Medical Immunosciences and Infection (Immunology & Infectiology)

Overview This two-year, research-focused Master’s programme is taught in English and immerses students in translational immunology and infectious disease research. The curriculum emphasizes the molecular mechanisms behind immune-mediated, inflammatory and infectious conditions, and trains students in the development of novel immunomodulatory treatment strategies. Coursework—including lectures and literature seminars—is tightly linked to hands-on research so concepts can be applied directly in real projects.

Research training and environment Students carry out individual research projects within the University Hospital Bonn, affiliated institutes or other research organisations, gaining experience in interdisciplinary teams. The programme is embedded in the Bonn Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation2, a collaboration between the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Mathematics/Natural Sciences (Department of Life and Medical Sciences) and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE). This connection gives students access to a wide range of scientific courses, technical platforms and both local and international research groups, fostering frequent interaction with leading experts—particularly in innate immunity.

Career pathways The degree prepares graduates for independent scientific work and for careers in both academia and industry. There is a clear route into doctoral training: ImmunoSensation2 supports a PhD training programme that has grown into the Bonn International Graduate School Immunosciences and Infection (BIGS Immunosciences and Infection), which closely partners with the Master’s programme and provides an integrated platform alongside PhD students in Bonn.

Key facts & entry notes

• Degree: Master of Science (MSc); duration: 2 years
• Language of instruction: English
• Orientation: research-intensive, translational immunology and infectious diseases
• Core activities: lectures, literature seminars, and individual research projects
• Research placements: University Hospital Bonn, associated institutes, or other research institutions
• Institutional network: part of the Bonn Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation2 (Medicine; Life & Medical Sciences; DZNE)
• Resources: access to scientific courses, technical platforms and interdisciplinary local/international research groups
• Next steps: close linkage to the Bonn International Graduate School Immunosciences and Infection (BIGS) for PhD progression
• For specific admission criteria (academic prerequisites, language tests, application deadlines and required documents), consult the programme’s official webpage or admissions office.

This Master’s programme is organised into thematically linked, self-contained modules that are delivered entirely in English. Teaching in the first two semesters focuses on lectures, workshops and practical courses that give a deep understanding of immune-mediated, inflammatory and infectious diseases, while also developing scientific writing and soft skills. Modules combine theoretical teaching (including methods and statistics, and ethical/regulatory aspects) with hands-on laboratory experience and individual research projects so students can tailor their learning through elective compulsory modules.

Core lecture topics cover immunology (immune system components, immunophysiology, immunogenetics and immune responses), infection (virology, microbiology, microbiome, pathogen–host interactions, clinical diagnostics and treatment of infectious diseases) and clinical immunology/immunopharmacology (basic anatomy, immune diagnostics, translational immunology, fundamentals of clinical trials, tumour immunology, transplantation, rheumatology and anti‑infective therapies). Elective compulsory lectures let students prioritise areas such as immunometabolism, immuno‑oncology, nucleic acid recognition in antiviral innate immunity, T cell function and neurobiology-related subjects.

Practical training includes specialised courses (for example on extracellular vesicles in innate immunity, virally induced G4 structures, human leukocyte antigen analysis and single‑cell sequencing). In the third semester, students complete two supervised individual research projects (each eight weeks) at participating departments in Bonn or abroad, each concluded with a brief written report and an oral presentation. The programme finishes in the fourth semester with a six‑month laboratory master’s thesis intended to contribute to a scientific publication; students design and execute experiments with proper controls, document and analyse results in the context of current literature, and develop critical evaluation skills through group discussion.

Key programme components and requirements (concise)

• Entirely English-taught modular curriculum (lectures, workshops, practicals, individual projects)
• First and second semesters: compulsory lectures on immunology, infection, clinical immunology/immunopharmacology, methods/statistics, and ethics/regulatory aspects; scientific writing and soft‑skills training
• Elective compulsory modules: students must choose at least one to set individual research priorities (examples: immunometabolism, immuno‑oncology, T cell function, nucleic acid recognition, developmental/cellular neurobiology)
• Practical courses: extracellular vesicles & virally induced G4 structures, human leukocyte antigen insights, single‑cell sequencing
• Third semester: two individual supervised research projects (8 weeks each) with written reports and oral presentations; projects may be undertaken at partner departments in Bonn or abroad
• Fourth semester: six‑month master’s thesis in a laboratory group, aiming to contribute to a publication; emphasis on experimental design, controls, good scientific practice, data analysis and critical interpretation

Graduates are prepared for research careers in academia and industry, particularly in immunology, infectious disease research, translational medicine, clinical trials and biotechnology. The programme’s practical training, lab rotations and thesis work build the experimental and analytical skills sought by research laboratories and pharmaceutical/biotech employers.

Students aiming for an academic pathway have a direct advantage through the programme’s close ties to the Bonn International Graduate School (BIGS) and the Cluster of Excellence, which provide structured PhD training opportunities and a strong network for doctoral placements.