Current IPBS Doctoral Regulations
The Interdisciplinary Program Biomedical Sciences (IPBS) is the successor to the Interdisciplinary Program Molecular Medicine (IPMM), which was established in 2003. Building on more than two decades of experience in supporting doctoral candidates and fostering early-career researchers, IPBS continues the joint doctoral training offered by the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Cologne.
The new IPBS Doctoral Regulations provide the framework for admission, doctoral training and graduation. Upon their entry into force, all doctoral candidates are automatically subject to the new regulations.
Under the transitional provisions in § 22 Übergangsregelungen, candidates who applied for admission before the new regulations entered into force (i.e. 10.10.2026) may request to complete their doctorate under the previous IPMM regulations. This request must be submitted in writing or electronically to the IPBS Doctoral Committee. The decision is irrevocable.
Current IPBS regulations:
IPBS Doctoral Regulations
Previous IPMM regulations:
IPMM Doctoral Regulations
Previous IPMM Doctoral Regulations
Promotionsordnung Med & Math-Nat. Fak 02 PDF (pdf, 745KB)
Gemeinsame Promotionsordnung der Medizinischen und Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät
Ordnung zur Änderung der Gemeinsamen Promotionsordnung PDF (pdf, 159KB)
Ordnung zur Änderung der Gemeinsamen Promotionsordnung der Medizinischen Fakultät und der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät
Lesefassung der gem. Promotionsordnung Med. und Math.-Nat. Fakultät (pdf, 88KB)
Diese Zusammenfassung dient lediglich der leichteren Lesbarkeit. Rechtsverbindlich ist nur die Promotionsordnung mit der Änderungsordnung in den „Amtlichen Mitteilungen“
From IPMM to IPBS: Key Changes to the Doctoral Regulations
The revised doctoral regulations introduce changes to the program name, admission procedure, curriculum, and graduation requirements. The new regulations aim to strike a balance between a supportive program framework and the freedom needed to pursue independent research. They have been designed to reflect the practical realities of doctoral research, providing guidance while allowing flexibility for the day-to-day work of PhD students. The table below summarizes the main differences between the previous IPMM regulations and the revised (new) IPBS regulations.
This overview is for information only. For all formal or legal purposes, please refer to the IPBS Doctoral Regulations.
