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Neuroengineering – Elite Master Program
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
The ENB Elite Master of Science program in Neuroengineering (MSNE) at the Technical University of Munich is a two-year graduate program, with an optional Research Excellence Certificate. The program is interdisciplinary and combines experimental and theoretical neuroscience with profound training in engineering. Besides taking a series of mandatory core courses, students have the opportunity to choose from electives from multiple disciplines and to gain research experience under the guidance of world-renowned faculty. A personal mentor is supporting the students all over the two years. The program attracts high-profile international and national students and creates graduates opting for a career in academia or in research-oriented industry.
Neuroengineering is an emerging interdisciplinary field that aims to translate findings in neuroscience to real-world practical engineering applications. The successful development of neuro-inspired technical approaches will lead to a new generation of smart systems that achieve complex functions in an efficient manner, and will simultaneously advance our understanding of neuroscience. Advances in neurotechnology such as neuroprostheses, cochlear and retina implants, EEG-based therapy, brain-computer interfaces, and exoskeletons for neurorehabilitation are rapidly changing medical care for people with neurological diseases and disabilities. At the same time, there is a trend towards neuro-inspired principles for next-generation computing technologies and autonomous systems. Both directions of technological progress are based on the synergetic combination of engineering and neuroscience which has only recently given rise to the new research field called “neuroengineering”.
Type of Study: Full-time
Standard Duration of Studies: 4 Semesters
Credits: 120 ECTS + optional 30 ECTS for Research Excellence Certificate
Main Locations: Munich
Start of Degree Program: Winter Semester
Language of Instruction: Englisch
Costs: semester fee, no tuitions fees
Professional Profile: Electrical and Computer Engineering
The MSNE program is designed as a two-year full time (120 ECTS) Master-of-Science training, with an optional Research Excellence Certificate (REC, additional 30 ECTS).
The set of mandatory courses (58 ECTS) covers all basic aspects of neuroengineering from brain anatomy and neurophysiology, to neuro-recording, electronics, and computational processing, up to engineering of neuro-inspired systems. The mandatory modules include hands-on implementation of acquired knowledge in small-team projects with tight supervision to ensure the students are able to apply the relevant methods and techniques. Furthermore, students conduct a mandatory 9-week research project (12 ECTS), mainly during their semester breaks but inculding flexible part-time options. Students select and suggest elective modules (20 ECTS) and discuss this individual set of modules with their personal mentor (learning agreement). The overall timeline is three semesters of classes including hands-on projects, intense projects during the semester breaks (possibly abroad); with a fourth semester for the mandatory Master's thesis.
REC: Enrolled students may decide to take additional four elective courses, to conduct an additional 6-week research project (8 ECTS), thereby allowing a substantially stronger individual specialization, and to present results of both their research projects in an annual symposium to obtain a “Research Excellence Certificate” (2 ECTS). Students completing the additional REC (120 ECTS + 30 ECTS) will be awarded a Master’s degree (M.Sc.) in Neuroengineering with the special grade "with honors".
As an emergent research and technological field, neuroengineering requires a new kind of engineer who is firmly educated in fundamental neuroscience as well as engineering theory and is able to apply and combine the methods from both domains. The purpose of the neuroengineering master program at TUM is to educate such a new generation of interdisciplinary engineers and to equip them with the ethical sensitivity to integrate societal values and stakeholders into their future work.
Students not only enhance their knowledge in neuroengineering, but also develop research skills through the coursework and thesis. Apart from the cutting edge knowledge and technical skills acquired, students also develop their basic soft skills. Beyond the skill sets of only one or two disciplines, Neuroengineering students become proficient in neuroscience, engineering, mathematics, psychology, and informatics, which is specifically geared towards solving complex engineering problems with high societal impact. Students are able to combine several aspects of neuro-inspired systems and are able to define an own research focus, thereby going beyond the ability to conduct research with the ability to identify an individual research field that allows a smooth transition into doctoral studies.
The main career opportunities for graduates of the master's degree program in MSNE are in academia and in research-orieted industry. MSNE perfectly prepares students for a start to doctoral studies at TUM or elsewhere in the world. Two thirds of all MSNE graduates are following this path, propeled by a professional network students are building during their Masters and further propeled in case of first research publications, all together bolstering a smooth transition into PhD studies.
Further MSNE graduates are employed mainly in research oriented industry (e.g. medical engineering domain, hardware & software development, AI/ML-focused companies) or they are entrepreneuring.
Application
If you have a Bachelor degree or equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Bio-Medical Engineering, Psychology with an Engineering minor or a similar degree, you are welcome to apply for the Master's Program in Neuroengineering. You may also apply briefly before graduating (requirement is at least 150 ECTS in 180 ECTS Bachelor programs, already recorded in your transcript, or an equivalent study progress).
Application Deadline
Winter semester: January 1 to May 31. MSNE does not offer a summer intake.
The application for admission to the master’s degree program in Neuroengineering are to be completed and submitted using our TUMonline portal. Once you have created your account there, you can enter your personal data and information about your education and upload the required documents. The application is submitted electronically.
If you are admitted, you will be required to submit some additional documents as certified copies in paper form before you can be enrolled at TUM. As a rule, prospective students with an international university entrance qualification need to request a pre-examination documentation from uni-assist in advance.
Applicants with a university entrance qualification from outside the EU/EWR require a preliminary check of the certificates by uni-assist before applying online. Since this can take up to four weeks, we recommend that you initiate the process early.
The APS certificate is required for applicants from India, China and Vietnam.
In addition, there are some special requirements for applicants from certain countries: Special Conditions for Certain Countries.
Applicants must also submit one of the recognized language certificates listed here or an authenticated copy of an original document issued by your university verifying that the language of instruction in your bachelor’s degree program was at least 50% English.
For your application, you need to upload the following documents in TUMonline:
- Passport
- Preliminary Record Examination issued by Uni-Assist for non-EU Applicants (VPD)
- APS Certificate (only for applicants from China, India, Vietnam)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Transcript of Records or Bachelor Certificate Transcript (certified)
- List of Credits in Excel sheet form (*)
- Statement of Purpose (*)
- Essay (*)
- Proof of the Proficiency in the English language
(*) Downloads for your application:
Depending on your previous education and background, we may require additional application documents. You will find a list of required documents when you apply online via TUMonline.
This FAQ helps you finding answers to questions send in by other applicants frequently. We are happy to answer all remaining questions!
- Will a Bachelor degree from my university be accepted by TUM?
If your university is rated H+ on Anabin, your degree will most likely be accepted. If you are unsure please ask the Student Service Centre (studium@tum.de) - Why are non-EU Applicants encouraged to apply earlier (March vs. May Deadline)?
Based on our experience regarding student visa issues, we recommend all non-EU Applicants to apply as early as possible, ideally before March. The final deadline for applications (EU as well as non-EU Applicants) is end of May. Admission decisions for applications provided in April or May might not be available before end of July or August, which might result in severe problems in obtaining a visa. - Is it necessary to have any kind of health insurance for the application?
You do not need any health insurance when you apply. But you will need it to enroll and have to present the confirmation from a health insurance provider in Germany at the admission office once you are in Munich. Please see TUM's information on student health insurance for details. - My language test score (e.g., TOEFL) is too low. Can I still get admission?
A language proficiency certificate with sufficient score is mandatory in order to apply. So you can not apply for the program. - Do I have to provide reference letters?
Effective for MSNE applications with intended start of study Winter Semester 2022/2023, TUM has changed the set of mandatory application documents: Instead of reference letters, TUM Online prompts you for an written essay. - Do I have to provide GRE or GATE test scores?
MSNE does not request GRE or GATE test scores in the application process. - I am currently a Master student in another program (at TUM or another university). Can I switch to MSNE and transfer my credits to MSNE?
Even if you already are a Master student at TUM, you have to go through the application process for MSNE like everybody else and you can only start in the winter semester. After enrollment, you can apply for recognition of your Master courses. This is only possible for those courses that are considered identical to the respective courses in MSNE. It is up to the respective professor to decide on whether your request will be accepted. Please do not ask whether any of your courses could be recognised before you enrol in MSNE! It is not our task to predict how many credits you might get recognised before it is clear whether you will actually start the MSNE program or not. - I speak German. Can I submit my motivation letter in German or can the interview be held in German?
Since the MSNE program is an English language program, proficiency of the English language is required. Therefore – and to give all applicants the same chance – your motiviation letter has to be in English and the interview will be conducted in English as well. - Can I send my application documents via email?
We do not accept any application documents sent via email. All documents have to be uploaded to the online applciation system. - Re-Application for MSNE (Applicants with Admission & Deferral)
Applicants who successfully applied in previous year intake(s) (= applicants who passed MSNE assessment process and therefore received an admission letter for MSNE Master Program by TUM) but who deferred their start (= did not enrol) must apply once again in case they want to start at the next opportunity. MSNE study program only offers a winter intake. They are prompted to provide all documents once again in TUM Online application system, within the regular application period. There is no need to update form sheets or to modify the documents, since the assessment result (admission) is already given. Please upload an updated CV. Instead of a "List of all Credits in Excel-Form Sheet", you may upload the admission letter or a personal letter explaining their re-application status. - How to contact MSNE students and lecturers, preview on lecture materials, visiting MSNE...?
A good source of information on lecture content is to browse the TUM Online Module Catalogue. The TUM Online Courses Cataloge lists the schedule of classes and lecturers. You don't have to register in TUM Online for this purpose. You may approach lecturers directly as well. Hence, most requests including questions on organizational issues and will get forwarded with some delay to msne@ei.tum.de anyway. Most lecturers do not share lecture materials used in classes in advance. In case you are already studying at TUM - why not having a visit in one of the lectures. Please approach us in advance (msne@ei.tum.de )and we inform the lecturer on your site visit. If you are visiting TUM, you may request for a personal appointment with the MSNE Program Coordinator (msne@ei.tum.de ), adding a list of questions and topics to your request. You may approach MSNE students directly as well. Some MSNE students have agreed to be contacted by prospective applicants. Have a look at the MSNE Students Blog ( -> Link to MSNE Student Blog, operated by students, no official TUM service).
Admission
The selection of students for admission to the master’s degree program in Neuroengineering takes place through an aptitude assessment procedure. This is a two-stage procedure in which we assess your suitability for the special qualitative requirements of the master's program.
Timetable and Deadlines
- Time period for interviews: April to September
- Invitation to Aptitude Assessment Interview (Stage 2): at least one week in advance
In stage 1, we assess your GPA, passed subjects, statement of purpose and the essay. The highest possible score is 100. Applicants receiving at least 75 points are invited to an interview (stage 2) for further assessment.
The criteria for stage 1 are as follows
- Overall grade in your bachelor’s degree (max. 30 points)
Grade conversion using the "Modified Bavarian Formula" (TUM Grade Conversion Tool) - Subjects during your bachelor’s degree (max. 35 points)
- Mathematics, max. 16 points
- Fundamentals in Science (Physics, Biochemistry, Neuroscience), max. 9 points
- Fundamentals in Engineering, in the fields of Bioengineering and Medical Engineering or Psychology, max. 10 points
- A statement of purpose (max. 25 points)
- A written Essay (max. 10 points)
Applicants having successfully passed stage 1 (75 – 100 points) are invited to an aptitude assessment interview.
Applicants having successfully passed stage 1 (75 – 100 points) will receive an invitation for an interview. The interview generally lasts about 20 minutes and can be conducted in person at TUM or via zoom.
In the aptitude assessment interview, we want to be convinced that you as an applicant are capable of successfully completing the planned course of study.
Main criteria
- Your qualification for MSNE
- Your motivation
-
Your ability to communicate in the English language
For the final score, the mean value of your score in the interview (max 65 points) and the score for your Bachelor education (overall grade and relevant subjects, max 30+35 points is calculated. Hence, the highest possible final score in stage 2 is 65. If your score is at least 50 you will get admitted. Each application is evaluated individually.
When will the interview take place?
Interviews take place between April and September. The invitation will be sent at least one week in advance of the interview appointment. The exact date of the interview depends on the processing time of the application. The earlier an application is received in full, the sooner we will process it. We encourage applying as early as possible! Late application increases the likelihood that international students not have adequate time to complete the visa application process if admitted. We strongly recommend applying no later than March 15.
MSNE has designed a set of onboarding activities, enabling a smooth transition into Neuroaneginnering master studies at TUM:
- Sophomore MSNE students are volunteering in a MSNE Buddy program, helping new students arriving and smoothening their start in Munich.
- Administrative information starts with a MSNE Newsletter (~mid of September) for all admitted students, providing information how to prepare best for the program.
- We share a literature recommendation list for all first-semester mandatories.
- We send out self tests and surveys, helping students to level themselves and to link to supporting first-semester courses such as MSNE Make-Up Modules
- In 2021 and 2022, we started with a MSNE Project Week, a MSNE student initiative offered in last week before the lecture period starts. This Project week also includes student-driven voluntary trainings and workshops, preparing for a smooth start to MSNE studies.
We strongly recommend all admitted students to arrive in Munich at the begin of October, having a first week to settle, and a second week for attending the voluntary MSNE-Project Week. - We offer an official MSNE Student Welcome Event (now part of MSNE Project Week), discussing and introducing the MSNE
- We pre-arranged for all your seats in MSNE mandatory courses, so there is no race for the best spots! All MSNE students have guaranteed seats in MSNE mandatories.
- Admitted students may approach MSNE team (msne@ei.tum.de) in order to get information on general 3-weeks mathematical primer courses offerred by TUM (starting End of September, Germn language only)
- Students may find all recommended literature and a detailed syllabus by browsing the module catalogue using TUM-Online system.
Furthermore, your School and TUM are supporting your onboarding in various fashion.
During your Studies
The elite program Neuroengineering is designed as a 2-year full-time program, which requires students to complete 120 ECTS to obtain the academic degree Master of Science:
- Mandatory Modules
- Elective Modules
- Research Projects
- Master's Thesis
- Research Excellence Certificate
The MSNE curriculum spans a total of 11 mandatory modules (58 ECTS). Due to an included lab part, all MSNE mandatory modules are exclusive for MSNE students, with guaranteed seats for all MSNE students. Most lecturers allow for 1-2 more students in the classes, limited to students of partnering ENB Elite Master Programs and PhD Programs. Latest after second semester, MSNE students must have pased 4 mandatory modules. Students must pass all mandatory modules in order to graduate in MSNE.
The MSNE curriculum encloses 20 ECTS of elective modules (typically 4 modules). In addition, students may enhance their individual profile by taking an optional Research Excellence Certificate, including another 20 ECTS of elective modules.
All electives (for MSNE and for REC!) require a mentor approval in order to become part of a student's curriculum. The so-called "MSNE Learning Agreement" reports on this discussions. The Learning Agreements will evolve during studies.In general, all (!) modules offered by TUM , LMU or any other university may become part of the electives section in your curriculum. Outside the scope study programs partnering with MSNE, ressource constraints may limit availability, especially in case of labs.
MSNE provides a list of elective modules completed by MSNE-Students so far (browse for MSNE section). This list is intended to support MSNE students starting to explore opportunities in MSNE program. As well, the list may help applicants to get a very first overview. This list is not intended to limit or to bind students to a fixed set of elective modules. Students may discuss any module offered at TUM, LMU or elsewhere with individual mentor in order to generate individual learning agreements. The list of MSNE tracks may help students to combine elective modules aligned to a certain specialization.
MSNE Make-up Modules - preparing for a smart start
MSNE Make-Up Modules are designed exclusively for MSNE students, enabling MSNE students lacking specific engineering-related background knowledge to catch up quickly with peers during the first semester. All MSNE students are allowed to attend on a voluntary basis. Make-Up modules may become an elective (i.e. counting towards study progress) in case of a mentor assignment (considering student's previous transcripts, preferences, and students self-estimation). In the past, MSNE offered Make-Up modules for
- EI60014 Fundamentals of computer science for Neuroengineering (WS, 1|3|0, 5 ECTS)
-> discontinued, became recently part of MSNE Project Week - EI60015 Fundamentals of electronics for Neuroengineering (WS,1|3|0, 5 ECTS)
-> discontinued, became recently part of MSNE Project Week - EI60022 Fundamentals of Mathematics for Neuroengineering (WS,1|3|0, 5 ECST)
-> active module
Learning Agreement
All electives must be mentor-agreed in order to become part of your transcript. MSNE Students use a Learning Agreement form sheet for this purpose. Please pre-fill the form and discuss this list with your mentor, finally have it signed mutually and send a scan to msne@ei.tum.de. Deadline for summer semester is September 30th, deadline for winter semester is March 31st. Students are allowed to pick freely within all modules in the individual learning agreement. We consider all learning agreements received so far. There is no need to attend and to pass all modules included in your learning agreement. In case you once passed a module, you may not register for the same module once again (i.e. no retakes for grade-tuning). However, you may do more electives and pick the one with best results later for your transcript, tuning your cGPA. All results (i.e. grades) in modules not listed in students individual Learning Agreement automatically become part of a transcript appendix, labeled with the semester of examination. Such additional modules do not count towards the 120 ECTS + 30 ECTS curriculum. It is not possible to convert such modules to MSNE Electives effective to the past.
Best Practice: Discuss your plans with your mentor early. You may agree on a superset of modules in your learning agreement in order to have some flexibility while aligning your individual electives schedule with mandatory modules schedule.
Detailed information can be found under examinations. The General Examination and Study Regulations of TUM (Allgemeine Prüfungs- und Studienordnung, APSO) of TUM and the program-specific Academic and Examination Regulations (Fachprüfungs- und Studienordnung, FPSO) apply to all students.
The MSNE Study Handbook (English) is intended to help international and national students, summarizing main aspects of APSO and MSNE FPSO in a legally non-binding way. Please refer to your copy, depending on your start semester / cohort within TUM MSNE.
MSNE Study Handbook - version for students starting in WS17/18 | WS18/19 | WS19/20 | WS20/21 | WS21/22 | WS22/23
Graduation
After successful completion of the course requirements and master’s thesis, you graduate with the Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree and begin your professional life. For tips and advice on graduation and your next steps, go to Graduation.
MSNE Associated Faculty & People
MSNE started in winter term 2016/2017 with a first batch of 15 students. More than 150 students enrolled since 2016, some graduates of first cohort already received their PhD. The background of the students covers a wide spectrum of disciplines (mainly biomedical engineering or electrical engineering, but also neuroinformatics, cognitive science, physics, psychology) perfectly supporting the interdisciplinary nature of MSNE program and projects.
Beside of the official TUM/MSNE website, you can get an impression of our program and student-driven initiatives in a MSNE-Student blog (private blog operated by a group of MSNE - students). Applicants may also get in touch with MSNE Student Representatives, getting first-hand experience (contacts will be shared on request -> msne@ei.tum.de).
MSNE Students are also interacting beyond the curriculum. E.g. they are attending on student-organized MSNE retreats, attending at Cybathlon Challenge, or sharing social activities in the program (e.g. visit of Christmas market, student-organized welcome events for arriving freshmen, intercultural evenings) and sportive events. The MSNE team “Neuruns” participated in Elite Network of Bavaria football tournament “ENB EliteCup” 2017, 2018 and 2019. Beside of football, the MSNE team and MSNE associated faculty are attending regularly at TUM Campus Run, a TUM-wide running challenge. Sophomore MSNE students are supporting a MSNE Buddy program, helping new students arriving and smoothening their start in Munich. The service has been suggested and is coordinated by MSNE-students.
All these activities correlate with a reported “overall satisfaction with program workload and study-life balance”, monitored in MSNE Quality Meetings jointly with MSNE Student Representatives and supported by program-wide surveys)
TUM - School of Computation, Information and Technology
- Prof. Dr. Gordon Cheng, Cognitive Systems
- Prof. Dr. Kristen Kozielski, Neuroengineering
- Prof. Dr. Werner Hemmert, Bioanaloge Informationsverarbeitung
- Prof. Dr. Alois Knoll, Robotik, Künstliche Intelligenz und Echtzeitsysteme
- Prof. Dr. Bernhard U. Seeber, Audio-Signalverarbeitung
- Prof. Dr. Bernhard Wolfrum, Neuroelectronics
TUM - Other Departments
- Prof. Dr. Silke Beck, Sociology of Science and Technology (TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology)
- Prof. Dr. David Franklin, Neuromuscular Diagnostics (TUM Dep. of Sport and Health Sciences)
- Prof. Dr. Julijana Gjorgjieva, Computational Neurosciences (TUM School of Life Science)
- Prof. Dr. Simon Jacob, Translational Neurotechnology (TUM School of Medicine)
- Prof. Dr. Thomas Misgeld, Neuronal Cell Biology (TUM School of Medicine)
- Prof. Dr. Markus Ploner, Human Pain Research (TUM School of Medicine)
- Prof. Dr. Ruben Portugues Peters, Brain Circuit Function and Disfunction (TUM School of Medicine)
- Prof. Dr. Gil Westmeyer, Neurobiological Engineering (TUM School of Medicine, Chemistry)
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU)
- Prof. Dr. Anton Sirota, Cognition and Neural Plasticity (LMU Faculty of Biology)
As of March 2023
Name | Position |
---|---|
Prof. Dr. Gordon Cheng | Director (since 2016) |
Prof. Dr. Kristen Kozielski | Director (since 2021) |
Dipl.-Ing. Florian Rattei | Program Manager (since 2016) |
Prof. Dr. Jörg Conradt | Director (2016-2018) |
Prof. Dr. Jakob Macke | Director (2018-2020) |
Mentoring in MSNE is based on several pillars. Most prominent for each student is a program assigned mentor for each student. Student-mentor ration is capped at ~ 3:1 in order to support well-ballanced mentoring workload. Main responibility of the assigned mentor is support in creating and updating individual students' learning agreements. In addition, MSNE associated faculty as well as visiting guests help students to learn on carreer options, role models, and to create a very first professional network.
--> List of MSNE Mentors
MSNE program has been co-designed and is continously improved with support of an advisory board. The board combines TUM-internal and external, national and international expertise on various fields of Neuroengineering. The boards members meet regularly along with MSNE Team and MSNE Student Representatives to discuss status and strategy of the program.
MSNE Advisory Board Members
- Prof. Dr. Jens Clausen
- Prof. Dr. Klaus Diepold
- Prof. em. Dr. Georg Färber
- Prof. Cuntai Guan
- Prof. Dr. Benedikt Grothe
- Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hemmer
- Prof. Dr. Renée Lampe
- Mikhail A. Lebedev, PhD
- Prof. Dr. Jakob Macke
- Prof. Dr. Hermann Müller
- Prof. Dr. Josef Rauschecker
- Prof. Dr. Giulio Sandini
- Prof. Dr. Stefan Schaal
- Prof. Nitish V. Thakor
As of March 2023