Nanosciences - Materials, Molecules and Cells

Interdisciplinarity? Why?

Even the discovery of the well-known helix structure of the genetic information, the DNA, was based on the collaboration of biologists (Watson), physicists (Crick and Wilkins) and chemists (Franklin). Today, interdisciplinary research is more important than ever. Modern biology would be unthinkable without its famous sidekicks biochemistry, biophysics or structural biology to name a few - and the interdisciplinary field of research continues to grow.

Our English-language master's degree program allows you to move between these scientific fields and to specialize in one of the most modern and sought-after sectors of science, nanotechnology. Nanosciences deal with particles and molecules in nanometer size. A nanometer, that is one billionth of a meter, infinitely small and yet so important for research and development.

The focus of this course is the quantitative, molecular and structural understanding of the functional organization of biomolecules in cells and organisms. During your studies you will have the opportunity to develop and establish new applications for biological systems. 

These interfaces of interdisciplinary research find their place in the CellNanOs. In the laboratories of this modern research building, physicists, chemists and biologists work on joint projects and are in close contact with each other to advance research and development. Master graduates can also do research and write their final theses here. During your studies, you have access to high-end microscopy technologies here accordingly, such as various two- and three-dimensional fluorescence microscopes and different types of electron microscopes. Furthermore, the CellNanOs also houses the Center for Mass Spectrometry. This provides you with a perfectly equipped infrastructure for your studies and your leap into higher academics or industry!

© Osnabrück University | Steffen Wolke-Hanenkamp

A biologist without physics or without chemistry is not much. To dive even deeper and understand biology from the other side, that really fascinated me. The interdisciplinary nanosciences module especially convinced me, because it was only then that I really understood how important interdisciplinarity is. This is especially important when you plan on working with complex microscopes and techniques. This course of study is very much oriented towards our modern research building, the CellNanOs, with the modern microscopy unit. So you should have some fascination for technology overall. In this case, it really allows you to see individual molecules, for example. I recommend this master's program if you are convinced that everything, biology, chemistry and physics, is connected.

Steffen, studies 'Nanosciences' in his second semester

Your studies - your choice!

In addition to the Major in Biology, you choose a Minor, a Secondary in Physics or Chemistry and thus create your ideal intersection between two major fields of science. Based on this combination, there are many modules available for you to choose from, allowing you to specialize individually. This way you are ready for the synthesis and development of novel materials or particles in physics and chemistry, which then lead to new insights into life in the biological system.

Your future is nano!

Thanks to its interdisciplinary education, the Nanosciences program will sufficiently prepare you in four semesters for a subsequent academic career such as a doctorate, but it is also an ideal stepping-stone for professional considering the ever faster growing nanotechnology market and the key role of nanotechnologies in the 21st century.