The Master's in Neurosciences is a research-intensive two-year program hosted by the Faculty of Biology at LMU Munich and embedded in the GSN. Combining rigorous coursework with hands-on research from day one, it trains the next generation of neuroscientists across two specialised tracks.
The Master's in Neurosciences is a research-intensive two-year program hosted by the Faculty of Biology and fully embedded in the Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN). Students benefit from the academic framework of LMU Munich alongside the interdisciplinary research environment, community, and administrative support of the GSN.
For full information on the teaching concept, academic tracks, research network, and student community, visit the GSN program page.
26.05.2025
| Degree: | Master of Science (M.Sc.) |
| Duration: | 4 Semesters - 120 ECTS credits |
| Language: | English |
| Start of the program: | Winter semester (October 1) |
| Application deadline: | Yearly Feb. 15 |
| Requirements: |
|
The prescribed period of study is four semesters, including a final master's thesis, requiring a total of 120 ECTS credits. The curriculum is based on a modular system combining lectures, seminars, and practical courses, with a strong emphasis on learning in the context of ongoing research projects.
Students choose between two academic tracks from the first semester onwards:
– Systemic-Cellular-Molecular Neuroscience — focusing on the biological and experimental dimensions of brain science, from molecular mechanisms to systems-level function
– Computational Neuroscience — focusing on mathematical modelling, theoretical frameworks, and data-driven approaches to understanding the brain
Whichever track a student selects, coursework in the other area is also completed at a broader level, ensuring a well-rounded scientific foundation.
This program is embedded in the Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences. For information on the teaching concept, research network, GSN community, and student life, visit the GSN program page.
| Head of MSc Neuroscience Examination Committee | Prof. Dr. Anton Sirota |
| Program Coordinator | Dr. Alexander Kaiser |
| master-neurosci@lmu.de | |
| Address | LMU BioCenter Großhadernerstr. 2 D-82152 Martinsried |
The first year of the master's program aims to mediate basic knowledge in the main areas of systemic neurosciences: systemic neurobiology, molecular and cellular neurobiology, sensory physiology, computational neuroscience, and neurophilosophy. Various basic methods are taught in several block courses.
Systems Neurobiology I - Fundamentals in Neurobiology
(see also Systems Neurobiology II)
Covering basic principles in neurobiology, this module consists of a lecture and an associated tutorial. Topics are: electrophysiology, synapses & neuronal networks, motor systems, cognitive neuroscience and neuroethology.
Sensory Physiology
Sensory physiology is covered in a separate module because it plays a central role in modern neuroscience. This module stretches over two semesters. The first half of this module deals with general sensory physiology, introducing all systems except the auditory system. The second half will deal intensively with audition and communication from the periphery to the cortex.
Winter semester: Invertebrate Vision; Vertebrate Vision; Vestibular System: Magnetoreception; Chemoreceptions; Somatosensory System; Pain and Temperature
Summer semester: Physics of Sound; Sound, Outer Ear, Middle Ear; Cochlea and Auditory Nerve; Auditory Brainstem; Binaural Hearing; Auditory Midbrain; Auditory Thalamus; Auditory Cortex; Psychophysics.
Computational Neurosciences
This module requires basic knowledge in mathematical skills like calculus and Matlab programming. Prior to each term, a preparatory course will be offered to freshen up basic prerequisites. Each part consists of a lecture plus exercise classes.
Modeling Physiological Processes (Winter semester): Passive membrane, Nernst potential, Hodgkin-Huxley model, models of dendrites/cable equations, cellular oscillations/phase resettings
Statistical Models and Data Analysis (Summer semester): Basics of probability theory, covariance matrix, principal component analysis, Bayesian inference, information theory, independent component analysis.
Methods in Neuroscience
To give students hands-on practice in basic neuroscience methods from the very start, they will attend four subsequent practical courses. Towards the end of the first term, students are to choose an elective methods course based on their own interests. Methods courses are: comparative neuroanatomy, neuroanatomy and neurohistology, neurophysiology, psychophysics, elective methods course (e.g., patch-clamp, in-vivo electrophysiology, signal analysis, behavioral experiments, fMRI and PET, diagnostics in neurology, EEG).
Research Projects
This module requires individual practical work on an ongoing research project for about 6-8 weeks. The student chooses from a wide variety of projects within the framework of the GSN faculty or external institutions. Our curriculum requires 3 research projects before starting a master's thesis project. Research projects give students a great opportunity to explore different research labs and fields of neuroscience before deciding on an area of study for their master's thesis.
Systems Neurobiology II - From Development to Higher Neural Functions
(see also Systems Neurobiology I - Fundamentals in Neurobiology)
This module is considered the continuation of Module 1, Fundamentals in Neurobiology. In lectures and associated tutorials, students learn the fundamental principles of development and higher brain functions.
Topics: Neuroanatomy & Evolution of the Nervous System; Neurogenesis, Regeneration & Stem Cells; Hormones & the Nervous System; Cognitive Neuroscience, Attention; Clinical Neuroscience.
Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology
Even if the focus of our program is systemic neuroscience, it is necessary to have a good understanding of molecular and cellular foundations. This module consists of a lecture, a seminar, and a 3-week lab course.
Topics: axon guidance, neurotrophins and receptors, neural polarity, neural regeneration, dendrite differentiation, neurotransmitters and receptors, synapse formation, synaptic plasticity, molecular basis of behavior.
Neurophilosophy
(see also year 2)
Since most of our students have a background in natural sciences, general principles in philosophy will be taught in an introductory lecture. The second half of this course occurs in year 2.
Topics: Methodology; Philosophy of Science; Reason and Cause; Neuroethics; Mind/Body; Freedom
An additional special topic seminar is part of this module. Possible topics are: Freedom of Will; Foundations of Judgment; Philosophy of Emotions.
The second year of the master's program aims to deepen and expand the knowledge of systemic neurosciences gained in the first year.
Interdisciplinary training, teaching and soft skills
Students expand upon their neuroscience skill set by completing a large variety of elected practical courses, workshops and seminar series, which reflects the broad and dynamic scope of neuroscience in Munich. Students also obtain first hand teaching experience (and credits) by tutoring their younger fellows in Systems Neurobiology I - Fundamentals in Neurobiology. Coursework is rounded out by elected complementary skills courses, which help to optimally prepare students for their future career goals. This requirement can be meet through modular workshops on academic soft skills such as communication training, presentation skills, scientific writing and time management.
Neurophilosophy
(see also year 1)
In addition to the lecture and tutorial in the preceding semester our students are invited to strengthen their neurophilosophical skills in a seminar.nach oben
Lab rotation
This module requires practical work within an active research lab. The student chooses from a wide selection of lab within the framework of the GSN faculty or external institutions. nach oben
Master's dissertation and thesis
Students choose a research topic along with their faculty mentor to present and defend at the end of their second year. Our system of multiple Research Projects, lab rotation and practical courses ensures that our students get hands-on knowledge of different research labs and topics before choosing a specific master thesis.
For more information, please visit
· M.Sc. Neurosciences Module Handbook - overview of the MSc Neuroscience coursework
· LMU-LSF - search for offered courses from the current or past semesters
Application Period
The application period for the integrated M.Sc. program Neurosciences is Dec. 1st to Feb. 15th and is coordinated by the Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN).
More information on eligibility, requirements, the application process, and admission is available on the GSN application page.
In addition to the selected documents below, all relevant guidelines and forms are available to M.Sc. Neurosciences students on the MyGSN portal upon login.