Biodiversity Sciences

Subjects: Biodiversity;Sciences;Ecology

M.Sc. | Master of Science

Course description

The international master's programme MSc Biodiversity Sciences is designed to teach students how to scientifically measure the state and changes of biodiversity over time and space. It delves into the evolutionary and ecological processes that drive these changes and explores the impacts on human life. Biodiversity is crucial for all ecosystem functions and human well-being on Earth. This programme is rooted in natural sciences but stands out for its interdisciplinary approach. Over recent decades, we've seen a significant loss and restructuring of biodiversity. Given the strong connection between biodiversity and society, the programme emphasizes how we can preserve biodiversity and incorporate it into the management of our planet's resources. To meet these objectives, the master's programme covers a range of disciplines. Students will engage with subjects from organismic to molecular biology, biogeochemistry, landscape ecology, natural resource management, and bioinformatics. The curriculum also includes interfaces with socio-ecological sciences, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity from multiple perspectives. The programme aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to address the pressing issues of biodiversity loss and to contribute to sustainable resource management. By integrating various scientific disciplines, it prepares graduates to make meaningful contributions to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Application Requirements

Language Requirements

Applicants must prove their English language proficiency by submitting either TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, Unicert II, German Abitur or an equivalent internationally recognised language certificate attesting level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). However, proof of language proficiency is not required if the first degree was obtained in a study programme taught in English.

Qualification Requirements

Applicants for the MSc Biodiversity Sciences must hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree (min. 180 credit points) in one of the following fields of studies: biology, ecology, biogeochemistry, landscape ecology, natural resource management or bioinformatics. Graduates of a comparable study programme may also be admitted. prove good knowledge of written and spoken English.

Document Requirements

The following documents must be submitted with the application for admission: A hard copy of your bachelor's degree or equivalent (i.e., graduation certificate and transcripts). Important note: Applicants via uni-assist upload their certificates and transcripts (both in original language and official translations, unless the originals are in English or in German) with their online application. For those applicants it is not necessary to hand in any additional hard documents. Halle University does accept provisional graduation certificates, if your degree is scheduled after the application deadline. Please submit your transcripts indicating minimum 2/3 of your total credits to be passed / your senior student stage, accordingly. The final graduation certificate shall be submitted with enrolment, respectively by no later than 31 January in the year following admission. Proof of English language proficiency (see admission requirements) A summary of the bachelor's thesis (as submitted or, if not yet submitted, the current version) Proof of other qualifications, i.e. long-term engagement in nature conservation associations or scientific societies, special taxonomic knowledge and civic activities in the field of biodiversity, programming skills, completed training in relevant occupations (e.g. gardener, forest manager, farmer, animal keeper, ranger, lab technician), and voluntary internships in a relevant field (preferably also abroad). Relevant knowledge acquired with former studies in the following areas (Please provide additional proof if it is not reflected in your graduation certificate and/or course and grade overview of the undergraduate degree programme): biology, ecology, biogeochemistry, landscape ecology, natural resource management and bioinformatics