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Biology (M.Sc.)

Taught in German

Overview

Bild zur Illustration: Master of Science Biologie
Bild zur Illustration: Master of Science Biologie

Image: Prof. Dr. Dorresteijn/JLU


Overview

Overview

Biology is a research-oriented Master's degree prorgamme and offers students the opportunity to get access to the world of science through the university's research focus points in the area of biology/biological sciences. The course has been offered since winter semester 2006/07.
Generally the basics in Biology have been covered in the preceding Bachelor of Science.

With the Master's Degree Programme at JLU students have the opportunity to study research-oriented and competence-shaping.

Students have the possibility to choose from specialisation areas including "Molecular Biology", "Ecology, Evolution and Nature Conservation" or "Biomedicine". You will get an insight in ongoing research projects or even be part of it.

 

Central qualification objectives of the Master'S degree prgramme comprise:

  • the competence to work independently in the subject of biology based on robust and theoretical basics
  • deeper subject- and methodological skills
  • the acquisition of interdisciplinary skills and the ability to social commitment,
  • the ability to work independently in science and research (doctorate), and training qualification

 

Prerequisistes

Besides previous knowledge of biology you should also have a good understanding of English.

Duration of studies 4 Semester 120 Credit Points (CP)

Duration of Studies

4 Semesters - 120 Credit Points (CP)

Accreditation

since 23 June 2005

Composition of the Study Programme

Duration of studies 4 Semester 120 Credit Points (CP)

Duration of Studies

4 Semesters - 120 Credit Points (CP)

Composition of the Study Programme

Composition of the Study Programme

 

1st/ 2nd semester (60 CP)3rd / 4th semester (60 CP)

Specialisation Area (51 CP)

Students can choose:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Ecology, Evolution and Nature Conservation
  • Biomedicine

Project Laboratory Biology (6 CP)
(prerequisite for Master's thesis)
Philosophy of Science (3 CP)

Master's thesis (30 CP)
Work Group Seminar (3 CP) Optional area (24 CP)
Master's seminar (3 CP)

 

Modules

Specialisation areas (1st/2nd semester)

Students can choose one out of the three specialisation areas

  • "Molekulare Biology",
  • "Ecology, Evolution and Nature Conservation" or
  • "Biomedicine"

Your specialisation area may depend on your qualification from your Bachelor's degree or from the capacity of the faculty. Further information can be found here: Studienfachberatung.

Modules you can choose from can be found in the attachmend Speziellen Ordnung (Mitteilungen der Universität Gießen) (in German)

 

Optional area (3rd/4th semester)

Here, in the second study year, elective modules (including non-biological ones) with a total of 24 cp must be attended. Part of the option area are: optional-, assistant-, laboratory-, excusion- and team modules as well as practical training. You can also complete the optional area with other modules from other factulties or from a foreign university. Please talk to your study advisor.

 

Project placement (3rd semester)

The four week project placement (usually in the 3rd semester) should serve to familiarise students with the laboratory in which the Master's thesis will be produced.

 

Master's seminar (1st – 2nd semester)

The aim of this module is to give all Master students of biology a forum and an opportunity to get to know each other, to meet regularly, to meet each other and people from outside the immediate context professionally.  Organisation will be left as far as possible to the students (inviting guest speakers, organization of workshops, etc.).

 

Master's thesis (after the practical training, normally in the 4th semester)

With the Master's thesis the students will demonstrate their ability to work independently on scientific problems in one of the focus areas of their subject and the course is then completed.

 

Further Information

A description of the core- and specialisation modules can be found in the special regulations with module descriptions and module plans (in German)

More on this... ("Spezielle Ordnung")

 

Courses offered in the course catalogue

Application

Commencement of Studies in the Winter Semester

Commencement of studies

Only possible in the winter semester

Application: Entrance requirements

Entrance requirements

The requirement for acceptance into the Master`s course is a completed  Bachelor`s degree in Biology with a final mark of good or better.
In addition the board of examiners can recognise further scientific and biomedical degree courses as equivalent after individual examination. This applies in particular to:

  • Biochemistry
  • Bioinformatics
  • Biomedicine
  • Biotechnology
  • Human Biology
  • Molecular Biology

With these courses of study, the studies done so far must present the following subject profile: broad scientific training with the necessary and relevant basics of biology and also, if possible, in chemistry, mathematics/statistics and physics, with a clear emphasis on biology or closely-related subjects.
In the case of students with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, physics or mathematics, this is regarded as giving a biology profile, if in the Bachelor`s course biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, biometry, biophysics, biotechnology, human biology or molecular biology have been completed successfully as major or minor subjects.
The subject specific prerequisites will be checked by the board of examiners.

Language requirements

Language requirements

English language skills at level B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) are required for the degree programme. Proof of this must be provided by

a) the Abitur certificate,
b) upper secondary school reports or proof of at least four years of schooling in English,
c) Proof of successfully completed language courses, whereby at least 120 hours of instruction must be demonstrated,
d) specialised reports or lector examinations on language skills acquired through stays abroad, university language courses or self-study,
e) Proof of a UNIcert level I qualification,
f) proof of a TOEFL test (computer-based score of at least 43, written test with at least 550 points) or
g) another certificate recognised as equivalent by the examination board.

Proof of the above-mentioned English language skills must be provided within the first 2 semesters. In cases of doubt, the Examination Board decides on the fulfilment of the admission requirements

Application not limited only winter

Application / Enrolment

  • The study programme is not subject to admission restrictions.

  • The enrolment period for the winter semester begins at the beginning of June.

  • The end of the enrolment period is determined anew each year, please enquire in the application portal during the enrolment period.

Different rules apply in some cases for international applicants. More...

 

BewerbungsportalApplication portal

Career Options

Perspectives

Career options / Job market

The scope of activities and career options is very broad for biologists including:

  • research and eduction at universities or other non-university research centres
  • independent activity as a manager in industry and economy
  • executive activities in special administrative departments of Federal, regional and EU authorities
  • executive activity in Nature Conservation Agencies- and associations, as well as zoological- and botanical gardens,
  • specialised journalist as well as consulting
  • executive activities in planning offices as well as bio-medical laboratories.

 

Online advertisements for employment on offer and further information can be found on the internet pages: Verband deutscher Biologen

 

Doctoral Studies at JLU

Doctorate possible with a Master's degree for the degree Dr. rer. nat.

 

Graduate Centres

International Giessen Graduate Centre for the Life Sciences

International

Incomings

Information about studying at Justus Liebig University Giessen (incomings)

International Office
General counseling of international students
Dr. Saltanat Rakhimzhanova, Patrycja Zakrzewska

Goethestr. 58, Room 38
35390 Giessen

Contact and office hours

International pages

Please have a look at our International Pages for more information in English.

Further Information

Further Information: Documents

PDF documents for the courses of study

Examination- and study regulations

 

Courses offered in the course catalogue

Links


Master's Degree Programmes of Faculty 08

International pages

Please have a look at our International Pages for more information in English.

Any Questions

Any Questions?

Information- and advisory services of JLU can be found under the category “contact” on this page!

Contact

Subject Advisor

Subject Advisor

Dr. Patrick Schubert
Heinrich-Buff Ring 58 ("old chemistry building"), room 0278 (2nd floor, South)
Telephone: +49  (0) 641 - 99 35060
Contact hours: Tuesday and Thursday: 13.00 - 14.00 or by appointment


Links

Links


Central Study Advisor

Wiebke Blumenthal, M.A.

Wiebke Blumenthal, M.A. (Pädagogin)

Central Student Services

Directions and welcome desk