International Max Planck Research School for Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences

=International Max Planck Research Schools=

To date more than 50 [http://www.imprs.mpg.de International Max Planck Research Schools] (short: IMPRS) have been established in Germany, each representing a joint cooperative of Max Planck Institutes and one or several German universities. The concept for the International Max Planck Research Schools was jointly developed in 1999 by the Max Planck Society and the so called [http://www.hrk.de/index_eng.php "Hochschul Rektoren Konferenz"] (HRK) a body, representing all German universities. The aim of these PhD programs is to offer German and international doctoral students a first class education in innovative and interdisciplinary research environments with state of the art facilities and cutting edge research projects. Each International Max Planck Research School covers a specific topic in one of the following areas: chemistry, physics & technology, biology & medicine or human sciences. In contrast to traditional doctoral education in Germany where a doctoral student is trained and supervised individually by a professor or group leader, Max Planck Research Schools offer structured programs with a defined curriculum and a supervision by a committee of normally 3 or more expert scientists. Language of instruction is English. German language courses are provided to interested international students. In order to maintain highest educational standards, all IMPRS programs are evaluated on a regular basis by an international and independent scientific commission.

International Max Planck Research School for Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences (IMPRS-LS)

The [http://www.imprs-ls.de International Max Planck Research School for Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences] (short: IMPRS-LS) was established in 2005. The research oriented PhD program is jointly organized by the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology and the [http://www.mpipsykl.mpg.de/en/index.html Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry] in cooperation with two of Germany's leading universities, the Ludwig Maximilians University and the Technical University of Munich. Over 40 research groups from the Munich area participate in the program, covering many aspects of life sciences including biochemistry, cell biology, molecular medicine, neurobiology and structural biology. Currently, 85 students from 19 different countries are enrolled in IMPRS-LS and it is anticipated to reach a steady state level of 120 students by 2009. Although students specialize in a particular research topic, the interdisciplinary context of the program facilitates interactions with other research groups and fosters the ability of cross-frontier thinking. Laboratory work is supplemented by seminars, summer schools, elective courses, training in soft skills and participation in national or international conferences.

Annually, approximately 25 to 30 doctoral students from all over the world are accepted to the program. Deadline for application is January 15^th, each year. All doctoral students receive a fellowship covering living expenses and tuition. Entry requirement for the 3-year program is a MSc degree (or equivalent) in the fields of biology,biochemistry, bioinformatics, biophysics, biotechnology, medicine or in a related discipline. A one year preparatory program is available to outstanding applicants with a Bachelor's degree allowing a fast track path towards a doctoral degree. The doctoral degree is usually awarded by one of the two participating Munich universities. International doctoral students may also obtain their doctoral degree from a university residing in their home country.

Currently, more than 250 doctoral students from all over the world are working at the Max Planck Institutes of Biochemistry and Neurobiology and, together with numerous doctoral students from close by university laboratories, lay ground for a lively, open and dynamic international atmosphere at the campus. Amognst other activities, graduate students organize a regular social get tohether, a seminar series (for details [http://www.biochem.mpg.de/en/phd/graduate see:] ) and [http://vmext129.gwdg.de/interact/concept.html INTERACT] , an annual student symposium.

ee also

*Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry
*Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology
*Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry
*Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich
*Technical University of Munich

External links

* [http://www.imprs-ls.de/ Homepage of the International Max Planck Research School for Molecular and Cellular Life Sciences (IMPRS-LS)]