Educational Program

Dr. Flora Hinz showing the Schuman lab during the 2012 IMPRS symposium (photo: Irina Epstein)
Hatice Yigit meets the students for a lab tour (photo: Irina Epstein)

The IMPRS students start with rotations at two different research groups. At the end of the Term they will present their results together with a research proposal and choice of lab at the Thesis Proposal Day (taking place in April 2012).

Besides a choice of research topic and lab, the IMPRS for Neural Circuits developed a course program with a large variety of different courses to attend. All courses are awarded with European Credits (EC, 22 in total). All IMPRS students receive an additional document when they graduate showing the courses they attended and the amount of EC collected.


Year 1

  • IMPRS kick-off on October 1, 2011
  • Modern topics in neuroscience in which you will learn about the key concepts and topics of studies. It includes 15 weeks of interactive lectures, three master classes by experts, and a round table on model systems. 2.5 EC
  • Modern techniques in neuroscience which covers a wide range of modern neuroscience, biological and analytical techniques used to address the relevant questions in neuroscience. 2.5 EC

Year 1 and 3
Every two years we will organize a retreat/summer school. This year it will be scheduled after April 2012. 1 EC


Year 1, 2 and 3
In each year of the IMPRS, the following activities are scheduled:

  • IMPRS-Neuro lunch talks in which the doctoral students present their work. These will be scheduled after April 2012. 1 EC
  • Journal Club to be scheduled after April 2012. 1 EC
  • All IMPRS students should attend the Neuroscience Lectures. 1 EC
  • The students select at least ten other lectures a year, like the Ernst Strüngmann Lectures, NeFF or activities from the ICNF. 0.5 EC
  • The Goethe Graduate Academy (GRADE) offers courses on transferable skills. All doctoral students should attend at least four workshop days. 1.5 EC

Other courses (optional):