Master’s Programme Microbiology
You want to understand and be able to apply complex (micro-)biological relationships?
Microorganisms such as bacteria, archaea, fungi, protists, microalgae and viruses shape life on Earth – in soil, water, air, and within and on organisms.
They drive biogeochemical cycles, enable biotechnological applications, and play a central role in environmental, climate, and health-related issues.In this programme, they are not only examined as tools in biotechnological processes, but also as organisms with their own evolution, physiology, and ecological functions. The programme provides in-depth understanding of their genetics, taxonomy, diversity, metabolism, as well as their molecular and ecological interactions.
Master of Science
Duration/ECTS-Credits
4 semesters/120 ECTS-Credits
Mode of Study
Full-time
Language
German
Requirements
Relevant bachelor's degree/equivalent
and Language Certificates
Faculty
Faculty of Biology
Level of qualification
Master (Second Cycle)
ISCED-11: Level 7, EQF/NQF: Level 7
ISCED-F
0511 Biology
Study Code
UC 066 830
FAQ
Graduates of the Master's programme in Microbiology possess both the knowledge and the practical skills and competencies required to develop and implement methodologically sound solutions to subject-specific questions in microbiology. With the competencies they have acquired, they are also able to contribute to the interdisciplinary advancement of the field of microbiology.
Students engage with topics such as microbial diversity and interactions, signal transduction, metabolic networks, life under extreme conditions, host-microbe interactions, and the use of microorganisms in environmental and biotechnological contexts.
A particular emphasis is placed on the development of research skills in the laboratory, in the field, and in both analytical and bioinformatic applications – with opportunities for individual specialisation, for example in Alpine Environmental Microbiology or Microbial Interactions.
The Master's programme in Microbiology provides advanced academic training based on a relevant Bachelor's degree. Its aim is to offer a solid education in both fundamental scientific principles and practical applications. In addition to acquiring theoretical and methodological expertise, students are primarily expected to develop a scientific way of thinking and working, enabling them to understand and apply complex (micro)biological relationships.
Research and teaching at the Institute of Microbiology focus on archaea, bacteria, fungi, protists, and viruses. In addition to theoretical foundations in evolution, systematics, physiology, molecular biology, and ecology, the programme also covers application-oriented aspects such as biotechnology, plant protection, environmental engineering, soil biology, and medicine.
The training places strong emphasis on hands-on experience in the laboratory, at the computer, in the field, and within industrial practice.
The Master’s programme also serves as preparation for doctoral studies.
- Scientific and managerial roles in private and public companies and institutions (e.g. in the fields of environmental protection, agriculture, forestry, water and waste management, (environmental) biotechnology, food production and quality control, the pharmaceutical industry, medicine, forensics, hygiene, public health organisations, genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, research funding, and public administration), as well as in museums, nature reserves, and non-profit organisations.
- Advisory, expert, and consultancy roles (e.g. in environmental and nature conservation, agriculture, forestry, water and waste management, (environmental) biotechnology, medicine, and hygiene) for private and public organisations.
- Research and teaching positions at universities, universities of applied sciences, and other national and international research institutions.
Additional career paths at the intersection with other disciplines (e.g. geoecology, geography, agricultural sciences, archaeology, medicine, occupational health and safety, allergology, veterinary medicine, building protection, patent law, science communication, and many others), depending on relevant additional qualifications.
Graduates of the Master's programme in Microbiology possess the subject-specific qualifications required for a relevant doctoral programme.
Graduates tracking: Shows which occupational fields students enter after graduation.
Faculty of Biology Examination Office Information for students with disabilities
Curriculum
From the field
Student Advisory Service
We are the first point of contact for all questions about studying for pupils, prospective students and students as well as parents and teachers.
Related studies
Atmospheric Sciences (Master)
Students of the Master’s Degree Programme in Atmospheric Sciences study, model and observe the Earth’s atmosphere and its interactions with hydrosphere, biosphere, cryosphere and human activities.
In courses, labs and field work, students acquire a highly interdisciplinary set of tools and skills from the fields of physics, computer sciences, chemistry, mathematics, statistics and data science and measurement technologies.
Graduates are experts in atmospheric processes taking place over mountainous terrain.
Biomedical Life Sciences (Master)
The Master's programme in Biomedical Life Sciences provides you with an in-depth understanding of cellular and molecular processes in health and disease – from bioinformatics and stem cell biology to immunology.
You will learn cutting-edge techniques such as single-cell analysis, 3D cell cultures, live cell imaging, and computer-based modeling, and apply them in hands-on lab courses in small groups and in individual research projects.
Botany (Master)
In the Master’s Degree Programme in Botany the students gain extensive knowledge about the biology of plants from the molecular to the ecosystem level.
Students may specialise in biochemistry and cell biology, stress physiology and ecophysiology, evolutionary systematics, biodiversity and population biology, palynology and archeobotany, agricultural and forest ecology, climate change and environmental protection.
Chemistry (Master)
Graduates of the Master’s Degree Program in Chemistry qualify for working in managing positions as a chemist in research, technology, industry and relevant fields in public institutions.
This programme is a pre-requisite to enrol in the PhD Programme in Chemistry.
Chemical Engineering (Master)
The Master’s Degree Programme in Chemical Engineering is the basis for working as a chemical engineer in research, industry, technological and environmental positions as well as other related fields in the public sphere. This program is a pre-requisite for enrolment into the PhD Programme in Chemistry or Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Environmental Management of Mountain Areas (EMMA) (Master)
This interdisciplinary and international programme is offered in cooperation with the Faculty of Science and Technology of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy. The focus in this programme is to provide subject related topics including Alpine ecology, landscape ecology and planning, agriculture and forestry, wastewater and waste treatment, geoinformatics and environmental and resource management.
Geography: Global Change – Regional Sustainability (Master)
Building on a relevant Bachelor’s degree the students of this Master’s Degree Programme further develop integrated and network thinking skills at the intersections of society and environment.
Students may choose a focus from four main topics: urban and regional development, development studies, natural hazard research and mountain research. Students also learn a variety of methodologies from the fields of social sciences, geoinformatics, remote sensing as well as terrain and laboratory methodologies.