Study program

During the three-year PhD programme the students carry out their scientific research work in the laboratory of one of the participating faculty members. In addition, the students attend faculty seminars, technical workshops, colloquia, and local and international conferences covering environmental, cellular and molecular aspects of microbiology. Students also tutor in Masters or Bachelors level courses.

Framework for the PhD study program
1st Year2nd Year3rd Year
1. Research project
2. Study program
Microbiology seminarMicrobiology seminarMicrobiology seminar and presentation
Faculty lectureFaculty lecture 
Student seminarStudent seminar 
WorkshopsWorkshops 
International scientific conferences
Retreat every 2nd year
3. Supervising and mentoring activities
Advisory thesis committeeAdvisory thesis committeeAdvisory thesis committee
Mentoring/teaching of other studentsMentoring/teaching of other studentsMentoring/teaching of other students

Microbiology seminars in Environmental, Cellular and Molecular Microbiology
Internationally renowned microbiologists present and discuss their research in the
Seminar Series in Molecular, Cellular, and Environmental Microbiology.
All students of the IMPRS must present and discuss their PhD work in an MPI seminar before they can defend their thesis.
Student seminars
The students meet regularly to discuss current scientific literature as well as students' reports on their own work.
IMPRS Seminars 1st part Winter Semester 2009/2010
Workshops
Each student attends at least two one-week workshops. The workshops are selected according to previously acquired skills, skills needed for a PhD project, and interests. The workshops include scientific topics as well as soft skills. Workshops organized outside of Marburg can also be attended. The workshops are preferentially followed during the first two years of the programme.
Tutoring courses
To gain teaching experience, each student has to assist as tutor for two weeks each year in microbiology or genetic courses.
Conferences
Each student attends at least one international conference.
Advisory thesis committee
Each student selects the members of an advisory thesis committee which follows the progress of the student's work. Formal meetings with the committee take place at least once per year. The main goal of the advisory thesis committee is to monitor the progress of a particular project, to advise students in their work, and to be available for discussions between the formal meetings.