Animal Biology Abschluss: Master
Within the Basel life science program, the Department of Environmental Sciences and its associates offer a comprehensive Master course for graduates with a background in biology. The course builds upon the local strength in Zoology and Evolutionary Biology in general and in evolutionary genetics and genomics, population biology, developmental biology and evolutionary ecology in particular.
Focal area of teaching and research
Some key aspects of the Master in Animal Biology are:
- We offer a broad spectrum of course modules from which preferred topics can be chosen.
- We offer attractive workshops and field courses in Switzerland and abroad.
- We employ modern laboratory methods, including genomic techniques.
- In our field work, we integrate population biology across scales.
- Our teaching focuses on interactive courses that lead to independent thinking and the development of conceptual strength in topics ranging from molecular evolution, evolutionary developmental biology to population biology and metapopulation ecology.
- Master students will do a guided, yet independent research project within any of the groups associated with the master program. Current research topics include the evolution of host-parasite interactions, epidemiology, speciation, adaptive radiation, sexual selection, evolution of hermaphrodism and mating systems, evolutionary developmental biology, evolutionary genomics and the evolution of the immune system.
- The master thesis will be written in English. Most theses will lead to publication in international peer-reviewed journals.
Course structure
The Master of Science degree is a postgraduate degree that requires a successfully completed Bachelor’s program. The program awards 90 ECTS credits in total. The Master’s degree program Animal Biology is a so called mono-course consisting of only one core subject. Supervised practical work over the course of one year constitutes the core of the studies. One ECTS credit point roughly equals 30 hours of studying.
| Master of Science (90 ECTS) | |
|---|---|
|
Animal Biology |
Electives 12 ECTS |
| Mono-courses | |
Combination of subjects
The degree programs at the Faculty of Science are generally mono-courses with the possible addition of an in-depth subject and an elective subject. The Master’s degree program Animal Biology does include an elective subject; however, no other subjects are required.
Career opportunities
After successfully completing their Master degree the graduates can study further for a doctoral qualification or follow a profession in all fields of life sciences. Biology is a subject that covers many disciplines and the career opportunities include research and related activities in the fields of medicine, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. The practical advantages of the subject are found not only in basic research but also, increasingly, in business, society and politics. Numerous jobs are on offer to biology graduates, within the university and also in private industry, government service, schools and organizations, be it as researchers, communicators, teachers or advisors. For these reasons, biology can rightly be considered as this century's key science.
