Master's Programme Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology
| Faculty | Faculty of Biology |
| Duration / ECTS-Credits | 4 semesters / 120 ECTS-Credits |
| Academic Degree |
Master of Science (MSc) |
| Qualification Level |
Master (Second Cycle) ISCED-11: Level 7, EQF/NQF: Level 7 |
| ISCED-F | 0511 Biology |
| Mode of Study |
Full-Time |
| Study Code |
UC 066 834 |
| Curriculum | Information on the Curriculum (2008W) * |
| Language of Instruction | German |
| Admission Requirements |
Relevant bachelor's degree or equivalent and Language Certificates |
| Application |
* Information on the Curriculum (2008W)
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
University of Innsbruck Bulletins » (Click to open all University of Innsbruck Bulletins)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin May 5 2021, Issue 62, No. 702 (amendment of the curriculum)
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 1 2019)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin October 17 2019, Issue 4, No. 54 (equivalence list)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 28 2019, Issue 65, No. 575 (modification of the curriculum)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin October 1 2015, Issue 1, No. 3 (Equivalence list)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin May 6 2015, Issue 27, No. 387 (modification of the curriculum)
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 1 2010)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin September 29 2010, Issue 54, No. 477 (amendment of the curriculum)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin September 29 2010, Issue 54, No. 476 (amendment of the curriculum)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 23 2010, Issue 42, No. 329 (modification of the curriculum)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin October 1 2008, Issue 1, No. 4 (amendment of the curriculum)
- Uniervsity of Innsbruck Bulletin April 29 2008, Issue 38, No. 267
Requirements
Relevant bachelor's degrees at the University of Innsbruck:
Proof of general university entrance qualification:
The general university entrance qualification for admission to a master's programme must be proven by the completion of a subject-related bachelor's programme, another subject-related programme of at least the same higher education level at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution, or a program defined in the curriculum of the master's programme. To compensate for significant differences in subject matter, supplementary examinations (maximum 30 ECTS credits) may be prescribed, which must be taken by the end of the second semester of the master's programme. The rectorate may determine which of these supplementary examinations are prerequisites for taking examinations provided for in the curriculum of the master's programme.
In the course of the proof of the general university entrance qualification, the completion of the following core areas within the framework of the completed bachelor's degree programme shall be examined in any case:
- 6 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Developmental Biology, Zoological Systematics, Bauplan and Evolution
- 8 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Genetics and Molecular Biology
- 12 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Chemistry, Biochemistry
- 6 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Cell Biology, Cell Physiology
Recommended Course Sequence
The exemplary course sequence given below is recommended for full-time students beginning their study programme in the winter semester. The table shows one possible course sequence for the bachelor's programme and is not compulsory. Delays resulting from repeated examinations are not taken into account.
The standard duration of the study programme is 4 semesters or 120 ECTS-Credits, whereby according to the Universities Act of 2002, a workload of 1,500 (real) hours per academic year must be fulfilled, corresponding to 60 ECTS-Credits (one ECTS-Credit is equivalent to a workload of 25 hours).
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Selected topics in Cellular and Developmental Biology
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7,5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
15.0 ECTS-Credits: Instruction to Scientific Work
27.5 ECTS-Credits: Master’s Thesis
2.5 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis Defence
Qualification Profile and Skills
The goal of this interdisciplinary master's programme is to convey modern methods and concepts of molecular biology and cellular and development biology and their application in current biological-zoological and biomedical research.
The programme is based on elective practice-oriented courses from the fields of developmental biology and cellular biology, including aspects of biomedicine. The programme is organized by the Faculty of Biology in cooperation with the Medical University.
Teaching is research-oriented and based on fundamental questions of the implementation of genomic information into biological processes.
The research focus of the participating scientists and of the programme as a whole is on signal transduction and gene regulation in development, stem cells and regeneration of tissues, and functional and structural genome evolution.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Graduates possess highly specialized knowledge in the fields of molecular biology, developmental biology, cellular biology and live cell imaging. They are able to demonstrate their abilities in the fields of biology and biomedicine at the intersections of biochemistry and molecular biology through their capacity to formulate and susbtantiate arguments scientifically and to find innovative solutions to problems.
Future Prospects: Occupational Profiles and Career Opportunities
Career opportunities may include:
- research in molecular biology and teaching activities in all fields of biology,
- basic research in biomedicine,
- scientific activities in companies (e.g. in pharmaceutics, medicine, toxicology, bioanalytics),
- scientific activities in public and administrative institutions (e.g. in medicine, health care, food control, forensics, promotion of scientific research),
- further activities in areas overlapping with other disciplines (e.g. journalism) in combination with additonal qualifications.
The master's programme also prepares students for doctoral studies.
Postgraduate and further Studies at the University of Innsbruck
Supplementary Programme
Within the scope of the Study Programme, a Supplementary Programme corresponding to 60 ECTS-Credits may be passed. Admission to the Supplementary Programme requires the admission to or the having passed of one of the selected Study Programmes. Detailed information: https://www.uibk.ac.at/studium/angebot/es-informatik/
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.
Description of the applied grading system (including the grade distribution table) »
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 | EXCELLENT: Outstanding performance |
56 |
 |
= 100% |
|
2 |
GOOD: Generally good, but with some errors |
28.4 | ||
| 3 | SATISFACTORY: Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors |
11.1 | ||
| 4 | SUFFICIENT: Performance meets the minimum cirteria |
4.5 | ||
| 5 | INSUFFICIENT: Substantial improvement necessary; requirement of further work |
December 2021
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).
Information about the Programme (in German only)
Equivalence Lists (in German only)
- Equivalence List (Modification of the Curriculum - Universities Bulletin October 7 2015)
- Equivalence List for the Bachelor's Programme (according to the course catalogue 2008/2009)
- Equivalence List for the Master's Programme in Zoology (according to the course catalogue 2008/2009)
- Equivalence List for the Master's Programme in Molecular Biology (according to the course catalogue 2008/2009)
Forms (in German only)
- Examination Records
- Application for the Master's Thesis
- Cover Sheet for the Master's Thesis
- Declaration of Academic Honesty
- Submission of the Master's Thesis
- To block the Master's Thesis
- Recognition of exams AND Supplementary Sheet
- Request for the elective module: Research Training
- Application for Admission to the third and fourth repetition of a course examination
Contact and Information
Examination office
Standort Technikerstraße 17 
Dean of Studies
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Birgit Weinberger
Further persons to contact:
Caroline Baldemair
biopage.info: Information portal for Biology Students of the University of Innsbruck