The study program is divided into two segments. The first year comprises 36 weeks of lectures, tutorials, seminars, methods courses, and individually supervised research projects. Laboratory rotations and individual supervision as well as the involvement of lecturers from the Max Planck Institutes and the German Primate Center in the teaching assure a combination of theory, practical projects, and intensive research work. The first study year ends with one written and two oral examinations which qualify for the Master’s thesis. The Master’s thesis can be waived for students who have passed these examinations with good or excellent results so that they can change to the three-year doctoral program directly.

In the doctoral phase, the doctorate is accompanied by a 'thesis committee', which consists of the thesis supervisor and two other lecturers from the course. Early participation in scientific conferences and courses, as well as publishing in international specialist journals, are also part of the requirements for a doctoral degree. The doctoral program enables research stays in foreign guest laboratories.

Social integration is a particularly important part of the course. A coordination office helps students get started in Göttingen and provides a central point of contact throughout their studies.