Course program MEES

• Module coordinator: Andreas Hejnol
• Duration: 1 Semester, starting in WS
• ECTS credits: 5 CP

Content

The module aims at a common understanding of evolutionary theory and evolutionary ecology and deepens the relevant knowledge. It deals with Darwinian evolution, synthetic evolutionary theory and other evolutionary theories. The social meaning of the theory of evolution is also treated. The seminar in the summer semester deals with current evolutionary biological questions based on original papers from the subject areas of the study program.

Module components

• Lecture (WS, 1 SWS): Evolutionary Ecology
  • Lecturer: Kaltenpoth, Schielzeth
• Seminar (WS, 1 SWS): Theory of Evolution (50%)
  • Lecturer: Hejnol
• Seminar (SS, 1 SWS): Evolutionary Biology
  • Lecurer: Schielzeth

Exam

• Seminar contribution (50% each)

• Module coordinator: Jochen Müller
• Duration: 1 Semester, starting in SS
• ECTS credits: 10 CP

Content

In this interdisciplinary module we teach advanced knowledge and skills for the identification of native plants and animals. Taxonomic methods and background knowledge are deepened in the field and in the laboratory.

Module components

• Exercise (SS, 3 SWS): Advanced determination exercises on plants (50%)
  • Lecturer: Müller, Appelhans
• Exercise (SS, 3 SWS): Advanced determination exercises on animals (50%)
  • Lecturer: NN, Hejnol
• Practical course (SS, 2 SWS): Field practice on species knowledge (proof of performance)
  • Lecurer: Hentschel, NN

Exam

• Herbarium (30%)
• Taxonomic description (30%)
• Attestation (40%); proof of performance for the practical work

• Module coordinator: Ulrich Brose
• Duration: 1 Semester, starting in WS
• ECTS credits: 5 CP

Content

The module introduces the experimental design as well as various univariate and multivariate statistical methods. The lecture teaches the basics of scientific work from finding a worthwhile research question to the publication through manuscripts, lectures, or posters. In the exercises with the statistical program R, the presented statistical methods are learned using sample datasets from botany, zoology, ecology, and biodiversity research. It covers the areas of descriptive statistics including visualizations, simple tests, the basics of statistical modelling (linear models, generalized linear models, mixed models, structural equation models), as well as ordinations and cluster analyses. The focus of this module is on practical exercises with intensive instructions during the classroom hours.

Module components

• Practical course (WS, 4 SWS): Statistical analyses of biological data (100%)
  • Lecturer: Brose, Hirt

Exam

• Module coordinator: Head of excursion
• Duration: 1 Semester, starting in WS or SS
• ECTS credits: 5 CP

Content

Based on the excursion, the students should get to know examples of environmental aspects of an unknown habitat. Depending on the field of the excursion, aspects of biodiversity (zoological and / or botanical), the ecology of the visited ecosystems and their species composition or their evolutionary history may be the focus. Depending on the excursion destination, the excursion will take place in the winter or summer semester.

Actual and past destinations can be found here.

Module components

• Practical course (SS or WS, 4 SWS): Excursion

Exam

• Protocol and/or presentation (100%)

The lectures focus on the regulatory mechanisms of development at the molecular level, gene regulation and gene regulatory networks. In the seminar, selected topics in comparative and evolutionary developmental biology are discussed. The lab course introduces methods commonly used in comparative and evolutionary developmental biology.

Module coordinator: Hejnol

not available anymore

The module provides basic insights into the current application areas of morphological research on animals and technology (keyword: bionics), medicine, environmental protection, architecture and design. The practical focus is the teaching of modern techniques and methods for the development of the 3rd and 4th dimension (3D reconstruction of forms in motion, digital microscopy, cLSM, creation of 3D models on the basis of histological series and Micro-CT data, Geometric Morphometry). Project work entails selected topics.

Module coordinator: M. Schmidt

For anatomically modern humans, the understanding of morphological, molecular and cultural evolution should be deepened and extended. The module is multidisciplinary, from morphology and physiology to molecular and microbiology and socio-cultural science topics.

Module coordinator: Stössel

TBA

Module coordinator: Fritz

not available anymore

The interdisciplinary module teaches the basics of biological collection work. This includes not only the collection itself, but also the long-term preservation and safe storage of objects and the data belonging to them.

Module coordinator: Marc Appelhans

not available anymore

Replaced by new module: Phylogenomics: wet lab methods

not available anymore

Replaced by new module: Phylogenomics: bioinformatic methods

The lecture presents the systematic groups of cryptogams in detail. Phylogenetic relationships will be treated as well as their life cycles, and morphological characteristics. Furthermore, life and adaptations of algae, lichens, mosses, lycopods, and fern plants to their respective habitats are illuminated. Particular attention is paid to the ecological importance of cryptogams and their role as indicator organisms. During the internship, selected representatives will be determined by the participants on their own and in small excursion typical representatives of different habitats will be presented.

Module coordinator: Bechteler, Hentschel

The module focusses on various aspects of applied vegetation ecology. In the seminar we discuss current research approaches in vegetation ecology with special emphasis on the use of functional trait data. During the field course we will collect and analyse data on plant species composition and diversity from important vegetation types varying in their hemeroby levels.

This module takes place every second year alternating with E13, start in WiSe of odd years.

Module coordinator: Römermann

not available anymore

The students learn (i) to identify an (own) scientific problem in the context of functional biodiversity research, (ii) to plan an experiment using appropriate scientific methods and experimental design, (iii) to carry out the experiment and (iv) to evaluate it with the help of modern statistical methods. The seminar provides the foundations for experimental biodiversity research and introduces the basics of experimental design. Experimental design and evaluation options are discussed using examples from the literature. The acquired knowledge is used in the (supervised) planning of the own mini-projects during the exercise. The project will be carried out in the field along gradients (e.g., elevation gradients in the Alps), including field work, statistical analyses and poster presentation (in groups). During all stages of the course, the collected data will be evaluated and the procedure critically questioned and discussed.

This module takes place every second year alternating with E11, start in WiSe of even years.

Module coordinator: Römermann

Students will screen and analyze the biotic inventory of selected natural habitats in project teams. Different groups of organisms will be included and actual techniques of species inventories will be applied.
Local characteristics are to be worked out and contrasted with typical elements of the habitat. The results are scientifically processed and presented in a way that is understandable to the public.

Module coordinator: Hentschel

Evolution is based on changes in heritable traits either by natural selection or by genetic drift. The module covers the mechanisms of the evolutionary changes in populations over time. This includes an introduction to quantitative genetics, basis principles of population genetics and modern genomic tools for studying evolution. The array of topics ranges from the quantification of natural selection and heritabilites in natural populations via the genetic basis of local adaptation and maintenance of genetic diversity to speciation genetics and genomics.

Module coordinator: Schielzeth

This module provides the theoretical foundations in the field of ecology by introducing the most important models. In the practical training, the theoretical concepts are studied in more detail in numerical simulations and simple analytical solutions of models.

Module coordinator: Brose

This module provides the theoretical foundations of the modelling of complex ecological networks. In the practical training, the theoretical concepts are studied in computer simulations of simple examples.

Module coordinator: Brose

This module introduces the methods and concepts of metastudies. The lecture introduces important metastudies in the field of biodiversity research with consideration of statistical methods. In the practical training, published data are gathered, organized in a data base and analyzed by the statistical methods introduced in the lecture. Subsequently, the results of this metastudy carried out by the students are presented and discussed concerning their relation to theoretical concepts in biodiversity research.

This module takes place every second year, start in SoSe of odd years.

Module coordinator: Brose

The module provides an overview of current aspects of biodiversity policy as well as opportunities and challenges at the science-policy interface (including opportunities for professional career development). A special feature of the module, in addition to English as a continuous module language, is the interactive discussion with experts from the field (for example, authorities, associations / NGOs). The course covers aspects of participatory knowledge transfer and science communication as well as the innovative approach of citizen science.

Module coordinator: Bonn

This module focuses on the principles and approaches in modern day molecular (genomic) and chemical (metabolomic) ecology. We will also discuss relevant conceptual frameworks, ecological theories pertaining to current ecological biodiversity research.

Module coordinator: van Dam

not available anymore

An important aspect of science is the communication of scientific insights. Efficient communication is therefore and important skill for all scientists. In the highly interactive classes of this module, we will reflect upon and train scientific communication. The module will also cover the peer-review process that central to quality control in science and will address modern approaches to open and transparent science. The focus of the module is on communication within a scientific environment, but many aspects will be applicable to other fields that require concise and efficient communication.

Module coordinator: Schielzeth

The module focusses on the influence of the abiotic characteristics on soil organisms. The module serves to get to know the “black box” soil with its highly diverse communities and complex interactions and to understand environmental factors that influence life in the soil. In addition, biotic-mediated soil functions are considered, as is the influence of a changing environment, e.g. due to climate change, on life in the soil.

Module coordinators: Gleixner, Lange (MPI-BGC)

TBA

Module coordinator: Fritz

This module provides an overview of measurement methods in ecophysiology, such as photosynthesis measurements, frost resistance analyses, and spectroscopic methods. These methods are used to research plant adaptations to global change. The practical component examines herbarium specimens as well as living plants, and the relevant knowledge is deepened. The module focuses on measurement methods in ecophysiology, the use of historical collections, and the design of experiments. In the seminar, students deepen their knowledge of global change and its effects on plants, as well as how to quantify and analyze them. In the subsequent practical component, students learn how to apply the measurement methods and statistically evaluate and present the data they collect.

Module coordinator: Bucher

Start: winter term 2026/27

This module provides insight into the history and working methods of ethnobotany, the interactions of indigenous peoples with their natural environment, their perception and classification of nature, and their traditional use of medicinal plants, as traditional ecological and ethnopharmacological knowledge is severely threatened by the current biodiversity crisis. A special focus is placed on the uses of plants from scientific, cultural, and ethnobotanical perspectives in different cultures.

Module coordinator: Gebauer

Acoustic communication using sound or vibrations plays an important role for many animal groups. In this module, which is offered as a block course, we will deepen our knowledge of the generation and reception of these signals and examine how, for example, anthropogenic disturbances can influence this communication. In the accompanying seminar, we will explore the possibilities of acoustic communication and their significance for the respective habitat in selected topics.

Module coordinator: Nowotny

This module covers various aspects of monitoring and continuous observation of ecosystems, focusing on changes in vegetation and diversity, including their drivers.

The seminar will present and discuss current monitoring approaches and networks for environmental observation. The exercise focuses on the evaluation of monitoring data from various sources in R. The goal is practical work with existing datasets, including the collaborative development of research questions, data processing, compilation of potential drivers of change from databases, statistical analysis, and graphical representation.

Module coordinator: Bernhardt-Römermann

This module covers high-throughput DNA sequencing methods used in molecular systematic research. The lecture explains the methods and examines their suitability for various projects (e.g., population-level vs. family-level phylogenies; fresh material vs. collection material). In the exercise, sequencing libraries are created, which are then sequenced after the module. The evaluation of the resulting sequence data takes place in the subsequent module Phylogenomics: bioinformatic methods.

Module coordinator: Appelhans

This module focuses on the bioinformatics analysis of high-throughput DNA sequence data in systematic research. It covers the basics of working with Linux and the command line, and explains how to launch analyses on the university's high-performance computing (HPC) cluster. Bioinformatics analyses begin with raw sequence data and extend to complete pipelines, including phylogenetic trees, and beyond, and are taught both theoretically and practically. Sequence data generated in the Exx – Phylogenomics: wet lab methods module will be used, among other things.

Module coordinator: Appelhans

Start: winter term 2026/27

Technological advances such as mobile data collection and automated species identification have led to vast amounts of biodiversity data. These opportunistic citizen science datasets differ in structure and quality from traditional systematic surveys and require specific interpretation. This module provides an overview of the historical development, applications, and current projects in citizen science. It introduces methods for statistical analysis, data management, project organization, and science communication. In the seminar, students analyze large opportunistic datasets to address specific research questions and discuss the future potential of these data for biodiversity research and monitoring.

Module coordinators: Wäldchen, Rzanny (MPI-BGC)

Current biodiversity has evolved over millions of years. Molecular sequence data based on DNA/RNA can provide insights into the relationships between organisms and their evolution. Combined with fossil evidence and other data sources (e.g., morphological traits or biogeographic information), conclusions can be drawn about the temporal and spatial origins of our current biodiversity. After a brief introduction to the generation of phylogenetic/phylogenetic trees and their interpretation, this module delves deeper into molecular dating methods and the use of fossil evidence in bioinformatics analyses to determine divergence times. The second part of the module focuses on computational methods for researching historical biogeography and trait evolution. This module focuses specifically on plant evolution, although all applied methods are also used in the study of other groups of organisms.

Module coordinators: Bechteler

As part of the practical course, the active participation in a working group of the institutes participating in the Master's program takes place. This enables the preparation and data acquisition for the Master's thesis. In independent studying, the preparation for the integrating final exam takes place. The content of the exam is the overview of the research subject of the master's thesis in a biological context.

The module comprises the evaluation of the data set for the master's thesis, the literature search and all other work that serves to prepare the master's thesis. The work is essentially done as an independent study.

Besides your compulsory and elective modules you may want to customize your study plan further for this there are several options:

Interdisciplinary modules

If a module of another study course interests you, an interdisciplinary module might be an option for you. You can choose a module of any study course and elect it to replace maximum 10 CP of the 30 CP you have to acquire for your elective modules (Link to formpdf, 102 kb · de).

Wild card modules

If you want to create your own module, you can pick a wildcard module. Here you can choose components from multiple modules (both from your and other study programs) and create your very own module from it. Upon application to the Office for Student Affairs and Examinations (Link to formpdf, 176 kb · de) and in consultation with one or more lectures (then in function as module coordinator), it is possible to compile up to two wild card modules with five credit points each. The CP sum of interdisciplinar and wildcard modules cannot exceed 10 CP.

Additional modules

If you want to pick a module of another course but don’t want your final grade to be influenced by it, or if you already finished your 30 CP curriculum but you are motivated to do more, an additional module is the way to go. In the respective form you can decide if you want the grade you get for the module displayed on your final report (Link to formpdf, 202 kb · de).

Stays abroad as part of the Masters Evolution, Ecology and Systematics are possible and desirable. In order to facilitate the recognition of academic achievements, a learning agreement on the program to be completed should be concluded with the responsible university lecturer for the degree program prior to the stay abroad, which is deposited in the study and examination office.

Link to Erasmus (only in German) de