StudyQA — Master: East European Studies (Universities of Munich and Regensburg)

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As a student in the EES programme, you will take courses and conduct research in the fields of evolution, ecology, and systematics. We offer advanced courses in population biology, genetics, phylogenetics, population genetics, behavioural ecology, theoretical biology, molecular evolution, human evolution, botany, zoology, limnology, marine biology, and bioinformatics. You will have the opportunity to conduct several lab rotations in various labs, and you will participate in seminars and conferences. You will also learn many important skills, such as scientific and grant writing, giving presentations and leading discussions, and statistical analysis.
The Faculty of Biology at LMU Munich is made up of internationally recognised researchers and award-winning instructors. The faculty provides excellent facilities for contemporary research and studies in the modern "Biocenter LMU", part of the HighTechCampus in Großhadern/Martinsried, just outside Munich. High-profile institutions are situated in close proximity, including the Max Planck Institutes for Biochemistry and Neuroscience, the German Research Center for Environmental Health, the Gene Center, the Faculty for Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Science and the Biomedical Center. The existing cooperative network with these institutions provides students with excellent teaching resources and a rich and unique research environment.
The curriculum of the Master's programme is based on topic-related modules, including lectures, seminars, and practical courses, with a strong emphasis on learning in the context of ongoing research projects. Training is kept as research-oriented as possible. The Faculty of Biology's website is the best way to gain an overview of current research areas as well as linked fields of research. After completing one of the Master's programmes, a direct transition to doctoral research is possible.
It is a collaboration between the Faculties of Biology and Geosciences, the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen, and the Bavarian Natural History Collections (i.e., Zoological State Collections, Botanical State Collections). It is an accredited international Master's programme.

Educational organisation

EES has a coordinator, a selection committee, a curriculum committee, and a board of directors. The programme consists of four semesters. In each semester, you will carry out research and learn skills. In semester one, you will attend compulsory courses on evolution, ecology, and systematics. In semesters two and three, you will still have some compulsory courses, but you will be able to choose most of your courses. Although you will be able to choose for yourself which of the three main subjects you want as your specialisation, you will still be required to take a minimum number of courses in the other two main subjects. In semester four, you will write your Master's thesis.

Study abroad unit(s)

The EES programme collaborates with the University of Groningen (Netherlands), the University of Uppsala (Sweden), and the University of Montpellier (France). Students are encouraged to visit these universities or other universities to attend courses or to carry out a research project. More than 89 optional exchange possibilities are offered around the world.

Internships

Research courses are part of the regular programme. Research courses could be lab courses, field work, or computational biology courses.

Forms of assessment

Students are graded in a variety of activities such as presentations, reports, exams, and the Master's thesis.

Course objectives

After completion of a Master's degree, students may pursue an individual doctoral research project or a doctorate in one of the Faculty of Biology graduate schools.
Graduates have learned many techniques and approaches that are used in research. These could include laboratory techniques, field experiments, use of natural history collections, mathematical modelling, statistical analyses, and modern genetic methods.
Students will also have obtained further key qualifications:

ability to investigate, evaluate, summarise, and structure knowledge and information
general overview of relevant areas of information concerning their specific field of study
network thinking
ability to transfer knowledge and successfully apply it to other situations
language and IT competencies

Language requirements

Instruction and research will be carried out in English. Sufficient knowledge of English is required. To be admitted to the EES programme, we require a TOEFL test (with a score of 550 in a written test, 213 in a computer-based test ,or 79 in an Internet-based test), an IELTS test (minimum score 6.0 with no part of the test less than 5.0), a Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (minimum score A or B), or a Certificate of Proficiency in English (minimum score A or B).

Academic requirements

The formal requirement for enrolment in a graduate programme leading to a Master's degree is a three-year Bachelor's degree.
The EES Master's programme has a selection procedure. First, candidates submit an application. Two members of the selection committee review the application and decide whether the candidate will be invited for a (telephone or Skype) interview. At the interview, two members of the selection committee will be present. After the interview, the selection committee decides whether the candidate will be accepted into the programme.
Please see: http://www.ees.bio.lmu.de/application/index.html

Enrolment fees

Approx. 120 EUR per semester. The fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the Munich metropolitan area.

Costs of living

Living costs (including accommodation and health insurance) in Munich range from 800 to 1,000 EUR per month.

Job opportunities

Part-time jobs in various working groups are often offered.

Arrival support

Although students are responsible for planning far in advance and obtaining their own visas, etc., we make every effort to help our students during a two-week orientation session that we organise before the start of the winter semester. We require all entering students to attend this orientation session.