MSc/Ph.D
Integrative Neuroscience

The Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences in Magdeburg offers an interdisciplinary graduate programme "Integrative Neuroscience". Its purpose is to train master students for a professional career and doctoral students for independent research and teaching in neuroscience. All courses are taught in English and the program is aimed at both German and international students. Historically, the programme developed from a German-style diploma programme in Neurobiology/Neuroscience, which started in 1997. 

Integrative neuroscience considers neural components in their functional context. All levels of analysis are of interest: How do molecular and cellular components build functioning neurons and synapses? How do brain cells work together to form operational circuits? How do neural circuits jointly generate behavior and cognition? How are individual brains shaped by their interaction with other brains and with the natural environment?

The integrative study of the nervous system involves newer developments such as functional brain imaging, the application of molecular biology and genetics, or techniques from immulogy, as well as more traditional areas such as psychophysics, neurophysiology and neuroanatomy. In addition, neural modelling and quantitative analysis are rapidly growing in importance. Accordingly, the graduate programme introduces students to a wide variety of techniques from a range of different disciplines.

The MSc programme provides a broad background in the basic areas of neuroscience. This includes molecular and cellular neuroscience, systems and behavioural neuroscience, as well as theoretical and computational neuroscience. Students take core courses in all of these areas and choose from a range of advanced courses. They perform practical or laboratory exercises in all core areas and spend several weeks in three research laboratories. The wide range of areas and requirements makes for a particularly intensive and rewarding study experience.

While the graduate programme is administered by the Otto-von-Guericke University (Faculties of Natural Sciences and of Medicine), the lecturers of the programme represent the current state-of-the art in neuroscience research at the Leibniz Institute of Neurobiology, the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, and other university faculties. Teaching is concentrated at the new Institute of Biology building, which houses lecture rooms, teaching and computer laboratories, a comfortable student lounge, and a student kitchen.

Currently, there are approximately 50 faculty members, approximately 80 master students, and a comparable number of doctoral students enrolled in various relevant areas of neuroscience.

For more information about MSc/Ph.D Integrative Neuroscience see: neuroscience-magdeburg.de