Components and Structure of Program
Lab Research
The 2-month scientific project is integrated into ongoing life science research activities of the host labs at the University of Bonn. Participating institutes are:
- the Institute of Genetics
- Institute of Cell Biology
- the LIMES-Institute
- with the Department of Molecular Immunology
- with the Department of Molecular Developmental Biology
- with the Department of Chemical Biology
- the Pharmaceutical Institute
- the Institute of Pathology
- the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology
- the Institute of Physiological Chemistry
The undergraduates spend most time of the day in the lab and work in ongoing research activities. Depending on the project, they are exposed to basic technologies in protein biochemistry (such as cell fractionation, protein purification, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting), DNA and RNA technologies (such as DNA and RNA isolation, gel electrophoresis, Southern Blotting, PCR, aptamers, siRNAs), medicinal chemistry (drug design, ligand/receptor assays), cell biology (immunhistochemistry, primary cell culture, transfection of cell lines), genetics of model organisms (Drosophila, mice) or microscopy techniques, such as bright field, phase contrast and confocal microscopy.
The 2-month scientific project has to be concluded by a written scientific protocol and an oral presentation of the results in the lab seminar of the host lab. The results of the project will be presented to the whole group at the end of the program.
Life Sciences Discussion Forum & Lab Visits
Each week, students will take part in discussions and visits that relate to their work and the research landscape in Germany. While this part of the program focuses on issues of science, it brings aspects of politics and ethics into play that will turn into unique experiences of intercultural communication. The discussion forum also serves to draw attention to the German research market and will help to attract students to pursue further studies, research or work in Germany or the European Research Area.
Each year will focus on a different topic. In 2010 we focussed on "Predictive genetic testing", example. In 2011 "Dementia" was discussed.
Intensive German-Language Instruction
The students in the program will attend intensive German classes which are tailored to their specific needs and exclusively set up for this program. Instructors will be experienced German teachers from the organization "Pro Integration e.V" with which the University of Bonn has successfully been cooperating for years.
Two courses with different levels will be available: "Elementary German" and "Intermediate German: Speaking, Listening Comprehension, Reading, Writing". In order to meet credit requirements at their home institution, participants will attend at least 48 hours of German.
There will be five hours of German instruction per week over a period of two months. The paramount goal of this class is to deepen and extend the learners' command of the German language as independent users or initiate it, as far as the beginners are concerned.
You can find further information here.
German Culture Class & Excursion to Berlin
The Program will start with an intercultural workshop in which students get to "Meet the Germans", their customs, cultural standards, and will be asked to reflect on their own culture and expectations.
The culture class (2 hours per week will be taught in English and give an introduction to the German culture, its political system and current affairs. Topics may be:
- Germany's education system with a focus of institutions of higher education, research and university life
- Important European art movements, classical and popular music
- German customs and festivities and recent developments in German literature and film.
The theoretical knowledge will be complemented with excursions to museums and important sights in and around Bonn:
- Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany (Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland) or Art Museum Bonn
- Beethoven House (Beethoven’s birth place)
- Haus der Geschichte (Museum of German Post-War-History)
- Castle Brühl
- City and Cathedral Cologne
Additionally, there will be a day-trip to Germany's oldest city Trier and a thematic 4-day excursion to Berlin:
- Visits and Discussions with members of the National Ethics Council and the Charité
- Visit of the German Parliament
- Guided tour of the city and the former Stasi-Prison Hohenschönhausen
