Structure

The curriculum of the MSc Integrated Life Sciences is research-oriented and closely connected to current research in the participating research groups at FAU and the Max-Planck-Institute (MPI) for the Physics of Light. Building on a solid foundation in biology, physics, and mathematics, it intensifies training in selected biophysical methods in small groups of 2-6 students, and through cutting-edge research in the master’s thesis during the second year of the master program.

Within the first year of the 2-year master program in Integrated Life Sciences, students select two out of these three module groups:

  • Mathematical Modeling and Systems Biology
  • Bioimaging and Biophysics
  • Biological Structures and Processes

Each of these subjects is associated with mandatory and elective theoretical courses and advanced hands-on trainings. The master thesis in an active research environment in the second year completes the master program. In total, 120 ECTS are required for the successful completion of the Master in Integrated Life Sciences.

Every student selects a mentor at the beginning of the master program. The chosen study program needs to be approved by the mentor.

During the second year, the students perform an independent research project within one of the participating research groups at the University or the collaborating Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Light.

 

Within the first year of the Master program in Integrated Life Sciences the students take courses from two of the three module groups (each 30 ECTS):

  • Mathematical Modeling and Systems Biology
  • Bioimaging and Biophysics
  • Biological Structures and Processes

During the second year, education in one of these focal areas is intensified in lectures, seminars, or hands-on trainings, followed by a research-driven master thesis.

Schedule of MSc ILS

Schedule of MSc ILS

Apart from the mandatory modules, the students select further elective modules from the two chosen module groups, summing up to 40 ECTS for one module group and 30 ECTS for the second module group. The list of offered modules is updated every year and kept up-to-date in the Module Handbook of the ILS Master. In the following, the mandatory modules (bold face) as well as some of the elective modules are listed.

Module Group 1: Mathematical Modeling and Systems Biology

  • Biomathematics (mandatory module; Zaburdaev; Winter 2025/26, Tu 10-12 & 16-18, Th 8-10; 10 ECTS)
  • Systems Biology (mandatory module; Sonnewald; Winter 2025/26, We 15-17; 5 ECTS)
  • Introduction to Statistics and Statistical Programming (mandatory module, 5 ECTS)
    (Richard; Summer 2026; in MG1, MG2, or MG3    )
  • Elective modules:
    • Systems Immunology und Infectiology (Graw; 5 ECTS)
    • Spatial Modeling of Metabolic Processes (Neuss-Radu/Sonnewald; Winter 2025/26, Tu 14-16, Th 8-10; 10 ECTS)
    • Complex systems 1: Critical phenomena, networks, evolutionary dynamics, reaction systems (Metzner; Winter 2025/26, Tu 16-19; 5 ECTS)
    • Stochastic Models for Life Sciences (Zaburdaev; Summer 2026, We 10-12; 5 ECTS)
    • Complex systems 2: Econo/Socio physics, continuum dynamical systems (Metzner; Summer 2026; 5 ECTS)
    • Partial Differential Equations for Life Sciences
    • Introduction to Mathematical Modeling (Kräutle; Winter 2025/26, Mo 12-14 & 16-17:30; 10 ECTS, teaching language: german)
    • Bioanalytics (Sonnewald; Summer 2026; lab course 22.06.-17.07.2026; 7.5 ECTS)
    • Python for Data Analysis and Bioinformatics (Böckmann; Summer 2026, Tuesday 16-20; 7.5 ECTS)

Module Group 2: Bioimaging and Biophysics

  • Bioimaging & Biophysics A (mandatory module, 7.5 ECTS)
    (Kost; Winter 2025/26; Mo 10-12, 14-18)
  • Bioimaging & Biophysics B (mandatory module, 7.5 ECTS)
    (Fabry; Summer 2026; Mo 10-12, 14-18)
  • Introduction to Statistics and Statistical Programming (mandatory module, 5 ECTS)
    (Richard; Summer 2026; in MG1, MG2, or MG3    )
  • Elective modules:
    • Cell Adhesion and Cytoskeleton: Cell Biological, Biophysical, and Medical Aspects (Thievessen; Winter 2025/26, Fr 10-12; 5 ECTS)
    • Neurobiology (Brandstätter; Winter 2025/26; lab course 02.02.–27.02.2026; 7.5 ECTS)
    • Modern Optics 1: Advanced Optics (Götzinger; Winter 2025/26, Tu 10-12; 5 ECTS)
    • Experimental Physics 3: Optics and Quantum Phenomena (Marquardt; 2nd year ILS; Winter 2025/26, Tu 8-10, Fr 8-10; 7.5 ECTS)
    • Mechanobiology: Cellular Forces, Tissue Mechanics, Mechanotransduction (Franze; Summer 2026, We 8:30-10:30; 5 ECTS)
    • Mathematical Image Processing (Tenbrinck; Summer 2026; 5 ECTS)
    • Methods of Modern Confocal Light Microscopy (Kost; Summer 2026, lab course 3 weeks in September/October)
    • Python for Data Analysis and Bioinformatics (Böckmann; Summer 2026, Tuesday 16-20; 7.5 ECTS)

Module Group 3: Biological Structures and Processes

  • Interaction of Biological Macromolecules A (mandatory module, 5 ECTS)
    (Muller; Winter 2025/26; Th 10-12)
  • Interaction of Biological Macromolecules B (mandatory module, 5 ECTS)
    (Böckmann, Unruh; Summer 2026; Th 10-12, 13-15)
  • Introduction to Statistics and Statistical Programming (mandatory module, 5 ECTS)
    (Richard; Summer 2026; in MG1, MG2, or MG3    )
  • Elective modules:
    • Structural Biology I: Proteindesign- and Designerproteins (Muller; Winter 2025/26, 02.03.–27.03.2026; 7.5 ECTS)
    • Basic Immunology (Lectures, Seminars, Tutorials; Winter 2025/26, Mo, Th, Fr 8-9; 10 ECTS)
    • Cell- and Molecular Biology (Lectures, Winter 2025/26, Mo, Th, Fr 9-10; 5 ECTS)
    • Introduction to X-ray and Neutron Scattering I (Unruh; Winter 2025/26, Tu 10-12, 13-15; 5 ECTS)
    • Structural Biology II: Structure and Function Relationships in Biological Macromolecules (Muller; Summer 2026, lab course 20.04.-15.05.2026; 7.5 ECTS)
    • Introduction to X-ray and Neutron Scattering II (Unruh; Summer 2026, Tu 10-12, 13-14; 5 ECTS)
    • Ion Transport and Signal Transduction (Dietrich; 12 selected days within 02.03.-27.03.2026)
    • Developmental Biology 2: Molecular Control of Stem Cell and Organ Differentiation (Herzog; Winter 2025/26, lab course 20.10.-14.11.2025; 7.5 ECTS)
    • Python for Data Analysis and Bioinformatics (Böckmann; Summer 2026, Tuesday 16-20; 7.5 ECTS)

The advanced module can be chosen from courses and lectures of the Departments of Biology, Mathematics or Physics. It is designated to be a preparation for the Master thesis. Beside the work on a scientific project, the module can include advanced lectures or special seminars from the respective Department which will be recommended by the advisor.

During the research-focused master thesis, the student works on a scientific question. The duration is limited to six months (30 ECTS). The master thesis finalizes the scientific education of the Master program Integrated Life Sciences. The thesis can be written in the research groups participating in the curriculum of the MSc ILS.