Study Organismic and Molecular Biodiversity

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Program content

Understanding and preserving biodiversity - one of the greatest challenges of our time!

Although scientific and societal interest in biodiversity is growing and the development of new methods opens up diverse opportunities for its study, at the same time there is a lack of people who are sufficiently trained in these topics and methods.

To remedy this, the TU Dresden and the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung have established an internationally oriented, English-language Master's program that covers both organismal and molecular aspects of biodiversity research. You will also be taught natural science collection management and topics in applied conservation and biotechnology.

Short Facts

Degree	Master of Science
Duration	4 semesters (2 years)
Language of instruction	Englisch
Admission requirements	Bachelor degree (at least 6 semesters!) in natural sciences; English skills on level B2.
Courses at	Görlitz (Senckenberg Museum for Natural History), Dresden (Fakulty of Biology), Zittau (IHI Zittau)
Fees	Most students only pay a Semester fee of "Studentenwerk Dresden" (including a semester ticket). In some cases (2nd master degree, long-time studies etc.), study fees can be compulsory.
Accreditation	Diploma of accreditation

Grafik: weiße Schrift auf blauem Hintergrund "Studieninformationssystem", daneben ein Laptop mit Lupe

Further important information and conditions regarding the study program, such as the study requirements, the deadlines and the link to the application, can be found in our central Study information system / Studieninformationssystem (SINS). The program on SINS

Structure of the program

After a basic semester, one of three focal points can be selected. In addition, elective courses are offered at IHI Zittau, through which detailed and cross-sectional competencies can be acquired.

graphische Darstellung des Ablauf des Masterstudiengangs Organismic and Molecular Biodiversity

Compulsory core modules

1. Systematics and Evolution of Plants, Fungi and Animals

Contact: Karsten Wesche

Summary: Sound knowledge on species and their evolution is key for understanding biodiversity. This module covers the basics of systematics of plants, fungi and animals, the evolution of important traits, handling of taxonomic literature, and an introduction to taxonomic research using natural history collections.

2. Applied Ecology

Contact: Karsten Wesche

Summary: The module covers the basics of environmental history, biogeography and ecosystem science (terrestrial and aquatic systems), and implementation of this knowledge in the applied context, especially nature conservation, monitoring and biodiversity assessment.

3. Basic Molecular Approaches in Biodiversity Research

Contact: Stefan Wanke

Summary: Methods in molecular biology are widely used in all kinds of biological subdisciplines as the ultimative toolbox. This class sets the basis for all other molecular oriented classes of the Master Organismic and Molecular Biodiversity.

4. Collecting and Analysing Biodiversity Data

Contact: Karsten Wesche

Summary: The module includes basics of data collection in morphometrics and ecology, raw data organization and data handling, as well as descriptive and inferential statistics (univariate and multivariate) with relevance to ecology/taxonomy.

Specializations

The specialization Species Diversity and Natural-History Collections offers courses on a uniquely broad range of taxa, covering their identification, ecology and treatment in natural-history collections. Teaching in museology, in particular in the communication of biodiversity topics, spans the bridge to society.

The specialization Evolution of Functional Biodiversity focuses on the structural diversity of organisms, including paleontological aspects, to emphasize the evolutionary component. Possible applications in technology, architecture and design (bionics) are explored and again provide a link to society.

The specialization Molecular Biodiversity teaches how modern molecular and cytogenetic techniques can be used to trace the evolution, domestication and conservation of species. Courses address the effective design of molecular-biological experiments, as well as the generation and analysis of genetic, genomic and cytogenetic data.

Additionally, courses can be chosen from a general elective area.

What can I do after graduation?

Career prospects

By combining general and specialized knowledge, graduates are qualified in a broad spectrum of topics within biodiversity research. In particular, the combination of organismic and molecular methods is a major distinctive feature. The inclusion of collection-based research as well as applied aspects such as nature conservation and biotechnology allows graduates, after an appropriate training period in professional practice, to cope with diverse and complex tasks in natural history museums, research institutions, national and international institutions of practical nature conservation or expert offices. In addition to basic research and applied nature conservation research, the possible fields of activity range all the way to advising political decision-makers.

Why study Organismic and Molecular Biodiversity at TU Dresden?

The cooperation between TU Dresden, IHI Zittau and the Senckenberg Society offers students a wide range of supervisors and topics for their future research careers. Studying in small groups in an international environment also contributes to this.

Weltkarte mit den Herkunfstländern der bisherigen OMB-Studierenden — Countries of origin of OMB students (status: 2024)

What alumni report...

Portraitbild der StudierendenOyundelger Khurelpurev

Oyundelger Khurelpurev (Mongolia)

Coming from the world's last nomadic country, wildlife and nature have been an important part of my life since I was a child. I studied ecology at the University of Mongolia and chose to pursue a master's degree in Germany. In contact with students from different countries, I gained valuable experience in intercultural fluency, teamwork, and overcoming language or cultural barriers.

Your campi

The basic semester of Organismic and Molecular Biodiversity takes place mostly in the collections and teaching rooms of the Senckenberg Museum für Naturkunde Görlitz. In the second and third semester, you will study in Görlitz, on the Dresden campus of the Faculty of Biology and/or at IHI Zittau, depending on your choice of focus.