Graduate School for Biological Sciences
Welcome to the Graduate School for Biological Sciences (GSfBS)
Building on initial small-scale graduate programmes since the 1980ies, enhanced doctoral training methods were extensively tested and refined. This resulted in the development and implementation of a structured programme for the Department of Biology’s graduate school.
In May 2006, the University of Cologne established an international and comprehensive graduate school in the biological sciences, GSfBS, offering doctoral candidates opportunities for research training across a range of fields, including molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, ecology, and developmental biology. Research in the Department of Biology encompasses all major microbial, plant, and animal model organisms.
A diverse array of specialised graduate programmes are part of the umbrella framework of the GSfBS, and all doctoral candidates across biological disciplines enrol to undertake a mandatory, supportive core programme. This fosters the excellent scientific connections between research groups within the University’s basic science and several medical research institutes, as well as with the Max Planck Institutes for Plant Breeding Research, the Biology of Ageing, and Metabolism Research, thereby benefitting the development of the graduates.