Composition of the Study Programme
- Composition of the Study Programme
-
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Duration of Studies
4 semesters – 120 credit points (cp)
Composition of the Degree Programme
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.