Evolution, Ecology and Systematics (Master of Science) Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

As a student in the EES programme, you will take courses and conduct research in the fields of evolution, ecology, and systematics. We offer advanced courses in population biology, genetics, phylogenetics, population genetics, behavioural ecology, theoretical biology, molecular evolution, human evolution, botany, zoology, limnology, marine biology, and bioinformatics.

You will have the opportunity to conduct several lab rotations in various labs, and you will participate in seminars and conferences. You will also learn many important skills, such as scientific and grant writing, giving presentations and leading discussions, and statistical analysis.

The Faculty of Biology of the LMU Munich is made up of internationally recognised researchers and award-winning instructors. The faculty provides excellent facilities for contemporary research and studies in the modern "Biocenter", which is part of the HighTechCampus of the LMU Munich.

The curriculum of the Master's programme is based on topic-related modules, including lectures, seminars, and practical courses, with a strong emphasis on learning in the context of ongoing research projects. Training is kept as research-oriented as possible. The website of the Master of Science programme in Evolution, Ecology and Systematics is the best way to find out more about the programme and to gain an overview of current research areas: https://www.bio.lmu.de/en/study/for-students/master-programs/ees/.

The Master's programme in Evolution, Ecology and Systematics of the LMU Munich is a collaboration between the Faculties of Biology and Geosciences, the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence in Seewiesen and the Bavarian Natural History Collections (i.e. Zoological State Collections, Botanical State Collections). It is an accredited international Master's programme.

EES has a coordination team, an admissions committee, and a curriculum committee. The programme consists of four semesters. In each semester, you will carry out research and learn new skills.

First semester – Basic Training:

During the first semester, students take courses in the main areas of the programme – evolution, ecology and systematic data and evidence, as well as working on their first research project and learning how to present (Skills I) and write up (Skills II) scientific results. In the first interdisciplinary seminar, the focus will be on "Species Concepts, Adaptation and Speciation".

Second and third semesters – Specialisation:

In the second semester, students will move on to their second individual research project as well as learning how to design effective posters (Skills III). The seminar here focuses on "Global Change". In addition, students will take part in a statistics course and an excursion, which is mainly organised by ecology labs.

In the third semester, students will have their last set of required courses before moving onto the Master's thesis. They will be working on the final individual research project, and the skills course will focus on how to write a successful grant application (Skills IV). The final seminar will be on "Hot Topics in Evolution, Ecology and Systematics".

Fourth semester – Master's Module:

The Master’s programme culminates in a 24-week period devoted to the researching, writing and defence of a Master’s thesis. Through the Master’s thesis, students prove their skills in conducting independent and responsible research. Additionally, the final module includes additional courses such as a research seminar and a colloquium.

Fieldwork is included in the programme as a component of the research courses.

The next application round for the Master of Science programme in Evolution, Ecology and Systematics starting in the winter semester 2027/28 will take place in 2027.

• You should have successfully completed a three-year Bachelor's degree programme with a total of at least 180 ECTS points in biology, evolution, ecology, systematics, sustainability, agricultural sciences or a related subject, e.g. bioinformatics, agricultural biology, forestry, chemistry, biochemistry or biophysics. If you have not yet completed your Bachelor's programme in one of the above-mentioned subjects, you should expect to do so within in the next months.
• A transcript of records from your Bachelor's degree that indicates your grade point average is required. If you are currently a Bachelor's student, a recent transcript of records with a preliminary average grade is required.

97 EUR per semester

Here’s a basic outline of what you should budget for monthly living costs in Munich:

• Rooms in private housing including utilities: 600 to 1,000 EUR
• Rooms in university housing: minimum 400 to 600 EUR
• Food, health insurance, leisure activities: approx. 500 EUR
• Mobile phone: 15 to 30 EUR
• Public transportation: discounted "Deutschlandticket" for students (43 EUR per month), valid for transport all over Germany.
• And there’s good news! With a valid student identity card, you may have access to price reductions for Munich’s many cultural events (like theatre, concerts, museums, and more) as well as at the many on-campus student cafeterias and cafés.

Part-time jobs in various lab groups in the Faculty of Biology and associated research institutions are open to students.

There is no financial aid system offered by LMU Munich.

Enrolled LMU students can apply for scholarships such as

• Deutschlandstipendium
• Prosa LMU
• LMU Study Scholarship for international  students
• LMU Study Completion Scholarship for international students

For further information, please visit the following link: https://www.lmu.de/en/workspace-for-students/student-support-services/finance-your-studies/scholarships/index.html.

The faculty offers specific mentoring and advice from different perspectives: professors and teaching staff, coordination office, and alumni. Special fairs, career talks, and events for future job perspectives are regularly organised.

Besides the faculty, the career service of the LMU Munich, "Student und Arbeitsmarkt", offers a programme that accompanies students' studies. Here students gain professional orientation, additional qualifications and practical experience. They can increase their job prospects and prepare to work both in subject-related and non-subject-related professions. "Student und Arbeitsmarkt" carries out projects to improve the job prospects of graduates as well as contacts between the university and the employment market.

For further information, please visit the following link: https://www.lmu.de/en/workspace-for-students/student-life/housing/.