Master of Science in Medical Photonics Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Understanding the cause of diseases, facilitating an early diagnosis, and providing a specific effective treatment are the goals of modern medicine. Light plays a key role in turning this ambitious vision into reality. In biomedical research, modern optical and photonic techniques allow for monitoring and manipulating life processes in cells and tissues on a molecular level. But also in clinical practice, optical and photonic techniques are well established in many fields of medicine, like in ophthalmology, endoscopy or biomedical imaging.

To meet the demand for scientists trained in the interdisciplinary field of medical photonics, the Faculties of Medicine, Chemistry and Earth Sciences, and Physics and Astronomy of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena decided to conjointly establish the MSc Medical Photonics programme. It conveys basic and advanced insights into the quickly developing field of medical photonics.

It is targeted at students holding a Bachelor of Science degree in physics, chemistry, biochemistry, and biology, but also at medical doctors and students of medicine. It provides students of these disciplines with the necessary training in the neighbouring disciplines and offers a comprehensive cross-disciplinary study programme. The aim of the programme is to provide all students with the necessary knowledge and practical skills to use and develop optical/photonic tools for biomedical research and clinical applications.

Although the interdisciplinary training of students in medicine, life sciences, physics, and chemistry is a central goal of this programme, it is at the same time a big challenge. Since students with different knowledge and skills have to be taught, adjustment modules offered in the first year of the programme aim at complementing the students' knowledge in the neighbouring disciplines. Additional modules give all students training in fundamental techniques, such as programming, statistics, and image processing. Elective courses in the second and third semesters allow the student to focus on topics in which they are interested and to gather all the skills to work on the Master's thesis, which will be concluded in the fourth semester. You can find more details on the programme website.

Assistance and advice are offered at all stages to students of the MSc Medical Photonics programme. Help to prepare the stay in Jena is given by the International Office. Counselling during the programme is provided by the coordinator and the lecturers.

In addition, several courses aimed at improving the personal and scientific skills are offered to students, including training in presentation skills, scientific writing and good scientific practice.

The curriculum has a modular structure. Credit points are granted according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) for every successfully completed module. The individual modules are grouped into five "blocks".

Modules of the "Adjustment" block offered in the first and second semester of the Master's programme aim at complementing the student's knowledge in the neighbouring disciplines. Modules in this block impart knowledge in mathematics, physics, physical chemistry, spectroscopy, and human biology.

Additional modules within the "Fundamentals" block give the students training in basic skills such as programming, statistics and image processing. These skills are fundamental to all of the other modules. Modules of this block also give an introduction to biomedical imaging techniques.

Elective courses can be selected in the second and third semester. Modules within the "Specialisation" block allow students to focus in more depth on special topics of Medical Photonics, such as microscopy (biological microscopy, single-molecule microscopy, electron microscopy, nano-optics, labels for biological specimens), spectroscopy, and diagnostics (microspectroscopy, chemometrics, optical sensors, microfluidics, mass spectroscopy) as well as clinical applications (ophthalmology, medical diagnosis and therapy, theranostics, biomaterials) and important tools in Medical Photonics (lasers, optical fibres). Furthermore, students interested in mathematics and informatics will have the possibility to enhance their skills in additional modules (e.g. advanced mathematics, image understanding, visual recognition and analysis, management of scientific data).

Lectures and seminars are accompanied by practical courses. In the first and second semesters, a practical lab course allows students to put the theory into practice. During this course, students can carry out experiments in set-ups located in the departments of physics, physical chemistry, and physiology. During the third semester, a research-oriented practical course provides the possibility to participate in a current research project of one of the research groups participating in the Master's degree programme and introduces the students to the topic of their Master's thesis, which will be concluded in the fourth semester (a detailed description of the course organisation can be found here).

A research internship is supposed to be completed during the third semester. It gives students the possibility to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the first two semesters of the Master’s programme to a specific research project by working in a research laboratory of their choice.

Depending on the students' interests and the approval of the examination board, the research internship and the practical work for the Master's thesis can also be realised in one of the research-oriented companies in Jena.

Applicants must have a Bachelor of Science degree or a comparable academic qualification in chemistry, physics, biology, biochemistry/molecular biology, or closely related fields. Students of human medicine must have concluded their studies with a state exam. In order to gain admission, the Bachelor's degree should have been concluded with the grade "good" (equal to at least 2.5 in the German grading system). See the programme website for details.

Approx. 320 EUR per semester. Includes the Deutschlandsemesterticket (free public transport in Germany) and the Jena culture ticket; see details here.

Studying in Jena is tuition-free.

Costs (per month) vary depending on individual circumstances: rent and food: 550 EUR, books and learning materials: 50 EUR, health insurance: 120 EUR, other expenses: 180 EUR, total: 900 EUR.

There are various job opportunities in Jena. You should have at least a good command of German if you want to have a wider choice of jobs. Jobs in which you do not need (much) German are rare, often physically demanding, and not very well paid. In some cases, you may also have to commute to nearby cities. Our Career Point offers advice on finding a job.

Deutschlandstipendium (application in April each year).

Some programmes offer scholarships. Please consult the specific study programme website.

When applying for internships, part-time jobs or entry-level roles after graduation, the Career Point team at the University of Jena supports Bachelor’s and Master’s students with free events and advisory services. Career talks, alumni events, company visits, workshops on soft skills, intercultural skills, and future skills, and a free interdisciplinary career and job fair enable exchange with employers. Templates, a job portal, LinkedIn and a mailing list provide information on vacancies, event invitations and exclusive offers. Students interested in entrepreneurship can reach out to the university’s K1 Startup Service.

Bachelor's and Master's level students may apply for student accommodation (all off-campus, furnished single rooms in shared apartments, rent: 200 to 350 EUR per month, application deadline: 15 July/15 January).

International doctoral candidates have the possibility of applying for a place in one of three university guesthouses. Enrolled doctoral candidates can also apply for a room in student housing.

You can find more information about finding accommodation in Jena here.