General description

The pioneering discoveries and developments in biology over the past decades have changed our perception of the world. The dynamic progress of biological research is unbroken. This is why biology is one of the most exciting university degree programs you can study. The BSc in biology offers a general education in natural sciences, knowledge of all branches of research in biology and the ability to think and work methodically and scientifically. The ten institutes of our division of Biology, together with the medical-biological institutes of the Faculty of Medicine, offer an extremely wide range of biological specializations. Further, study structures in specialized studies of biology (as of the 5th semester) between the University and ETHZ are fully compatible. This renders Zurich one of the world's top locations for studying biology.

Admission requirements

A Master’s minor study program in Biology (30 ECTS credits) either builds on the respective program completed at the Bachelor's level (as consecutive minor) or it corresponds to the Bachelor’s minor study program for 30 ECTS Credits (as new minor).

Educational goals

Graduates with a consecutive Master's minor study program in Biology (30 ECTS credits) are able to
1. apply their broad understanding of current research in Biology, as well as in other foundational sciences such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biochemistry, to answer biological questions.
2. recognize, describe and explain concepts and phenomena in Biology.
3. find, summarize and critically evaluate information from the primary and secondary literature.
4. formulate hypotheses and to propose experiments to test these hypotheses.
5. conduct experiments under supervision and in doing so apply lab and field techniques in a safe and efficient manner.

ECTS credits

30 ECTS Credits

Program structure

A Master’s minor study program in Biology (30 ECTS credits) either builds on the respective program completed at the Bachelor's level (as consecutive minor) or it corresponds to the Bachelor’s minor study program for 30 ECTS Credits (as new minor). A Master’s minor study program in Biology (30 ECTS credits) builds on the knowledge in Biology obtained at the Bachelor's level. It conveys advanced knowledge in some research areas of Biology and improves the capability to think and work in a methodical and scientific way.

Language of instruction

German, English