Overview The Faculty of Biology at LMU Munich runs a two-year, English-taught Master of Science programme in Plant Sciences designed for graduates with a background in biology. The curriculum connects classical botanical disciplines with modern molecular approaches and is aimed at motivated, internationally diverse students who want to study molecular mechanisms, plant adaptation, and evolution.
Programme structure and learning experience Teaching covers four core areas—Plant Molecular Biology, Plant Cell Biology, Systematics, and Biotic Interactions of Plants—through lectures, seminars, and practical courses that are closely tied to ongoing research projects. The first semester concentrates on deepening knowledge acquired during the bachelor’s degree. In later semesters students can tailor their course selection to either gain broad exposure across fields or focus intensively on a chosen topic.
Research environment and resources Students benefit from the LMU Biocenter’s modern facilities on the HighTechCampus and from close collaboration with nearby high-profile institutions (including the Max Planck Institutes for Biochemistry and Neuroscience, the German Research Center for Environmental Health, the Gene Center, the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Science, and the Biomedical Center). This cooperative network supplies strong teaching resources and a rich, research-oriented environment. For detailed information on research areas and application procedures, consult the programme webpage: https://www.bio.lmu.de/en/study/for-students/master-programs/pls/.
Admission essentials (concise)
Note: Check the programme website for full admission criteria, application deadlines, and required documentation.
This two-year, research-focused Master’s programme is delivered over four semesters and requires 120 ECTS in total (roughly 30 ECTS per semester). The curriculum uses a modular approach that combines lectures, seminars and practical courses and places strong emphasis on learning through involvement in ongoing research projects. Modules are flexible and can be tailored to your academic interests and career aims, allowing individualized study paths within the programme’s topical research fields.
The first semester provides advanced, consolidated training building on Bachelor's-level knowledge. During the initial two months you complete the compulsory laboratory and computational foundation courses: “Lab Methods in Plant Sciences” and “Bioinformatics and Data Analysis.” You may also choose up to two additional fields of study to broaden or complement your skill set.
Semesters two and three are dedicated to specialization. In the second semester you deepen or expand the topics you began in semester one through a mix of lectures, seminars, hands‑on practical courses and practical research courses. In the third semester you focus on two closely linked advanced modules: “Special Methods in Plant Sciences” and a “Special Research Module,” both designed to immerse you in current methodological and experimental approaches in plant science research.
The programme concludes with a fourth-semester Master module centered on an intensive 24‑week research project that culminates in the Master’s thesis and an oral defence. This capstone phase also includes participation in a research seminar and colloquia, enabling you to demonstrate and further develop the ability to plan, conduct and communicate independent, responsible research.
Requirements / curriculum essentials
You must hold a completed Bachelor's degree (or an equivalent qualification) worth at least 180 ECTS credits in biology, forestry, agricultural sciences, plant sciences, or a closely related field. Examples of acceptable related subjects include Biomedical Science, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, and Biophysics. Degrees awarded under different national credit systems are acceptable if they are formally equivalent to 180 ECTS.
You also need to provide documentary evidence of your academic performance. Submit an official transcript of records from your Bachelor's program that shows your grade point average. If you are still finishing your Bachelor's degree, you must be on track to complete it within the next few months and submit a recent transcript listing your current (preliminary) average grade.
Admission requirements (bullet points)
Winter Semester (International)
28 February 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
28 February 2026
The programme prepares graduates for research careers in academia and industry by building advanced experimental, analytical and project-management skills suitable for PhD study or research positions in plant science, biotechnology, agriculture and environmental research. The practical research experience and methodological training also open doors to roles in applied R&D, consulting, governmental and non-governmental organisations focused on agriculture, biodiversity and ecosystem management.
Graduates will be equipped to pursue doctoral studies or to take up positions in private-sector laboratories (e.g., agro-biotech and life-science companies), public research institutions, environmental agencies and science communication or policy roles where expertise in plant biology and data-driven methods is required.