The M.Sc. Plant Sciences program aims towards an intergated understanding of modern Plant Sciences over the full spectrum of current research from molecules and physiology across biotic and abiotic interaction to global biodiversity. Strong emphasis is given to practical research experience in the laboratories of the participating departments and research groups. Mandatory courses on Plant Biochemistry and Physiology, Plant Cell Biology and Plant Biodiversity and Systematics will lay the foundation in semesters 1 and 2, accompanied by a choice of corresponding laboratory courses. At the same time students will have the opportunity to focus their interests on any of these fields or select among a wide spectrum of courses addressing topics such as plant molecular biology, plant molecular evolution and phylogenetics, plant proteomics, paleobotany, phytochemistry, plant nutrition or plant-microbe-interactions. For up-to-date informations check: www.plantmaster.de. The M.Sc. Plant Sciences course programme is consequently modularized according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). A total of 120 credit points (30 per semester) will be accumulated during 2 years of study. Central to the concept are integrated laboratory courses to be completed in successive time frames of up to 5 weeks. Only morning lectures in the three areas outlined above (A: Plant Biochemistry and Physiology, B: Plant Biodiversity and Systematics and C: Plant Cell Biology), accompanied by a choice of accompanying seminars will be held over the full semester. Students are free to integrate external lab course work at non-university institutions into their course programme which will be equally credited. See also www.plantmaster.de for details and current information.

The central objective of the M.Sc Plant Sciences program at Bonn University is an integrated scientific understanding across different levels of Plant Biology. Hence on the one hand students can focus their interest in very many fields of modern plant research but will gain a solid and broad fundamental understanding of plants on all levels between molecules and biodiversity.