Animal Biology

Within the Basel life science program, the Department of Environmental Sciences and its associates offer a comprehensive Master course for graduates with a background in biology. The course builds upon the local strength in Zoology and Evolutionary Biology in general and in evolutionary genetics and genomics, population biology and evolutionary ecology in particular.

Some key aspects of the Master in Animal Biology are:

• We offer a broad spectrum of course modules from which you choose your preferred topics.
• We offer attractive workshops and field courses in Switzerland and abroad.
• We employ modern laboratory methods, including genomic techniques.
• In our field work, we integrate population biology across scales.
• Our teaching focuses on interactive courses which lead to independent thinking and the development of conceptual strength in topics ranging from molecular evolution to population biology and metapopulation ecology.
• Master students will do a guided, yet independent research project within any of the groups associated with the master program. Current research topics include the evolution of host-parasite interactions, epidemiology, speciation, adaptive radiation, sexual selection, evolution of hermaphrodism and mating systems, evolutionary genomics and the evolution of the immune system.
• The master thesis will be written in English. Most theses will lead to publication in international peer-reviewed journals.

The Master of Science degree is a postgraduate degree that requires a successfully completed Bachelor’s program. The program awards 90 ECTS credits in total. The Master’s degree program Animal Biology is a so called mono-course consisting of only one core subject. Supervised practical work over the course of one year constitutes the core of the studies. One ECTS credit point roughly equals 30 hours of studying.

Combination of subjects

The degree programs at the Faculty of Science are generally mono-courses with the possible addition of an in-depth subject and an elective subject. The Master’s degree program Animal Biology does include an elective subject; however, no other subjects are required.

• The following degree allows for direct admission to the Master's degree program Animal Biology: Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Biology from the University of Basel. Other Swiss or foreign degrees from an education institution recognized by the University of Basel have to be approved by the examination commission of the Faculty of Science

The University of Basel currently collects CHF 850 in tuition fees per semester, along with CHF 10 for the student body.

Please note that there are also costs for books and, of course, your personal living expenses. The following list provides a general indication of monthly living expenses if you are not living at home with your family.

Rent (room, shared living space, student dormitory)
Minimum: CHF 400; Average: CHF 600

Food, household, clothing
Minimum: CHF 450; Average: CHF 600

Insurance/healthcare
Minimum: CHF 200; Average: CHF 300

Transportation
Minimum: CHF 60; Average: CHF 90

Learning materials
Minimum: CHF 100; Average: CHF 150

Tuition Fees
CHF 140

Recreation/culture
Minimum: CHF 150; Average: CHF 220

Total
Minimum: CHF 1500; Average: CHF 2100