Doctor of Philosophy Programme Biology

Curriculum (2026W)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Duration/ECTS-Credits
6 semesters/180 ECTS-Credits

Mode of Study
Full-time

Language
German/English

Requirements
Admission Requirements and Language Certificates

Faculty
Faculty of Biology

Level of qualification
Doctorate (Third Cycle)
ISCED-11: Level 8, EQF/NQF: Level 8

ISCED-F
0511 Biology

Study Code
UC 094 xxx | UC 794 650 xxx

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Information on the Curriculum (2026W)

The complete version of the curriculum reflects the currently valid version of the curriculum. It is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding. The legally binding version of the curriculum, including any amendments, may be found in the University of Innsbruck Bulletins.

In order to determine which version of the curriculum is applicable in your case, see the Catalogue of Studies,
 available at: https://lfuonline.uibk.ac.at/public/lfuonline_meinestudien.studienblatt
Section: Current Curriculum version.

Requirements

Relevant master's or diploma degrees at the University of Innsbruck:


Proof of general university entrance qualification:

With the exception of § 64 par. 5 UG 2002, the general university entrance qualification for admission to a doctoral programme shall be demonstrated by the completion of a relevant diploma programme or master's programme or another relevant programme of at least the same level of higher education at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution. To compensate for substantial subject-related differences, supplementary examinations may be prescribed, which must be taken by the end of the second semester of the doctoral degree programme.

The rectorate may determine which of these supplementary examinations are prerequisites for taking examinations provided for in the curriculum of the doctoral degree programme.

Modules and Dissertation

AB
Compulsory Modules 15 ECTS-CreditsDissertation 150 ECTS-Credits
Concept of the Dissertation5 ECTS-Credits Participation in Scientific Discourse 5 ECTS-Credits Dissertation Defence (Defensio) 5 ECTS-CreditsThe Dissertation is an academic thesis designed to demonstrate the ability to independently address academic research questions. The topic of the Dissertation must be chosen from the field of biology. Interdisciplinary topics are permitted provided there is a clear link to biological research. The Dissertation must be submitted in electronic form. It must be accompanied by a statutory affidavit confirming that the rules of good academic practice have been followed. The completed Dissertation must be written as a monograph or as a thematically coherent collection of academic articles with an introductory text (‘Cumulative Dissertation’). For a Cumulative Dissertation, three accepted publications—or at least two in which the candidate is the first author must be compiled as a rule. A monograph must meet the international quality standards of the relevant field of research. Cumulative dissertations must include a general introduction and a summarising discussion which situate the contributions within the broader context of the literature in the relevant field of research and reflect on the relevant theoretical and methodological implications and assumptions. The general introduction and the summarising discussion must have been written by the sole author. If the articles have been written by several authors, each author’s specific contribution to the categories (i) data collection, (ii) data analysis and (iii) manuscript drafting must be clearly set out, and this statement must be appended to the Dissertation. At least one of the articles must have been written with the candidate as the first author. The student must propose a team of supervisors consisting of at least two people (Dissertation Committee) and designate one member of that team who holds teaching authority (venia docendi) as the principal supervisor. It is permissible to propose supervisors from related disciplines or fields, with the exception of the main supervisor. In justified individual cases, students may also propose just one supervisor. The student must notify the Director of Studies in writing of the Dissertation topic and the Dissertation supervisors before commencing work on the Dissertation. The topic and supervisors are deemed to have been approved unless the Director of Studies formally objects within one month of receiving the notification. The Dissertation is assessed by two university lecturers who are not part of the supervisory team and at least one of whom is not affiliated with the University of Innsbruck:
Elective Modules15 ECTS-Credits
Automation and Data Processing in Biology 5 ECTS-Credits Advanced Statistics and Modelling in Biology 5 ECTS-Credits Good Scientific Practice and Communication in Science C 5 ECTS-Credits Research Training 5 ECTS-Credits Academic Publishing 5 ECTS-Credits Core Skills for the Dissertation Topic I 5 ECTS-Credits Core Skills for the Dissertation Topic II 5 ECTS-Credits Generic Skills 5 ECTS-Credits

Qualification Profile and Skills

  • The Doctor of Philosophy Programme Biology belongs to the group of studies in the natural sciences.
  • Graduates are able to work on issues in the natural sciences on a high level of expertise and in an independent and creative way. They employ modern methods and integrate the current state of knowledge in the respective field.
  • Graduates are able to extend and evaluate biological issues as well as to interdisciplinary use the competences acquired.
  • Graduates possess scientifically well-founded theory- and method-driven key competences in order to solve problems. In particular, they have interdisciplinary competences that enable adapting to rapidly changing requirements. Apart from the acquisition of highly subject-specific and methodical competences, doctoral students train general scientific and communicative competences which are required for successful performance of a scientific profession, e.g. in the academic, private and public sector. These competences also include the ability to independently present and discuss scientific contents at national and international scientific events as well as to critically analyse own and other scientific results, concepts and experiments. Moreover, they acquire the ability to publish scientific results in suitable form (especially in international scientific journals).

Expected Learning Outcomes for the Doctorate

  • Graduates are able to solve problems scientifically well-founded and theory- and method-driven. This competence enables them to elaborate relevant issues scientifically and practice-oriented in their professional fields, such as scientific and managing activities in private and public companies and institutions.
  • The Doctor of Philosophy Programme Biology serves to develop and enable independent scientific work as well as to promote young scientists based on diploma and master programmes.

Future Prospects: Occupational Profiles and Career Opportunities

Occupational activities may include scientific and managerial careers in private and public institutions. In particular, this includes research and teaching activities at universities and other national and international research institutions. Doctoral or research projects can develop into programmes which are subsidized by recognized national or international research funding institutions and in which the main supervisor is involved as the project leader.

Information about examination regulations, assessment and grading

Examination regulations

The examination regulation is an integral part of the curriculum, detailed information can be found under the paragraph examination regulations.

The grade distribution table is a statistical representation of the distribution of all successfully completed examinations in a given programme of study or subject (based on all registered students for the programme or subject). The grade distribution table is updated in regular intervals.

 Austrian grading  scheme Definition  %-age
 1 EXCELLENT85.3= 100%
 2  GOOD10.9
 3 SATISFACTORY3.0
 4 SUFFICIENT0.8
 5 INSUFFICIENT

March 2025


Overall classification of the qualification

Not applicable
Explanation: An overall classification (mit Auszeichnung bestanden/pass with distinction, bestanden/pass, nicht bestanden/fail) – is awarded only for examinations that conclude a programme of study and consist of more than one subject (an examination of this type is not specified in the curriculum of this programme of study).

Contact and Information

Examination Office
Location Technikerstraße 17

Dean of Studies
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Birgit Weinberger

Information portal for Biology Students of the University of Innsbruck 
biopage.info

Information about the Programme (in German only)

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