Please note
The IPMM website is currently being updated and adapted to the regulations of its successor program, IPBS.
Since this transition is still underway, we ask that you also visit the IPBS pages on the University of Cologne’s Faculty of Medicine website for more information.
About us
The University of Cologne has a long-standing academic tradition and a world-wide reputation for top-level biomedical research. Since 2003, the Faculties of Medicine and of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Cologne offer an Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (former: Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Program in Molecular Medicine - IPMM). This IPBS is coordinated by the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC). The IPBS is member of the Organization for PhD Education in Biomedicine and Health Sciences in the European System (Orpheus).
Based on Anglo-American models, the IPBS is aimed at outstanding research-oriented medical and life science graduates. The three-year PhD program reflects the increasing importance of interdisciplinarity and provides comprehensive research training in an atmosphere of scientific excellence.
The Curriculum of the Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Program in Biomedical Medicine
IPBS participants are enrolled in a 3-year experimental research project in the field of biomedicine. This research project is supplemented with an individually tailored study program of obligatory lectures and courses, guest seminars, progress reports, advanced method courses and workshops as well as scientific soft skills training.
The core study program lasts 2 years and consists of a minimum of 4 hours of lectures, seminars or practical courses per week.
Courses include current topics in biomedical research fields, e.g. molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, pathology, genetics, immunology, pharmacology, virology, microbiology, neurosciences as well as biophysics, structural biology and bioinformatics.
The research groups offering positions for IPBS participants are with the CMMC, the Faculties of Medicine and of Mathematics and Natural Sciences as well as in associated research institutions located in the BioRiver Region.
Individual Mentoring
Throughout the postgraduate training program IPBS participants are guided by their supervisor and two mentors.
These senior scientists together with an IPBS coordinator develop the individual postgraduate study program according to the particular needs and research interests of the participant.
This committee regularly monitors the progress of the research and advises on issues related to the project and the coursework.
The IPBS awards the academic degree Dr. nat. med.
After completion of the postgraduate course program and successful defense of the doctoral thesis the degree of "Doktor der Naturwissenschaftlichen Medizin" (Dr. nat. med.) is jointly conferred by the Faculties of Medicine and of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
The degree Dr. nat. med. is equivalent to the German Dr. rer. nat. and corresponds to an Anglo-American PhD, or for qualified physicians an Anglo-American MD-PhD.
Language
The language of the IPMM is predominantly English. Although German is not required for participation, foreign graduates are offered German courses in the first 6 months after enrollment in the program. The thesis may be submitted in English or in German.
Who it suits
The Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Program Biomedical Sciences (IPBS) at the University of Cologne is designed for highly qualified research-oriented medical and life science graduates wanting to participate in a postgraduate program in an atmosphere of scientific excellence.
