Major Cancer Biology (MSc)

Motivation and Aims

Although tremendous effort has been invested in the fight against cancer and considerable improvement has been made in therapeutic options over the past years, this disease still remains one of the major causes of death. It is thus of paramount importance to put further efforts into better understanding the biology of cancer and into developing means to improve diagnosis and therapy.

Thus with the aim of promoting teaching and research in Cancer Biology, the Faculty of Biosciences and the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) have launched a Major in "Cancer Biology". 

This Major is an integrative part of the international Master Program "Molecular Biosciences" of the Faculty of Biosciences of Heidelberg University and offers comprehensive training in cancer research for graduate students.

DKFZ: Mission and Structure

Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center DKFZ systematically investigate the mechanisms of cancer development and progression and evaluate risk factors. Novel findings are exploited in translational research aimed at developing improved strategies to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer.

DKFZ is the largest biomedical research institute in Germany
DKFZ is a foundation under public law and is a member of the Helmholtz Association of National Research Centers
DKFZ is a partner in the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg
DKFZ is the Core center of the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK)

DKFZ as part of the Teaching Activities of the University of Heidelberg

Many DKFZ scientists are professors or lecturers at the University of Heidelberg, which is one of the world's top-ranking locations of international science and scholarship, particularly in biomedical sciences. As Germany's oldest seat of higher learning, it can look back on a 600-year tradition. Heidelberg's prominence is uncontested in many fields, both nationally and internationally.

Together with its strong partners, the Major "Cancer Biology" plays an active role in shaping the future in cancer research by offering students innovative research-oriented teaching and thus educating the decision makers of tomorrow.

M.Sc. Degree and Ph.D. Program

A M.Sc. degree in "Molecular Biosciences" with a major in "Cancer Biology" qualifies for participation in Ph.D. programs in Germany and worldwide. The DKFZ maintains an International Ph.D. Program, which hosts >500 Ph.D. students, who perform their theses in a broad spectrum of research fields. This doctorate program attracts outstanding and highly talented Ph.D. students. A special feature of the program is the high accumulation of internationally reputed scientists and excellent research groups at DKFZ.