Master of Science in Molecular Medicine Friedrich Schiller University Jena

The MSc course in Molecular Medicine conveys basic and advanced insights into the molecular basis of disease. The imparted knowledge and practical training should enable students to conduct biomedical research and medical biotechnology. To impart skills of experimental methods in biomedicine, the course offers comprehensive laboratory exercises. The curriculum responds to increasing demands of research institutions in molecular biomedicine. Scientists with pronounced knowledge in medicine and natural sciences are sought to fulfil these demands.

Profound knowledge in molecular medicine will be provided in the modules Molecular Pathology, Molecular Pharmacology, Human Genetics, Clinical Chemistry/Molecular Diagnostics and Medical Biometry. For the advanced students in the second year, the course covers recent research achievements in molecular pathology and molecular pharmacology.

The module Molecular Pathology provides basic knowledge about causes and treatments of main disease entities including cancer, cardiovascular, inflammatory, and neurological diseases. Different types of cell and tissue damage, and their histological correlates will be demonstrated with microscopic and macroscopic preparations.

The module Molecular Pharmacology offers basic knowledge of common pharmacology and toxicology. The complex interactions between agents and their pharmacological targets in the human body will be explained. The module combines medical-pharmacological efficacy patterns of these agents with their molecular, cellular, and organ specific effects and functions.

The module Clinical Chemistry/Molecular Diagnostics presents various topics of laboratory medicine and diagnostics, principles of frequently used clinical biochemical and molecular biological methods as well as instruments of diagnostic analysis, principles of step-by-step diagnostics for early diagnosis, course of disease, and therapy control. This includes a review of diagnostically relevant metabolic products and substrates, methods of point-of-care diagnostics, enzyme activity determination, diagnostic procedures in hemostaseology, and procedures for drug monitoring and diagnostic molecular biology.

The module Medical Biometry explains the basics, fundamental terms and prerequisites for biomedical data analysis. In small groups students will be taught to use the statistical software package SPSS. The course includes basics of probability calculation, epidemiology, descriptive statistics, diagnostic tests, random variables, and selected distributions as well as concluding statistics (estimation procedures, significance tests, multiple test procedures, etc.)

The first year of the Master's programme is divided into five mandatory modules: Molecular Pathology, Molecular Pharmacology, Human Genetics, Clinical Chemistry/Molecular Diagnostics and Medical Biometry. In addition, students may select two of the 17 compulsory elective modules dealing with clinical research topics (Molecular Intensive Care, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Stem Cell Research, Molecular Genetics, Oncology, Neurosciences, Rheumatology/Nephrology/Endocrinology, Transgenic Animal Models, Medical Microbiology, Medical Immunology, Neuroepigenetics, Experimental Surgery, Experimental Nephrology, Bioinformatics, Molecular-Biological Approaches in Medical Research and Diagnostics, Forensic Sciences, Quantitative Proteomics for Biomedical Research) consisting of lectures, seminars and a block of practical training. The second year is devoted to in-depth instruction on special problems in molecular pathology and pharmacology. For most of the second year, intensive experimental work on a research project in one of the participating institutes will provide further practical skills and form the basis for the completion of the Master's thesis.

Part-time studies may be permitted by the board of examination.

Not systematically provided

Bachelor's degree in biochemistry/molecular biology or in a relevant/comparable discipline such as natural sciences or life sciences, or an equivalent programme with a biological, biochemical and molecular biology focus

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.