MSc/PhD Program


PhD Program

Students who have passed the examinations at the end of the first year with good or excellent results qualify for direct admission to a three-year doctoral project in one of the participating research groups without being required to complete a Master's thesis first.

The PhD program emphasizes independent research of the students. Doctoral students select three faculty members as their doctoral committee which closely monitors progress and advises students in their research projects.

Laboratory work is complemented by a PhD curriculum in which a student completes the equivalent of at least 20 credits by choosing courses which are suitable with respect to her/his special area of study:

At the end of the PhD program, a doctoral thesis is submitted either in the traditional format, or as a collection of scientific publications in internationally recognized journals along with a general introduction and discussion of the results.

The degree of a "Doctor of Philosophy" (Ph.D.) or, alternatively, "Doctor of Natural Sciences" (Dr. rer. nat.) will be awarded after successful defense of the doctoral thesis. Candidates that have previously graduated from Medical School can receive an MD-PhD degree.