Biology University of Oldenburg

The Biology Master’s degree programme is a research-oriented course of studies that aims to provide in-depth training in the techniques and methods used in modern biology and related fields. The course of studies enables students to create a clear specialisation profile in the areas of biodiversity, ecology and evolution as well as neurobiology, molecular and cellular biology and genetics. The course of studies lays the groundwork for PhD work and thus forms the basis of education for the next generation of academics in the institute of biology and environmental sciences.

The programme takes an interdisciplinary approach necessary for adequately conveying the complexity of biological sciences. It thus prepares students to work independently in industry, business, research or at other private or public institutions. Students acquire in-depth, interdisciplinary knowledge of mathematics and biological systems spanning the molecular and organism levels. The programme uses a methodological and practical approach to enable students to conduct independent research in accordance with scientific and ethical standards and to interpret and present research results appropriately. The international nature of the scientific community demands not only sound knowledge of subject matter but also well-developed communication skills, especially in English. Structured, hypothesis-driven thinking, communication skills and social competences form the basis of successful professional practice.

The Master's degree programme in Biology has the following learning outcomes:

• in-depth biological expertise
• in-depth knowledge of biological working methods
• data analysis skills
• interdisciplinary thinking
• critical and analytical thinking
• independent research and knowledge of scientific literature
• ability to perform independent biological research
• data presentation and discussion in German and English (written and spoken)
• teamwork
• ethical and professional behaviour
• project and time management
• statistics and scientific programming

Reasons for studying biology in Oldenburg:

• Flexible: individual study plans, no mandatory courses, wide range of biology modules, optional choice of courses from related MSc programmes (e.g. Landscape Ecology, Marine Environmental Sciences, Neuroscience or Molecular Biomedicine)
• Intensive: block courses with a focus on one topic at a time
• Hands-on: Almost all courses include lab time or field trips and fieldwork.
• Science-oriented: individual student projects in research groups
• Personal: small groups, close contact to teachers and scientists
• Future perspectives in Oldenburg: graduate school, collaborative research projects

The programme takes two years to achieve 120 credit points (CP). A Master's thesis (30 CP) is mandatory. Courses can be selected according to your individual preferences of topics and types of modules:

1) Background Modules (min. 24 CP)

Background Modules convey general knowledge on biological topics. Modules take place in three to seven week blocks (between 6 and 15 CP) and usually consist of a lecture, seminar and internship with 8 to 20 participating students.

2) Research Modules (min. 15 CP)

Research Modules consist of individual research projects which, depending on students’ choice of supervisor, take place in either a working group at the University of Oldenburg or in an external research organisation. During the research project, students work with a specific research question for six to seven weeks (15 CP). The individual nature of this module allows students to practice independent academic work, including experimental techniques, working with academic literature and presenting results. This module prepares students to begin the Master's Thesis Module (30 CP) at the conclusion of their studies which includes a substantial research project and a colloquium. 

3) Skills Modules

Skills Modules (6 or 3 CP) serve to support the development of practical skills and take place in courses with up to 24 students. Topics include various biological working techniques, academic English and bioethics.

4) Elective studies (max. 30 CP)

30 CP can be chosen from other relevant programmes (e.g. Landscape Ecology, Marine Environmental Sciences, Neuroscience, Informatics, Hearing Technology and Audiology) or from courses offered by other universities in Germany or abroad. Modules stemming from outside the MSc Biology programme should be relevant to the rest of the course of studies and must be approved by the examination board.

For further details or examples of different individual curricula, please visit our website: https://uol.de/en/biology/studies/master-of-science-biology.

Students also are given the opportunity to study one or more Research Modules abroad. Students in the MSc Biology programme must complete at least one Research Module (15 CP). Research Modules consist of individual research projects that take place in either a working group at the University of Oldenburg, at other universities or at external research organisations, depending on students’ choice of supervisor.

1. A Bachelor's degree in biology or a related field (e.g. behavioural biology, biodiversity, ecology, evolutionary biology, molecular genomics, neurobiology, sensory biology, among others)

OR

2. A Bachelor's degree in which at least 50% of the credit points or equivalent were in biology or a related field

In both cases, the Bachelor's must be completed or missing a maximum of 30 credit points (or the equivalent in a non-ECTS system).

Approx. 435 EUR per semester

You should expect to spend about 1,000 EUR per month to cover personal expenses (accommodation, health insurance, food).

Students are permitted to work alongside their studies. If you are a student from a non-EU country, you are allowed to work 140 full days or 280 half days per year.

General career advisory service by the university

Information is provided by the International Office of University of Oldenburg: https://uol.de/en/study-in-oldenburg/organise-your-stay/finding-accomodation.