Master's programme in Biology

The new Master's degree programme in Biology is a research-led and open degree programme that can be tailored to suit individual interests.

The focus is on the five specialisation tracks which, in addition to the modules offered, also provide the topics for the project laboratories and the Master's thesis. The specialisation can be named in the subtitle of the degree document if at least two complete modules, a project laboratory and the Master's thesis are selected from a specialisation track. 
However, the degree can also be completed without a specialisation by combining modules from different specialisation tracks.

How do interactions between organisms and their environment influence ecosystems and biodiversity? The modules focus on advanced systematics (plants, fungi, animals), on ecological interactions and the mechanisms that drive them, on nature conservation and renaturation and on theoretical models for modelling complex biological systems.

In this specialisation, the focus is on the interactions between the ecological living conditions of organisms and their subsequent adaptations and on the interactions between different species - the "art of living together". In addition, skills in dealing with appropriately generated biological data sets are taught.

The focus of the modules is on imparting knowledge on the practical implementation of experiments on cellular neurobiology and behavioural studies and on the use of advanced and highly technology-supported methods of behavioural research. And it is about the control of behaviour - some keywords: sensory stimulus processing, receptors, stimulus transduction, neuroethology.

How do plants function at a molecular and cellular level? The focus is on the molecular and developmental genetics of plants and on the structure of cells and tissues and the methods with which these processes can be analysed. Another focus is on understanding how plants react to stress (biotic, abiotic).

All modules with a focus on digital biology are combined into an independent specialisation. The focus is on theoretical models for modelling complex biological systems, on the use of highly technology-supported methods of behavioural research and on mathematical and algorithmic models that deal with formative processes in biology. The programme also teaches skills in dealing with large biological data sets.

The project lab serves as a supervised introduction for students to independent scientific work. Project lab I is compulsory for all students, a second project lab can be completed as part of the electives. The project labs are assigned to one of the five specialisations.

In the extensive electives (subject-specific elective H and free electives), students can complete modules or individual courses from the specialisations and other courses (national, international) according to their individual focus. 
It is also possible to complete a career-oriented internship in the free elective subject (max. 12 ECTS-Credits - equivalent to 8 weeks of full-time employment). 
An interdisciplinary Master's module can also be integrated into the Master's programme (12 ECTS-Credits subject-specific elective + 12 ECTS-Credits free elective). The Master's degree programme in Biology thus becomes a Master's degree programme Plus.

Links: 
Study plan and further information on the programme:
https://www.uni-graz.at/de/studium/masterstudien/biologie/

Master's programme PLUS
https://www.uni-graz.at/de/studium/rund-ums-studium/masterstudium-plus/