Medical Life Sciences Kiel University

To lay the foundation for molecular disease research, Medical Life Sciences provides knowledge in human biology, pathology and systems biology. Genomic diagnostics, bioinformatics, medical statistics, molecular biology, clinical cell biology and human genetics make the interfaces between medicine and the sciences visible.

Please note that you need bioinformatics, statistics and maths for everything you do in molecular disease research. Sound foundations in maths and statistics are essential.

Evolutionary Medicine investigates how interrelations between humans and their environment have led to current disease susceptibility. Why do we suffer from chronic diseases? Why are certain genetic variants maintained in populations despite their disease risk? 

Inflammation takes you into the molecular mechanisms of chronic inflammatory diseases, the causal network between inflammatory processes and disease, genetics and environment.

Oncology leads you into molecular research of malignant diseases, the interplay of genetics and environment, cell biology of tumours and many other aspects.

Experts in their fields guide you through lectures and seminars. Lab practicals and project work as well as the Master's thesis provide opportunities to be involved in research projects. Genomic diagnostics, bioinformatics and medical statistics revolve around programming to analyse big data.

You choose electives that complement your focus area. Tracing Disease through Time looks at disease aetiology by analysing biomolecules, diets and pathogens in archaeological specimens. Imaging in medical research is also on the menu. MolOcular provides insights into disease mechanisms at a molecular level, focusing on the eye.
Molecular Diagnostics, Tissue Engineering, Neurosciences, Epithelial Barrier Functions, Cardiovascular Epidemiology explore the interface between medicine and the sciences.
Soft skills such as project management, career orientation and English scientific writing are integrated into the curriculum to prepare you for working life.

For an overview of courses, examinations and credit points, check the information pages about the modules.

First semester (summer semester):

• lectures in molecular biology, human biology, pathology, clinical manifestations of diseases, medical statistics, immunology, systems biology
• seminars in career orientation
• tutorials in medical statistics, molecular biology, systems biology
• practicals in human biology, molecular biology, clinical manifestations of diseases
• career day with guest speakers / alumni of MedLife to learn more about biomedical job perspectives, application training

Second semester (winter semester):

• lectures in molecular pathology, bioinformatics, focus areas (inflammation / oncology / evolutionary medicine) and electives (tracing disease / imaging/MolOcular)
• seminars in genomic diagnostics, bioinformatics, English scientific writing, project management, focus areas and electives
• tutorials in bioinformatics
• lab practicals in genomic diagnostics, inflammation / oncology / evolutionary medicine

Third semester (summer semester):

• lectures in your elective (tracing disease / imaging / MolOcular), human genetics, scientific studies and biobanking
• seminars in electives, English scientific writing, focus areas, scientific studies and biobanking
• lab project in focus areas
• seminars and "New Technologies in Biomedical Research" video workshop

Fourth semester (winter semester):

• Master's thesis (no curricular classes scheduled, the entire fourth semester is reserved for working on the thesis) and Master's thesis presentation

Lab practicals (molecular lab methods, bioinformatics and statistical analyses) are part of the curriculum. You will choose your lab group yourself and organise the project topic.

The Master's thesis is based on lab work and bioinformatics. Large parts of the thesis period (six months) are spent in a research group of your choice that is connected to your focus area. If you are especially interested in computational analyses of lab results, your Master's thesis could focus on this field as well.

The application period starts in late May, nearly one year before the summer semester you are applying for. Check https://www.medlife.uni-kiel.de/en. Application dates are published in early May.

Before you apply, inform yourself thoroughly about the programme, requirements and ability assessment procedures. Incorrect applications cannot be considered.

• Bachelor's degree in a life science such as biology, molecular biology, molecular medicine, biochemistry, molecular biotechnology or biological sciences
• sound documented molecular biology knowledge, first-hand experience in molecular research labs, good lab skills
• very good English skills, in particular in spoken communication (CEFR level at least C1)
• good mathematical and statistical skills
• informatics knowledge is advantageous
• documented Bachelor's degree-level knowledge of vertebrate physiology

An enrolment fee ("Einschreibgebühr") of 55 EUR is charged for the first enrolment at Kiel University. A semester contribution ("Semesterbeitrag") currently amounting to 403 EUR must be paid each semester. This covers administration fees ("Verwaltungskostenbeitrag"), free public transport ("bundesweites Semesterticket") for trains and buses, reduced lunch prices, a culture ticket and other benefits for students.

The monthly costs of living in Germany are currently at least 992 EUR per month. Please note that when applying for a visa (from countries requiring a visa) and also later in Germany when extending a residence permit, financial means in the amount of the living costs for one year (11,904 EUR) must be proven.

More information can be found here: www.international.uni-kiel.de/en/incomings/planning-arrival-and-stay/visa.

Studies and Career introduces you to different career paths in academia and the industry and discusses opportunities, necessary skills and ways to acquire them. Project Management with guest lecturers from various institutions and companies familiarises you with aspects of project preparation, management and practical organisation of a project. The career day is filled with hands-on application training to provide you with the tools for the job hunt after graduation.

Please find information on accommodation in Kiel on the following website: https://www.international.uni-kiel.de/en/incomings/planning-arrival-and-stay/accomodation.

Kiel University (also referred to as the CAU) was founded in 1665. It is Schleswig-Holstein's oldest, largest and best-known university, with 27,000 students and 3,700 staff members. It is also the only full-fledged university in the state. Seven Nobel Prize winners have worked here. The CAU has been successfully taking part in the Excellence Initiative since 2006.

We use research, teaching and the transfer of science to address the great challenges of our time in health, environmental and cultural change, nutrition and energy. In doing so, we ensure peace and preserve livelihoods for future generations. We use responsible actions to make sure that scientific discoveries are transferred into all sectors of our society by interdisciplinary thought – regardless of short-lived trends – where they are incorporated into political, economic and social decisions aimed at securing peace and prosperity.

When it was founded back in 1665, the CAU had the motto “Pax Optima Rerum: peace is the most valuable asset.” This maxim is as applicable today as it was over 350 years ago. We want to follow this key idea and contribute towards creating a peaceful, fair world in which everyone lives freely and comfortably. We aim to create a world in which treating the environment with respect also enables future generations to enjoy the same benefits.

CAU’s mission:
Our mission is to deliver research and teaching that contribute to peace, prosperity and maintaining a pluralistic, free society as well as address the challenges we are facing. Our strong disciplines carry out this mission. The fulfilment of this mission requires interdisciplinary collaboration and involves transdisciplinary issues. We find solutions to today’s pressing problems and implement these solutions together with stakeholders from society, industry and politics.

Teaching profile:
We are dedicated to research-based teaching and learning. Therefore, the development of new teaching approaches is evolving constantly at the interfaces between research from the different scientific disciplines. Students from all over the world benefit from this: research results are quickly integrated into programme curricula and our academic staff is trained in state-of-the-art teaching methods.

Research profile:
The CAU is Schleswig-Holstein’s only full-fledged university with a major focus on research. Over time, four dynamic priority research areas have systematically developed. These are based on strong disciplines interacting together – Marine Science, Life Science, Societal and Cultural Change, and Nano Surface and Interface Science. Each individual research area makes a substantial contribution towards dealing with at least one of the grand challenges of our time.

Transfer profile:
A university is not an island. It is an entity that impacts on, with and for society in a number of ways, by offering space for new ideas, passing on knowledge and values, and enabling debates about controversial subjects. Universities train specialists, produce innovative products and start-ups, help companies to develop further and assist politics by giving advice and warnings. The CAU encompasses top quality, innovative science, a sense of responsibility and the transfer of knowledge. We advocate for the university’s active role in society and aim to work closely together with the community to be the driving force behind regional, national and international development by looking for and finding pioneering solutions for our most pressing issues. This is the reason why we maintain a variety of active connections with our partners in science, industry, politics and society.

Read more about our profiles.

The city of Kiel is located directly on the Baltic Sea coast and is the capital of the northernmost German federal state, Schleswig-Holstein. Famous for its sailing tradition, Kiel has hosted two Olympic sailing competitions. The city's annual "Kiel Week" is the world's largest sailing event and one of the biggest cultural festivals in northern Europe. Kiel's international flair is enhanced by its port, where Scandinavian ferries dock next to cruise liners and historic ships. Those who enjoy going out will benefit from the city's lively cultural life as well as the many clubs and bars to be found between the campus and the city centre. Kiel is a strong centre of science and research. Our students benefit from studying by the sea in a city that offers short distances and a wide range of leisure facilities by the waterside. It takes less than 20 minutes to get from the lecture hall to the beach. A fresh breeze on your face and the right books on hand create a great atmosphere for learning. The social conditions for studying in Kiel are excellent. Freshmen receive a welcome payment of 100 EUR when they come to Kiel to commence their undergraduate studies. They have the opportunity to live in one of the many halls of residence, which are reasonably priced and situated close to the universities. In our bicycle-friendly city, not only the universities but also other inner-city locations can be reached conveniently by bike. The new scientific generation represents the most important resource for making Kiel, the state capital, fit for the future.

www.kiel.de