Faculty of Science

Degree Programs

Master's in Ecology and Evolution (Biology)

The Master's program in Ecology and Evolution leads to the degree of a Master of Science (M Sc) in Ecology and Evolution. The program is run jointly by the Institute of Ecology and Evolution and the Institute of Plant Sciences of the Science Faculty. The Master's program in Ecology and Evolution is regulated in the Master's curriculum (Studienplan) in Ecology and Evolution (MSc EE) and is fully taught in English.

The Master's program has a workload of 90 ECTS points. 1 ECTS point corresponds to 25-30 hours of work. The program can be completed by full-time students in 3 semesters. It consists of 60 ECTS in form of a Master's thesis and 30 ECTS in formal learning units.

During this curriculum, and in particular by preparing the Master's thesis, the students deepen and specialize their knowledge and skills in Ecology and Evolution. A particular emphasis of the program is to involve the student actively in ongoing research projects. The degree of «Master of Science» (M Sc) in Ecology and Evolution can lead to an employment in governmental and research settings, private companies (environmental consultants, etc.), or to a further education, e.g. to PhD studies. In general, students with a Bachelor of Science degree (B Sc) in biology or related subjects are entitled to apply for the program (see Admission).  Students with a BSc from a technical or teaching college (Fachhochschule or Pädagogischen Hochschule) cannot be admitted to the master in ecology and evolution. They may apply for a BSc in biology at Bern first.

The program offers specializations in:

  • Animal Ecology and Conservation
  • Behavior
  • Evolution
  • Plant Ecology

 

E&E flyer (PDF, 1.1 MB)
Master Ecology and Evolution (Biology)
Basic information
Degrees:

Master of Science in Ecology and Evolution, Universität Bern, with special qualification in:

  • Animal Ecology and Conservation
  • Behavior
  • Evolution
  • Plant Ecology
Number of credits:  90 ECTS credits
Degree programs:
  • Mono 90 ECTS credits with special qualification in:
    • Animal Ecology and Conservation
    • Behavior
    • Evolution
    • Plant Ecology
       

Offer for other degree programs:

  • Minor 30 ECTS credits with no special qualification
Duration:  3 semesters
Language:  English 
Beginning studies:  Fall or spring semester

Details of program

Specialization

Four fields of specialization are available:

  • Animal Ecology and Conservation
  • Behavior
  • Evolution
  • Plant Ecology
     

The students enrolling in these various specializations perform their Master research in one of the research groups at the Institute of Ecology and Evolution or at the Institute of Plant Sciences:

Lists of Master theses supervisors

Regular selection process

International students: Please apply first at the university for admission to the E&E program!

Students from other Swiss universities: Please apply first at the university for admission to the E&E program!  

Students of the B Sc programs in Biology of the University of Bern as well as admitted students can find their M Sc thesis supervisors through our regular selection process.

At the beginning of the spring semester (6th Semester of B Sc), the M Sc thesis project descriptions are made available on ILIAS. The corresponding link will be sent to future master students. They may pursue this information and contact potential supervisors. Supervisors now directly inform students that they can do a project with them after a discussion, or supervisors can implement any selection procedure they feel suitable. 

At the beginningt of their Master studies in Ecology and Evolution the candidates have to complete the tracking form. It has to be signed by the student and the supervisor, and sent to the Director of studies Prof. Dr. Eric Allan by email. If the form fulfills all requirements, it will be signed by the Director. The tracking form proves the successful planning of the Master studies prior to its start but can be modified while studying without notifying the Director of Studies.

Practicals, lectures, seminars and excursions

General recommendations for composing the teaching part of your Master studies

Discuss your wishes with your supervisor and fill out your Tracking form. The complete teaching offer is in the online course database KSL/CTS. There are more possibilities at our University or at the close-by Universities of Fribourg and Neuchâtel (BeNeFri). Most courses are offered annually and planning the whole Master period is easy. Your supervisor will be happy to advise you.

Please note that the maximum of "non ecology and evolution" courses is 10 ECTS!  

All lectures, seminars and practicals for Master students in Ecology and Evolution are taught in English. You may also attend teaching for BSc 3rd year or teaching from other institutes but some may be in German.

Tracking form (PDF, 141KB)

Deadlines

Requirements

Individual academic requirements

The following academic qualifications are required for admission to the master's degree program in Ecology and Evolution (mono):

a) Bachelor's degree from the University of Bern in Biology with special qualification in Ecology and Evolution
b) Bachelor's degree from the University of Bern in Biology with special qualification in Plant Sciences, provided the required (as listed in annex 1 to the plan of studies) units of credit associated with Plant Ecology have been completed as part of the bachelor's degree program.
c) Bachelor of Science from the University of Bern with another special qualification. Depending on the focus of the bachelor's degree and the special qualification in which the person is interested, successful completion of the master's degree program may depend upon evidence of additional knowledge and expertise or the achievement of additional attainments of up to 60 ECTS credits. The ECTS credits will be listed separately in the diploma supplement as extracurricular attainments.
d) Bachelor of Science, in the branch of studies Biology, from another Swiss university. Depending on the focus of the bachelor's degree and the special qualification in which the person is interested, additional attainments of up to 60 ECTS credits may be required. The ECTS credits will be listed separately in the diploma supplement as extracurricular attainments.
e) Bachelor's degree from a recognized university, provided at least 60 ECTS credits were earned in Biology and the master's degree program can be successfully completed with a maximum additional 60 ECTS credits (admission requirements which must be fulfilled in order to complete the master's degree program). The ECTS credits will be listed separately in the diploma supplement as extracurricular attainments.

Please consult the admission requirements for the minor as presented in the plan of studies.

The degree submitted at the time of assessment may not be more than ten years old.

Swiss bachelor's degrees/programs

from the University of Bern

that allow admission to the desired master's degree program without any assessment:

  • Bachelor of Science in Biology

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.

Application and admission

Current UniBE students

Apply for a change to the M Sc in Ecology and Evolution, Universität Bern by self-service as part of the re-registration for the next semester.
Renewal of semester registration → Self-service
Recognition of academic achievements
Procedure and timing of the renewal of semester registration

Application with a Swiss degree

Online application
Assessment
Steps from application to registration

Application with an international degree

Online application
CHECKLIST - Documents for your application / Important information
Steps from application to registration

 
For questions regarding application and admission, please contact the Admissions Office.

Going abroad and FAQ

Going abroad

The Biology Department is a member of the Tropical Biology Association (TBA). Our students are thus entitled to participate in the TBA courses. If you are interested in taking a course, please get in touch with Anita Hochuli.

Some of our bilateral exchange agreements (Europe and overseas) comprise master level studies. If you are interested, please visit the website of UniBe International regarding study exchange. ISEP is especially recommended!

FAQ

1) Are students with a BSc from a technical or teaching college (Fachhochschule or Pädagogischen Hochschule) admitted to the master in ecology and evolution?

Students with a BSc from a technical or teaching college cannot be admitted to the master in ecology and evolution. They may apply for a BSc in biology at Bern first.
 

2) When must the Tracking form be submitted?

The Tracking form is an important administrative tool and must be submitted - with signatures of both student and supervisor - to the office of the Director of Studies prior to the first week of the teaching periode of the first semester of the student's master studies.
 

3) When do I have to ask for a prolongation of my regular Master's study time?

The Studienplan mentions in Art. 7.1 that the regular duration is 3 semesters and the faculty regulation (RSL 2008) says that Master's studies may not last more than 5 semesters. This means that finalizing the Master's studies during the fourth and fifth semesters is possible. A prolongation is only necessary after the fifth semesters. However, all reasons to need more than 3 semesters must be accepted by your supervisor.
 

4) How many ECTS can I transfer (in KSL) from my clipboard into my Master Studies account in Ecology and Evolution?

Before you start your Master studies in Ecology and Evolution, you discuss your personal study program (30 ECTS) with your supervisor and agree upon its content thus establishing the Tracking form. Transfer any surplus ECTS which were gained during your Bachelor studies in Biology to the clipboard before applying for the Bachelor diploma. Depending on subject and nature of these surplus courses and depending on the terms of your Master supervisor some or all of these ECTS can later be transferred to your Master study account in KSL. Such credits have to be listed in your Tracking form.
 

5) What is the cost of living in Switzerland for a Master student?

Living costs depend on your personal life style, thus any answer is only a very rough estimate. To study in Bern, a monthly amount of 1'500 to 2'000 CHF is required. The following figures indicate only a possible range of the amount which you should calculate: Accommodation (1 room) in a student house 400-700 CHF, free market 500-800 CHF per month, public transport in Bern 50-100 CHF per month, health insurance 150-250 CHF per month, tuition fees for national and international students at our university are 784 CHF per semester.
 

6) What is the latest submission date for my MSc thesis at the dean’s office?

You can always deliver your thesis at the dean’s office. However, if you do not want to pay tuition fees for the next semester, you compulsory must deliver your thesis until the end of week 7 (spring term) or week 37 (autumn term). By this date, the evaluation of your supervisor must also have arrived in the dean’s office and the mark must be in KSL.
 

7) Am I allowed to work for a living?

According to the corresponding Swiss ordinance (Verordnung über Zulassung, Aufenthalt und Erwerbstätigkeit 2007), international students can exert an additional job

  • six month after study begin
  • for no more than 15 h per week
  • and if this does not prolong the study duration

Graduation

How to finish your MSc studies

Regulations for finalizing the Master's studies and for handing in the Master's thesis as PDF are given by the Dean’s office here

Deadline

The MSc thesis can always be submitted to the Dean’s office but the deadline for a given semester is the last week of autumn or spring semester (calendar week 7 or 37, respectively).

E&E specific prerequisites for graduation

  • Your supervisor has to submit one personnel review/evaluation to the Dean’s office (pdf file)
  • You or your supervisor has to submit the master thesis to the dean's office (pdf file)
  • Your supervisor (usually via his or her secretary) is also in charge of entering the final grade of your thesis in KSL. Please clarify with your supervisor that both happened in time.
  • Please note that the confimation of the grade in KSL usually lasts 10 days after entry (Referendumsfrist)
  • As soon as the mark is confirmed in KSL send an email to the study administration requesting "Change status to Fachanforderung erfüllt"
  • Send your MSc thesis as pdf file to the study administration.

Criteria for the passing of the Master diploma

  • Regular learning units
    The average of all marks has to be 4.0 or better, with no more than 7.5 ECTS of learning units insufficient.
  • Additional learning units
    Average of all marks 4.0 or better
  • Master's thesis
    Grade has to be 4.0 or better
  • Compound grade
    The grade of the Master's diploma is the average of the marks given for regular learning units and the Master's thesis, weighted according to their ECTS points. The marks of the additional learning units do not count for the compound grade but will be listed as such in the diploma supplement.

 

Once you have met the specific requirements for the degree, you can apply for your degree to the Dean's Office.

Graduation ceremony for Master's degree students

All students who have completed their Master in the previous year can attend the current ceremony which usually takes place in the second half of February. Please find further information on the Dean's Office website here.

Students who wish to attend the current graduation ceremony must have set their "study requirements on fulfilled" before 31st January; In other words, the grade for the master thesis has to be entered in KSL the latest by the 17th of January for being allowed to the graduation ceremony in February. Please note that there won't be any exception possible regarding the 31st January "graduation ceremony" deadline!