Plant Science

Within the Basel life science program, the Department of Environmental Sciences offers a comprehensive 1.5 year Master's course in Plant Science for graduates with a background in biology (B Sc in biology or equivalent). The cornerstone of this course is an individual research project in one of the areas of plant science of about one year duration. The project ends with a written Master's thesis. This practical part is complemented by lectures, seminars, and excursions. The course builds upon the strength of the Department in the areas of physiological plant ecology, plant-microbe interactions, symbiosis, ecosystem sciences and sustainable land use. The program benefits greatly from the leadership of the Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, a network integrating more than 600 scientists interested in plant science.

The core of the program is the Master's Thesis, in which you participate actively with your own individual research project, in the current research efforts of a team of plant scientists. You will combine your practical research efforts with courses designed to broaden your knowledge in life sciences and ecology. With a M Sc degree in Plant Science, you will have acquired cutting-edge research capabilities in your chosen field of specialization, as well as broad general knowledge in plant biology. This will enable you to enter a PhD program in all areas of biology, and to grasp opportunities in the agro-, pharma- and biotech-industries as well as in public research units and private enterprises in the domains of ecology and life sciences.

Main topics include:

• Physiological plant ecology: Plant and ecosystem water relations – carbon balance and plant growth – biodiversity and ecosystem services – stable isotope biogeochemistry – sustainable land use.
• Plant-microbe interactions: Innate immunity in plants – microbial ecology in the soil and rhizosphere – mycorrhizal symbiosis.
• Genetic and epigenetic regulation in plants: Plant hormones – transcriptional and post­transcriptional silencing – epigenetics and plant development.

Course structure

The Master of Science degree is a postgraduate degree that requires a successfully completed Bachelor’s program (B Sc in biology or equivalent). The program awards 90 ECTS credits in total. The Master’s degree program Plant Science 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 Plant Science does include an elective subject; however, no other subjects are required.

Career opportunities

After successfully completing their Master degree the graduates can study further for a doctoral qualification or follow a profession in all fields of life sciences. Biology is a subject that covers many disciplines and the career opportunities include research and related activities in the fields of medicine, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. The practical advantages of the subject are found not only in basic research but also, increasingly, in business, society and politics. Numerous jobs are on offer to biology graduates, within the university and also in private industry, government service, schools and organizations, be it as researchers, communicators, teachers or advisors. For these reasons, biology can rightly be considered as this century's key science.

The following degree allows for direct admission to the Master's degree program Plant Science: 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. 

Application under http://www.unibas.ch/application; the application fee amounts to CHF 100.-. Application deadline for the fall semester is April 30, for the spring semester the deadline ends November 30. 

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