Agrobiotechnology (M.Sc.)
Shape the future of food and farming: The Master's in Agrobiotechnology at JLU prepares you for leadership roles in agricultural and biotech sectors.
This course of study is taught in English.
Overview
In the Master's degree programme Agrobiotechnology, you gain a broad scientific foundation across plant, animal and nutritional sciences. Through research-oriented study and practical problem-solving, you acquire practical methods to answer current farming challenges and assess the impact of new technologies.
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?
Biotechnology has produced a new and leading technology that is helping to determine the direction of global economic development and international competitiveness. Since the early 1990s, there has been rapid progress in the biotechnology sector, driven mainly by the results of genomic research and, more recently, by rapid developments in cell biology (cell factories) and technological advances. Growth in these areas is expected to continue to accelerate. It is crucial for our future that the energies resulting from the explosion of knowledge taking place in these fundamental domains are harnessed to the development of technologies that will benefit society as a whole.
Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) offers an international Master's degree programme in Agrobiotechnology in order to meet the growing worldwide importance of biotechnology, not least in university education, for plant and animal production as well as for nutritional sciences. Justus Liebig University was the first German university to take up the global challenge of establishing an internationally oriented course of studies that provides the highest level of academic training for entry into the biotechnology and agricultural sectors of the global economy.
What will I learn?
The overall goal of the Master’s programme in Agrobiotechnology at Giessen University is to prepare scientists in both the traditional “pure” disciplines and in the fields of agriculture and nutrition for leadership roles at the forefront of the agriculture and food sector.
One important educational goal is to provide students with practical methods and expertise based on a broad scientific foundation. In order to achieve this goal, the following factors are crucial:
- research-oriented study,
- solving problems in current farming practice,
- the acquisition of international expertise and the promotion of creativity and innovation,
- attention to the need to identify and assess the impact of technological processes.
The English Master‘s programme Agrobiotechnology is offered by the Faculty 09 Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences, and Environmental Management.
How is the programme structured?
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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 8 mandatory modules (core modules), 6 optional modules (profile modules), an industrial internship (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)8 modules 48 credits Profile Competence
(optional modules)8 modules or
6 modules + industrial internship48 credits Master’s thesis 24 credits Total 16 modules 120 credits Core Modules (Mandatory Courses)
- Applied Statistics (6 CP)
- Lab Course Biochemistry (6 CP)
- Plant Protection and Bioengineering (6 CP)
- Principles of Scientific Practice (6 CP)
- Molecular Phytopathology (6 CP)
- Biotechnology and Genomics (6 CP)
- Microbial Food Biotechnology (6 CP)
- Nutritional Physiology of Crop Plants (6 CP)
Profile Modules (6 CP each)
Students tailor their individual profile by selecting 6 modules and the internship or 8 modules from the entire profile module catalogue of the faculty. For example, you can choose profile modules from the following subject areas:
- Plant Breeding
- Phytopathology
- General and Soil Microbiology
- Insect Biotechnology in Plant Protection
- Microbiology of Recycling Processes
- Agricultural and Food Market Analysis
- Insect Biotechnology
- Natural Product Research
- Landscape, Water and Biogeochemical Cycles
- Landscape Ecology and Landscape Planning
- Agricultural, Food and Environmental Policy
- Agronomy and Crop Physiology
- Biometry and Population Genetics
- Crop Biomass and Bioresources
- Bioprocess Engineering and Pharmaceutical Technology
- Political Science
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.
Career Options
What career paths can I pursue after graduation?
There is a high need for qualified candidates to meet the challenges in science, technology and social policy, for people with the well-founded knowledge required to responsibly implement technological developments and to move society forward.
Due to its compatibility with other international degrees, the Master of Science in Agrobiotechnology is an ideal qualification for working abroad. The chief emphasis of the University is on international cooperation with Eastern Europe, India, China and the USA.
The job opportunities open for graduates are optimized by the emphasis on internationalization within the degree course, which offers a curriculum taught in English, and helps provide cooperative access to international biotechnology companies and the opportunities to study abroad.
Those who have planned their degree wisely will be able to present a profile characterized by broad knowledge, analytical skills, and, most importantly, a high degree of flexibility. Computer and online skills, as well as a good working knowledge of foreign languages and experience gained from time spent abroad will enhance your professional qualifications.
A broad spectrum of careers is open to graduates interested in research, product development and quality management in areas such as agricultural industry (seeds, fertilizer, pesticides), chemistry, pharmaceuticals, food, as well as engineering and consulting companies. Further job perspectives include research and teaching positions in universities and international organisations, including programmes in international development cooperation.
Graduates with a Master's degree take on management positions in national and international authorities and associations. Other areas of employment include quality management, further education, consulting and research, public relations or marketing.
Can I do a PhD after my Master’s degree?
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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).
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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.
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)
- Agrarwissenschaften (Agricultural Science)
- Biologie (Biology)
- Biotechnologie (Biotechnology)
- Nachwachsende Rohstoffe und Bioressourcen (Crop Biomass and Bioresources)
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.
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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 ManagementFaculty'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:
- creating a course schedule,
- examination regulations and registration deadlines,
- campus areas and leisure activities,
- and much more.
At the same time, you will have the opportunity to get to know your future fellow students.
Start of studiesContact
Course Director
Prof. Dr. Peter Kämpfer
Department of Applied Microbiology
Research Center for Biosystems, Nutrition and Land Use (IFZ)
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32
35392 Giessen
Phone: +49 641 99 37352
Office hours: by appointment
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Team for Studies and Doctorates of Faculty 09
Email: studies@fb09.uni-giessen.de
Central Study Advisor
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Anja Staffler
Central Student Advisory Service
Erwin-Stein-Gebäude, 1st floor
Goethestrasse 58
35390 Giesen
International Office
Assistance for incoming, outgoing and Erasmus+ students
International Office
Goethestrasse 58
35390 Giessen