The IMPRS-Mic Curriculum

During the three-year PhD programme students carry out their research projects in the laboratory of one of the participating faculty members. In addition to this practical training, students attend faculty seminars, methods workshops, institute colloquia, and local and international conferences covering environmental, cellular and molecular aspects of microbiology. Students are also engaged in teaching activities as tutors in Masters or Bachelors level courses.

The PhD Curriculum
1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year
1. Research project
2. Study program
Microbiology seminar Microbiology seminar Microbiology seminar and presentation
Faculty lecture Faculty lecture  
Student seminar Student seminar  
Workshops Workshops  
International scientific conferences
Retreat every 2nd year
3. Supervising and mentoring activities
Advisory thesis committee Advisory thesis committee Advisory thesis committee
Mentoring/teaching of other students Mentoring/teaching of other students Mentoring/teaching of other students

The PhD Curriculum

Microbiology seminars
Internationally acclaimed microbiologists present and discuss their research in the Monday Microbiology Seminar Series.
A part of this seminar series are Graduate Students Mini-Symposia, where all 3rd year students have to present their PhD project before they defend their thesis.

Faculty lectures
IMPRS faculty members present current topics of their research area (faculty lectures for 1st and 2nd year students)

Student Seminars
The students meet regularly to discuss current scientfic literature, and report on the progress of their own work.

Workshops
Each student should attend at least one hands-on workshop. The workshops are selected according to previously acquired knowledge, skills needed for the PhD project, and scientific interests. The workshops include methodological topics as well as soft skills. Workshops organised by the Philipps-Universität Marburg (MARA), Planck Academy (MPG) or outside of Marburg can also be attended. The workshops should be preferentially attended during the first two years of the programme.

Tutoring and teaching activities
To gain teaching experience, students are encouraged to assist as tutors in relevant courses at the Philipps-Universität Marburg, or to mentor Bachelors and Masters students during their thesis work in the laboratory.

Conferences
Each student has to attend at least one international conference and the IMPRS offers travel support to its members. Please contact the IMPRS coordinator for more information regarding the application procedure.

Thesis Advisory Committee
Each student selects a second supervisor and members for a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) that follows the progress of the student's work during the course of the PhD project. Formal meetings with this committee take place at least once per year. The main goal of the TAC is to monitor the progress of the research project, to advise students concerning their work, and to be available for discussions between the formal meetings.

Retreat
Every second year, IMPRS-Mic offers a PhD retreat for students, and invited faculty and speakers. During the retreat current scientific topics are discussed in a relaxed but yet scientific atmosphere. Several activities give students the opportunity for interaction and to discuss their views and research findings.