The University of Cologne is a university in Cologne, Germany. It was established in the year 1388 and is one of the most prestigious and research intensive universities in Germany. It was the sixth university to be established in Central Europe. It closed in 1798 before being re-established in 1919. The University of Cologne is one of the oldest and largest universities in Europe. Due to its outstanding scientific achievements and the high quality and diversity of its degree programmes, it enjoys an excellent international reputation.

Whereas many universities owe their founding to important religious figures or secular regents, the University of Cologne was founded by citizens of the city. That explains why the University of Cologne is still regarded as a city university: not only was it founded by the citizens of Cologne, but its campus is located right in the city center.

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Interdisciplinary program that focuses on biomedical research-oriented training. Course description The “Master of Science in Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration” is an interdisciplinary Master’s program taught in English that focuses on basic and biomedical research-oriented training using state-of-the-art technologies. The program is designed for students with a bachelor's degree in the life sciences who meet the criteria specified in the "Admission Regulations". It aims to advance students’ knowledge in molecular genetics and the biology of aging and regeneration and prepare students to pursue independent scientific activities in the field of molecular life sciences in the academic, governmental, or private sectors. The Master’s program aims to train students in timely and exciting research areas that have been of significant public interest and relevance. The students will learn which molecular mechanisms and processes underlie the functions of cells and tissues of an organism and how these functions are maintained. They will also learn how dysfunctions contribute to aging and age-related diseases. Topics introducing options for prevention, clinical intervention, and potential treatment of age-related diseases are also part of the curriculum. Graduates will be able to identify open questions in the areas of the Master's program, develop innovative experimental strategies to address these scientific questions, and present their findings. Contents The main Lecture series is devoted to fundamental concepts of modern genetics, aging, and regenerative biology. Lecture topics focus on basic molecular, cellular, and systemic mechanisms governing cell, tissue, and organismal function and homeostasis and how their dysfunctions drive aging and aging-associated diseases. The Seminar series complements the Lecture by introducing basic and cutting-edge techniques and approaches used in modern biology research and demonstrating their application on concrete examples in interactive training sessions. Moreover, students are guided and coached in scientific writing, working with scientific literature, exercising critical thinking, and presenting scientific results. In addition to the main lecture series, students attend two other lecture series offered by other biology Master's programs (Computational Biology; Ecology, Evolution, and Environment; Molecular Plant and Microbial Sciences; Neuroscience). Within the "Subject Modules", "Laboratory Modules" and "Project Modules" students are guided to transfer and deepen their acquired knowledge and skills into the practice of a scientific laboratory. The portfolio of "Subject Modules" offered in the second semester covers the most important research areas and competencies. This includes processes (gene expression, post-translational modifications, cell death, proteostasis), systems (microbiology, stem cells), and technologies (functional genomics, microscopy) of modern genetics, aging, and regenerative biology research studied using a variety of cell and animal model systems. "Subject Modules" are designed for groups of students to encourage individual and collaborative work and the development of a variety of skills, including project and experimental design, and problem solving. In the "Laboratory Modules" and "Project Modules," students further explore their scientific interests and improve their skills by working on a small project in a laboratory of their choice. Students expand their skills in independent planning and execution of scientific projects, data analysis and interpretation, and presentation. The program concludes with a Master's thesis based on an individual scientific project in a laboratory of choice. All modules have graded and/or pass/fail assignments that include various forms of examinations (written and oral examinations, poster and/or seminar presentations, project reports, master's thesis). The students are taught by internationally recognized scientists who are experts in various topics of modern genetics, aging research, and regenerative biology. The training is primarily provided by full, junior, and associated Professors of the University of Cologne affiliated with the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine, as well as cooperating Institutions. However, students also have an opportunity to complete Laboratory Project Modules and Master’s Thesis outside of the campus or abroad. The students can freely choose supplementary modules. Structure The Master's program in Genetics and Biology of Aging and Regeneration combines theoretical and practical research-oriented training components. It spans over two years, starting with the Lecture and Seminar series in the first semester, followed by Subject and laboratory Project Modules during the second and third semesters. The program concludes with a practical Master's thesis in the fourth semester. Required Documents: ●School leaving certificate/proof of having passed a university entrance exam ●Degree certificate (if already available), if not, please upload a preliminary degree overview ●Overview of subjects and grades (transcript of records) ●University grading system ●An officially certified translation if the original documents were not issued in German or English Language ●Applicants from China and Vietnam are required to also submit a current APS certificate. (for India: As of the winter semester 2023/24) ●English Language Certificate: Level B2/C1 (TOEFL Internet-based 93; IELTS average 6,5 - each single component 6,0; Cambridge qualifications 175; TOEIC 460-425-175; Abitur incl. 6 years) Show less

On the occasion of its 600th anniversary in 1988, the university published an extensive history of the University of Cologne in three volumes, which appeared with Böhlau. Erich Meuthen wrote the first volume, and in a short overview he first described the history of the old university (1388–1798), celebrating the height of its prosperity in the 15th century. More than a century after the French government closed the old Universitas coloniensis in 1798, a long-cherished dream of the people of Cologne came true: in 1919 a new university was built. In 2019 the university celebrated its 100th anniversary.

The UoC’s mission is to create, preserve and impart knowledge, to offer its students and early-career academics outstanding academic education, to qualify them for both academic and professional  careers, to promote cutting-edge research and to drive innovation while focusing on the constantly changing needs and challenges of today’s society.

The University of Cologne’s six Faculties are the institutional framework for its research activities. The Faculties offer more than a hundred degree programmes and support 16 cross-Faculty research and teaching centres. Moreover, the UoC has several large, internationally competitive research areas: mechanisms of aging-associated diseases; behavioral economic engineering and social cognition, quantum matter and materials, socio-economic, cultural and political transformations in the global south, plant sciences and skills and structures in language and cognition.

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You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

How to book:

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it

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