Biology degrees
Master of Science (M.Sc.)

The Master's degree programme in Biology offers you the opportunity to deepen your knowledge and research experience in the exciting disciplines of the life sciences. You learn advanced techniques and their use in research, technical implementation and application. The modular structure of this degree programme allows you to select course content according to your own preferences and offers you the opportunity to tailor your degree.

The following majors are available for selection:

  • Molecular biomedicine / Genome biology
  • Molecular biology / Synthetic biology
  • Ecology

The contents of the majors and their modules are closely linked to the work of the research labs at the department. You can gain an insight into the work of the individual research labs and their questions in the episode “StudiReporters: Research on Campus”.

StudiReporters: Research on Campus

In the modules of the Master's programme, you will gain insight into the research carried out at the department. We introduce you to the research labs and the key questions they explore.

Video: Claudia Baier & Benjamin Schepens

The practical part of the courses in the Master's degree programme in Biology is formed by the selection of elective major modules. They are usually offered as 6-week block courses. The selected major is shown in the transcript of records to document the acquired skills and competencies. However, it is also possible to complete the Master's programme without a designated major and to choose the modules freely. A major is successfully completed if at least three modules from this major have been completed. The modules belonging to the respective majors can be found in the following table “Module overview for major selection”.

In addition, the modules of the biological major form the theoretical part of the Master's programme. There is the option to replace one major module of 15 CP with modules of the biological specialisation or interdisciplinary modules of corresponding total CP.

The three-month research internship and the six-month Master's thesis offer you the opportunity to gain practical experience in research or industry during your studies. Both can be completed in the labs of the Department of Biology or Chemistry, or in external institutions or companies.

Molecular biomedicine / Genome biology Molecular biology / Synthetic biology Ecology
Strahlenbiologie Plant Metabolic Engineering Vegetationsökologie I
Strahlenbiophysik Mikroalgen Vegetationsökologie II
Stem Cell Biology Angewandte Biochemie Funktionelle Ökologie und Biodiversität
Cell Biology and Epigenetics Biomolecular Design Chemische Pflanzenökologie
Neurobiologie Mikrobiologie Mikrobiologie
Technische Genetik Technische Genetik Biologischer Pflanzenschutz
Zellbiophysik
Synthetische Biologie
NB: The number of participants in the individual modules is limited. Assignment to a module and a major cannot be guaranteed, depending on demand.

The Master's programme can be started in the winter semester as well as in the summer semester. The application deadline for the winter semester is 15 July, the deadline for the summer semester is 15 January (cut-off deadlines).

The application for the Master's programme in Biology is only possible online via the central application portals TUCaN or movein of the TU Darmstadt. The application documents must be submitted to the central student service. Application documents will not be processed unless complete.

The following documents are required for the application:

  • curriculum vitae in table format
  • proof of a university degree (Bachelor's degree in biology or a related discipline)
  • letter of motivation

Detailed information on the entrance examination can be found in the Regulations for the Master's Programme in Biology. The entrance examination is carried out by a panel. It consists of lecturers of the M.Sc. Biology programme. Representatives of the Department of Biology assist the panel in an advisory capacity. The entrance examination includes two parts.

Part 1:

The application documents submitted by the applicants will be reviewed and assessed independently by two members of the panel. A score of 0 to a maximum of 100 points will be awarded. Applicants with a minimum score of 80 points are immediately classified as suitable.

In cases where individual subject-related prerequisites from the first degree programme are not fulfilled, applicants can be admitted on the condition that they take basic examinations in additional subjects for the Bachelor's degree programme in Biology amounting to a maximum of 30 credits.

Part 2:

Applicants who do not achieve a score of 80 points and do not fall below 40 points are invited for an entrance interview. In the 30-minute interview with at least two members of the panel, the motivation of the applicants and their suitability for the degree programme are discussed. The interview is assessed by the members of the panel independently of each other with a score from 0 to a maximum of 100 points. Applicants who achieve at least 60 points with the arithmetic mean of the points from stage 1 and 2 are classified as suitable.

Download (German documents only!)

Modulhandbuch Studiengang Biologie M.Sc. (opens in new tab)

Ordnung des Studiengangs Biologie M.Sc. (opens in new tab)

Studieninformation Biologie M.Sc. (opens in new tab)

Studienplan Biologie M.Sc. (opens in new tab)

Zulassungsverfahren Studiengang Biologie M.Sc. (opens in new tab)

These documents will help you plan your studies. Here you will find all information, module descriptions and examination regulations. The overview “Study plan / Studienplan” is a recommendation for the time schedule and the allocation of modules. For individual studies, there may be good reasons to deviate from this recommendation. In this case, the team at the Office for Student Affairs is there to assist you. Individual changes to the study plan can be discussed at an early stage in a personal meeting.