International Max Planck Research School for Biology and Computation (IMPRS-BAC)

Structured doctoral programme jointly run by Freie Universitat Berlin and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, combining experimental molecular biology with computation, algorithms, statistics, and data analysis.

Academic requirements

Depending on the research group, additional courses in relevant scientific areas. Preparatory programme for exceptional students with a Bachelor's degree in computational/mathematical sciences only.

Minimum GPA

No fixed minimum GPA is published.

English requirements

Fluency in spoken and written English is required. The official IMPRS-BAC FAQ states that TOEFL or similar scores are not required for the application itself, but may later be required for university admission.

German requirements

Knowledge of German is not necessary but encouraged. Financial support to learn German is offered. For the preparatory (fast-track) programme, some lectures might be in German.

Accepted bachelor fields

Applicants must hold, by the time of doctoral start, a bachelor's and/or master's degree in molecular biology, biochemistry, mathematics, bioinformatics, or a related area.

APS Certificate

Yes

Thesis required

Yes

Tuition fee

None

Semester contribution

358.80 EUR per semester for enrollment at Freie Universitat Berlin in Summer Semester 2026, according to Freie Universitat Berlin's current fees page.

ECTS credits

180

Funding info

Tuition: None Semester contribution: 358.80 EUR per semester for enrollment at Freie Universitat Berlin in Summer Semester 2026, according to Freie Universitat Berlin's current fees page.

Graduates are prepared for academic research as well as biotechnology and pharmaceutical R&D roles that combine biological and computational expertise.

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