Curriculum

The Research Training Group (RTG) “Targets in Toxicology” (GRK 2338) implements a state-of-the-art interdisciplinary qualification program with the long-term aim to educate a new generation of highly qualified toxicologists. Constituting an associated research training group within the Munich Medical Research School (MMRS) at the Medical Faculty of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), the RTG “Targets in Toxicology” provides a structured Ph.D. program (Ph.D. in Medical Research) with a modular organization which requires the acquisition of 180 ECTS points in a 3-year curriculum. Medical students may also enrol in the program for a minimum of one year to obtain a medical doctor (Dr. med.).

Acceptance and general procedures

You will find all information on acceptance and general procedures for the academic degree Ph.D. in Medical Research here.
The doctorate procedures are managed by the doctoral examination board (Promotionsausschuss) of the Medical Faculty of LMU Munich. Accordingly, the examination regulations of the Medical Faculty of LMU Munich apply in their currently valid version.

An English version for international Ph.D. students is available here.

Chronologically, the training modules of the RTG GRK 2338 can be roughly divided into three phases:

• The start-up training phase comprises teaching units with organizational information, the above-mentioned specific training modules in lung toxicology and methodology, lectures on good scientific practice, lab safety, animal handling, research ethics and intercultural communication. This mandatory block lay a common foundation for the young scientists starting from quite diverse university training backgrounds (e.g. chemistry, molecular biology, medicine, toxicology etc.).
• The second more topic-oriented phase includes our international lecture series Toxicology of the Lung, in-depth seminars on advanced methods, discussion-based workshops on recent scientific literature in the field (“journal clubs”), and transferable skills seminars. Collectively, these events help candidates to tailor their specific research interests, conceptually integrate their projects in the context of current challenges in lung toxicology, and communicate their science.
• The final phase of the study program is dedicated to finalizing the thesis work, including drafting and publishing manuscripts, as well as for grant writing and coaching to prepare candidates for a post-Ph.D. career.

Integrated Modules

M1: Lung Basics and Principles of Toxicology
The introductory module M1 Lung Basics and Principles of Toxicology is the heart of the initial training phase and split into two blocks, beginning with the lecture series “Fundamentals of Lung Biology and Physiology” followed by a seminar on “Methods in Translational Lung Research”. The second part of Module 1 focusses on toxicology, including the core lecture series “Basic Principles of Toxicology” followed by the accompanying seminar on “Methods in Toxicology”. This seminar covers fundamental toxicological methods and technologies coming to bear within RTG related scientific projects.

Since 2019, the course “Basic Principles of Toxicology” is officially part of the continuing educational courses of the German Society of Toxicology to qualify for the title “Specialized Toxicologist DGPT” (“Fachtoxikologe/in”).

M2: Ph.D. research project and dissertation
Doctoral researchers work on their research projects under supervision of the respective RTG PI at the participating institutions. At the end of the Ph.D. program, graduates will defend their Ph.D. project and written thesis. The thesis defense comprises an oral presentation of the research project followed by an oral examination.

M3: International Lecture Series “Toxicology of the Lung”
In this module, monthly lectures are given by experienced scientists from national and international universities, research centers and biotechnology companies. The module covers latest trends in toxicology and lung research worldwide.

M4: Status quo Seminars, Journal Clubs
In status quo seminars, the doctoral researchers present and discuss their own research projects by posters and oral presentations. In journal clubs, doctoral candidates present and dissect research articles within the fields of toxicology and/or lung disease from renowned scientific journals. This approach intends to familiarize students with retrieval, critical assessment, and intelligible presentation of the scientific literature.

M5: Educational Courses of the German Society of Toxicology (GT)
Participation in two 5-day advanced training courses offered by the German Society of Toxicology (GT) is compulsory for all doctoral candidates. Candidates are free to choose more courses (up to four), if compatible with the progress of their Ph.D. project.
Notably, membership in the RTG (3 years) will be recognized as a qualification period to obtain the title “Specialized Toxicologist DGPT” (“Fachtoxikologe/in”) after 5 years. The latter formal certificate justifies registration as “EUROTOX Registered Toxicologist” on the European level. A prerequisite for the certificate is the successful participation in such 5-day advanced training courses offered by the German Society of Toxicology. Module M5 therefore provides a first step towards this career option.

M6: Transferable Skills Training and Career Development Program
Complementary courses are offered by LMU central services, the MMRS, or, for students enrolled at Helmholtz Munich, HELENA. They cover topics such as scientific writing, communication and presentation skills, basics in project management, intellectual property rights, statistics etc.
A practical course on aspects of job applications inside and outside of academia is offered to third-year doctoral researchers. Here, the objective is to present alternative career options and confront doctoral researchers with different interview styles and cultural differences of applications. Doctoral candidates practice interviews and receive feedback about their individual performance.

M7: Translational Skills
In the final phase, the focus of our PhD training program gradually shifts from experimental work to scientific writing (publications, thesis). In order to provide the doctoral candidates with the best possible support in this final phase, workshops on the subject of paper writing and proposal writing will be offered. In addition, courses on funding opportunities and core entrepreneurial skills could be attended via the GraduateCenterLMU or HELENA.

M8: Control of Success
The annual research retreats are a central element of the Research Training Group. In addition to oral and poster presentations by doctoral students on the progress of their research project, keynote speakers are also invited. In addition, the doctoral students take on the moderation of the speakers and lead the subsequent discussion.
The doctoral students also present their research results at national and international scientific conferences.

Lectures and workshops on Good Scientific Practice (GSP) are another crucial component of control of success. From the very start of the program, a mandatory GSP course includes various topics relating to principles and safeguarding of GSP as well as procedural rules for dealing with scientific misconduct, plagiarism, and authorships. This course not only raises awareness for the importance of professional values and ethical norms like honesty, accuracy, and objectivity, but also provides the necessary basic knowledge and required competencies to pursue scientific integrity.