Evolution, Ecology and Systematics

The Master's program in Evolution, Ecology and Systematics (EES) will provide you with a broad biological background in the three subject areas of EES and will train you to become a critically thinking scientist.

During the program, you will become familiar with the many techniques and approaches that are used in the disciplines of evolution, ecology and systematics. These include modern field experiments, the use of natural history collections, mathematical modeling, data management and modern genetic/genomic methods.

The goal of the master's program is to provide students with an excellent research education. This includs skills like the ability to perform in a team, communication, organization and mediation skills, and intercultural competences.

With successful completion of the master's program, you will have not only extensive research experience that will prepare you for a PhD program including one of the graduate schools of the Faculty of Biology of LMU Munich or at other excellent universities worldwide, but also valuable technical and communication skills that will prepare you for a career outside of academia

• Graduate School of Life Sciences Munich (LSM)
• Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN)

The prescribed period of study is four semesters including a final master’s thesis. Requiring a total of 120 ECTS credits, the program is based on acquiring approximately 30 ECTS credits per semester. The curriculum of the master's program is based on a modular system consisting of topically related fields of research, including lectures, seminars and practical courses, with a strong emphasis on learning in the context of ongoing research projects.

Main Courses

First semester
During the first semester, students take courses in the main areas of the program - evolution, ecology and systematic data and evidence - as well as working on their first research project (Individual Research Training, IRT1) and learning how to present (Skills I) and write up (Skills II) scientific results. In the first interdisciplinary seminar, the focus will be on Species Concepts, Adaptation and Speciation.

Second semester
In the second semester, students will move on to their second individual research project (IRT2), as well as learning how to design scientific posters (Skills III). The seminar here focuses on Global Change. In addition, students will be taking part in a statistics course and an excursion, which is mainly organized by ecology labs.

Third semester
In the third semester, students will have their last set of required courses, but mainly elective courses, before moving on to their master's thesis. They will work on their final individual research project (IRT3) and the skills course here focuses on how to write a successful grant application (Skills IV). The final seminar will be on Hot Topics in Evolution, Ecology and Systematics.

Fourth semester – Master module
The master’s program culminates in a 24-Week Research Project, combined with the writing and disputation of a master’s thesis. With their master’s thesis, students demonstrate their ability to conduct independent and responsible research. Furthermore, the final module includes additional courses such as a Master´s Research Group Seminar and the completion of a list of 20 scientific talks ("Colloquia list") attended by the student duing the two years of the EES master´s program.

Elective courses

From the fist semester onwards, students can take 12-30 ECTS credits per semester in elective courses.

What will be taught in the EES program?

The learning aims of the core modules in the first year of the EES program include for example:

• Conceptual understanding of fundamental evolutionary processes such as adaptation, speciation and sexual reproduction.
• Designing ecological experiments in natural or semi-natural conditions.
• Using sequence data to infer species relationships (molecular phylogenetics).
• Mathematical and statistical modeling, including applications in statistical genetics, GLMs and mixed-effects models.

Topical Courses (PDF, 65 KB) (PDF, 65 KB)

In the elective modules of the second year, EES-students can choose to learn for example:

• Handling of large-scale genomic data.
• Probabilistic modelling of evolutionary processes, e.g. as a basis of modern computational methods to analyse population genetic data.
• Working with big data based on natural history collections.

For more, please refer to the EES Module Catalogue (PDF, 1,762 KB) and the EES Elective Course Catalogue (PDF, 474 KB).

ees@bio.lmu.de

Coordination: Dr. Philomena Bodensteiner

Application Round 2027

The next application round for the Master of Science program in Evolution, Ecology and Systematics, starting in the winter semester 2027/28, is expected in February/March/April 2027.

Further information will be announced here.

The admission process consists of various steps. The decision regarding your eligibility is made by the Master’s Admission Committee.

Step 1: Requirements
You are eligible to apply for the Master of Science program in Evolution, Ecology and Systematics if you meet all of the following requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree (completed or in progress)
  You have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree comprising at least 180 ECTS points in biology or a related field - such as bioinformatics, (bio)chemistry, biophysics, and agricultural biology. If you have not yet finished your bachelor´s degree, you are still eligible to apply for the master´s program.

• English Language Proficiency
  You must provide proof of English proficiency at the C1 level or higher as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), or demonstrate an equivalent level of proficiency.

• dMAT
  If you do not hold a bachelor's degree from a German university, you are required to take the dMAT. Further information about the test can be found in the section "dMAT".

Step 2: Online Application
All applicants must meet the admission requirements and successfully submit the online application along with all required documents. Applications must be submitted exclusively through our online portal (the link will be provided here during the applicaiton period).

Step 3: Interview
If you meet the application requirements you will be invited to the interviews. In this final step of the admission process, a decision is made regarding your admission to the program.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
  You have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree comprising at least 180 ECTS points in biology or a related field - such as bioinformatics, (bio)chemistry, biophysics, and agricultural biology. If you have not yet finished your bachelor´s degree, you are still eligible to apply for the master´s program.

• English Language Proficiency
  To be eligible for the master’s program, you must provide proof of English language proficiency at a level equivalent to at least C1 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), or an equivalent standard.
  Acceptable proof must either explicitly state that your English proficiency is at least at the C1 CEFR level or be verifiable through recognized language assessments. You can find more information here (PDF, 113 KB). Proof of your proficiency in German is not required for your application to the master’s program.

• dMAT If you do not hold a bachelor's degree from a German university, you are required to take the dMAT. Further information about the test can be found in the section "dMAT".

Documents:

The following documents (in PDF format) are required for your application to the master’s program:

• Bachelor’s degree certificate (or equivalent, if already available)

• Transcript of records, which must include the following information:
  • Total grade point average (GPA)
  • Official explanation of your university’s grading system (including the highest possible grade and the minimum passing grade of your bachelor's degree)
  • Official explanation of your university’s credit system (e.g., how many working hours correspond to one credit)
  • If you have not yet completed your bachelor’s degree, you may still apply by submitting a current transcript of records showing all completed coursework to date.
  • Please note: If your university uses a grading or credit system that differs from the German system, we will convert your GPA and credit points accordingly — you do not need to do this yourself.

If you have not yet completed your bachelor’s degree, you may still apply by submitting a current transcript of records showing all completed coursework to date.

• Proof of English language proficiency
  Documentation that your English proficiency is equivalent to at least level C1, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), or equivalent.

• dMAT certificate (if you do not hold a bachelor's degree from a German university)

• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Your CV must be written in English and limited to a maximum of 2 pages. It should include:
  • Full name
  • Academic background
  • Work experience
  • Other relevant information

• Motivation essay
  A motivation letter written in English, with a maximum length of 600 words, addressing the following:
  • Your reasons for applying to this program, including relevant qualifications such as research and practical (lab) experience
  • Your motivation for studying at LMU and the Faculty of Biology
  • Your interest in specific research areas or research groups

Important:
All required documents must be submitted by the application deadline. According to the admission regulations, late applications or documents submitted after the deadline cannot be considered.

Further information will be available here shortly.

This step consists of an interview conducted via online video call. The interview is held in English and lasts approximately 30 minutes. You will be interviewed by two faculty members from the Faculty of Biology. A formal invitation, including the exact date and time, will be sent to you at least one week in advance.

The interviews will assess various aspects, including your academic background—both theoretical knowledge and practical experience—your ability to engage with biology-related topics and solve scientific problems, as well as your motivation to pursue the Master of Science in Evolution, Ecology and Systematics at LMU Munich.

Important Information for International Applicants

If you are not a German citizen and have neither completed your bachelor’s degree in Germany nor obtained your general university entrance qualification (“Abitur”) in Germany or from a German school abroad, you are required to apply for general admission to LMU Munich through the International Office.

This means that you must submit two separate applications:

• One to the Faculty of Biology for admission to the Master’s program, and
• One to the International Office for general admission to LMU.

These are independent processes with different purposes and deadlines:

Further details on how to apply for general admission can be found on the LMU International Office’s website.

Introduction to the program (PDF, 2,030 KB)

Exam- and Study Regulations (German version) (PDF, 223 KB)

Exam and Study Regulations (English translation) (PDF, 288 KB)

Module Catalogue (PDF, 1,762 KB)

Elective Course Catalogue (PDF, 474 KB)

Individual Course and Module Selection (XLSX, 148 KB)

Guidelines (PDF, 124 KB)

Internal Examiners and Supervisors (PDF, 203 KB)

Guidelines (PDF, 127 KB)

Internal Examiners and Supervisors (PDF, 203 KB)

Deadlines (PDF, 52 KB)

Registration (Internal Master's Thesis) (PDF, 183 KB)

Registration (External Master's Thesis) (PDF, 131 KB)

Application for Extension (PDF, 85 KB)

Last Page and Statement of Originality (PDF, 67 KB)

Colloquia List (PDF, 91 KB)

Rules for Use of AI Tools (PDF, 58 KB)