Master’s Programme Zoology
Are you interested in regeneration and stem cells, would you like to explore physiological relationships or understand how life functions at the organismic and cellular level?
The students of the Master’s Degree Programme in Zoology study zoological relationships and learn integrative and critical thinking in the field of science and the animate world.
The focus is put on understanding life from the organism to the molecular level as well as structure-function relationships. Technically the students focus on modern light and electron microscopy. Students may specialise in the fields of evolution, developmental biology, physiology, chonobiology, environmental stress and bionics.
Faculty
Faculty of Biology
Qualification Level
Master (Second Cycle)
ISCED-11: Level 7, EQF/NQF: Level 7
ISCED-F
0511 Biology
Study Code
UC 066 831
FAQ
Graduates possess highly specialized knowledge in the fields of organismic zoology, evolution and developmental biology, the physiology of animals, and ecophysiology and population biology. They are able to demonstrate their abilities at the intersections of these fields through their capacity to formulate and susbtantiate arguments scientifically and to find innovative solutions to problems.
The goal of the Master's Programme Zoology at the University of Innsbruck is to train students in modern methods of zoological research and their application in the research areas offered at the faculty.
Key areas include the development and cell physiology of animals as well as their relationship to the environment, and ecotoxicology and population biology. The evolution of animals is treated in interdisciplinary fashion. Wildlife studies are conducted using various on-site model organisms from current research and using field studies.
In general terms, the programme stresses the acquisition of an understanding of biological connections, independent and integrative thinking and flexibility. A central part of the programme is instruction in independent scientific work and in publishing scientific data. The master's programme also prepares students for doctoral studies.
Career oppoortunities may include: scientific activities in companies, scientific activities in public and administrative institutions, basic research in biomedicine, zoologically-oriented research and teaching in all areas of biology, activities as a certified expert, further activities related to other disciplines (e.g. journalism) in combination with additional qualifications.
Graduates tracking: Shows which occupational fields students enter after graduation
Faculty of Biology Examination Office Information for students with disabilities
Curriculum
From the field

Zentrale Studienberatung
Wir sind die erste Anlaufstelle bei allen Fragen rund ums Studium für Schüler*innen, Studieninteressierte und Studierende sowie Eltern und Lehrer*innen.

Städte sind kein gutes Pflaster für Gliederfüßer
Städte sind kein gutes Pflaster für Insekten, Spinnen und Co. Es gibt zwar genauso viele davon wie am Land. Doch je höher der Urbanisierungsgrad, desto geringer sind Artenvielfalt und Artenreichtum dieser Gliederfüßer, berichten Marion Chatelain, Johannes Rüdisser und Michael Traugott, die in ihrer Studie ein 57 Quadratkilometer großes Gebiet in und um Innsbruck untersucht haben.

Laufkäfer für nachhaltige Lebensmittel
Eine Forschungsgruppe um Corinna Wallinger hat die Nahrungswahl von Laufkäfern in heimischen Getreidefeldern untersucht. Dabei zeigte sich, dass diese Insekten eine bedeutende Rolle in der Unkrautregulation einnehmen können, da sie deutlich mehr Pflanzensamen fressen als bislang angenommen. Dieses Wissen soll helfen, Landwirtschaft nachhaltiger zu machen.

Pflanzen-Ahn entpuppt sich als vielfältig
In Schönbrunn wurde 1942 eine Alge entdeckt, die als „Neue luftlebige Algen aus Wien“ beschrieben wurde. Mittlerweile weiß man, dass diese Algengattung „Chlorokybus“ zu den am weitesten entfernten und ältesten Verwandten der Landpflanzen zählt. Forscher haben nun gezeigt, dass die Gattung nicht nur eine, sondern mindestens fünf verschiedene Arten enthält.
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