Zoology (Master)

 Why study ... Zoologie?

The master's programme in Zoology aims at students interested in modern research regarding animal life forms. It conveys an organism-oriented approach as well as the practical application of innovative research methods for analysing the behaviour, body structure, function, development and evolution of animal life forms.

The master’s programme in Zoology equips students with the necessary skills to address academic issues and independently write academic papers focusing on animal organisms. Graduates have theoretical knowledge and practical experience of empirical methods in the context of scientific theories and concepts. They are able to adopt an analytical and synthetic approach in the investigation of animal organisms on different organisational levels. In addition, graduates have general competences in collecting, managing, analysing, presenting and discussing data and are able to contribute to socially relevant issues.

Master of Science

Degree Programme Code: 066 831

4 semesters / 120 ECTS credits

Language: German

NO entrance examination

Curriculum

Facts & Figures

  • Students: n.a.
  • Graduates in the last academic year: n.a.
  • Number of semesters needed for graduation (median): n.a.

Data updated on: 20.07.2023

Information about presentation & calculation

Attention

Instruction Language German

Please note that the instruction language of this programme is German. To start the degree programme, you need to hold a certificate of German proficiency on C1 level.

Admission Procedure

Information about the admission procedure

Information on Previous Studies:

In any case eligible degree programmes at the University of Vienna:

Five Concepts

which you will deal with during your studies:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Biodiversity
  • Marine biology
  • Ultrastructure
  • Mark-recapture techniques

... and many more.

Study Programme

Colored X-ray.

Based on two compulsory modules, the elective modules allow for a specialisation in various directions and methods of zoological research. One main aspect of the programme is the practical scientific training in special courses, seminars and field trips, all of which prepare students for writing their master's thesis. Scientific methods and techniques (such as confocal microscopy, 3D reconstruction, electron microscopy, and methods used molecular biology), which are the core competences for professional work inside and outside the university sector, are conveyed in small groups of students.

Personal involvement and cooperation among the scientists at the Department of Integrative Zoology is facilitated by teaching in small groups. Being part of a scientific research group conveys the processes of modern science. The master’s programme comprises the profound knowledge of certain groups of animals and the professional application of specific research methods in the areas of high-tech morphology, imaging and molecular biology.

Student's Opinion ...

Salamander.

"Throughout my time in school I have always been very interested in natural science. Thus, choosing the bachelor's programme Biology was an easy choice. I am very happy with the bachelor's programme and now the master's programme Zoology as it allows me to choose my courses quite flexibly and according to my personal interest. The numerous field trips, which occasionally can be very adventurous, are a special highlight. The competent mentoring by the teachers gives me the impression to receive a well-founded training."

Jolanda Steininger, BSc

 Overview of the programme structure & topics

Here you find the current offer of courses for this programme to gain better insight into the topics and structure. For more information please click on the respective level.



Teachers' Opinion ...

Portrait Prof. Dr. Harald Krenn.

"The fascinating diversity of animals makes this degree programme so attractive. In the master's programme Zoology you have the chance to work with highly diverse animals. You study their structure, development and behaviour using modern techniques and you are involved in scientific research of new, previously unknown areas."

Prof. Dr. Harald Krenn, Department für integrative Zoologie

Representations of DNA sequences of animals.

"The development of new, ultra-modern research methods which use laser scanning microscopy, computer aided imaging and molecular biological techniques, research in the area of organismic and evolutionary zoology have boomed over the past twenty years. As head of the Department of Integrative Zoology I am extraordinarily happy to provide professional education and training in most of these methods to interested students and to be able to present the broad range of modern scientific research to them.”

Prof. Dr. Andreas Wanninger, Head of the Departments for Integrative Zoology

After Graduation

An object that has been enlarged under the microscope.

Depending on the courses selected throughout the master’s programme, you can either continue with a doctoral/PhD programme or work in areas of applied science, for example:

  • fundamental research at universities, museums and other research institutions;
  • biological research for documenting, conveying and analysing scientific data;
  • lab-oriented work in research and development in various areas of the medical and pharmaceutical industry;
  • in areas of agricultural research;
  • in animal and diversity protection in NGOs, organisations of environmental protection, in national parks and zoological gardens.

Graduate's Opinion ...

"My main motivation to start the degree programme Zoology was the wish to learn as much as possible about the unbelievable diversity of the animal world and to immerse myself into the fascinating research area. Therefore, the degree programme was a wonderful, enriching time, which I enjoyed a lot. After six years of study I am on the one hand proud of how much I learned and how I turned from a bloody beginner into a fully grown scientist and on the other hand astonished how much there still is to be discovered and researched. Zoology is a multi-facetted and exciting area of research, which sparks ones curiosity and enthusiasm again and again, even if one dedicates all his/her life to it."

Angelina Kreuzinger, BSc MSc

Graduates' Perspective on the Degree Programme

Graduates ...

  • say that this degree programme receives the grade: 2.1 (good)
  • rate the level of difficulty as: 3.3 (appropriate)

→ These results are based on feedback from 23 graduates.

*You can find further assessments of the degree programme from its graduates’ perspective in the graduate survey of the master's programme in Zoology (in German).

Graduates ...

  • find employment within 3 months after graduation on average.
  • earn an average of € 2,951 (women) and € 3,262 (men) gross per month within three years after graduation.
  • work full time at a percentage of 69% (women) and 60% (men) within three years after graduation.

*You can find further information on career entry and career paths in the tracking of graduates "MA Biology".