The English Language Masters/Doctoral Programme is intended for the best students holding Bachelor’s degrees and intending to obtain a doctoral degree. Successful applicants will initially enrol in the Masters Programme and take their first two courses from among a specifically accredited subset of the modules of this programme.

Exams and controls, continuation in the Masters/Doctoral Programme, alternatives
The student’s continuation in the Masters/Doctoral Programme is contingent upon receiving high marks in the first two modules. Students whose performance is at this stage found to be below the standard required by the Masters/Doctoral Programme are given the option to transfer to the normal Masters course. Students showing excellent performance continue with the Masters/doctoral programme, i.e. a further, specialist module and three laboratory rotations. Upon completion of the rotations the students will be assessed again. Depending upon performance they will either be enrolled as Doctoral students or will remain enrolled as Masters students and embark on their Master’s thesis.

Alternative entry points
Students in the Masters course who have not enrolled in the Masters/Doctoral Programme but whose performance in the Masters modules is exceptional may be recommended for transfer to the Masters/doctoral programme after the first or second module.

Controls, completion of doctoral degree
The progress of the students’ research work will be monitored regularly by the thesis committee. A meeting in the third year will be used to decide how close to completion the thesis is. The thesis committee supports the student and the supervisor in reaching a decision about the appropriate time point for concluding the experimental work. A condition for submission of the thesis is the completion of written and oral reports (project proposal, first year report, protocols of committee meetings in the first, second and third year). The doctoral thesis may be submitted in English or German. It will be defended according to the formal rules of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The degree of Dr. rer. nat. will be awarded by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Fellowships
During the Fast Track Masters/Doctoral Programme, the University may offer fellowships to support students.