Biological Sciences – Master of Science

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The Master's programme in Biological Sciences is a consecutive, increasingly research-oriented Master's programme. The University of Konstanz offers a three-year Bachelor's Programme in Biological Sciences as a relevant undergraduate study programme.

Our Master’s Programme in Biological Sciences offers a large selection of advanced and research-oriented courses. The study programme is designed for highly motivated students who will receive a first-class education from our highly qualified, international teachers. The broad spectrum of course contents offers in-depth knowledge in the biosciences and will prepare you in the best possible way for a future in research and teaching. In addition to the biosciences you can also apply for a focus area of study in the fields of ecology, evolution and behaviour, cellular and molecular biology or disease biology. This option of pursuing a focus area of study as part of the master’s programme enables our students to gain thorough, scientifically founded qualifications in a specific area.

The seminars in the master’s programme total no more than 15 students to ensure top quality teaching and supervision. All courses are held in English to support the programme’s international approach. Each course concentrates on current research topics in various fields. A special emphasis is laid on methodical approaches and on research-based courses. In this way you will have access to high-grade, state-of-the-art research knowhow and technology. The master’s programme also includes an integrated internship which you can carry out at an external research institution or a private company at home or abroad.

Above-average students can take the Fast Track option (without master’s thesis) with direct admission to doctoral studies, thus shortening the overall study period.

Overview

Degree Master of Science
Programme start Winter semester & Summer semester
Period of study 4 semesters
Application period 9.5. - 15.6. | 29.11. - 15.1.
Admission restrictions yes
ECTS 120
Number of places 60 / 10

Why study Biological Sciences in the University of Konstanz?

You can apply for a focus area of study in addition to the general biosciences. Focus areas within the Master's Programme in Biological Sciences are:

  • Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour
  • Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Disease Biology

This option of pursuing a focus area of study as part of your master’s programme will help you to gain thorough, scientifically founded qualifications in a specific area. Admission to a focus area of study guarantees participation in advanced modules in the respective specialist field. he basic requirement for acceptance in a focus area of study is the general admission to the Master's Programme in Biological Sciences. he number of places in each of the focal areas of study is limited. Places are allocated through a selection process based on an interview with the applicant. In addition to the possibility of choosing your own individual focus area of study, our Master's Programme in Biological Sciences is renowned for its remarkable range of course options. Konstanz is one of the few universities in Germany that offers courses in molecular toxicology and bioimaging, and in immunology. You will benefit from our research-oriented and practical teaching: the proximity of the lake, the Alps and woodlands,as well as to the Max Planck Institute for Behavioral Biology enables on-site especially research-oriented courses in Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecology, Genetic Limnology ot the Lakes, Collective Behaviour, Animal Movement and Biodiversity.

Content

Prospects and opportunities

Career prospects

As a graduate you will be prepared for a career in basic research at universities or with external organisations. This opens up a large variety of professional fields in industry or science.

Typical career prospects include:

  • work in biomedical, biotechnological, chemical and pharmaceutical companies
  • research in development departments in product control
  • teaching and research at universities in federal or state institutions
  • work in other research institutions and facilities with assignments in research, planning and controlling, contamination and/or pollutant monitoring

Master’s graduates who want to work in research and development will continue studying for a doctorate.

You can find out more about career entry in the interview series #dreamjob - Starting a career. Alumni of the University of Konstanz report on their very personal career entry.

Programme structure

Programme start

Winter semester & Summer semester

Academic structure

You can find an exemplary structure of the study programme in this table.


Please check the Exam regulations (partly in German) for more information about the programme structure.

Internship and study abroad

Internships

The Master's Programme in Biological Sciences includes an integrated internship which you can carry out at an external research institution or a private company in Germany or abroad.

Study abroad

A study abroad stay is not compulsory. However, you have the option of carrying out the obligatory internship during a stay abroad. The university promotes study abroad via Erasmus+ and numerous other exchange programmes.

Impressions from students and lecturers

Hear from students and lecturers
In our interview series, students talk about their subject, teachers explain the department's research and tell you what topics they cover in seminars and lectures.

Get an impression
Discover online lectures and websites with more information about your prospective subject.

Requirements

What interests and skills should I have?

  • A strong interest and knowledge in the natural sciences
  • Very good knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics
  • Good English skills
  • Ability to work under pressure, endurance
  • High level of commitment to work
  • Practical aptitudes and skills
  • Good observation skills
  • Logical and analytical thinking
  • Good IT user skills

Language skills

Foreign language skills
You have to provide documentation of advanced English language skills, minimum level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, documented by either:

  • TOEFL-Test (Test of English as a Foreign Language), minimum 90 points (internet based)
  • Cambridge First Certificate in English, minimum grade C
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System), minimum result: band scale 6
  • Five years of continuous English lessons at a German secondary education school (also abroad) with a minimum grade of 7 points or 'satisfactory'.
  • Successful completion of a minimum of three courses held in English in a previous study programme.
  • We may test your English skills here at the University of Konstanz if they seem to be inadequate. In such cases enrolment depends on the result of the test.
  • English native speakers do not have to document their language skills.

German language skills
 International applicants do not have to prove their German language skills.

Language(s) of instruction

The MSc in Biological Science is taught in English.

Admission requirements

  • Documentation of a degree in a three-year (or more) study programme at an institution of higher education in the subject Biological Sciences (minimum degree Bachelor of Sciences (BSc) or equivalent), or a related subject.
  • Documentation of your English language skills (minimum level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
  • For applicants with a university degree obtained in a country that is not in the Bologna process, documentation of a successfully passed GRE test with at least 155 points (Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning score). Our GRE Designated Institution (DI) Code is 4527.

For details, please see the admission regulations.

Fees

Semester fee

All students enrolled at the University of Konstanz are charged a semester fee each semester, similar to all other German universities. Here you can find the current semester fee and its individual components.

Tuition fees for first degree studies for certain international students
Since winter semester 2017/18, the state of Baden-Württemberg has required some international students to pay tuition fees for their first degree studies. The following students are not required to pay tuition fees: citizens of a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), doctoral students and certain “Bildungsinländer” (e.g. non-EU citizens with a German “Abitur”). More detailed information can be found here.

Each year, the University of Konstanz grants exemptions to a limited number of particularly gifted international degree-seeking students in accordance with the university’s “Begabtenbefreiungssatzung” (statutes governing the exemption of gifted students). More detailed information can be found here.

Tuition fees for second degree studies for all students
All students are required to pay tuition fees for their second degree studies. More detailed information can be found here.

Application and application documents

The Master's Programme in Biological Sciences has admission restrictions.

An application is possible during the following period: 9.5. - 15.6. (winter semester) and 29.11. - 15.1. (summer semester). There may be other deadlines if you are applying for admission to a higher semester (for instance, if you are changing subjects or universities). For more information please consult the university website.

Application documents

To submit your online application you are required to upload the following supporting documents as PDF-files:

  • description of your career, study goals and desired course profile
  • documentation of your academic degree including details on course work and performance (ECTS-Credits and course hours per week, if applicable). If you have not received your degree certificate by the end of the application deadline, please attach a Transcript of Records
  • documentation of your preliminary final grade
  • average grade for your graduating class or the the previous one, if yours is not available
  • basic English language skills, e.g. TOEFL (minimum of 90 points in internet-test), CPE (grade C), IELTS (band scale 6.0 or better) (except native speakers)
  • documentation of work experience (if applicable)
  • documentation of academic achievements (papers, publications, research activities, study and research stays abroad, if applicable)
  • documentation of relevant employment or training periods (if applicable)
  • evidence of prizes and awards (if applicable)
  • documentation of relevant volunteer work /extra-curricular activities (if applicable)
  • documentation of the average grade of your completed bachelor's programme
  • to apply for a focus area of study, please attach an informal application, stating the focus area according to § 7 para. 2 of the admission regulations. Please add a short letter of motivation.
  • current certificate of enrolment or proof of exmatriculation (if you have studied at a German university, please indicate your 'Fachsemester’ and ‘Hochschulsemester’).

    Important note: Please note the information provided under the tab "Admission requirements".

International applicants:

  • If your documents are not available in German or English, you will need to have them translated. Please submit a German or English translation of your documents along with the original versions.
  • Applicants from countries not belonging to the Bologna Zone: Results of the GRE test (Graduate Record Examinations); original score sheet with at least 155 point (Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning Score), our GRE code is 4527.
  • Applicants from China, India and Vietnam: APS certificate (original) issued by the German Embassy of your home country
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