Graduate School of Life Science Munich

The Graduate School Life Science Munich is part of the Faculty of Biology and the Faculty of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Pharmacy of the Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität München (LMU). These excellent faculties are ranked among the top biology and biochemistry educational institutions in Germany. Together with the LMU Gene Center and the Klinikum der Universtität München (KUM), they belong to the HighTechCampusLMU in Grosshadern-Martinsried that is well-known for international state-of-the-art research in life sciences. The participating research groups often collaborate with the adjacent Max-Planck Institutes for Biochemistry and Neurobiology and with the German Research Center for Environmental Health (Helmholtz Zentrum München).

The Italian-inspired buildings of the prestigious Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München are situated in the center of Munich close to the English Garden, Europe's first large city park. The university is among the oldest and largest in Germany. It was founded in 1472 in the Bavarian town of Ingolstadt under Duke Ludwig the Rich, and after a stopover in Landshut, finally settled in Munich in 1826. Since then, it has attracted numerous reputable scholars. Among them were the X-ray inventor Wilhelm Roentgen, the chemist and father of modern agriculture Justus von Liebig, and the sociologist Max Weber. Since its conception, the university has bred 13 Nobel Prize winners. Today, with its 48,000 students, 15% of whom are international students, the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität offers a vibrant student life. Its more than 700 professors and 3,000 assistant professors shape a unique landscape of research and teaching.

Once again in 2017, the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München holds a top position in the World Reputation Ranking of the Times Higher Education Magazine, where the LMU appears on place 30. Accordingly, LMU is among the most renowned universities in Europe. The World Reputation Ranking evaluates the reputation of a university in teaching and research by consulting renowned scientists from all over the world.

The Graduate School Life Science Munich (LSM), founded in 2009, offers an international doctoral program in life sciences covering areas of Anthropology, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, Microbiology, Plant Sciences, Systematics and Zoology to outstanding motivated and qualified researchers. The program is taught entirely in English and provides comprehensive scientific training in one of Europe's top-ranking universities. The members of the Graduate School are part of the Faculty of Biology and the Faculty of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Pharmacy of the Ludwig-Maximilans-Universität München (LMU). The faculties are ranked among the top biology and biochemistry educational institutions in Germany.

The research training on a specific project will be supplemented by seminars, retreats, methods courses, training in transferable skills, and participation at least in one international conference. The doctoral program is open for students that hold either a Master or Diploma degree or, in exceptional cases, a 4-year Bachelor's degree. Successful students of the graduate school will be awarded a doctoral degree (Dr. rer. nat.) by the LMU after 3 to 4 years. Candidates need to prove a strong qualitative background as well as interest and ability to conduct independent research.

More than 39 research groups, internationally recognized for their innovative research approaches and technologies, form the core faculty of the Graduate School. Using state of the art approaches, these groups aim to answer essential questions relevant to basic and applied biological and biochemical research. Within their own research group or in collaboration with a specialized research group on campus, LSM doctorates are given the opportunity to learn and command a variety of techniques. Thus, the doctoral students at the LSM are provided with thorough training in advanced methods in life science.

The purpose of the program is to teach not only the technical expertise necessary for success in research but also to impart skills that are indispensable for every thoughtful and responsible scientist. The latter includes the ability to communicate in simple language, and a willingness to engage with bio-ethical issues and participate in the public discourses they may provoke. Additionally, in-house German language courses including intercultural aspects are offered for foreign students to facilitate integration. Successful students complete their graduate studies after approximately three to four years and are awarded their doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.) by LMU.