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 |
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.
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.
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.
Countries of origin of OMB students (status: 2024)
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.
Das Hauptgebäude des Senckenberg Museums für Naturkunde Görlitz in der Görlitzer Altstadt © Senckenberg
Studierende bei einem Artenbestimmungskurs © Senckenberg
Blick über die Neisse vom polnischen Ufer auf die Görlitzer Altstadt mit der markanten Silhouette der Peterskirche und dem historischen Waidhaus (links daneben) © Adobe Stock
Studierende erkunden die umfangreichen Biodiversitäts-Sammlungen von Senckenberg. © Senckenberg
Artenbestimmung bei einer Freiland-Exkursion © Senckenberg
Das Hauptgebäude der Fakultät Biologie auf dem Dresdner Campus Südstadt © Nils Eisfeld
Neben der SLUB befindet sich das Biologie-Gebäude. Es ist mit seinem Foyer-Garten das grünste Gebäude auf dem Campus. © Florian Bieler
Blick in die historische Einfahrt zum Hauptgebäude des IHI Zittau. © Amac Garbe
View of Zittau from the tower of St. John's Church. In the foreground the Zittau market with the main building of IHI Zittau (at the corner, pink house), in the background the Zittau mountains. © Amac Garbe
Das Hauptgebäude des IHI Zittau am Zittauer Markt © Amac Garbe
Blick in ein biotechnologisches Labor am IHI Zittau © Amac Garbe
Die Gewächshäuser im Botanischen Garten der TU Dresden im Großen Garten in Dresden © Michael Kretzschmar
Studierende arbeiten im Labor. © TUD Crispin-Iven Mokry
So sieht es während einer Vorlesung aus Sicht der Dozierenden aus. © Amac Garbe
Die Sächsische Landesbibliothek – Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek (SLUB) am Zelleschen Weg ist ein sehr wichtiger Ort für alle Studierenden. © Nils Eisfeld
Bewerbung
Weitere wichtige Informationen und Bedingungen zum Studiengang, wie z. B. den Studienvoraussetzungen, die Fristen und den Link zur Bewerbung finden Sie in unserem zentralen Studieninformationssystem (SINS). zum Studiengang im SINS
Scholarship
Thanks to a very generous funding by the Dietmar Schmid Education Fond we are
able to offer a two year’s grant (24 months á 800 Euro) for an international student completing an MSc in Organismic and Molecular Biodiversity.
Please submit (in addition to applying to study) a short application for the above grant including:
- motivation letter explaining your personal interest in Organismic and MolecularBiodiversity (max. 1 page, Arial 12 pt)
- a short text explaining why you truly need financial support to complete your studies (max. 0.5 pages, Arial 12 pt)
- a short curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages)
- a summary of your academic transcripts, i.e. list of certificates, of main interest are courses with respect to biodiversity
Please send your applications by email to post-gr@senckenberg.de and address it to Professor Karsten Wesche
Deadline is June 15th, 2024
Counselling
Questions concerning the program or the application procedure? We are happy to help you!
© Michael Kretzschmar, TUD
Study advisory
NameMs Uta Scheunig Dipl.-Verwaltungswirtin (FH)
Send encrypted mail via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Visiting address:
Technische Universität Dresden
IHI Zittau, Haus 1, Raum 3.05
Markt 23
02763 Zittau
Office hours:
nach Vereinbarung