The biological diversity of plants, animals and microorganisms forms the basis of life for humans. Nevertheless, the majority of all species that exist today are not scientifically recorded. The interaction of organisms in ecosystems is also not fully understood. Human actions are increasingly causing changes in the environment, which lead to the loss of biodiversity worldwide and regionally cause the loss of functionality of ecosystems. The destruction and fragmentation of habitats, such as tropical rainforests, global climate changes, the introduction of alien species, the overexploitation of natural resources and the intensification of agriculture and forestry are of central importance.
Focus of the study
The international master's degree in "Biodiversity and Ecology" imparts knowledge about the formation, recording, distribution and functional significance of biological diversity at the level of genes, species and ecosystems and thus provides the prerequisites for dealing with the effects of loss of biodiversity and changes in ecosystems. The focus of the training is on the complex interactions of individual organisms with their environment as well as the contributions of different types of organisms to the function of communities and ecosystems.
Research & practical training
The master's degree in "Biodiversity and Ecology" aims to train graduates as part of an advanced study of four semesters so that they can largely independently familiarize themselves with a question from research and / or practice and identify and apply suitable scientific methods for processing. This goal is achieved through research-related training. Students receive a broad methodological training, both in theory and in the field, and gain practical experience with a wide range of scientific methods for recording biodiversity, for biogeographical patterns on different scales and for temporal pattern variations.
What happens after the master’s degree?
Graduates of the master's degree in "Biodiversity and Ecology" have the opportunity to do a doctorate at the University of Bayreuth with the fast-track option. The PhD program "Ecology and Environmental Research" is offered by the Bayreuth Graduate School for Mathematics and Natural Sciences (BayNAT).