All over the world, research laboratories and biotech companies are looking for people who can tackle biological and medical issues with modern "omics" methods and are able to analyse the resulting complex datasets with bioinformatic and quantitative methods. To fulfil this demand, the new Evolutionary Systems Biology (ESB) master's programme provides the training necessary for this new type of scientist.

Specifically, ESB master's students will:

• learn to transfer interesting biological questions into experimental designs;
• gain basic statistical and computational skills to analyse and model datasets;
• combine experimental "wet-lab" technologies with quantitative "dry-lab" methods;
• apply these skills to questions arising from evolutionary biology, development, comparative genomics, and systems biology.

Vienna offers a unique scientific environment for the ESB master's programme, which will benefit from the expertise of research groups in population genetics, evo-devo, systems biology, and biomathematics at the University of Vienna and the Vetmeduni Vienna. Master's students will be able to draw upon the resources of two universities, and on established connections to world-class research institutes such as the Gregor Mendel Institute, IST Austria, the Vienna Graduate School of Population Genetics, and the evolVienna network.

Study Programme

During the first two semesters, the group of compulsory modules (Core Modules) imparts basic knowledge of research on evolutionary biology and systems biology and the methods commonly applied. This stage comprises the modules Population Genetics, EvoDevo and Molecular Evolution, and Quantitative Biology and Systems Biology. Additional compulsory modules and additional qualification modules (students’ choice) in the area of biology, mathematics and natural sciences complement the core modules and are a valuable addition to the master’s programme in Evolutionary Systems Biology. To complete the master’s programme, students have to write a master’s thesis and pass a master’s examination.

After Graduation

An ESB master's degree provides graduates with an excellent foundation which enables them to pursue a doctorate, such as a PhD in quantitative biological research and opens up a wide variety of career opportunities in research-oriented biomedical/biotechnological companies.

Graduates can pursue a career in the following areas:

• research at universities and in the non-university sector
• basic and applied research (e.g. in medicine, biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, agricultural sciences and environmental sciences)
• research communication
• planning and implementation of research projects
• research administration and research management
• subject-related teaching activities at post-secondary educational institutions
• computer-based analysis of big data sets