Master of Science in Biochemistry

The international Master's programme Biochemistry at Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) is offered to students from Germany and abroad, and it is entirely held in English. Capitalising on the city’s unique research landscape consisting of several universities and of research institutes from the Max Planck, Helmholtz and Leibniz Societies, we offer a vigorous biochemical training in all modern areas of biochemistry. The programme offers an excellent theoretical and practical training that thoroughly prepares graduates for a further career in the life sciences. A Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry or a related field is a prerequisite to enter the Master’s programme. Applicants should demonstrate a sufficient level of theoretical and practical training. The programme includes a basic lecture series covering major aspects of current biochemical research from a broad range of fields. The practical course work comprises methods modules that last two to four weeks. These modules convey in-depth knowledge of particular methods in the areas of structural biology, molecular biology or molecular medicine. Further on, individual nine-week projects are performed in groups within the department or in one of the many affiliated laboratories. Many students perform one of these lab rotations abroad to gain international research experience. Scholarships are available to support and encourage such projects. A Master's thesis of six months performed in a selected research group completes the studies. Required Modules (10 credit points) "Advanced Biochemistry" lecture series The major categories of the lecture series (RNA biochemistry, protein biochemistry, membrane biochemistry, signal transduction) are represented by the members of the biochemistry faculty and several associated members from major research hubs in Berlin, such as the Leibniz Institute of Molecular Pharmacology, the Max Delbrück Centre for Molecular Medicine or the Charité. The curriculum comprises areas of ongoing research such as protein dynamics, post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA expression, membrane remodelling with a focus on neurobiology and signal transduction in the field of chronobiology, immunobiology or bone morphogenesis. In addition to the mandatory basic lectures, a number of specialised lecture series are offered as elective courses. Required Elective Courses (80 credit points) Methods courses (5 credit points per two-week course, three courses required) These courses are designed as hands-on practical experience, giving students the opportunity to gain advanced technical skills. These courses are full-time assignments with a high supervisor-to-student ratio (typically one to three tutors for six students). Practical work is flanked by 45-90 minute/day seminars that impart further aspects of the technology. These seminars also require the active participation of students, typically in form of a journal club or discussion of results at the end of the respective course. Lab rotations with examination (15 credit points, three rotations required) In these lab rotations, students are offered the unique opportunity to perform extended 12-week research projects in a laboratory of their choice amongst the FU-afliliated and approved institutions in Berlin, Germany or internationally. At the end of these rotations, the results are presented in a 15-minute talk and by an oral examination of 30 minutes. Advanced study in a related field (10 credit points) This part of the curriculum can be filled with modules on scientific questions, current knowledge and experimental approaches in core or related subjects of biochemistry. Furthermore, also methods modules, lab rotations or practical work in a research institute of the student's choice with or without examination can be taken here. Elective courses (10 credit points) In this area, you are free to choose whatever you want as long as you have not already taken this course. For example, you can take further biochemistry