Agrobioinformatics (M.Sc.)

Tackle climate change and food insecurity with Big Data: The Master's in Agrobioinformatics at JLU bridges computer science, biotechnology and agriculture.

This course of study is taught in English.

Illustration of three people at a curved monitor displaying code, with digital lines connecting server racks, a cloud icon, and tall green plants — Grafik: Till Schürmann

Overview

How can bioinformatics revolutionise plant protection and sustainable seed production? In the Master's degree programme Agrobioinformatics, you combine programming and quantitative genetics with practical insights into agrobiotechnology. A wide choice of optional modules and an internship allow you to customise your academic profile.

Applying for admission

Start of studies

Winter semester

Mode of admission

No admission restriction

Duration of studies

4 semesters

Workload

120 credit points (CP)

Degree

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

Language of instruction

English

Composition of the Study Programme

What can I expect from this programme?

Do you want to learn about cutting-edge tools and techniques to solve global challenges such as food insecurity and climate change? Are you interested in programming and analysing Big Data? Are you a Bachelor graduate in Agricultural Sciences, Biology, (Bio-)Informatics or related disciplines? Then the new English-language MSc in Agrobioinformatics is the right choice for you!

Agrobioinformatics is a rapidly developing field of research that focuses on combining bioinformatics tools and methods with agricultural issues. It aims to bridge the gap between computer science, biotechnology and modern agriculture.

What will I learn?

This degree programme provides students with a comprehensive computational training to analyse and interpret data from genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and other biological disciplines. We cover topics ranging from the basics of programming and quantitative genetics to the development of analysis pipelines.

Students will also gain insights into the areas of plant protection, seed production and agrobiotechnology services, such as genotyping, phenotyping, sequencing and double haploid production, which are in high demand by upstream production companies.

How is the programme structured?

The study programme is organized in modules (courses). Each module comprises four semester hours per week and is completed with a final examination as given in the module description. The final grade of the study programme is calculated from the achieved module grades.

The course consists of 10 mandatory modules (core modules), 6 optional modules (profile modules), a work placement (or 2 more profile modules) and the Master‘s thesis. Having completed the core modules, the students are well equipped with a solid scientific education and ready to deepen their knowledge in specific research areas. By individually choosing their profile modules from a diverse range of study areas, students shape their individual competence profile.

Structure of the Master's Degree Course

The Master’s degree course consists of 16 modules (120 credits):

Modules
Core Competence (mandatory modules)	10 modules	60 credits
Profile Competence (optional modules)	6 modules or 4 modules + work placement	36 credits
Master’s thesis		24 credits
Total	16 modules	120 credits

Core Modules (Mandatory Courses)

Applied Statistics (6 CP)
Principles of Scientific Practice (6 CP)
Bioinformatics: Analysis of DNA and RNA Sequencing Data (6 CP)
Genetics of Crop Diversity (6 CP)
Analysis of Diversity and Traits in Farm Animals (6 CP)
Python Programming for Bioinformatics (6 CP)
Gene Expression Analysis and System Biology (6 CP)
Plant Breeding Principles and Methods (6 CP)
Statistical Learning and Neural Networks (6 CP)
Biodiversity Monitoring with Molecular Tools (6 CP)

Profile Modules (6 CP each)

Students tailor their individual profile by selecting 4 modules and the work placement or 6 modules from the entire profile module catalogue of Faculty 09. For example, these are some subject-specific profile modules of the faculty (6 CP each):

Population Genetics
Practical Genome Sequencing and Bioinformatics
Lab Course: Tissue Culturing and Genetic Transformation
Molecular Plant Breeding
Plant Breeding for Resistance and Quality Breeding
Plant Protection and Bioengineering
Quantitative Genetics

In addition, there are over 100 other modules (almost half in English) from which students can choose for their individual profile.

Work Placement (optional) (6 or 12 CP)

The programme offers a voluntary work placement that enables our students to gain an initial insight into the various areas of professional activity in which they hope to pursue in the future. The work placement also enables them to collect hands-on professional experience and establish contacts with potential employers. The variety of contacts that our faculty possesses allows us to provide expert support to students seeking a work placement.

The work placement module replaces one (6 CP) or two (12 CP) profile modules.

Master Thesis (24 CP)

Students dedicate the major part of the 4th semester to writing the Master’s thesis. With the thesis, students prove their capability to independently research a given topic scientifically within a limited period of time.

ㅤ

Career Options

What career paths can I pursue after graduation?

Graduates of the MSc Agrobioinformatics programme are interdisciplinary experts who have in-depth knowledge and skills in both agricultural sciences and bioinformatics. They are able to apply bioinformatics methods and tools to agricultural issues in order to develop solutions to problems such as climate change, food security and sustainability.

There is very high demand from companies in upstream production in the areas of plant protection, seed production and agrobiotechnological services, such as genotyping, phenotyping, sequencing and double haploid production.

Here are some potential industries and career paths for graduates of the Master of Science in Agrobioinformatics:

Agricultural Technology (AgTech) Companies: Startups, Established Corporations
Biotechnology Companies: Research-focused or Commercial Enterprises
Academic Institutions: Universities, Research Institutes
Government Agencies: Agricultural Departments, Environmental Protection Authorities
Sustainability Consulting Companies: Offering Expertise to Various Industries
Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Organizations: Focused on Genetic Research and Therapies
Food Industry: Companies Dealing with Food Safety, Quality Control, and Innovation
Environmental Non-Profit Organizations: Working towards Sustainable Practices
Data Analytics and AI Firms: Providing Solutions for Agriculture and Beyond
Precision Farming Services: Offering Technological Advancements to Farmers

These career options offer a diverse range of opportunities for Agrobioinformatics graduates, allowing them to contribute their expertise to various sectors within agriculture, informatics, and sustainability.

Can I do a PhD after my Master’s degree?

After completing your Master's degree, you will have the opportunity to pursue a doctorate at JLU. Doctoral studies take place in a professorship at Faculty 09, to which you must apply. If you are interested in pursuing a doctorate at JLU, please contact the institute or professor in your area of interest directly. Open positions for various professorships can be found on the JLU job market.

The International Office also provides information for international students interested in pursuing a doctorate at JLU Giessen.

If you would like intensive support during your doctoral studies, you can apply to the Giessen Graduate Centre for the Life Sciences (GGL).

Graduate Centre for the Life Sciences (GGL)

Prospective doctoral students have the opportunity to apply as a member of the International Giessen Graduate Centre for the Life Sciences (GGL) to receive intensive support during their doctorate (in the form of seminars, internships, workshops, etc.). Information on the GGL and its internationally oriented doctoral programme, the requirements and the application procedure can be found here.

ㅤ

Application and Enrolment

No study fees are charged for this programme. However, students have to pay a semester contribution.

Requirements

In general, students can apply for this Master's programme if they hold a Bachelor's degree with a duration of at least three years (180 Credits) or a comparable degree. The Bachelor's degree must be completed in a closely related scientific field. For example:

Agrarbiologie (Agricultural Biology)
Agrarwirtschaft (Agricultural Economy)
Agrarwissenschaften (Agricultural Science)
Angewandte Informatik (Applied Computer Science)
Biologie (Biology)
Biotechnologie (Biotechnology)
Bioinformatik (Bioinformatics)
Data Science (Data Science)
Gartenbau (Horticulture)
Informatik (Computer Science)
Landwirtschaft (Agriculture)
Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioressourcen (Crop Biomass and Bioresources)
Ökologische Landwirtschaft (Ecological Agriculture)

Applications with a Bachelor’s degree in another scientific field or with a Bachelor’s degree from abroad will be examined individually as to whether the study requirements are fulfilled. A specialist commission at JLU will then finally decide on the admission. Any information on the status of acceptance without having completed the application process is not possible.

Language requirements

As the entire degree course is taught in English, applicants must provide proof of sufficient knowledge of written and spoken English at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Accepted proofs of language proficiency:

either: TOEFL test, IELTS test, Cambridge English Language Assessment, Pearson PTE Academic, TOEIC, telc, UNIcert, IGSCE;
or: Proof of having obtained the local higher education entrance qualification in one of the following countries: Australia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, USA, United Kingdom, South Africa;
or: Proof of having completed an English-taught Bachelor’s degree program in one of the following countries: Australia, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, USA, United Kingdom, South Africa.

Application Procedure

Depending on where you obtained either your university entrance certificate or your Bachelor degree, we differentiate two application procedures:

Case A

You need to use JLU’s application portal if

you hold a completed Bachelor’s degree obtained at a German university (the country of origin of your university entrance certificate is of no importance).
your JLU Bachelor programme is not yet complete. Please provide a preliminary report. The country of origin of your university entrance certificate is of no importance.
you obtained your university entrance certificate in Germany and attended a Bachelor programme at a German university other than JLU. Please provide a preliminary report if your programme is not yet completed.
you want to change to another degree programme at JLU. The country of origin of your university entrance certificate is of no importance.

Case B

You need to submit your application to uni-assist if

you hold a completed Bachelor’s degree obtained at a foreign university (the country of origin of your university entrance certificate is of no importance).
you obtained your university entrance certificate abroad and attended but not completed yet a Bachelor programme at a German university other than JLU or at any other university within EU. Please provide a preliminary report.

Application Deadline

Winter semester 2027/28

The application deadlines for the winter semester 2027/28 are currently being prepared and are expected to be published here in spring 2027.

International applicants can find further information on the International Office website.

ㅤ

More about the application process

Further Information

Where can I find official documents about the programme?

Examination and study regulations

Special Regulations (with module descriptions and module plans)
Examination Committee and Regulations (Information in English)
General Regulations for Bachelor's and Master's programmes

Please note that only the German version of the regulation is official and legally binding. The English version is for informative purposes only.

Courses offered in the course catalogue

Electronical course catalogue (eVV) (in German)
List module (Information in English)

Where can I find more information about the faculty?

Links

Faculty 09 – Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences, and Environmental Management
Faculty's Deanery
Examinations Office
Student representatives

Master's Degree Programmes of Faculty 09

Taught in English

Agrobioinformatics
Agrobiotechnology
Insect Biotechnology and Bioresources
One Health
Sustainable Transition (digital degree programme)
Transition Management

Taught in German

Agrar- und Ressourcenökonomie / Agricultural and Resource Economics
Bioinformatik und Systembiologie / Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Ernährungswissenschaften / Nutritional Sciences
Getränketechnologie / Beverage Technology (offered in cooperation with Geisenheim University)
Nachhaltige Ernährungswirtschaft / Food Economics
Nutzpflanzenwissenschaften / Crop Science
Nutztierwissenschaften / Livestock Sciences
Ökotrophologie / Nutritional Sciences and Home Economics (Ecotrophology)
Umweltwissenschaften / Environmental Sciences
Weinwirtschaft / Wine Economics (offered in cooperation with Geisenheim University)

How do I have a successful start at JLU?

To help you get off to a good start with your studies, we warmly invite you to attend our orientation events. Here you will learn
everything you need to know about starting your studies: