Structured Doctoral Training Program – Curriculum
IRTG-BrainVasc offers a structured doctoral training program for PhD and MD students focusing on neurovascular function and dysfunction.
All IRTG-BrainVasc doctoral candidates are enrolled in established structured doctoral degree programs. MD students typically conduct their doctoral research alongside their medical studies, whereas students holding a scientific degree (MSc or BSc plus a preparatory year) enter a structured three-year postgraduate doctoral program (Dr. rer. nat. or Ph.D.).
A core element of all structured programs is supervision by a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC), consisting of the primary supervisor and at least two additional principal investigators selected by the doctoral candidate. In addition, all programs require the completion and documentation of defined training components.
- MD students document their training activities in a logbook.
- Ph.D. and Dr. rer. nat. candidates collect European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits to demonstrate the acquisition of comparable, high-quality training.
Further information on structured doctoral programs and ECTS requirements is available via the relevant graduate schools:
LMU-based candidates register through the Munich Medical Research School (MMRS):
TUM-based candidates register via the TUM Graduate School structures:
IRTG-BrainVasc Program Description
Curriculum Overview
Lecture series, Basic research courses and research-oriented training modules (17 ECTS)
Basic course module: 1st year: X, 2nd year: X, 3rd year: X
IRTG-BrainVasc lecture: 1st year: X, 2nd year: X, 3rd year: X
CRC lecture series: 1st year: X, 2nd year: X, 3rd year: X
"Grand Rounds" seminar series: 1st year: X, 2nd year: X, 3rd year: X
Research oriented training modules: 1st year: X, 2nd year: X, 3rd year: X
Soft Skills (5 ECTS)
Duration: 1-2 days, Periodicity: 2x per year, 1st year: X, 2nd year: X, 3rd year: X
Annual retreats and conferences (8 ECTS)
Thesis Advisory Committee
Duration: 1/2 days, Periodicity: 1x per year, 1st year: X, 2nd year: X, 3rd year: X
ECTS Requirements
For Ph.D. and Dr. rer. nat. candidates, the IRTG-BrainVasc curriculum comprises a total of 180 ECTS credits over three years:
- 140 ECTS for research work and completion of the dissertation
- 30 ECTS for coursework
- 10 ECTS for the oral defense
ECTS credits for courses and conferences do not need to be earned exclusively within the IRTG. Doctoral candidates are encouraged to complement the program with suitable training opportunities from other sources.
MD students, who are not required to collect ECTS credits, are invited to participate in the IRTG-BrainVasc program during the research phase of their medical thesis and to actively engage in its training and networking activities.
