Program overview
- Type of courseUniversities
- DegreeMaster Master of Science in Plant Science (MSc) der Universität Basel
- Course languageEnglisch The language of instruction is English. The Master’s thesis is generally to be written in English.
- Time commitmentFull-time
- Duration
The Master’s program lasts three to four semesters. There are no restrictions on the duration of study.
What the program looks like
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. The 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, 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.
Focal area of teaching and research
The core of the program is the Master's thesis. Here you participate actively with your own research project in current research efforts of a team of plant scientists. You will combine your practical research project with courses designed to broaden your knowledge in plant- and ecosystem 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- and ecosystem 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 water relations - plant responses to drought – carbon balance and plant growth.
- Ecosystem sciences: Biodiversity and ecosystem services – stable isotope biogeochemistry – sustainable land use.
- Plant-microbe interactions: Microbial ecology in the soil and rhizosphere – mycorrhizal symbiosis.
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.
Admission
Admission
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 require approval by the examination commission of the Faculty of Science.
Binding information under: http://www.unibas.ch/admission
Costs
Tuition fees per semester: 850.-