New Master's programme “Ecology and Biodiversity” starts in the winter semester
2026/08/11
The Department of Biology at TU Darmstadt is launching the English-language Master's programme “Ecology and Biodiversity” in the winter semester 2026/27. It provides in-depth knowledge of ecological concepts, evolutionary relationships and the causes and consequences of biodiversity change – from individual organisms to complex ecosystems in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. A video featuring lecturers from the department introduces the programme.
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Research and teaching are closely interlinked in the programme: students work on their own projects, collect samples in the field, search them for as yet undescribed species, and analyse ecological networks in the laboratory. The focus is on ecological data collection, experimental design and advanced statistical analysis. In addition, students develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, and bioethics. The introductory module “Getting Started” already strengthens intercultural competencies and teamwork skills.
A characteristic feature of the programme is its connection to the department's infrastructure. The Botanical Garden of TU Darmstadt cultivates around 8,000 plant species across five hectares of outdoor grounds and greenhouses and is available for courses and theses. Field research is also possible in the Darmstadt forest, in three research areas of the Biodiversity Exploratories, and at the Chocó Lab station in the Ecuadorian lowland rainforest, which is operated as part of the DFG research group REASSEMBLY. Further methods range from the automated 3D digitisation of insects to electron microscopy. The teaching team covers fields of work from applied to theoretical research – including ecological networks, chemical plant ecology, the biology of algae and protozoa, animal evolutionary ecology, as well as biomechanics and biomimetics.
The Master's is one of three new English-language degree programmes that the Department of Biology is launching in the winter semester 2026/27; the others are “Molecular and Cellular Biology” and “Synthetic Biology”. The programmes were developed in a participatory process involving students. A broad elective area makes it possible to take modules from the other programmes and thus sharpen one's individual profile.
The programme is aimed at Bachelor's graduates in biology and related subjects and is internationally oriented; English proficiency at level C1 and participation in the online self-assessment are required. Career prospects are available in nature conservation organisations, environmental authorities, planning offices and NGOs, as well as in research institutes, consulting firms and biodiversity conservation projects. Studies can begin in both the winter and the summer semester.
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