module four (bioinformatics), in each module students attend lectures and tutorials on the given topic in the mornings. In the afternoons, they work in their lab placements either alone, but occasionally in pairs. In module four the "lab" is the computer because the projects are all related to bioinformatics. Otherwise, the lab work takes place in regular research labs of the Charité (and related institutes) so the work is absolutely current. In many cases students contribute to research that later is published.

After each eight-week module, students present their work in a formal, graded presentation (25% of module grade), turn in a written lab report (25% of module grade) and take a module exam (50% of module grade). The first six modules run in this fashion from October of one year through January of the next year. All modules must be passed before the student can proceed to the thesis.

After all six modules are completed students spend one month choosing a lab at the Charité in which to perform research for their thesis. During this month they must also write a research proposal which must be approved before the thesis work can begin. Thesis research runs from March through August (six months) with the actual written thesis due at the end of that period. Defending the thesis (pass/fail) is the last requirement before the diploma is granted.

Orientation

Because of the international aspect of the master's program in molecular medicine, students are likely to matriculate whose educational backgrounds vary considerably. The orientation program is designed to both identify and close knowledge gaps students may have coming into the program before they are expected to perform at the master's level. Thus, it offers students the chance to establish a common, solid theoretical basis from which they can continue to study successfully. In addition, basic laboratory techniques will be reviewed such that students are well prepared for the practical work they will encounter in the remainder of the program.

Modules

* Molecular Mechanisms of Disease
* Maintenance and Integrity of the Endocrine System
* Development and Genetics
* Functional Genomics
* Infection and Pathogens
* Therapeutic Research and Development
* Practical Professional Training

Thesis

The seventh module is devoted to practical professional training. During this module, students choose a laboratory in which they can pursue a research topic of their choice. They work closely with a thesis advisor who supervises both their research, as well as the writing of the master´s thesis.

International

The master's program in molecular medicine is an international program in which it is expected that approximately half the students will come from outside of Germany. The language of instruction for the program is English. Given the multi-cultural aspect of the program, students have the opportunity not just to increase their professional knowledge, but also, in working closely every day with people from other cultural backgrounds, to broaden their personal horizons as well. Furthermore, Berlin itself is a highly international city in which people from all over the world come to study, work, visit, shop, eat, and simply enjoy the cosmopolitan buzz of this ever-changing European city.