Master of Science in Biochemistry Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Courses are held in English.

Building upon their existing knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology, students in the MSc Biochemistry programme will learn advanced concepts of molecular biology and biochemistry. They will also apply methodical approaches to the analysis of biomolecules and cellular functions on molecular levels within a broad range of scientific fields.

The programme is coordinated by the Center for Molecular Biomedicine in Jena and involves contributions from the Fritz Lipman Institute on Aging, the Hans Knöll Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology. All of these institutions are located on the primary science campus in Jena, the "Beutenberg".

In three mandatory basic modules in the first semester, students learn about 1) modern techniques in spectroscopy and bioimaging, including a lecture, a seminar, and a practical course; 2) regulatory aspects of biochemistry, including a lecture on regulatory aspects of biochemistry,  a lecture on basic methods of analytical biochemistry; and a seminar on genome structure and changes, and 3) cell biology, including a lecture on molecular cell biology, a lecture on signal transduction, a lecture on hormones and their actions, and a seminar in molecular pharmacology.

In the second semester, students may presently choose three out of 14 advanced modules. These include 1) Biochemistry of Natural Products, 2) Organic Chemistry, 3) Chemical Ecology, 4) Genetic Instability, Tumour Biology, and Ageing, 5) Molecular Medicine of Ion Transport, 6) Proteomics, 7) Systems Biology, 8) Epigenetics and Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes, 9) Cellular Plasticity, including Neuronal Plasticity, Stem Cells and Immunology of Ageing, 10) Pharmacological Cell Biology, 12) Immunobiology, 13) Infection Biology, 14) Virology. Each of these modules contains a lecture and/or seminar plus a practical course to learn advanced techniques, often in a lab of choice in Jena. It is possible to choose one additional advanced module and/or to choose one advanced module from another Master's programme in Jena.

The second year is completely dedicated to practical work, learning techniques, and planning projects as well as to doing a Master's thesis in a lab of choice in Jena. Counselling and advice for a choice that best fits the interest of each student are offered.

• 1 April through 31 May (Non-EU nationals)
• 1 April through 31 August (Germany and EU nationals)

Organised mostly by the study coordinator, the Master's programme is intended to be as flexible as possible to optimally support the scientific interest of each individual student.

Within the three basic modules in the first semester, lectures include substantial contributions from local experts in the fields, rather than being entirely taught by one professor. During the first semester, a presentation of all advanced modules for the second semester is done by each of the professors or scientists responsible for each of the advanced modules. Choice of these advanced modules is then performed by an electronic survey, and students are admitted such that the modules they attend suit their interests.

The structure of the advanced modules in the second semester is up to the person responsible for each module. Some modules may contain a lecture and a seminar, or only a seminar, or more than one seminar. A practical course for modern relevant techniques is included in each advanced module. This practical course may be done as a block training, which is attended by all students in this module. Alternatively, many modules offer free choice of a relevant lab in Jena to perform the practical course and offer counselling for students to find the lab best fitting their interests. This ensures that every student finds a lab that is the best fit for his or her Master's thesis, with regard to both scientific interests and general atmosphere.

The third semester is dedicated to a project module and a specialisation module, both of which are usually already performed in the lab in which the Master's thesis will be done. In these modules, students learn the relevant techniques as well as how to plan a project and do pilot experiments for a Master's thesis.

The fourth semester is entirely dedicated to the Master's thesis, which will give plenty of opportunity for independent scientific work, under supervision of the group leader. The Master's thesis is then written and evaluated by two independent reviewers.

During the first semester, one of the three mandatory modules includes a practical course in advanced spectroscopy and bioimaging techniques. During the second semester, each of the three elective modules includes a practical course. The second year is dedicated to practical work and to doing a Master's thesis in a lab of choice in Jena. Overall, more than 70% of the Master's programme consists of practical training or research.

No tuition fees

Semester fee amounts to approx. 300 EUR per semester (student services and student self-government). For details, see: Semester fee (uni-jena.de)

Students need approximately 700 to 900 EUR per month for rent, food, health insurance, books and personal items. For details, see: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/Jena+living+international.

Applicants must hold or be about to receive a Bachelor's degree in the field of biochemistry, molecular biology, or a field recognised as equivalent to one of these fields (such as pharmacy, biotechnology, molecular medicine, or chemistry). Admissions decisions will be based on a number of criteria, including your grade point average, letter of motivation, and previous practical experience.

Very good English skills may be proven by either a high school entrance qualification (A-level equivalent/Abitur), including several years of classes in English, or by proof of a previous Bachelor's programme that was taught mostly or entirely in English. Certificates of English proficiency are acknowledged, but they are not essential.

• 1 April through 31 May (Non-EU nationals)
• 1 April through 31 August (Germany and EU nationals)

No

During their studies, students can work as student assistants up to a certain extent. Please also see: https://www.uni-jena.de/en/Jena+living+international.

Specific Information for MSc Biochemistry:

During the first semester, two days per week are free of lectures and seminars, to allow students to attend the practical course in the Spectroscopy module. Since this course takes less time, work as a student assistant in the lab is in principle possible for five to ten hours per week. However, we advise students from abroad to first attend a few weeks of classes to make sure they will be able to invest enough time in their studies, before searching for a student assistant position. In the second semester, work as a student assistant would depend on the exact modules chosen, as the structures of the modules differ. During the second year, students should be able to fully focus on their thesis work, so we do not suggest any extra duties.

Accommodation in student residences is available. Please apply to the "Studierendenwerk Thüringen". For further information, please visit our website at: http://www.stw-thueringen.de/en/housing/.

You can also look for single or shared private accommodation yourself. In the buildings of the university, there are numerous information boards with accommodation offers. However, please note that the availability of private accommodation in Jena is rather limited.

The university hosts a Career and Welcome Point: https://www.cwp.uni-jena.de/en.