Medical Life Sciences at University of Kiel

About

To lay the foundation for working in molecular disease research, Medical Life Sciences (MedLife) provides basic knowledge in clinical manifestations of diseases, human biology, pathology and systems biology. Lectures, seminars and tutorials in molecular biology, bioinformatics, clinical cell biology, medical statistics, immunology and human genetics make the interfaces between medicine and the sciences visible. You learn how to acquire knowledge, verify and use it in research. From the second semester, you specialise in one of the following focus areas: Evolutionary Medicine investigates how interrelations between humans and their environment have led to current disease susceptibility: why do we suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity? Why are certain genetic variants maintained in populations despite their disease risk? Evolutionary Medicine looks at evolutionary origins of diseases to find new approaches for preventing and treating them. Inflammation takes you deep into the molecular mechanisms of chronic inflammatory diseases, the causal network between inflammatory processes and disease, genetics and environment. New research results for prevention, diagnosis and therapy will be presented and discussed. Longevity focuses on molecular mechanisms that seem to counteract the detrimental effect of ageing. The disease resilience and metabolic stability of extraordinarily fit people well over 90 years of age are of special interest. You look at the molecular pathways of ageing and discuss which role genes and the environment play. Oncology leads you into molecular research of malignant diseases, the interplay of genetics and environment, cell biology of tumours and many other aspects. You will gain a better understanding of unresolved problems and opportunities of current research approaches. Experts in their fields guide you through lectures and seminars; a clinical internship allows you to gain insight into the "bedside" end of medical research because it is crucial to understand how research is translated into clinical applications. Lab practicals and project work in state-of-the-art research labs and your Master's thesis provide ample opportunity to train your skills and be involved in research projects. To broaden your perspective, you choose electives that complement the focus areas. You may be interested in Tracing Disease through Time, which looks at disease etiology by analysing biomolecules, diets and pathogens in archaeological specimens; or you may opt for Cardiovascular Epidemiology to immerse yourself in epidemiological approaches with a special emphasis on cardiovascular diseases, which belong to the greatest health threats in modern societies. Or you may be particularly interested in the world of high-tech imaging in medical research. Tissue Engineering, Neurosciences, Inflammatory and Degenerative Diseases of the Eye as well as Epithelial Barrier Functions are other electives that 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 as well.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a life science such as biology, molecular biology, molecular medicine, biochemistry, (molecular) biotechnology, human biology or life science Sound molecular biology knowledge and first-hand experience in molecular research labs, good lab skills Documented Bachelor's degree-level knowledge of vertebrate physiology