Biomedicine, Neuroscience

Located at the borderline between medicine and biology, biomedicine researches the molecular and cell biological foundations of life. The aim is to identify the causes of illnesses in order to be able to prevent or treat them. As an interdisciplinary branch of human biology, biomedicine combines methods from molecular biology with those from cell biology and investigates questions of experimental medicine.

The focus of neuroscience is the study of nervous systems. Various cell types are examined, for example the diffuse nervous systems of coelenterates, the rope ladder system of arthropods (arthropods) or the central nervous system of vertebrates, in order to research their combination to form neuronal networks. In practice, neuroscientists sometimes work together with representatives of other disciplines such as cognitive science, psychology or philosophy.

The range of pure biomedical or neuroscience courses is limited. In the life sciences there are combination offers such as biomedical chemistry. However, anyone who has completed a bachelor's degree in natural sciences will find a comparatively wide range of neuroscientific master's degree programs.

When studying biomedicine, you first learn scientific basics in the areas of biochemistry, physiology and human anatomy. In the elective area, students can complete internships in various areas. During the course of your studies, you acquire key skills in, among other things, genetic engineering, laboratory animal science, biometrics and biological safety. Part of the training can take place together with biology and medicine students.

Neuroscience bachelor's degree programs also teach medical and scientific basics, for example in chemistry, physics, physiology, biochemistry or neuroanatomy, but also include more in-depth modules such as cognitive neuroscience, neurohistology or neuroanatomy. In the Master's, students deepen their knowledge and, if necessary, set priorities.

Biomedicine graduates typically work in research at universities, in research centers or in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, can also be employed in environmental and health authorities, clinics, in science management or in the patent system.

Neuroscientists find employment in teaching, in the research-based pharmaceutical industry, in scientific publishing or in the scientific coordination work of organizations.