Description of the programme
MARSYS connects the research fields of Biological Oceanography (BO) and Fisheries Science (FS) and hence offers a unique combination of basic and applied marine science in Germany. Students will learn basic knowledge in both of these fields, with the possibility for specialization in advanced coursework in the programme. The combination of BO and FS embraces the recent trend in marine ecology where basic ecological and applied questions are not dealt with in isolation.
In Biological Oceanography, students will acquire knowledge on the role of lower trophic levels and the influence of physical and climate forcing on the dynamics of marine ecosystems.
In Fisheries Science, students will acquire knowledge on the role of exploited fish populations in marine ecosystems under the influence of climate and commercial exploitation.
IHF is part of the “Center for Marine and Atmospheric Science” and the German Science Foundation Excellence-Center on climate research (CLISAP). This additionally allows the consideration of global climate change into research on the functioning of marine ecosystems as a basis for a modern ecosystem-based management.
MARSYS uses the involvement of IHF within the international marine research landscape. The long-term goal is to establish strategic cooperation with similar foreign Master-Programmes (e.g. University of Aarhus in Denmark), i.e. mutual exchange and approval of courses. The special module “Individual career preparation” can be used by students to visit and study at foreign institutions with the goal of gaining both experience and professional networking. By this mechanism, students can benefit from the IHF contacts and ongoing research collaborations with institutions in Europe and North America. Additionally, students can conduct short stays in national and international organisations such as the Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
Job opportunities
Due to the combination of basic and applied research, MARSYS offers a broad spectrum of future job perspectives. Besides research (e.g. at universities and large research facilities) the degree provides applied skills attractive for employers in applied institutions (e.g. ministries, international organisations) as well as in economic fields. Important skills provided include (i) knowledge in data management/analysis, (ii) modern biochemical techniques, and (iii) use of state-of-the-art technical equipment including field gears such as a Video Plankton-Recorder and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).
Study course
MARSYS comprises 4 category groups:
| 1 | Labmethods in BO & FS | Introduction to BO & FS | Systematics & biodiversity of marine life |
Softskills 1 | ||
| S+V+P: 9 LP | S+V: 6 LP | V+VS+V+ÜS: 12 LP | V+Ü: 3 LP | |||
| 2 | Fieldmethods in BO & FS | Theoretical BO & FS | Biochemical ecology |
Plankton & climate |
Softskills 2 | |
| S+V+P: 6 LP | S+V: 3 LP | |||||
| Population dynamics of exploited ressources |
Ecosystem management & environmental policy |
|||||
| S+V+P: 9 LP | S+V+Ü: 9 LP | V+Ü: 6 LP | S+V: 3 LP | V+Ü: 3 LP | ||
| 3 | Advanced BO | Ecosystem modelling | Project study | Individual career preparation | ||
| S+V: 6 LP | S+V+Ü: 6 LP | |||||
| Advanced FS | Ecophysiology & aquaculture | |||||
| S+V: 6 LP | S+V+P: 6 LP | 12 LP | S+Ü: 6 LP | |||
| 4 | Master thesis | |||||
| 30 LP | ||||||
Application and contact
General information on the MARSYS programme at the University of Hamburg, Department of Biology is available here:
http://www.uni-hamburg.de/biologie/Studienbuero.html
MARSYS starts every winter term and the application period is between 1st June to 15th July. For detailed information on MARSYS and the institute please contact
Prof. Dr. Christian Möllmann
Institut für Hydrobiologie und Fischereiwissenschaft
Grosse Elbstrasse 133
22767 Hamburg
+49 40 42838 6621
christian.moellmann~AT~uni-hamburg.de
