Biology M.Sc.

 

RWTH offers a Master of Science in biology that builds on the biology Bachelor and advances studies in five specializations. Biology's application-oriented profile plays a decisive role in the course of study.

Biology research at RWTH will concentrate on two focuses in the coming years: "Protection and Transformation of Biomass" and "Neurobiology and Bionics". In the protection of biomass it will be necessary to guarantee and continue to increase the harvest of plants. Due to the expertise in the department, the Department of Biology will particularly focus of the protection of biomass harvest under stressful conditions and the minimization of the stress on ecosystems.

Plant biomass can be transformed by microorganisms into products that can then either be used as precursors for energy carriers ('tailor made fuels"), or represent raw materials for chemical production or biogenic materials. The goal of Aachen biology is to use strengths in application skills that are specific to Aachen in an assocation of chemists and engineers.

The work group Zoology and Animal Physiology forms the focus on neurobiology and bionics. The work group is distinguishes itself through broad and integrative work with neuroscience problems. The spectrum ranges from molecular and cellular biology to physiology to behavioral biology and simulation as well as the application of senses in bionics.

In addition to the Department of Biology's research focuses, biology Master's students have numerous other opportunities during their education through collaborations with other institutes and departments, such as medicine, chemistry, physics, and the engineering sciences. Close collaboration with Forschungszentrum Jülich also offers additional possibilities.

Characteristics of the RWTH Course of Study

Biology at RWTH is connected to a scientific landscape, that is shaped by the natural and engineering sciences. Accordingly, study, research, and profiling opportunities are broad for biology Master's students. The Master's course of study in biology is characterized by the free selection of a specialization, supplemented by additional corresponding subjects and additional elective qualifications (such as business administration, computer science, physics, chemistry, medicine, engineering sciences, or languages). Here there is a possibility to tailor the Master's studies based on one's personal interest. Master's studies in biology in Aachen are characterized by a strong interdisciplinary curriculum. Biology is supported by numerous other disciplines, for example medicine, chemistry, or engineering. Internships and final theses are made possible by diverse collaborations and research assocations, that also offer particularly motivated Master's students the opportunity to work on current projects. This is a defining advantage of RWTH Aachen.

RWTH Aachen is one of the leading technical universities in Europe. It maintains numerous international relationships and is incorporate into the Bioregio Rheinland, among others, through its Life Science activities. An interdisciplinary forum at RWTH Aachen is established for life sciences. The Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA) exists between RWTH Aachen and Forschungszentrum Jülich besteht. the main area in biology is JARA-Brain. Bionics at RWTH are integrated into the Bionik Netzwerk BIOKON and the Bionik Zentrum Bonn. Furthermore, the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, the GAIAC environmental research institute, and starting in 2014, the Materialforschungsinstitut DWI (Deutsches Wollforschungsinstitut) from the Leibniz Association, are all located in Aachen.

 

Degree Content

In the Biology Master course of study, specializations from the Bachelor course of study (excluding biotechnology) are offered:

• Microbiology and Genetics
• Biological Information Processing
• Botany
• Envronmental Sciences
• Molecular Cell Biology
• Medical Life Sciences

You can find a detailed module catalogue in the exam regulation description.

One of these specializations is studies, and supplementary modules from the other specializations are chosen. The course of study takes four semesters, whereby the fourth semester is reserved for the Master thesis. A broad range of subjects are offered from engineering, natural sciences, and the Faculty of Medicine, which can also be chosen. Research internships and the experimental Master thesis, which can take place outside of biology, e.g. in medicine or external research institutions, provide a look at current research. Research here is strongly application oriented.

Programs Abroad

The faculty maintains research and teaching collaborations with a number of European and non-European universities. Academic stays or internships abroad are highly recommended. During Master studies it is possible to spend a semester abroad at one of our numerous European partner universities through the ERASMUS exchange program. The database Moveonline Exchanges is helpful if you would like an overview of all of RWTH's programs abroad.

Internships

Master's studies are very much application oriented in all of the specializations. The Institute of Biology's outstanding equipment makes it possible to offer a corresponding institute practical in almost every module. Students also have the opportunity to complete comprehensive research internships in the discipline of their choice. Research internships in industry are also supported. This supports Aachen graduates' broad spectrum of methodological knowledge and experience.

 

Prerequisites

A prerequisite for starting studies in a first university degree, with which the necessary background education can be proven, as determined in the exam regulations. The exam board determines whether it fulfills the entrance requirements.

 

Decision Aids

Studying a Master's in biology at RWTH Aachen means having a great deal of freedom in research and academics. Modern and interdisciplinary teaching from different fields of biology, medicine, and the engineering and natural sciences offers an excellent education. Diverse and extraordinary development opportunities result for students, going beyond the classic biology profile.

 

Media Library

Do you want more glances and impression? Use our diverse information available! You can find our recommendations in the Bachelor of Biology media library.

 

Career Prospects

The career prospects for biologists are often questioned. In contrast to the general cliche that biologists cannot find work, current job prospects tell another story. The transformation of biology into a modern, application-oriented, and interdisciplinary science generates diverse fields of work for biologists depending on the technical focus. The first possibility is research work conducted through doctoral studies. Depending on students' interests and discipline, universities and university hospitals, external research institutions, such as the Fraunhofer, Max Planck, and Helmholtz institutes, and research companies all offer a potential job market. The focus on application, technical components, and the possibility to acquire additional qualifications (such as business administration, computer science, medicine, engineering sciences, and languages) offers good possibilities for finding jobs in industry. Aside from research, examples also include employment in quality management, supervising studies, product development, marketing, or sales. Natural scientists are becoming more important in consulting. Numerous official offices and scientific services offer an interesting job market.

 

Module Handbook and Examination Regulations

The module handbook provides a description of all modules of a degree program and offers a comprehensive insight into the program contents.

The examination regulations are comprised of legally binding provisions on learning objectives, prerequisites for study, the course structure and processes, and examination procedures.

Regulations that generally apply to all Bachelor's and Master's degree programs, including information on language proficiency requirements, can be found in RWTH's General Examination Regulations. These general regulations are further specified and complemented by the subject-specific examination regulations.

If two examination regulations are valid for a degree program during a transition phase, the most current version shall apply to students enrolling in the program for the first time.

Please note that only the German examination regulations are legally binding.

Module Handbook
Subject Specific Examination Regulations
RWTH's General Examination Regulations

 

Faculty

The Master course of study in Biology is offered by the Department of Biology in the Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Natural Sciences.