Master in Biology (M.Sc.)

The Master's programme 'Biology' is based as a consecutive course of study on the bachelor's degree programmes 'Biology' and 'Molecular Biology' at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) or equivalent courses at other universities. The program is currently bilingual, requiring German and English languange skills.

OverviewPlease click button to expand or collapse content

Most of the courses offered in the Master's degree programme are project-oriented and require your independent work at an early stage in the Master's programme. The aim of the Master's programme is to qualify you for a research-active activity.

This reflects the aim of the training in this course of study, namely the ability to pursue independent scientific work, as required, for example, in a doctorate, but also in numerous occupational fields, according to the general scientific rules and with the specific repertoire of methods of selected sub-disciplines of biology.

Further information on the subject matter, structure and the examination regulations etc. can be found here.

Plan of StudiesPlease click button to expand or collapse content

You can choose from the modules offered. This gives you the opportunity to study according to your individual needs and to set yourself up broadly in terms of content and method. Alternatively, you can study in a focused manner and complete all modules in one focus. If you choose the latter option and the master's thesis is also in the main topic, this can be noted on the Master's certificate as the specialization direction of the respective Master's degree programme. You complement your studies with other key qualifications, which you can combine according to your personal interests and priorities. In this way, they can gain practical experience or qualify for future professional tasks.

Module OfferPlease click button to expand or collapse content

Please note that some modules are only offered i winter (WiSe) or summer term (SoSe).

For more information about the organization, content and required language skills in the various modules, please refer to the relevant module description or the module manual.

Requirements and applicationPlease click button to expand or collapse content

Requirements:

Proof of a bachelor's degree in biology, molecular biology or an equivalent degree.

Students are required to have sufficient active and passive English language skills to enable them to read English-language literature and to take part in courses in English; this does not include the production of written academic achievements or examination singerities in English. (No proof is required).

For applicants who have not obtained their university entrance qualification at a German institution or a degree obtained in degree based on the German languange, proof of German language skills at the level of the "German Language Examination for the Entrance to Higher Education of Foreign Applicants (DSH)" is required.

Application:

The application process is carried out through the Student Secretariat of JGU Mainz.
Link to: Application Portal

Deadlines:

Winter term: 01.04. - 15.05.
Summer term: 01.10. - 15.11.

Research Environment in MainzPlease click button to expand or collapse content

The Faculty of Biology is organized in three institutes. Some of the working groups of the iOME and the IDN are already housed in the new BioZentrum I building, some of them also at the IMB. Since end of 2020 some iMP working groups have moved into BioZentrum II, most will be located at BioZentrum II from the summer of 2021. Currently, planning for BioCenter III is under way where the remaining groups from iOME, iDN and iMP will be located from appraximately 2025.

Also on the JGU campus is the Institut für Biotechnologie und Wirkstoff-Forschung (IBWF) and the Institute for Molecular Biology (IMB), a centre of excellence in the life sciences founded in 2011, which is funded by the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation and the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The IMB focuses on innovative research fields of modern biology such as epigenetics and developmental biology.

There is also close cooperation with the University Medicine (FB04), the Department of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Geosciences (FB08), the Department of Physics, Mathematics and Informatics (FB09) as well as with the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPIP) and the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry (MPIC).

Research at the Faculty of Biology and in Mainz