A warm welcome!
The Chair of History and Philosophy of Sciences is located in the centre of Jena (Berggasse 7), in the Ernst Haeckel House.
How and in what historical contexts did groundbreaking scientific discoveries take place? How do cultural and political developments shape our knowledge of nature and the human being? What consequences do scientific and technological innovations have for society?
The master’s programme teaches knowledge about science in the past and present. It addresses students from the STEM fields as well as from the humanities and social sciences. You will acquire extensive knowledge of the history of various scientific fields from the early modern period to the present day. You will also deal with scientific theory and ethical issues related to science and technology. In addition, you will learn a variety of historical, theoretical and methodological approaches that will enable you to investigate complex problems regarding the relationship between science, technology and society. You will gain insights into the global knowledge society. In times of profound ecological and socio-political upheaval these insights are more in demand than ever before!
The Chair of History and Philosophy of Natural Sciences is based in the 19th century old “Ernst-Haeckel-Haus”. Small student numbers allow for individual supervision of students and an intensive exchange between students and teaching staff.
Students of the humanities and social sciences can take courses in a natural science discipline in one module. Students of natural sciences can familiarize themselves with methods and topics of another social science or humanities discipline in one module. In addition, we cooperate with various regional, national and international teaching and research institutions in the field of history of science.
We encourage students at an early stage to work on questions that are of interest for them and to set individual research priorities.
Knowledge of archives, collections and exhibitions, which is taught on the course, can be expanded through internships (e. g. in publishing houses, museums, libraries or foundations).
Feel free to check the reviews of our students on StudyCHECKExternal link
The Master’s degree qualifies for an academic career as well as for jobs that require interdisciplinary skills and reflection on knowledge and science.
Areas of employment for graduates include:
A variety of research projects of the Chair of History and Philosophy of Science and the university of Jena offer graduates opportunities to pursue doctoral research. Accompanying programs for doctoral candidates are provided by the Graduate Academy of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena.
For this master's programme you need a subject-specific undergraduate degree or an equivalent degree (minimum 6 semesters/180 ECTS-Credits) in Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Computer Science or Technology (MINT) or Humanities and Social Sciences with above-average final grade (CGPA).
Your CV should have a tabular form, containing key information on your school record and academic career.
A motivation letter should not exceed the size of two DIN A4-pages and normally, it should contain information on your motivation for taking up this course of studies. You should elaborate on the following essential questions:
Please upload at the online application system your university entrance certificate/school leaving certificate. Usually, this means the school graduation diploma (German "Abitur"), i.e. the diploma that makes you eligible for studies at an University or other institution for higher education. Be mindful of the fact that here, we do not need any University diploma but a High School diploma!
All previous University degrees (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.) if available before the application deadline - if not, please make a note of the anticipated date of issue of your degree certificate. Please upload your University degree or the most actual, detailed transcript of records/ mark sheet of all semesters available to you, should you not hold your degree certificate at the time of application. The main document is the degree/ transcript based on which you apply for the master programme.
Detailed transcript of records/ mark sheet of your first, subject-specific University degree, with which you apply for the master's programme. This transcript MUST contain an overall cumulative grade point average or average mark.
Should you have obtained subject-specific work experience, you can upload corresponding certificates in order to support your application.
Should you have obtained subject-specific practical experience (e.g. by internships etc.), you can upload corresponding certificates in order to support your application.
For this master's programme the following language proficiencies are required:
Respective language courses can be attended at the language centre of the Friedrich-Schiller University.
For German taught master's programmes, i.e. programmes with (predominantly) German as language of instruction, a sufficient German language proficiency proof is mandatory.
The Friedrich Schiller University Jena accepts the following certificates as German language proficiency proof exclusively:
Please note: We strongly recommend that you provide the required German language proof at the time of applying.
You have not yet taken the DSH exam, the TestDaF or another equivalent exam (see above) or have not yet received the test result? Then please do the following:
The following applicants are exempted from providing proof of their German language skills:
Every mandatory application document from foreign/external countries must also be available in either English OR German translation. Such a translation has to be conducted by officially acknowledged/ sworn translators or translation offices.
External/foreign degree certificates/ transcripts of records must contain information on the grading system (= description of the maximum grade possible and the minimum passing grade) used at the respective University.
Applicants with degrees from India, Vietnam or China must submit the original APS-certificate issued by the German Embassy.
Applicants from the following countries must submit a certificate of their university entrance examination/college entrance examination:
Berggasse 7
07743 Jena
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Berggasse 7
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Neugasse 24
07743 Jena
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Bachstraße 18 k (1.OG)
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
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Office hours:
Telephone consultation:
Tuesday - Thursday
10 am - 11 am
Personal consultation:
Tuesday - Thursday
2 pm - 3 pm
Live chat:
mondays and fridays
10 am - 12 noon
Ticket enquiries via Service Desk at:
www.uni-jena.de/service-msz
Postal address:
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Master Service Centre (MSZ)
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Video chat:
To the video chat – Zoom
Videochat ZeitenTuesday - Thursday
3:15 pm - 4 pm
Password Master
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Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link