Master’s Programme Microbiology
You want to understand and be able to apply complex (micro-)biological relationships?
Fungi, bacteria and archaea are tiny organisms but they are of great importance to human life. Microorganisms have symbiotic relationships, fight pests, produce yoghurt and beer, clean wastewater and produce bioenergy among many other functions. The main topics of the Master’s Degree Programme in Microbiology are metabolic pathways and ecology to teach the students about the complex functions of microorganisms.
Some of the more specialised topics the students may focus on are environmental and food technology, signal transduction, ecological nutrient cycles, life at the border between climate regions and the production of secondary metabolites.
Study Code
UC 066 830
FAQ
Graduates of the Master’s Programme in Microbiology have the necessary knowledge as well as the required skills and competences to find methodologically sound answers to subject-specific questions related to research in microbiology and to apply them in practice. They are able to scientifically evaluate and further develop areas of microbiology and to apply their acquired knowledge in an interdisciplinary way.
The Master’s Programme Microbiology provides an in-depth scientific training based on pertinent bachelor programmes. Aim is a well-founded subject-specific education, also with focus on the application of the knowledge. Besides of theoretical and methodological expert knowledge students also learn how to think and work in a scientific way to be able to understand complex (micro-) biological contexts and to apply this knowledge.
Research and teaching at the Institute of Microbiology focuses on archaea, bacteria and fungi. Besides of the theoretical basics in systematics, physiology, molecular biology and ecology, also application-orientated aspects are conveyed (medicine, plant protection, environmental technology, biotechnology, soil biology). The programme places great emphasis on practical experience in laboratories, in the outdoors and in the scientific practice. The Master’s programme is also a preparation for a pertinent doctoral programme.
Scientific and managerial positions and work as consultants, experts or authorized experts in private businesses and public institutions (e.g. in the fields of industrial biotechnology, environmental biotechnology, food production and control, pharmaceutical industry, medicine, hygiene, agriculture, forestry and water economy, environmental protection and in public administration, museums, libraries and nature reserves.
Work in research and teaching at universities, universities of applied sciences and other national or international research institutions.
Other professions in the overlapping areas to other disciplines (geoecology, geography, agricultural science, archaeology, medicine, employee protection, allergology, veterinary medicine, building protection, patent law, journalism and many other fields) in combination with respective additional qualifications.
Graduates of the Master’s Programme in Microbiology have the subject-specific skills required for commencing a pertinent doctoral programme.
Graduates tracking: Shows which occupational fields students enter after graduation.
Faculty of Biology Examination Office Information for students with disabilities
Curriculum
Information on the Curriculum (2008W)
The complete version of the curriculum reflects the currently valid version of the curriculum. It is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding. The legally binding version of the curriculum, including any amendments, may be found in the University of Innsbruck Bulletins.
In order to determine which version of the curriculum is applicable in your case, see the Catalogue of Studies
available at: https://lfuonline.uibk.ac.at/public/lfuonline_meinestudien.studienblatt
Section: Current Curriculum version.
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 1 2019)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin October 17 2019, Issue 4, No. 53 (equivalence list)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 28 2019, Issue 65, No. 574 (modification of the curriculum)
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 1 2015)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin October 1 2015, Issue 1, No. 2 (Equivalence list)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin May 6 2015, Issue 26, No. 386 (modification of the curriculum)
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 1 2008)
- Curriculum/Consolidated version (from October 1 2008)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin October 1 2008, Issue 1, No. 4 (amendment of the curriculum)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin April 29 2008, Issue 37, No. 266
Requirements
Relevant bachelor's degrees at the University of Innsbruck:
Proof of general university entrance qualification:
The general university entrance qualification for admission to a master's programme must be proven by the completion of a subject-related bachelor's programme, another subject-related programme of at least the same higher education level at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution, or a program defined in the curriculum of the master's programme. To compensate for significant differences in subject matter, supplementary examinations (maximum 30 ECTS credits) may be prescribed, which must be taken by the end of the second semester of the master's programme. The rectorate may determine which of these supplementary examinations are prerequisites for taking examinations provided for in the curriculum of the master's programme.
In the course of the proof of the general university entrance qualification, the completion of the following core areas within the framework of the completed bachelor's degree programme shall be examined in any case:
- 5 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Chemistry and Physics
- 8 ECTS-Credits Core Area: General Microbiology, Physiology and Systematics
- 8 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Techniques in Microbiology
- 5 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Applied Microbiology
Recommended Course Sequence
The exemplary course sequence given below is recommended for full-time students beginning their study programme in the winter semester. The table shows one possible course sequence for the bachelor's programme and is not compulsory. Delays resulting from repeated examinations are not taken into account.
The standard duration of the study programme is 4 semesters or 120 ECTS-Credits, whereby according to the Universities Act of 2002, a workload of 1,500 (real) hours per academic year must be fulfilled, corresponding to 60 ECTS-Credits (one ECTS-Credit is equivalent to a workload of 25 hours).
5.0 ECTS-Credits: CM Systematics of Microorganisms
5.0 ECTS-Credits: CM Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology
20.0 ECTS-Credits: Elective Modules
5.0 ECTS-Credits: CM Physiology of Microorganisms
5.0 ECTS-Credits: CM Genetics and Genomics of Microorganisms
2.5 ECTS-Credits: CM Quantitative Techniques in Ecology
17.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Modules
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
15.0 ECTS-Credits: CM Instructions for Scientific Working
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis » continue fourth semester
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
20.0 ECTS-Credits: Master’s Thesis
2.5 ECTS-Credits: CM Master's Thesis Defense
in Bearbeitung
| Semester | ECTS-AP | Titel |
|---|---|---|
Extension Programme
Within the scope of the Study Programme, a Extension Programme corresponding to 60 ECTS-Credits may be passed. Admission to the Extension Programme requires the admission to or the having passed of one of the selected Study Programmes. Detailed information: https://www.uibk.ac.at/studium/angebot/es-informatik/
Information about examination regulations, assessment and grading
Examination regulations
The examination regulation is an integral part of the curriculum, detailed information can be found under the paragraph examination regulations.
The grade distribution table is a statistical representation of the distribution of all successfully completed examinations in a given programme of study or subject (based on all registered students for the programme or subject). The grade distribution table is updated in regular intervals.
| A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austrian grading scheme | Definition | %-age | ||
| 1 | EXCELLENT: Outstanding performance | 45.1 | = 100% | |
| 2 | GOOD: Generally good, but with some errors | 29.2 | ||
| 3 | SATISFACTORY: Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors | 17 | ||
| 4 | SUFFICIENT: Performance meets the minimum criteria | 8.7 | ||
| 5 | INSUFFICIENT: Substantial improvement necessary; requirement of further work |
December 2021
Overall classification of the qualification
Not applicable
Explanation: An overall classification (mit Auszeichnung bestanden/pass with distinction, bestanden/pass, nicht bestanden/fail) – is awarded only for examinations that conclude a programme of study and consist of more than one subject (an examination of this type is not specified in the curriculum of this programme of study).
Contact and Information
Examination office
Location Technikerstraße 17
Dean of Studies
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Birgit Weinberger
Further persons to contact:
Institute of Mikrobiology and Univ.-Prof. Dr. Heribert Insam
Information portal for Biology Students of the University of Innsbruck
biopage.info
Information about the Programme (in German only)
Older curricula can be found in the archive Course Catalog
From the field
Student Advisory Service
We are the first point of contact for all questions about studying for pupils, prospective students and students as well as parents and teachers.
