Courses
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Elective Module 1: Practical Skills: Fieldwork (5 ECTS-Credits, 4 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 1
Learning Outcome: Students
- master sampling strategies and the use of sampling equipment in the field,
- have basic knowledge of biodiversity in the field,
- have basic knowledge of structure and functions of the soil.
Elective Module 2: Practical Skills: Lab Work (5 ECTS-Credits, 4 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 4 and 9
Learning Outcome: Students
- understand the basics of biochemical analysis and can analytically determine the content of certain ingredients in natural products and other products,
- can perform simple characterisations of recombinant DNA,
- master the fundamentals of protein production and analysis,
- understand the principle of enzyme action and kinetics.
Elective Module 3: Flora and Vegetation of Central Europe (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 7
Learning Outcome: Students know about
- the vegetation of Central Europe,
- the Alps as a habitat and "natural laboratory" of evolution,
- various aspects of natural and anthropogenic flora and vegetation changes,
- the ecology of the forest line,
- neophytes as problem for nature conservation and their management.
Elective Module 4: Diversity, Systematics and Ecology and Vascular Plants and Algae (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 13
Learning Outcome: Students
- can discuss characteristic vascular plant species of selected habitats,
- can use identification literature,
- know basic aspects of hydrobotany.
Elective Module 5: Diversity, Systematics and Nature Conservation of Vascular Plants and Algae (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 7
Learning Outcome: Students
- can identify unknown vascular plant species,
- have basic knowledge to deal with issues in nature conservation in theory and practice.
Elective Module 6: Plant Physiology and Ecophysiology(7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 7 and 9
Learning Outcome: Students
- understand the interrelation of plant physiology and environmental factors,
- have in-depth knowledge of plant metabolism on the basis of selected laboratory experiments,
- have practical knowledge of the analytical biochemistry of plants,
- can interpret plant physiological data and present it in a publishable form.
Elective Module 7: Experimental Plant Biology (7,5 ECTS-AP, 5 SSt.)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 7 and 9
Learning Outcome: Students
- know organs of plants and their function,
- are able to plan and carry out experiments in the field of plant biology,
- can statistically evaluate and present scientific results.
Elective Module 8: Current Topics in Plant Biology (7,5 ECTS-AP, 5 SSt.)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 7 and 9
Learning Outcome: Students
- know applications of plant biotechnology,
- know applied aspects of plant biology,
- analyse and understand the effects of climate change on plants and recognise their adaptations,
- can present the generated data.
Elective Module 9: Model Organisms in Zoology (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 8
Learning Outcome: Students can
- describe the life cycles and morphology of model organisms,
- understand the specific importance of model organisms and their application,
- recognise and interpret phenotypes,
- understand and apply the concept of experimental approaches.
Elective Module 10: Evolutionary Developmental Biology (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 8
Learning Outcome: Students
- can describe evolutionarily conserved molecular complexes of animal embryonic development,
- can distinguish the different methods of visualizing protein and gene expression,
- understand the development and regeneration of selected animals,
- understand the connection of classical experimental embryology with molecular approaches,
- can independently perform and document immunocytochemical staining, in vitro fertilization or maceration experiments.
Elective Module 11: Special Animal Physiology (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 12
Learning Outcome: Students
- know regulatory mechanisms of animal physiology and their special adaptations,
- know methods for protein determination and for measurement of enzyme activities,
- can analyse chronophysiological processes.
Elective Module 12: Adaptation of Animals to Habitats (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 1
Learning Outcome: The students
- recognise the diversity of marine ecosystems, their sensitivity and their importance to humans,
- know the fauna of aquatic and terrestrial habitats,
- know the determining factors for the species composition of these habitats.
Elective Module 13: Cell Physiology (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 2
Learning Outcome: Students
- understand cell physiological mechanisms in cells, tissues and organisms,
- can apply cell physiological principles practically,
- can apply sterile and cell culture techniques to perform basic molecular biology methods
in cell physiology.
Elective Module 14: Microscopy, Imaging and Image Analysis in Biology (7,5 ECTS-AP, 5 SSt.)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 2
Learning Outcome: Students
- understand the structure and operation of modern microscopes,
- can understand the basic imaging steps,
- can extract and analyse data from images,
- can process images and data for various publication formats.
Elective Module 15: Techniques in Microbiology (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 15
Learning Outcome: Students can
- plan, carry out and evaluate microbiological experiments independently and observing all safety aspects
- apply various methods to cultivate, inhibit, quantify and decimate microorganisms as they are relevant in professional practice.
Elective Module: Medical Microbiology (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: none
Learning Outcome: Students
- know essential aspects of diagnostics, therapy and prevention of human infectious diseases,
- the importance of an intact biocoenosis of man with his microorganisms, the human microbiome,
- recognise the link between targeted hygiene measures and the prevention of disease and product contamination.
Elective Module 17: Applied Microbiology (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 15
Learning Outcome: Students
- know the theoretical background and essential experimental methods for the Investigation of a selected biotechnological process,
- can critically reflect and discuss the chosen topic of microbial biotechnology.
Elective Module 18: Molecular Biotechnology (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 15
Learning Outcome: Students
- can define the relationship between phenotype and genotype of a microorganism,
- can use selected examples to identify and analyse biotechnologically interesting gene,s
- understand how the biotechnological potential of microorganisms can be assessed and optimized.
Elective Module 19: Ecology of Microorganisms (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
Prerequisites for registration: none
Learning Outcome: Students
- understand interactions between microorganisms and their relation to other organisms and to the environment,
- understand material cycles and the importance of microbial biodiversity,
- know microbiological investigation methods for soils and other habitats.
Elective Module 20: Current Topics in Microbiology (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 15
Learning Outcome: Students can
- develop and present the state of knowledge on a current research topic,
- discuss the topic from a scientific and social perspective,
- plan, conduct and evaluate laboratory experiments on the topic.
Elective Module 21: Basics of Ecology (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 1
Learning Outcome: Students
- can present and explain the diversity, the ecological demands, the annidation and function of selected native habitats and put this knowledge into practice,
- have an overview of important methods of data analysis in current ecological research and have a basic understanding of the use of different software products.
Elective Module 22: Applied Ecology (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 1
Learning Outcome: Students
- know the ecological basics for the management of ecosystems in theory and practice,
- know methods, tools and guidelines for the investigation, assessment and management of habitats and landscapes,
- understand complex relationships in the field of conflict ecology - sustainable use nature and water protection ¿ forestry and agriculture.
Elective Module 23: Functional Ecology (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 1
Learning Outcome: Students have
- an overview of relationships between organisms and material cycles,
- advanced knowledge of the influence of abiotic and biotic environmental factors on individuals, populations and communities,
- learned basic methodological knowledge on functional ecology issues.
Elective Module 24: Ecological Field Project (7,5 ECTS-AP, 5 SSt.)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 1 and 9
Learning Outcome: Students can
- design an experimental strategy on ecological issues,
- acquire appropriate measurement methods,
- collect and evaluate measurement data,
- present the results in the form of a lecture,
- present the project in a structured manner in a scientific report.
Elective Module 25: Ecology of Selected Organisms and Ecosystems (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 1
Learning Outcome: Students can
- recognise, describe and explain the organisms and ecosystems worked with,
- practically implement their acquired approach to groups of organisms and ecosystems and they can independently work out knowledge about other groups of organisms and ecosystems in the future.
Elective Module 26: Diversity and Evolution of Genomes (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 1 and 11
Learning Outcome: Students
- have advanced knowledge of the evolutionary mechanisms and processes involved in
forming and modifying genomes of pro- and eukaryotes,
- recognise the differences in the evolution of pro- and eukaryotic genomes,
- know basic methods for analysing processes of genome evolution.
Elective Module 27: Advanced Molecular Biology (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 11
Learning Outcome: Students
- know complex current molecular biological methods and
- can apply them practically.
Elective Module 28: Human Biology and Biomedicine (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
Prerequisites for registration: none
Learning Outcome: Students
- know the organisation of DNA in the nucleus as well as special aspects of gene and transcriptional regulation,
- have knowledge in methods of protein purification and peptide synthesis as well as in the fields of structure prediction and analysis of proteins,
- know specific aspects of cell cycle regulation and tumour biology,
- know the pathophysiology of selected human diseases and the theoretical foundations of therapeutic approaches.
Elective Module 29: Cell Biology and Cell Culture (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 9
Learning Outcome: Students
-master the sterile work with human and murine cells (cell culture),
- can apply molecular biological methods to manipulate cells and to analyse selected aspects of cell biology.
Elective Module 30: Genomics and Digital Biology (7,5 ECTS-AP, 5 SSt.)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 9 and 11
Learning Outcome: Students
- understand strategies of genome-wide analyses,
- know basic principles of bioinformatics and apply them,
- can understand and interpret results of single-cell biology and big data biology,
- understand machine learning concepts,
- are able to perform and interpret complex bioinformatic analyses of omics datasets.
Elective Module 31: Advanced Biochemistry (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of elective module 2
Learning Outcome: Students
- understand the basics of enzyme kinetics and inhibition as well as their practical applications in medicine and related fields,
- understand the most important principles and applications of protein biochemistry and
protein analysis,
- can independently determine the kinetic properties of an unknown enzyme as well as the inhibitory potential of selected inhibitor molecules,
- can independently apply protein analysis techniques.
Elective Module 32: Developmental Genetics of Vertebrates (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 11
Learning Outcome: Students
- understand the embryonic development of vertebrates,
- are able to apply developmental biological methods on the basis of specific questions.
Elective Module 33: Gender Aspects in Biology throughout the Course of History (7,5 ECTS-AP, 5 SSt.)
Prerequisites for registration: none
Learning Outcome: Students
- are aware of gender-specific aspects in the natural sciences and their causes,
- know possible solution strategies and can work on new ones,
-understand the discrimination of women in science in the course of the history of science.
COURSES
Elective Module 34: Interdisciplinary Skills I (7,5 ECTS-Credits)
Prerequisites for registration: The registration requirements specified in the respective curricula must be met.
Learning Outcome: This module serves the expansion of the study programme and the acquisition of additional qualifications.
Providing the availability of places, courses corresponding to 7.5 ECTSCredits
may be taken from the Bachelor¿s and/or Diploma programmes at
the University of Innsbruck
COURSES
Elective Module 34: Interdisciplinary Skills II (2,5 ECTS-AP)
Prerequisites for registration: The registration requirements specified in the respective curricula must be met.
Learning Outcome: This module serves the expansion of the study programme and the acquisition of additional qualifications.
Providing the availability of places, courses corresponding to 2.5 ECTSCredits
may be taken from the Bachelor¿s and/or Diploma programmes at
the University of Innsbruck. It is particularly recommended to take courses
considering gender aspects and subject-specific results in women¿s and gender
research.
Elective Module 36: Specialised Topics in Biology I (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 SSt.)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory modules 1, 2 and 9
Learning Outcome: In this module, which is occasionally offered by guest lecturers, students gain insights into biological subdisciplines.
Elective Module 37: Specialised Topics in Biology II (5 ECTS-Credits, 4 h)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 1 and 2
Learning Outcome: In this module, which is occasionally offered by guest lecturers, students gain insights into biological subdisciplines.
Elective Module 38: Specialised Topics in Biology III (2,5 ECTS-Credits, 2 h)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory module 1 and 2
Learning Outcome: In this module, which is occasionally offered by guest lecturers, students gain insights into biological subdisciplines.
Elective Module 39: Specialised Topics in Biology IV (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory modules 1, 2 and 9
Learning Outcome: In this module, which is occasionally offered by guest lecturers, students gain insights into biological subdisciplines.
Elective Module 40: Specialised Topics in Biology V (7,5 ECTS-Credits, 5 h)
(no courses)
Prerequisites for registration: successful completion of compulsory modules 1, 2 and 9
Learning Outcome: In this module, which is occasionally offered by guest lecturers, students gain insights into biological subdisciplines
Notes:
- There may still be changes in the courses offered as well as room allocation and course dates.
- The course descriptions found in the English version of the course catalogue are for informational purposes only. Authoritative information can be found in the "Vorlesungsverzeichnis" (German version of the course catalogue).