The master’s programme in Biology with the five specialisations Microbial and Plant Biotechnology, Molecular Cell Biology, Molecular and Medical Neuroscience, Ecology and Bioinformatics provides a research- and practice-oriented education in the above-mentioned fields. The specialisations are closely linked to the research activities of the participating research groups. This gives you the opportunity to acquire an appropriately oriented individual scientific profile and professional knowledge. The subject-specific qualification goals of the five specialisations of the master’s programme in Biology are as follows:

Specialisation: Microbial and Plant Biotechnology (MPBiotec)

The focus is on in-depth, basic science-based training in the biotechnology of microorganisms and plants. You will gain an intensive understanding of the molecular biology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and the modern methods for their investigation and targeted modification. You will also learn the concepts of systems biology and bioinformatics and their applications. This knowledge is the basis for applied research topics that are worked on in the departments of the degree programme. The range of topics includes, for example, infection mechanisms of bacterial and fungal pathogens of humans and plants, resistance mechanisms to antimicrobial agents, mechanisms of cultivated plants to achieve high yields and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stress factors.

Specialisation: Molecular Cell Biology (MCB)

Cellular processes are the basis of all life processes. Building on the relevant skills acquired in the bachelor’s degree programme, the consecutive and research-oriented specialisation Molecular Cell Biology provides you with profound conceptual and methodological knowledge in molecular biology and biochemically oriented subfields of cell biology as well as molecular and human genetics. In addition, you will gain insights into related subjects and molecular medicine. Modern approaches to the experimental investigation of cellular structures and their functions are taught. The primary aim of the study programme is to enable you to work scientifically in current research areas of cell biology and molecular genetics.

Specialisation: Molecular and Medical Neuroscience (Neuro)

The central aim of the specialisation in Molecular and Medical Neuroscience is to provide you with a fundamental understanding of the structure and functioning of the nervous system. The focus is on the molecular, cellular and physiological processes that enable the nervous system to take in complex information, process it and convert it into appropriate behaviour. Building on the bachelor’s education, current concepts and methods of neurobiology are taught. The use of invertebrates, vertebrates and human model systems in combination with genetic modifications enable the elucidation of molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the function of the nervous system in normal development and in neurodegenerative diseases. The training places an emphasis on teaching a broad spectrum of the modern methodology of neurobiology.

Specialisation: Ecology (Eco)

The functions and functioning of ecosystems are based on interactions between biotic communities and environmental factors. Biodiversity and its spatio-temporal patterns in an ecosystem play a key role. The majority of biodiversity and biomass on earth is represented by microorganisms. The specialisation Ecology provides in-depth, basic scientific training in ecology, evolution and biodiversity of microorganisms from all three domains of life. You will learn in-depth basics about the origin and function/meaning of biodiversity and deal with techniques for investigating these mechanisms as well as for identifying and explaining spatial/temporal distribution patterns of communities and populations. Based on these theoretical foundations, you develop your own ideas and concepts and test them in traditional and modern molecular biological research approaches.

Specialisation: Bioinformatics (Bioinf)

The specialisation Bioinformatics provides a research-oriented education at the interface of biology, data science and computational modelling. It focuses on the quantitative analysis and interpretation of complex biological data arising from modern high-throughput technologies across multiple molecular layers.
The program combines a strong theoretical foundation in biostatistics, machine learning and data science with practical training in the analysis of real-world biological datasets. Students learn to formulate and evaluate statistical models, apply machine learning approaches, and critically interpret results in the context of biological systems. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the assumptions, limitations and interpretability of computational methods.
The coursework consists of interactive lecture and reading courses that develop a deep conceptual understanding of probabilistic modelling, statistical inference and machine learning, complemented by project-based practical courses in which students work with multidimensional and heterogeneous biological data. These include, for example, sequencing-based measurements, imaging data and integrative multi-omics datasets.
Through this combination of theory and application, students acquire the ability to translate biological questions into computational models and to derive meaningful insights from data. The program prepares graduates for independent research in academia as well as for data-driven roles in biotechnology, pharmaceutical research and related industries.