Master’s Programme Zoology
Are you interested in regeneration and stem cells, would you like to explore physiological relationships or understand how life functions at the organismic and cellular level?
The students of the Master’s Degree Programme in Zoology study zoological relationships and learn integrative and critical thinking in the field of science and the animate world.
The focus is put on understanding life from the organism to the molecular level as well as structure-function relationships. Technically the students focus on modern light and electron microscopy. Students may specialise in the fields of evolution, developmental biology, physiology, chonobiology, environmental stress and bionics.
Study Code
UC 066 831
FAQ
Graduates possess highly specialized knowledge in the fields of organismic zoology, evolution and developmental biology, the physiology of animals, and ecophysiology and population biology. They are able to demonstrate their abilities at the intersections of these fields through their capacity to formulate and susbtantiate arguments scientifically and to find innovative solutions to problems.
The goal of the Master's Programme Zoology at the University of Innsbruck is to train students in modern methods of zoological research and their application in the research areas offered at the faculty.
Key areas include the development and cell physiology of animals as well as their relationship to the environment, and ecotoxicology and population biology. The evolution of animals is treated in interdisciplinary fashion. Wildlife studies are conducted using various on-site model organisms from current research and using field studies.
In general terms, the programme stresses the acquisition of an understanding of biological connections, independent and integrative thinking and flexibility. A central part of the programme is instruction in independent scientific work and in publishing scientific data. The master's programme also prepares students for doctoral studies.
Career oppoortunities may include: scientific activities in companies, scientific activities in public and administrative institutions, basic research in biomedicine, zoologically-oriented research and teaching in all areas of biology, activities as a certified expert, further activities related to other disciplines (e.g. journalism) in combination with additional qualifications.
Graduates tracking: Shows which occupational fields students enter after graduation
Faculty of Biology Examination Office Information for students with disabilities
Curriculum
The curriculum is the basis of a degree programme. A look at the curriculum for the Master's Programme Zoology gives you a detailed overview of the structure, content, examination regulations and qualification profile of this Master's degree.
The curriculum can clarify several important questions before you start your studies. For example, which criteria must be fulfilled for enrolment in the Master's Programme Zoology, how long the programme lasts, which modules must be completed and much more.
The 2010W curriculum currently applies to the Master's Programme Zoology.
Information on the Curriculum (2010W)
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 2021)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin October 6 2021, Issue 1, No. 5 (equivalence list)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 11 2021, Issue 76, No. 849 (modification of the curriculums)
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 1 2019)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin October 17 2019, Issue 4, No. 56 (equivalence list)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 28 2019, Issue 65, No. 577 (modification of the curriculum)
- English version of the Curriculum (from October 1 2015)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin October 1 2015, Issue 1, No. 5 (Equivalence list)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin May 6 2015, Issue 29, No. 389 (modification of the curriculum)
- University of Innsbruck Bulletin June 21 2010, Issue 34, No. 319
- English version of the Curriculum
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:
- 8 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Zoological Systematics, Bauplan, Forms
- 8 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Cell and Ecophysiology
- 8 ECTS-Credits Core Area: Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology and Genetics
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).
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Selected Topics in Zoology
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
7.5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module
15 ECTS-Credits: Instruction to Scientific Work
27.5 ECTS-Credits: Master’s Thesis
2.5 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis Defence
| 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 | 68.4 | = 100% | |
| 2 | GOOD: Generally good, but with some errors | 20.7 | ||
| 3 | SATISFACTORY: Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors | 8.1 | ||
| 4 | SUFFICIENT: Performance meets the minimum criteria | 2.8 | ||
| 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).
Forms (in German only)
- Examination Records
- Cover Sheet for the Master's Thesis
- Recognition of examsANDSupplementary Sheet
- Request for the elective module: Research Training
- Application for Admission to the third and fourth repetition of a course examination
Forms and Guideline for submitting the Master's Thesis (valid since 01.11.2023)
Contact and Information
Examination office
Standort Technikerstraße 17
Dean of Studies
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Birgit Weinberger
Further persons to contact:
Master's Programme Zoology, Martina Höckner and Bernhard Egger
current information and tips for the Master's Programme Zoology
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
Nerve cells in colour
A novel antibody colors all nerve cells in the model organism Hydra: Scientists were able to observe astonishing details of neuronal stimulus transmission in the nerve network of the freshwater polyp. Bert Hobmayer and his team from the Institute of Zoology contributed to the recently published findings, which are relevant for neurobiology and developmental biology.
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