Max Planck School Matter to Life – MSc to PhD Direct Track Programme Heidelberg University

The Max Planck School Matter to Life offers an integrated MSc/PhD graduate programme. Students receive their joint Master's degree in Matter to Life by regularly studying at the two teaching universities (University of Göttingen or Heidelberg University). Subsequently, the students pursue their own research in the PhD phase of the programme under the supervision of a fellow within the Matter to Life Faculty with a matching research interest.

The joint degree Master's programme will be spent at one of the following two teaching universities, depending on your choice of focus:

• Complex Systems and Biological Physics (University of Göttingen)
• Molecular Systems Chemistry and Engineering (Heidelberg University)

The universities share a core curriculum with classes taught in connected classrooms. Laboratory rotations at associated institutions during the Master's phase of the programme are encouraged and the students are supported in building their own research networks in this highly interdisciplinary area. All students are given a buddy and a mentor to guide them through the programme.

After you have successfully completed your Master's, you can continue with a three-year PhD programme under the supervision of one of the school's fellows.

Voluntary preparatory courses in mathematics, chemistry and physical chemistry are offered prior to the start of the Master's programme.

University of Göttingen, TU Munich, DWI-Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials in Aachen, various Max Planck Institutes, University of Bayreuth, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, LMU Munich, University of Münster, RWTH Aachen University, Saarland University, TU of Dresden, DWI Aachen, DKFZ Heidelberg, EMBL Heidelberg, INM Saarbrücken, University of Mainz, EMBL Heidelberg, Molit Institute Heilbronn, Düsseldorf University, University of Jena

Six-month internship in collaboration with the Fellows of the Max Planck School Matter to Life as part of the Master's programme

To be eligible to apply for the programme, you must meet the following requirements:

• a Bachelor of Science degree (e.g. in Chemistry, Physics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Biotechnology) or
• a Bachelor of Engineering (e.g. in the subjects Molecular Systems Engineering, Bioengineering) or
• a completed course of study in a related natural science or engineering discipline in at least six semesters
• Proof of an above-average Bachelor's degree, demonstrated by either a minimum GPA of 1.7 or evidence that you ranked in the top five percent of your graduating class
• Subjects related to Natural Sciences including mathematics must compose 50% of the credit points obtained during your degree programme. Of these, one third should be in physics, chemistry and/or mathematics. For example, if your degree program consists of 180 credits, 90 credits should be in Natural Sciences, and 30 of this should be in physics, chemistry and/or mathematics.
• Proof of English language proficiency

The semester contribution for University of Göttingen is approx. 475 EUR (on average; including a semester ticket) and 189.80 EUR for Heidelberg University.

Between 1,100 EUR and 1,400 EUR, depending on the chosen living situation

The Max Planck School Matter to Life offers full funding in form of a generous scholarship that covers costs of living (including tuition and fees) as well as, if applicable, a subsidy for health insurance and material costs in the Master's phase and a contract according to the local wage agreement for public service in the PhD phase.

We also offer financial support for conference participation.

This will allow you to fully concentrate on the research and develop your scientific and personal skills.

A career service is provided at the universities:

University of Göttingen: 
https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/292.html

Heidelberg University: 
https://www.heiskills.uni-heidelberg.de/en/about-us/career-service

The Max Planck School Matter to Life offers assistance with finding accommodation for the first semester.

The Max Planck School Matter to Life brings together internationally renowned scientists from different locations across Germany under one scientific topic. The school offers an interdisciplinary and unique study programme within an excellent research environment to outstanding undergraduate students from all over the world.