Within the Basel life science program, the Department of Environmental Sciences offers a comprehensive 1.5 year Master's course in Plant Science for graduates with a background in biology (B Sc in biology or equivalent). The cornerstone of this course is an individual research project in one of the areas of plant science of about one-year duration. The project ends with a written Master's thesis. The practical part is complemented by lectures, seminars, and excursions. The course builds upon the strength of the Department in the areas of physiological plant ecology, plant-microbe interactions, ecosystem sciences, and sustainable land use. The program benefits greatly from the leadership of the Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, a network integrating more than 600 scientists interested in plant science.

The Master of Science Drug Sciences provides theoretical and practical skills in the field of the discovery, development, and safety aspects of drugs. This Master's program is focused on a future career in industrial or academic research, product development, or in a regulatory agency. The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and its associates offer a comprehensive Master's course for students with a Bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical sciences. Students with a Bachelor's in a related field within the natural or medical sciences are also encouraged to apply. This course provides basic knowledge focusing on pharmacology and toxicology as well as on the drug discovery and development process. The curriculum was developed by a collaboration of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Basel in close collaboration with scientists from the Department of Biomedicine, the Basel-based life science industry, the Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology, and regulatory authorities.

This Master's degree is accredited, internationally recognised and paves the way for you both in the global business world and for PhD studies at international universities. The programme is interdisciplinary as well as modular. It combines sustainability and the circular economy with innovation, entrepreneurship, the right investment strategies and internationality. The focus lies on a holistic view of companies and society, of networking with experts and of scientific foundation.

The Specialized Master’s degree program in Infection Biology at the University of Basel is run by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), an internationally recognized center for public health excellence. Infection biology focuses on host-pathogen interactions and aims to understand the mechanisms through which viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites colonise their hosts and cause disease. Infection biologists study molecular, cellular, metabolic, or immunological aspects of pathogen biology and infection, try to elucidate mechanisms and evolution of drug resistance and immune evasion, or investigate dynamics of transmission and infection in the field. Knowledge gained from studying these and other aspects of infection biology provides the basis for the development of novel diagnostic tools, drugs, and vaccines for improved prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.