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The 21st century is rapidly becoming the biological century. Master’s students in biology have the chance to partake in modern biology’s revolutionary current where among many other developments, molecular techniques are being integrated to address biological problems. The graduate programme allows you a learning opportunity to understand, utilize and protect nature and its diverse abundance of organisms. Are you keen to make a difference and make your mark on the future? A master’s degree in biology might well be the obvious choice.

• Profile
• Career opportunities
• Programme Structure
• Competency description
• Admission requirements
• Tuition fees and application

Profile

You should pursue studies in biology if you are wild about biological phenomena like DNA, have an interest in nature management or would like to investigate the issues that life itself, confronts us with every day. If you are the type who likes to poke their fingers into ponds, scan savannahs or grapple with genetic puzzles while wearing lab garb, then biology is for you. It is an education where theory melds with practical work in the field, lab or both. The wide range of courses in the programme offers you the opportunity to specialize in one of the many disciplines within biology, helping you to tailor your education according to your interests and future dreams.

Career Opportunities

Biologists work in a variety of occupational settings. The MSc in Biology covers a broad skill set, so immediate job prospects are good. Likewise, your education and training can be easily targeted to suit specific career aims. Often, biologists acquire jobs in biotech and pharmaceutical companies, in government ministries, municipalities, universities, secondary schools, intellectual property consultancies, environmental organisations, in the media and in biotech start-ups. All in all, equipped with a graduate degree in biology, your future opportunities are stimulating and extensive.

Programme Structure

The master’s degree in biology requires that you complete between 60 and 90 ECTS of biology coursework. You can select from one of the six academic profiles.

• Profile in Aquatic Biology: You will learn about organisms in streams, lakes, seas and oceans - including their physiology and ecological interactions.
• Profile in Microbiology: You will focus on bacteria and fungi, molecular biology and environmental adaptability, and learn how bacteria and microfungi can be biotechnologically exploited
• Profile in Ecology and Evolution: You will work with animal behaviour, interactions between living organisms, together with ecological and evolutionary processes and their importance for organisms.
• Profile in Cellular Biology and Physiology: You will specialize in an understanding of biology at the cellular level and integrate this understanding with research of physiological responses in humans and other fauna.
• Profile in Nature and Environment: You will obtain biological and managerial skills relevant for environmental and nature management
• Profile in Ecosystem Function and Management: You will immerse yourself in the services provided by terrestrial ecosystems, including plant growth, carbon sequestration, clean air, clean water and soil remediation.

An individualized academic profile can also be designed putting to use some of the 40+ courses offered in our graduate biology programme and perhaps supplemented using relevant coursework from study abroad.

Your education culminates with the thesis project. This could be an inquiry into:

• Genes and mechanisms of programmed cell death
• The effect of water pollution upon water fleas
• Spread of antibiotic resistance in bacteria
• Effects of global warming on ecosystems

Master's thesis: 60 ECTS
Restricted optional courses: 30 ECTS
Optional Courses: 30 ECTS 

Master's thesis: 45 ECTS
Restricted optional courses: 45 ECTS
Optional Courses: 30 ECTS

Master's thesis: 30 ECTS
Restricted optional courses: 60 ECTS
Optional Courses: 30 ECTS

Competency description

A graduate education in biology offers you a strong foundation for mastering important scientific techniques. You will exit the graduate programme equipped with skills applicable in both nature and the lab. Biologists learn to think in an interdisciplinary manner in order to capture the holistic connection between nature and life.

Admission requirements 

The admission requirements are described in §4 of the curriculum.

Tuition fees and application

You can find information about tuition fees and how to apply for the programme under Admission.