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.

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

++ NEW ++ International students from third countries, i.e. countries that do not belong to the European Economic Area, will be charged tuition fees as of winter semester 2024/25.
All information on fee levels, waivers and scholarship programs can be found on the website on tuition fees for international students.
 

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): Attention! Applicants with a qualification for postgraduate studies (e.g. a bachelor's degree) obtained outside the EU / EEA must apply via uni-assist.

First you have to apply for the VPD at uni-assist and then upload the VPD with your application at TUM. Note that processing your VPD by uni-assist can take 6-8 weeks. Be sure to apply for it as early as possible, at the latest before the TUM application deadline. If you apply late in the application period, you have to expect delays in handling your application at TUM. We can only handle your application once all documents are complete, which includes the VPD.
 

Semester fees and tuition fees at TUM

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

++ NEW ++ International students from third countries, i.e. countries that do not belong to the European Economic Area, will be charged tuition fees as of winter semester 2024/25. All information on fee levels, waivers and scholarship programs can be found on the website on tuition fees for international students.
 

Application period and start of studies

The application period is from 01 January to 31 May each year for the following winter semester. Start of the degree program is only possible in the winter semester. See here for semester dates. For international students we strongly recommend to apply as early as possible.
 

Online application

Application is only possible via our online application portal, where you need to set up an applicant account. You find instructions for your online application here. You do not have to submit any hardcopies before your application is reviewed and you receive an offer of admission. Please upload all documents to TUMonline before the end of the application deadline. Documents submitted via email cannot be processed.

Depending on your nationality and the country where you obtained your Bachelor’s degree, you will have to submit the different documents via our online application portal (TUMonline). Please check, which documents are necessary in your case and make sure, you have them ready for your online application. Documents issued in German or English need not be translated. Documents not issued in German or English must be translated by a sworn translator into either German or English. Please merge both the original and the translation and upload them as one PDF file. Be aware of specific regulations for certain countries and see glossary of documents for details on the requested application documents.

Please note: We can only consider your application if you upload all required documents and submit the complete application within the application period.
 

TUM-Test

++NEW ++ Applicants with higher education entrance qualifications outside the area of applicability of the Lisbon Convention (Countries of the Lisbon Convention) must take an electronic test (TUM-Test) before the application deadline in order to participate in the aptitude assessment for the Master’s Degree Program Agricultural Biosciences.

You have to apply online in TUMonline by February 28, 2024 at the latest and submit the application electronically in order to receive your application number (1-00xxxxxx) for participation in the TUM-Test! You can upload your documents (e.g. proof of participation in the TUM-test) later without any problems.

Applicants with higher education entrance qualifications within the area of applicability of the Lisbon Convention (Countries of the Lisbon Convention) do not have to take the TUM-Test.

The TUM-Test for the Master's program Agricultural Biosciences is conducted once per admissions period before the application deadline. For the application for the winter semester 2024-25 TUM-Test will take place on Wednesday, 06 March 2024, at 2.00 p.m. Central European Time (CET)!

At least one week before the date, you will receive an invitation to the TUM-Test via email with detailed information. It is very important that you have a stable internet connection for the test and that your IP address remains the same during the test.

The TUM-Test is an online, written test (in English) comprising approximately 10-15 questions requiring approximately 30 minutes to complete.

The TUM-Test covers the following categories:

- Statistics
- Data Science, Bioinformatics
- Chemstry
- 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 higher education entrance qualifications within the area of applicability of the Lisbon Convention (Countries of the Lisbon Convention), the commission uses a curricular analysis to assess your aptitude and the eligibility of your submitted qualifications (first stage of the aptitude assessment process).

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
- Chemisty
- Fundamentals of Bioscience
- Methods of Bioscience
- Applied plant and animal science

The total points of the first stage will be calculated as the sum of the individual evaluations (curricular analysis ).
Applicants who have achieved at least 65 points will receive confirmation that they have passed the aptitude assessment.
Applicants who have achieved less than 41 points fail the aptitude assessment.

The remaining applicants will be invited to an aptitude assessment interview (second stage of the aptitude assessment process). We will invite you to an interview of 20-30 minutes via Zoom. We will announce your interview date at least one week in advance.

(2)  ++ NEW ++ For applicants with higher education entrance qualifications outside the area of applicability of the Lisbon Convention (Countries of the Lisbon Convention): on the basis of the results of the TUM-Test Nutrition and Biomedicine it will be assessed, whether an applicant is eligible for the program (first stage of the aptitude assessment process).
Based on the results of the TUM-Test, the total points in the first stage will be calculated.

Applicants with at least 65 points will receive a confirmation letter that they have passed the aptitude assessment.

The remaining applicants will be invited to an aptitude assessment interview (second stage of the aptitude assessment process). We will invite you to an interview of 20-30 minutes via Zoom. We will announce your interview date at least one week in advance.

The detailed admission process is described in appendix 2a (without TUM-Test), 2b and 3 (with TUM-Test) within the Academic and Examination Regulations of the program.
 

Enrollment

Once you are admitted to this program, you have to accept your study place in your applicant account. Subsequently you have to submit your certified paper copies for enrollment and pay the semester fees. All relevant information will appear in your TUMonline applicant account. See here for details on the enrolment process and here for the glossary of documents.

Please note that from the time where you receive admission, we will only contact you via your tum.de/mytum.de email address, that you find in your applicant account. Make sure that these emails can be received by you. See here for instructions how to set up your email address at TUM.

• 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