In the winter term 2019/20, the bilingual Master degree programme “Biologie” will be succeeded by the Master degree programme “Biology” which is taught predominantly in English.

The biology master’s degree programme is a research oriented course of studies which aims to provide in depth training in the techniques and methods used in modern biology and related fields. The programme takes an interdisciplinary approach necessary for adequately conveying the complexity of biological sciences, and 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 bilingual 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

The course of studies enables students to create a clear specialization 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 the next generation of academics in the institute of biology and environmental sciences.

In this degree programme is a Fast Track course for PhD possible.

The course comprises 120 credit points (CP) of which, at minimum, 90 must be chosen from the M. Sc. Biology curriculum:

• Background Modules (min. 24 CP)
• Research Modules (min. 15 CP)
• Skills Modules
• Master thesis and defense (30 CP)

As many as 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 M. Sc. Biology program should be relevant to the rest of the course of studies and must be approved by the examination board.

The individually determined areas of concentration arise from the University’s working groups e.g.:

• Biodiversity and evolution of plants
• Biodiversity and evolution of animals
• Evolutionary plant genetics
• Functional plant ecology
• Marine biodiversity
• Molecular and cell biology
• Neurobiology
• Ecological genomics
• Avian Ecology and physiology
• Systematics and evolutionary biology
• Behavioral biology

Further specializations are enabled by cooperation with external research institutions, such as the unique relationship with the Institute of Avian Research in Wilhelmhaven (Helgoland Bird Observatory) in research and teaching. Further opportunities for internships or master theses can be found in the areas of Plant Ecology or Marine Biodiversity Research through cooperation with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institue in Panama or the Alfred-Wegener-Institue and HIFMB respectively.
For an overview of the working groups in biology and their respective research foci, research associates, and international partners, as well as further information on the course of studies can be found on the institute’s website und the following links: https://uol.de/ibu/ und https://uol.de/ibu/studium/master-of-science-biologie/.
Please refer to the course plan.

The Master of Biology curriculum distinguishes three types of modules that have different aims and teaching formats:
Background Modules provide background knowledge on a biological topic. Courses for 8-20 students are organized in full-time blocks of 3-7 weeks (between 6 and 15 CP) and usually consist of lecture, seminar and hands-on practical sessions.
Research Modules consist of individual or small-group student research projects in a supervisor’s lab or in an external research institution. Projects last 6-7 weeks (15 CP) and are usually oriented to a specific research question. The aim here is to become familiar with independent research, including conducting experiments, researching background literature and presenting results.
In Skills Modules, professional skills are developed in courses (6 CP) for up to 24 students. Topics include biological working methods, scientific English and bioethics.
This is complemented by the Master thesis (written thesis and oral defense).

In order to study this course at the University of Oldenburg as a student from outside of Germany, you need an adequate knowledge of German.

German Language Proficiency
You can proof your German language proficiency with the following language certificates:

• DSH: Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (Level 2)
• TestDaF: Test – Deutsch als Fremdsprache (with level 4 in all four areas)

English Language Proficiency see admissions regulations
You can proof your English language proficiency with the following language certificates:

• Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level B2
• if applicants are native speaker or they have university entrance qualification or a university degree obtained in English

The proof of language proficiency must be presented for the enrolment. For other proof possiblities see: Language requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in Biology or from prior studies in a closely related field.

English Language Proficiency see admissions regulations
You can proof your English language proficiency with the following language certificates:

• Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level B2
• if applicants are native speaker or they have university entrance qualification or a university degree obtained in English
• on average minimum of 10 points in English language in the last two school years (not older than 4 years)

German Language Proficiency
You can proof your German language proficiency with the following language certificates:

• DSH: Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (Level 2)
• TestDaF: Test – Deutsch als Fremdsprache (with level 4 in all four areas)

This is an open admissions degree course, and applications are accepted for both the winter and summer semesters.
The application deadline for the winter semester is 30 September.
The application deadline for the summer semester is 31 March.

Please note
For open-admission Master's degree programmes it is strongly recommended to submit their applications as early as possible before 15 July for the winter semester and before 15 January for the summer semester. If the supporting documents are submitted after these dates but before the standard application deadlines, your application can only be processed at the start of the lecture period in the new semester. This may result serious problems (German document).

---

No admission for a fast track programme in winter term 2019/2020.

Für das Wintersemester 2019/2020 findet keine Zulassung zum fast track Programm statt.

No admission for a fast track programme in winter term 2019/2020.

The master's degree prepares students to acquire an independent research or organizational role in industry, economy or public service. Graduates of the progamme attain the skills to work as an academic assistant, at a public institution, or to pursue a PhD. Institutions which employ qualified graduates include biotechnology companies, clinical labs, medical technology companies, administrative bodies, pharmaceutical companies, test facilities in the agricultural industry, research institutes for natural and social sciences, national and international environmental protection agencies, publishing houses, and public media.

Find out more about the professional field of Biology and Environmental Science (in German) or on the websites or brochures of the German Life Science Association