Frequently Asked Questions

At the beginning of your master's degree in biology, you choose three major subjects. The selection is made via the KIT Campus Management Portal. To do this, navigate to “Exams,” then to “Exam Registration and Deregistration” and select the corresponding major subjects in your personal study plan under “Select Areas.”

The selection of research modules is made via the Campus+ system. A maximum of two research modules can be selected per semester. To prioritize, two ratings of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 stars are available, which can be assigned to research modules in all blocks. Places are allocated centrally and algorithmically, so that preferences are largely taken into account. The semester does not play a role in the allocation. After completing your selection, you will receive a notification about the place you have been allocated.

If you wish to choose a longitudinal subject, you will not be able to take research or project modules in that semester. Longitudinal subjects have a scope of 23 ECTS and are therefore equivalent to two research modules and one project module. They extend over the entire semester and can only be started in the summer semester. 

If you have chosen the Geoecology and Taxonomy specialization, you have two options. Either you complete two research modules (8 ECTS each) and one project module OR the Ecology module (16 ECTS) and one project module. 

Once module allocation has been completed, the modules in which there are still places available will be published. If you are interested, please contact the provider directly. 

In order to register for an exam, you must first have chosen the major in which you want to enroll in the research module. You can then add the module to your study plan and register for the exam. Exam registration is usually activated at the beginning of the module. If you do not register for the exam by the deadline, your work cannot be credited. 

The exams usually take place at the end of the respective block of the research module.

Despite taking your preferences into account, you may be assigned a place in a research module that does not match your chose specialization subjects. In this case, please contact Dr. Urszula Weclawski (biologiestudium ∂does-not-exist.chem-bio kit edu) to adjust your specialization subject if necessary. 

In research modules, absences of up to 10% of the course time are permitted.

You must complete a total of two literature seminars (presentation and research) and two interdisciplinary seminars. The seminars are held as a series of events throughout the semester. As with the selection of research modules, seminars are selected via the Campus+ system, and you can assign 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 stars to prioritize your selection. If you would like to complete two literature seminars in the same semester, please contact Dr. Urszula Weclawski (biologiestudium ∂does-not-exist.chem-bio kit edu). If the two seminars overlap in time, it is not possible to attend both at the same time. 

Unlike the selection of research modules and seminars, project modules are agreed individually with the respective provider. Please contact the working group of your choice directly to discuss possible topics and framework conditions. 

Project modules outside KIT are also possible. For further information, please contact Dr. Urszula Weclawski (biologiestudium ∂does-not-exist.chem-bio kit edu).

If you have completed a research internship lasting several months and would like to have it credited as several project modules, please submit an application for recognition of placeholder credits and send it to Dr. Urszula Weclawski (biologiestudium ∂does-not-exist.chem-bio kit edu). Whether a research internship lasting several months can be credited as several project modules will then be examined on a case-by-case basis.

If you have already participated in a major field trip, the module “Integrated Thinking - Scientific Project Planning” is no longer mandatory for you. However, you still have the option of completing the module “Integrated Thinking - Scientific Project Planning.” The module can be credited in all major subjects instead of a regular research module. 

As part of the conversion of the Master's program in Biology to an international program, participation in a major field trip is no longer mandatory. Major field trips have been offered as regular research modules since the 2025/26 winter semester. Please note: The lectures take place in the winter semester, and the field trip in the following summer semester. Places are therefore allocated in the winter semester. A maximum of one major field trip can be completed during the entire course of study. 

Prof. Dr. Jörg Kämper