Modules of the general elective area

Environmental and Fungal Genomics

Students will learn about techniques, equipment and procedures for generating and evaluating sequential data. They will create phylogenetic genealogical trees and gain an overview of molecular methods in ecology and biotechnology.

Praktische Mykologie

Environmental Analysis

Students will learn about the fundamental biological and biochemical principles for the genesis of firm tissue structures and will possess knowledge of the properties and functions of the mineral products produced by organisms (biominerals, biomaterials). Students will further gain knowledge and skills in the various chemical and analytical aspects of retrieval, treatment and data interpretation of environmental and biomass samples. They will learn the requirements and limits of environmental and bioanalysis as a function of the available sample types and analysis methods.

Fungi, Protists and Microbial Ecology

Students will become familiar with the ecological position of micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, protists) in the biosphere and their interrelationships with inanimate and animate elements in nature. They will understand the ecological backgrounds of the processes of microbial chemical reactions and gain knowledge of their central importance for the state of our environment. Students will gain in-depth knowledge and become familiar with things such as microbial autecology as well as with extremophiles. They will learn about the forms of the interactions between micro-organisms and plants, micro-organisms and animals as well as specialised interactions between fungi and insects. They will gain an overview of syntrophic bacterial communities and become familiar with the microbial corrosion of various materials.

Intercultural Communication and Foreign Language Skills

Students will learn about the fundamental models of communicative relations with a focus on intercultural communication. They will understand how these relate to philosophical and discourse ethics, with a focus on respect. They will be able to apply their acquired theoretical knowledge in specific cultural contexts and gain some practical experience in a foreign or multicultural environment.

Students will possess knowledge of a foreign language which will form the basis of, and be a useful tool for, intercultural communication.

Biological Drawing

Skills are acquired that enable the creation of one's own scientific drawings of animals and plants as line drawings and watercolour.