Behaviour: From Neural Mechanisms to Evolution

Overview

Degree: Master of Science
Duration: 4 semesters
Course Start: Winter semester
Restrictions: With NC 1
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Contents of the subject Behaviour: From Neural Mechanisms to Evolution

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Contact persons

Student Counselling Service
Beratung durch Studierende der jeweiligen Fachrichtung
Academic Student Counselling Service
Beratung durch Lehrende zu Studienangebot und Inhalten des jeweiligen Studienfachs
General Student Advisory Service
First point of contact for general academic advice, personalised study guidance, and psychological counselling
Interdisciplinary Approach
The “Behavior: From Neural Mechanisms to Evolution” program combines neurophysiological and behavioral ecological perspectives. This enables students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms that influence behavior at the neural and evolutionary levels.

Computational and Experimental Methods
A key feature of the program is the integration of computational and experimental approaches. Students learn how behavior is generated through complex neural computations, leading to a deep understanding of how the nervous system functions.

International Focus The program is taught in English and welcomes international students. This international focus promotes exchange and collaboration with fellow students from different countries and cultures.

Focus on Evolution
The program examines how brain function and behavior have been shaped by evolutionary processes. This focus on the evolutionary aspects of behavior opens up new perspectives for students on the development of organisms and their interactions with the environment.

Diverse Fields of Application
By combining neurophysiological, computational, and evolutionary approaches, the program prepares students for a broad spectrum of fields of application that are significant in both research and industry.
The program opens up a wide range of career opportunities in various fields, such as:

Research: This degree qualifies graduates for careers in academic research, where knowledge of neural mechanisms and behavior can be applied to generate new scientific insights.

Biotechnology: Graduates can pursue careers in biotechnology, where they can apply their skills in analyzing behavior and neural processes to the development of new technologies.

Environmental and Conservation Science: In the field of environmental and conservation science, knowledge of behavior and evolution is crucial for developing strategies to preserve species and habitats.

Healthcare: In the healthcare sector, graduates can work in behavioral research to investigate neurological disorders and develop therapies that target patients’ behavior.

Teaching and Education: This degree also opens up opportunities in the education sector, particularly in the teaching of biology and psychology, where an understanding of behavior and neural mechanisms can be imparted.

English-language course

This course is an English-language degree programme that can only be studied entirely in English. This degree programme is not available in German. Further information and advice can be found on the website of the subject Behaviour: From Neural Mechanisms to Evolution and on the information page on international courses at Bielefeld University.

Access to the Master programme is granted to those who can provide evidence that they have a first university degree which has a standard period of study of at least six semesters, qualifies for exercising a profession and is in accordance with the subject-specific regulations.

In any case, please read the specific Admission requirements for this Masters programme in the Subject-specific regulations (PDF).
Degrees from accredited Bachelor programmes at German ‘Berufsakademien’ are equivalent to Bachelor degrees from universities.

Applicants with a university degree obtained abroad are granted access provided that the degree they have acquired is deemed sufficient for this purpose and they can provide evidence of the required language skills.
Further information on the application process for prospective international students and the language requirements.

Special conditions apply to applicants with a foreign certificate of education.

Course start

Studies can be commenced only in winter semester.

Length and scope of studies

The standard period of studies is 4 semesters. Information on studying part time.

The studies Behaviour: From Neural Mechanisms to Evolution comprise 120 credit points.

The study places for this degree programme are subject to local admission restrictions (numerus clausus). You need to apply within the currently applicable application deadlines.

As soon as you receive a positive response in the application and status portal (notice of access from the faculty) and receive your admission notice from the Student Office, you can submit your application for enrolment within the set deadline.

Step by step to a Master programme with NC

Special conditions apply to applicants with a foreign certificate of education.

Application deadline reminder

To the application portal

You will find the programme of lectures for this course in the eKVV.

An overview of the introductory and information events is provided by the central student counselling services.

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The information on admission restrictions / numerus clausus (NC) refers to applications for the winter semester 2026/27 and summer semester 2027.
Information on NC values from previous years
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