Molecular Plant Sciences

Discover the fascinating world of plants — from molecular mechanisms to ecosystem dynamics! The Faculty of Biology at Würzburg University welcomes motivated and qualified graduates with a background in biology (BSc or equivalent) to join its two-year Master’s programme in Molecular Plant Sciences. This programme is designed for globally minded young scientists eager to deepen their understanding of how plants evolve, grow, adapt, and interact with their environment. As part of the Julius-von-Sachs-Institute within the JMU Biocenter, you will conduct research and learn from internationally recognised researchers in an environment that fosters curiosity, innovation, and collaboration. Through an inspiring combination of lectures, seminars, and extensive laboratory training – all taught in English – you will acquire advanced, research-oriented training in quantitative molecular plant sciences. You will actively engage in ongoing research projects, often with close one-to-one supervision, gaining real-world experience in cutting-edge scientific practice. The Master’s programme builds on the strengths of highly interactive plant departments at the JvSI and numerous research groups there working at the forefront of plant topics such as Ecophysiology, Physiology, Plant-Microbe Interactions, Signalling Networks, Adaptation and Evolution, Membrane Biology, Structural Biology, and Chemical Biology. This broad spectrum of expertise and the cooperative network within the entire Faculty of Biology ensure an academically rich and intellectually stimulating curriculum. Depending on your research interests and goals, you can tailor your Master’s programme by selecting two out of six main topics: Plant Membrane Biology Structural Biology Plant Adaptations to a Changing World Plant Biotic Interactions Plant Chemical Biology and Metabolism Plant Signalling Networks Graduates of this programme have not only expanded their scientific skill set but are also prepared to engage with pressing global challenges in plant science and sustainability. The website of the Master of Science programme in Molecular Plant Sciences is the best way to find out more about this programme: https://go.uniwue.de/molplant Contact: Prof Ulrich Hammes (ulrich.hammes@uni-wuerzburg.de), Prof Nathalie Lackus (nathalie.lackus@uni-wuerzburg.de), Prof Katharina Markmann (katharina.markmann@uni-wuerzburg.de) During the two-year Master’s programme in Molecular Plant Sciences, students are required to complete a total of 120 ECTS credits. Within the programme, two of the following six topics may be selected: Plant Membrane Biology, Structural Biology, Plant Adaptations to a Changing World, Plant Biotic Interactions, Plant Chemical Biology and Metabolism, and Plant Signalling Networks. In each selected topic, students complete graded modules summing up to 30 ECTS credits. These comprise two theoretical modules of 10 ECTS credits each and one advanced practical course (F1) worth 10 ECTS credits. Students select one focal topic, in which an additional 15 ECTS credits are obtained via an ungraded Advanced Practical Course 2 (F2). The F2 course lasts twelve weeks and precedes the Master’s thesis (6 months, 25 ECTS) with the final thesis colloquium (5 ECTS). Throughout their studies, students are actively engaged in ongoing research projects. They acquire the ability to plan and conduct independent theoretical and experimental work, to summarise and critically discuss their findings in the written thesis, and to present and defend their results in a final colloquium. The credit line “Additional Qualifications” enables students to broaden their scope beyond the focal topic areas by selecting additional modules amounting to 15 ECTS credits. These extra modules, assessed on a pass/fail basis, allow students to pursue individual academic interests. PDF Download