Agricultural Biosciences

Agricultural biosciences offer solutions to major societal challenges. They can make significant contributions to securing food supplies, preserving natural resources, and mitigating the effects of climate change.

This international Agricultural Biosciences program focuses on fundamental biological research for an efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural production of crop and livestock species. It aims to understand crop and livestock species from the level of cells up to the whole organism and population.

In contrast to other master’s programs that have a specialized view on basic research and distinguish between plant and animal science, we at TUM believe that a generic approach is more timely as many biological mechanisms are shared between plants and animals. A strong focus on molecular as well as computational methods reflects the TUM strategy to value innovation as the basis for knowledge.

The M.Sc. Agricultural Biosciences deals with different organisms, namely plants, animals and microbes. The program takes advantage of the synergistic effects created by integrated studies on plant and animal species, teaching general as well as specific biological concepts, methods and tools. It reflects the high level of innovation in agricultural biosciences and prepares graduates for a multi-path career allowing for flexibility and migration in the job market.

Upon graduating, you can find employment in the national or international job market, for example at universities, research institutes, in the public sector or in biotech, breeding and life science companies.

Career opportunities also open up in international organizations such as the CGIAR centers, the FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Furthermore, more and more young scientists with expertise in agricultural biosciences are finding employment in smaller companies and startups in areas such as biotechnology and machine learning, providing technologies or services to the agricultural sector.

Graduates with combined expertise in molecular biology and quantitative and computational methods are highly sought after in the job market, as the number of graduates does not meet the demand for qualified personnel. The demand is expected to increase as molecular methods and machine learning will fundamentally change the agricultural sector and increase the demand for research and development.

In line with the vision of the TUM School of Life Sciences, the M.Sc. Agricultural Biosciences provides you a fundamental mechanistic understanding of biological processes on which the production of agricultural and horticultural crops and livestock is based – always combined with expertise in handling data-rich challenges and quantitative data analysis.

During the first and second semesters, you will complete five compulsory modules:

• Physiology
• Plant and Animal Cell Biology
• Immunology: Crop and Livestock Health and Disease
• Genetics and Genomics
• Statistical Computing and Data Analysis.

After passing these core courses, you will possess solid knowledge in fundamental biological concepts relevant for agricultural production.

Elective modules are very important in the program. You can choose from a range of different lab courses that cover either molecular or computational techniques. In addition, the program offers research tool modules that allow for independent study and enable you to conduct research in the field of Agricultural Biosciences.

By opening a mobility window in the third semester, students are encouraged to gain international study experience through exchange programs such as Erasmus+ or TUMexchange. You can also take up a research internship outside TUM, e.g. with a qualified industry partner or an external research organization.

The fourth semester is devoted to preparing the Master's thesis that concludes the study program. In your thesis, you identify and address a research question in the Agricultural Biosciences by choosing and implementing appropriate molecular, experimental or data methods. The thesis raises your professional profile.

Interest aroused? Just take a look at an exemplary curriculum!

As a graduate in Agricultural Biosciences, you will have a profound knowledge of molecular, biochemical and physiological processes for agricultural production. You will be able to optimize these processes and to understand their genetic basis in crops and livestock. Knowledge of the genotype-phenotype relationship will enable you to design production environments effectively. Graduates have learned how to integrate heterogeneous data from different disciplines, handle large experimental data sets and have knowledge in predictive analytics. You will be able to assess molecular and computational methods with respect to their impact and trade-offs in practice and communicate their relevance for agricultural production in a livable environment.

As a graduate, you will...

• have a profound understanding of the scientific basis of biological processes relevant for agricultural production.
• be able to conduct research in the field of Agricultural Biosciences and link your knowledge and results to other disciplines.
• be aware of societal challenges and demands in the context of Agricultural Biosciences and possess the soft skills to communicate across disciplines and cultures.
• have developed your self-competence for navigating a changing environment and managing complex projects.

For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the program documentation.

Application requirements and eligibility

To apply for the Master`s program Agricultural Biosciences, you must prove a qualified bachelor's degree of at least six semesters from a domestic or foreign institution of higher education, or at least an equivalent degree in the field of Life Sciences, these are the degree programs Agricultural Sciences and Horticultural Sciences, Life Sciences Biology and Molecular Biotechnology or comparable degree programs.
You need to prove a minimum amount of 120 Credits completed by the time of your application.
 

Knowledge of the English language

Students whose native language or language of instruction is not English must demonstrate proficiency through an acknowledged language test such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL, with a minimum of 88 points), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS, with a minimum of 6.5 points), or the Cambridge Main Suite of English Examinations; if, in the undergraduate program, 30 credits were obtained for examinations administered in English-language examination modules or if the final thesis was written in English, adequate proficiency in the English language is deemed proven.
 

Preliminary Documentation (VPD)

For applications for studies starting from winter semester 2025/26, all applicants with a entrance qualification for Master’s degree programs that was not obtained at a German university must apply for a preliminary Documentation (VPD); this also applies to entrance qualifications obtained in EU/EEA countries. The VPD must at first be applied for at uni-assist e.V. before it is uploaded together with the application at TUM. 

Semester fees and tuition fees at TUM

All students have to pay a semester fee for the student union (Studierendenwerk).

Application period and start of studies

The application period is from 01 January to 31 May each year for the following winter semester. The start of the degree program is only possible in the winter semester. See here for semester dates.

Online application

The application is only possible via our online application portal, for which an applicant account must be set up. 
The instructions for the online application
All documents must be uploaded to the TUMonline portal by the end of the application deadline! Documents submitted by e-mail cannot be processed. 
Depending on the nationality and the country in which the Bachelor's degree was obtained, different documents may have to be submitted via our TUMonline portal. Documents issued in German or English do not have to be translated. Documents that are not issued in German or English must be translated into German or English by a sworn translator. Both the original and the translation must be uploaded to as one PDF file. The documents required for the application can be found in the country-specific regulations and in the glossary of documents.

Qualification test (TUM-Test) 

Applicants with an undergraduate degree outside the area of applicability of the Lisbon Convention must take an electronic qualification test (TUM-Test) before the application deadline in order to participate in the aptitude procedure. 
At the latest one week before the date of the TUM-Test, we will automatically send you an email with the Exam-TUM-Moodle Login and access data. This means that you can access the Moodle course one week before the TUM-Test to get an overview of the system and read all the information. Participation in the TUM-Test requires an application in the online application portal (TUMonline). This means that the application must be sent electronically! Documents (such as proof of participation in the TUM-Test) can be uploaded later without any problems.

The date for the TUM-Test

The TUM-Test for the Master's program in Agricultural Biosciences is offered once per application phase. The test takes place in written form and in English as an online test.
It lasts 30 minutes and comprises approx. 10-15 questions on the following topics:

• Statistics
• Data Science, Bioinformatics
• Chemistry
• Fundamentals of Bioscience
• Methods of Bioscience
• Applied plant and animal sciences

If you have achieved at least 41 points in the TUM-Test you will be assessed in the aptitude process. You will receive a confirmation of your participation in the TUM-Test Agricultural Biosciences with the achieved score. You must upload this confirmation with your application documents. 
The results of the TUM-Test are valid for a maximum of two years.
 

Aptitude assessment procedure

In a subsequent aptitude assessment process, we will check whether you have the appropriate qualifications and skills for the Master`s program.

(1) For applicants with an undergraduate degree within the area of applicability of the Lisbon Convention, in the first stage of the aptitude assessment procedure, the qualifications acquired in the first degree course will be assessed on the basis of the existing grade and the existing specialist knowledge on the basis of a curricular analysis derived from the transcript of records. 
The link and Application number/Antragsnummer (1-00xxxxxx) to register for the curricular analysis can be found in your TUMonline application account. 
On the basis of the curricular analysis, the commission evaluates and grades your basic competencies in the following fundamental subject groups:

• Statistics
• Data Science, Bioinformatics
• Chemistry
• Fundamentals of Bioscience
• Methods of Bioscience
• Applied plant and animal sciences

The overall assessment of the first stage is the sum of the calculated score of the curricular analysis and the calculated score for the grade.
Applicants who have achieved at least 65 points have passed the aptitude test.
Applicants who have achieved less than 41 points have failed the aptitude test.
The remaining applicants will be invited to an aptitude interview (second stage of the aptitude assessment process). The interview lasts 20 to 30 minutes and takes place via Zoom. The date for the interview will be announced at least one week in advance.

(2) For applicants with an undergraduate degree outside the area of applicability of the Lisbon Convention), the qualification acquired in the first degree course will be assessed in the first stage of the aptitude assessment procedure on the basis of the result (score) of the TUM-Test Agricultural Biosciences. 
Applicants with at least 65 points in the test have passed the aptitude test. 
The remaining applicants will be invited to an aptitude assessment interview (second stage of the aptitude assessment process). The interview lasts 20 to 30 minutes via Zoom. The date for the interview will be announced at least one week in advance.
 
The application procedures are described in Appendix 2a (without TUM-Test) and 2b and 3 (with TUM-test) of the Academic and Examination Regulations of the program. 
 

Enrollment

After admission to the program, the study place must be accepted in the applicant's account, the application for enrollment has to be signed and uploaded together with the missing documents for enrollment. And also the semester fees must be paid. All relevant information is displayed in the TUMonline applicant account.
Details of the enrollment process  
Glossary of Documents.

• Curriculum
  The degree chart gives you an overview and recommendation, which modules you should take in which semester according to academic and examination regulations (FPSO).
   
• Timetable (TUM ID required for login):
  This timetable is intended to give you an overview of the planned compulsory and elective modules of a semester. It is for orientation purposes only and will not be updated during the semester! 
  
  Via TUMonline you can have a timetable created for each semester according to FSPO.
  
  You can also create your own individual timetable, which can contain not only the dates of the selected courses, but also your personal appointments.
  
  First steps with TUMonline

• General Academic and Examination Regulations at TUM (APSO)
• Academic and Examination Regulations (FPSO)
  • Academic and Examination Regulations 20241
  • Academic and Examination Regulations 20201

• Examination dates & registration via TUMonline
  In TUMonline you can register for the module examinations that accompany your studies. 

  Important: You can only take most of the exams if you have actively registered yourself via TUMonline within the registration period. The registration and deregistration period will be displayed at the exam date.

• Further examination matters
  • Academic progress check
  • Examinations
  • Recognitions
  • Theses
• Board of Examination
  The board of examination is a committee consisting of university professors and lecturers of the degree program. The chairperson of the board of examination of your degree program is Prof. Dr.sc.agr. habil. Chris-Carolin Schön. Applications to the board of examination are received by the secretary and submitted to the board of examination for decision. You can reach the secretary by sending an email to examination.co(at)ls.tum.de.

A pre-study internship before the start of the course is not required for admission. 

More information about

• Internships
• Excursions