About this programme
Brains are among the most complex systems in nature. They control perception, cognition and eventually the behaviour of animals and humans. Understanding the mechanisms that allow animals and humans to behave adaptively in complex environments is one of the most fascinating, but also most challenging tasks in science. The graduate programme "Behaviour: From Neural Mechanisms to Evolution" provides the relevant interdisciplinary scientific training for a comprehensive education. It introduces concepts, fundamental experimental techniques, and theoretical approaches that are required to perform research at the frontiers of this ambitious scientific field. The study programme aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles underlying autonomous adaptive behaviour in animals and humans. It bridges the gap from neurophysiology to behavioural ecology. This goal is reached by relating two basic aspects that are usually treated separately. Computational Aspect: Behaviour is the result of computations performed by the nervous system of the organism at all relevant levels of complexity. These comprise the cellular and network level as well as the cognitive and behavioural performance of the entire system. Evolutionary Aspect: Brain morphology and function as well as the innate and learnt behaviours of animals and humans emerge from the developmental and everyday interactions of the organism with its environment. They have been shaped by selection in the course of evolution. As a distinguishing characteristic, this study programme focuses on both computational and evolutionary explanations of behaviour and highlights their mutual relationship. Although the interdisciplinary study programme is centred in the Faculty of Biology, a selection of curricular modules may also be selected from other fields such as psychology, computer science, robotics or linguistics. Some of the groups involved in the graduate programme are affiliated with the Centre for Cognitive Interaction Technology (http://www.cit-ec.de). Throughout the first year, basic concepts and current topics of mechanisms and evolution of brain and behaviour are taught in a comprehensive study programme. This combines both seminars and lectures with lab courses and small scientific projects. During the first year, emphasis is put on individual tutoring and intensive training in small groups. Semesters 1 and 2: Module A "Probing Behaviour" (10 ECTS) Module B "Neural Mechanisms of Behaviour" (10 ECTS) Module C "Control of Behaviour" (10 ECTS) Module D "Perception and Action" (10 ECTS) Module E "Evolution of Behaviour" (10 ECTS) Module F "Function of Behaviour" (10 ECTS) In the second year, students carry out independent projects in two of the participating research groups. These projects will eventually lead to the six-month Master's thesis project. Semesters 3 and 4: Supplementary module (10 ECTS) Two research modules (A, B): Small research projects in preparation for the Master's thesis project (10 ECTS each) Participation in a weekly seminar series It is recommended that at least the supplementary module will be done in a research group outside Germany. Thesis: The Master's thesis project comprises original and independent research. Research projects are accompanied by training in scientific writing and oral presentation skills. The Master's thesis will be written in the format of international scientific journals (30 ECTS). PDF Download
Course details verified 09 Sep 2026 — intakes, entry requirements and course facts · official source