Universität Fribourg Course offerings

Designed jointly with the University of Neuchâtel and in partnership with the universities of Burgundy, Franche-Comté and Strasbourg, the Master's programme in Archaeology gives students the opportunity to be part of an intercantonal, cross-border network that offers a broad choice of courses and practical work placements from the outset. At the same time as they study a common core of teaching, comprising theory and practice (interdisciplinary approaches, methodology, epistemology, research techniques, work placements), candidates specialise in one of the main periods dealt with in archaeology: – Prehistory and protohistory (Neuchâtel); – Archaeology of the ancient world (Neuchâtel and Fribourg).
The Master's programme in Archaeology provides training in: routine excavation activities (practical work, study trips, fieldwork placements as well as work placements in museums or laboratories), the principles of data analysis and interpretation, the links with other disciplines (philology, ancient history, ethnology, art history, museology), epistemological and theoretical aspects and, lastly, building bridges between archaeological research and the non-academic world (lectures, exhibitions, events, principles of communication, etc.).

The Master's programme in Art History offers specialised training in Art History over a broad time span, ranging from Art History and Classical Archaeology to History of Contemporary Art. The particularity of this Master's course is that it considers examples of artistic creativity from several angles using the most recent methods to provide an anthropological, sociological and mediological perspective.
This programme is taught partly in French and partly in German. Students must take modules in both languages, which will vary from course to course, but they can prepare their presentation, coursework and exams in the language of their choice (in either French or German).

The Department of Biology of the Faculty of Science offers a multidisciplinary Master's programme with four different orientations: Biochemistry, Ecology and Evolution, Animal Molecular Life Sciences and Plant and Microbial Sciences. An agreement with the Universities of Bern and Neuchâtel allows students to take elective courses in both institutions as well. Master's students are integrated in research teams and have the opportunity to experience all aspects of the life of a research scientist, gaining extensive experience in academic research. They will also have the possibility to participate in teaching practical courses and other assisting activities.

Chemistry is a science on how are atoms arranged in molecules, materials and in living organisms, and, even more importantly, how do they rearrange and thus make up for nearly all the processes of every day life.
During the first year at Master's level, four modules are chosen from the following: Advanced organic chemistry, Analytical chemistry, Advanced synthetic tools, Advanced inorganic chemistry, Materials, Polymers and Industrial chemistry. Half the study programme is also devoted to laboratory work and acquiring the capacity to synthesize compounds, characterize their properties, and determine the structure of unknown compounds. Depending on the choice of modules, students acquire the command of advanced synthetic, analytic, spectroscopic, theoretical or industrial tools. The final six months consist of a Master's thesis, carried out on creative research in one of the Chemistry Department's research groups.

The University of Fribourg's Master programme in Communication and Media Research offers a comprehensive overview of theories, research fields and topical developments in the media and communication sector. This Master programme provides a multi-faceted, problem-oriented and internationally comparative study of the interplay between media, society, organisations and individuals. Moreover, according to their own preferences and interests, our students are given the opportunity to specialise in one of three core areas that will also be noted on their diploma: «Media, Politics and the Economy», «Journalism and Organisational Communication», «Media Use and Effects».

The University of Fribourg is the only university in Switzerland to offer the possibility of studying Comparative Literature in two languages. The bilingual programme of studies in German and French deals with the interactions of different literatures in an international context.
In General Literature, students acquire the academic instruments to analyse literary texts and address fundamental questions on literature.
Comparative Literature is concerned with comparing works and authors from different linguistic and cultural areas. In Intermedial Comparative Literature, students explore the interactions between literature and other media.
Practice-oriented courses (e.g. on translations or work with manuscripts), interdisciplinary meetings and cultural events from other areas round off the range of courses offered.

This study programme is part of the Swiss Joint Master in Computer Science jointly offered by the Universities of Fribourg, Bern and Neuchâtel, providing students with a unique multilingual and multicultural learning environment. Students work closely with one or more research groups of the three participating institutes. Students can create a personalized curriculum from courses, seminars and internships offered by the three. Teaching units are grouped into tracks reflecting different profiles in computer science. Most courses are taught in English, although some may be offered in only French or German. The programme can be completed in three full-time semesters. Personalized part-time curriculums are also available.

The University of Fribourg is one of the only universities in Switzerland to offer a Master's programme in Contemporary History. You will study the political, social and cultural history of the 19^th and 20^th centuries with a focus on post-1945. Geographically, the programme is centered around Swiss and European contemporary history. The Fribourg Master in Contemporary History is research based. The Master brings multi-disciplinarity together with bilingualism and includes approaches of neighbouring social and cultural disciplines, such as European Studies, Social Anthropology and Science of Religions. A large number of teaching staff and researchers cover a broad variety of topics. You can take the Master in German, French and bilingually in German and French with a «mention bilingue» in the diploma.

This interdisciplinary Master programme is unique in Switzerland. It offers original and innovative training that combines the disciplines of sociology, social anthropology and religious studies. It aims to study developments in diverse and globalised societies resulting from socio-economic changes, the transformation of nation-states and population mobility. Students acquire the knowledge and skills to explain changes in the political, legal and religious spheres and to understand recent developments in social relations. The programme offers three options. Students select one option upon registering for the course: 1. Social and Cultural Dynamics: this option studies the rules and challenges of «living together» and diversity in all its dimensions (social, cultural, economic, political, etc.), equipping students with the skills to manage these issues in their future careers; 2. Political and Normative (Dis)order: in this option students address a wide range of contemporary issues focused on politics, norms and law; 3. Religion and Society: this option investigates and analyses religion as a defining element of contemporary societies from an interdisciplinary Religious Studies perspective.
This course of study, which promotes field research and unique learning experiences, can be taken in French, German or both languages to obtain the «Bilingual Curriculum» distinction.

The Master's programme in Eastern European Studies is a multilingual interfaculty, interuniversity programme offered by the Universities of Fribourg and Berne.
Students attend classes at both universities. Seminars are also regularly held by researchers from Eastern European countries. The languages of instruction are German, French and English. The syllabus consists of lectures on contemporary history, cultural studies (Slavic studies and cultural philosophy), political science and social anthropology. The focus is on the 20^th century and on current issues. Students learn at least one of the region's languages during their course of study.
The Interfaculty Institute for Central and Eastern Europe at the University of Fribourg has numerous contacts to lecturers and researchers from the region. The Institute's research projects and mandates give students ample opportunity to put what they have learned into practice.

If you are interested in teaching psychology and education in academic upper secondary schools, this master's degree programme will enable you to present an overall view of both these disciplines and their specific features. In doing so, you will be helping the pupils to choose a line of study, and also to gain a better understanding of how the individual functions as a child, as a teenager, and as an adult, and the risks associated with these periods of life.
The course, which is divided equally between classes and seminars on psychology and teaching in educational sciences, will allow you to broaden the knowledge you acquired during your bachelor's degree. You can choose this programme either as a minor or major. Moreover, you can take the course in French, in German or bilingually, which will considerably strengthen your employability.
If you have only studied one of these disciplines at the bachelor level, you will need to do a pre-master's course to catch up the required level in the other subject.

The Master of Educational Sciences programme consists of the base course and one core study area. In the base course, the students take a module aimed at developing their research skills and a themed module on current challenges in academic and social education.
Students have a choice of five electives for their core study area: «Innovation in Education and Training», «Intercultural and Comparative Education», «Globalisation and Education», «Early Childhood Education and Child Research», «Education/Psychology».
The «Education/Psychology» elective is taught jointly by the departments of Educational Sciences and Psychology.

Over the four semesters, the study programme involves a broad-based approach in which most students work on all of the subdisciplines of English, with an option to study one field in depth – British or American literature, Medieval literature, or Linguistics. Interdisciplinary work is a key aspect of studies in the Department and there are intensive weekend seminars for some classes during which students and professors meet in a congenial setting to investigate a subject in detail. The study programme culminates with the writing of an original thesis in a field of the student's choice. Students can participate in research colloquia and explore their ideas in a setting of peers. The department has extensive and up-to-date physical and electronic library resources.

Ethics and Economics have one domain in common: the question of justice in commercial and non-commercial relations. The interdisciplinary course set up jointly by the Institute of Ethics and Human Rights and the Department of Economics is the only one of its kind in Switzerland. It offers students the requisite methods and elements for reflection for a practical approach to ethical issues in the two domains of governance (private and public) and sustainable development.
This Master's degree unit is open to students from all the Faculties. The course also falls under the aegis of the UNESCO Chair of Human Rights and Democracy, based at the Interdisciplinary Institute for Ethics and Human Rights (IIEDH – Institut interdisciplinaire d'éthique et des droits de l'homme).

This programme aims to provide comprehensive knowledge of contemporary Europe focusing on historical, political and cultural aspects. Taking an interdisciplinary, academic, critical perspective, the Master in European Studies at the University of Fribourg offers a wide range of courses and scientific approaches, raising important questions about Europe's integration process, and presenting current political ideas and issues, with an emphasis on the role of the actors who, for more than fifty years, have worked unceasingly for European unity.
Alongside the basic study modules, the specialisation programme includes two interdisciplinary options: the first focuses on the social and historical aspects of contemporary Europe (economics, law, history, social sciences), and the second on the European cultural space (languages and literatures, theology, philosophy, art history and musicology).
Most courses are taught either in French or German, or bilingually. There are a few teachings in English.

The Master programme «French as a foreign language/French as a second language» (FLE/FLS) focuses on consolidation of the didactic and linguistic aspects of language learning and FLE/FLS teaching in a multilingual context. Students learn to master empirical research methods, enabling them to analyse language development, communication and intercultural skills, and the role of interaction in an educational context. They also learn how to analyse language learning and teaching material, as well as assessment tools, methods and curricula, to scrutinise them critically and adapt them in accordance with the context.

The minor study programme consists of a common core of two modules with 15 ECTS credits each. In one module candidates study the use of advanced methodology in literature (1 lecture and 2 seminars) and in the other the use of advanced methodology in linguistics (2 seminars).

The Master minor study programme or specialisation programme with a thematic focus on «Gender, Society, Social Policy» provides students with the theoretical and methodological foundations of gender studies and enables them to analyse gender relationships in their social and cultural context. For later professional practice, this means that students can critically follow and question social developments with regard to gender relations. They should also be able to understand and critically scrutinise research with regards to the category gender and be able to independently apply concepts of gender studies in their own scientific work.

Tuned to current environmental issues, this Master's programme enables students to understand and assess environmental systems and the relationship between nature and society. After studying a core module dealing with conceptual and theoretical bases, students choose a specialisation: either physical geography, which covers topics such as the cryosphere, glaciology or alpine geomorphology; or human geography, which explores subjects such as political ecology and management of natural resources along with their political and social dimensions.
Students have a broad choice of seminars and conference cycles, as well as field work. The students also participate in research teams, notably in the context of their Master's thesis. The Unit of Geography is of human dimensions, which means that it is able to offer quality teaching and mentoring, with a genuinely professional qualification as the outcome.

In the Master's programme, students can concentrate on key aspects of German language and literature corresponding to their interests within the three fields of study: German linguistics, German medieval studies and German literary studies.
In linguistics they gain insight into current research through project-oriented seminars; the main topics are research in language acquisition and variation, as well as a dialectology that is oriented toward sociolinguistics and perceptual linguistics.
In medieval studies, literature from the Middle Ages is considered in conjunction with developments in society, its stores of knowledge, modes of thought and media technology. International graduate meetings, medieval manuscript studies and an interdisciplinary supplementary programme enrich the studies.
In German literary studies, the students deal with literary texts and narratives across all media, beginning in the 16^th century. Comparative issues and intermedial relationships are thereby afforded great importance.

At the heart of this Master's programme lies the question of how the German language is learned and imparted as a foreign or second language within the context of multilingualism. Students learn to analyse the development of linguistic, communicative and intercultural competences as well as aspects of interaction in teaching. And they learn to relate these concepts to practice. The Master programme also includes class visits and practical experience in the mentoring of learners. In addition, students have the possibility of focusing on individual areas, for example, in the areas of Multilingualism and Multilingual Language Teaching Research or German as a second language/migration.
The bilingual University of Fribourg is the only university in Switzerland that offers this Master's programme. Moreover, the study programme benefits from the close contacts with the Research Centre on Multilingualism.

This Master programme broadens students' Greek language skills and enhances their knowledge of the culture and literature of Greek antiquity. It further encompasses the lasting influence of this heritage through the centuries of Late Antiquity and the Byzantine period.
The study programme consists of a common core made up of a literature course, a reading course and two seminars on Greek language and culture. A practical workshop gives students the opportunity to learn the basics of scientific research and do hands-on training in areas such as papyrology, palaeography, codicology and text edition.

The Master programme in History at the University of Fribourg combines comprehensive historical knowledge with a focus on individual eras and themes. Students specialise in two of the following eras: ancient history, the Middle Ages, modern times and contemporary history. They write a thesis based on these two chosen periods as a result of their independent research.
The programme is rounded off with survey courses covering more than one era which serve to consolidate methodical skills. Students are also invited to attend application and career-orientated events, which focus on work in archives, libraries, companies, political and legal institutions and non-profit organisations.

The Master's programme comprises a first group of classes in information management and decision support, a second group in computer science, and a third group of optional classes in management. Students can create their personalized curriculum. In these groups, they have full access to the Swiss Joint Master in Computer Science, a programme jointly offered by the Universities of Fribourg, Bern and Neuchâtel. Over 60 courses are available, most of which are taught in English. Practice-orientation is incorporated in the topics addressed (e-business, e-commerce, e-government, supply chain management, revenue management, etc). It is also reflected in the internship at a company or other institution required as an integral part of the curriculum. Finally, the Master's thesis is typically completed on a problem in connection with a practical application.

The Master of Arts in interreligious Studies offers broad-based advanced training in religion, its role and its evolution throughout history and society. Special attention is focused on Christianity, interreligious and intercultural dialogues and self-reflection in other religions.
The main programme is currently being offered in German or as part of a bilingual programme (German and French), in which case the resulting degree will carry the distinction «Bilingual curriculum, French/German».

The Master's programm in Italian develops the characteristic traits of the University of Fribourg's teaching methods, using philological research and formalist criticism. Two areas of study are offered: - Literary tradition based on textual research on both the historical and stylistic dimension of literature; - The different aspects of Italian culture, which are well represented in the range of courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. In particular, intense consideration of texts and subjects in the field of Humanism and Renaissance, on the one hand, and the modern and contemporary fields on the other is pursued and encouraged.
The Master's programme provides teaching specifically in the literary field and offers access to the multitude of cultural aspects related to everything that Italy represents, in an interdisciplinary context that encourages links with the fields of history, art history, philosophy and musicology.

This Master programme broadens students' Latin language skills and enhances their knowledge of the culture and literature of Latin antiquity. It further encompasses the lasting influence of this heritage through the centuries of Late Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
The study programme consists of a common core made up of a literature course, a reading course and two seminars on Latin language and culture. A practical workshop gives students the opportunity to learn the basics of scientific research and do hands-on training in areas such as papyrology, palaeography, codicology and text edition.

This Master's programme builds on the skills and knowledge acquired during the Bachelor studies in management. The choice of three out of seven modules allows students to personalise their study programme and to acquire expertise in many subjects, according to their individual preferences. In particular, management of non-profit organisations and European and Global Business are unique areas of specialisation offered by the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences in Fribourg. Optional classes provided by the Faculty or other faculties allow students to define more inter-disciplinary lessons in the fields of economics, information management, media and communication sciences, social sciences and law. The multilingual course offer makes this programme unique in Switzerland.

This Master programme builds on the skills and knowledge acquired during the Bachelor studies in management. The choice of three out of seven modules allows students to personalise their study programme and to acquire a specialised expertise in several subjects, according to their individual preferences. In particular, management of non-profit organisations and European and Global Business are unique areas of specialisation offered by the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences in Fribourg. Students have the possibility to design their own studies with greater interdisciplinarity by choosing optional courses in other Faculty programmes in the fields of economics, information management, media and communication sciences, social sciences and law. The multilingual course offer makes our Faculty programme unique in Switzerland.

The study programme provides a high-level education in pure and applied mathematics and involves individualized curricula specializing in several domains of analysis, algebra and geometry, topology, statistics, numerical analysis or biomathematics. Previous course work can be extended in computer science, physics or economics. Master's level classes at the nearby universities of Bern and Neuchâtel are open to students registered at Fribourg and can be part of their curriculum. Activities from the «Swiss Doctoral Program in Mathematics» can equally be integrated into the course of study. The programme culminates in a Master's thesis under the supervision of a thesis advisor with a final presentation of the results.

The Middle Ages generally refers to the period of European cultures from the 5^th to the 15^th centuries. Interdisciplinary research into the heterogeneous and diverse culture of the European Middle Ages also serves to gain a deeper understanding of modern and contemporary developments.
Medieval Studies, an interdisciplinary minor study programme in the Master's degree course, is aimed at students majoring in a subject that focuses on the medieval period who wish to gain complementary or more advanced knowledge and skills in other, interdisciplinary fields of medieval civilisation. This course is run by the Medieval Institute of the University of Fribourg.

This Master's programme proposes an investigation of the techniques, methods and functions of historical and critical approaches to music in an interdisciplinary perspective. It is concerned with the relations between music and texts, between music and the stage, and music and the visual arts, particularly in the case of film music and opera production. The study programme also offers themed courses and seminars on musical analysis as related to different periods in the history of Western music.
During their Master's studies, students will follow courses and seminars partly in French and partly in German. They are encouraged to take an interest in the research and popularisation activities which are organised in their field of study. The various examinations can be taken in one of three languages: French, German or Italian. Students also have the possibility of writing their Master's thesis in one of the three languages.

The Master programme in philosophy allows students by its rigorous approach to deepen their understanding of the main issues and currents of Western philosophical tradition, from Antiquity to the contemporary period. An advanced programme is offered in the fields of Systematic Philosophy (metaphysics; epistemology; philosophy of language, of mind and of human sciences; ethics and political philosophy; aesthetics and philosophy of art) and History of Philosophy (ancient philosophy; medieval philosophy; modern and contemporary philosophy).
This programme is unique in Switzerland due to the richness and diversity of its methodological approach, to its broad systematic scope, to the optional possibility of bilingual studies and due to the particularly close ties existing at the department of philosophy in Fribourg between teaching and research activities.
Each semester, several international colloquia are organised and well-known philosophers from other Universities and countries invited to present their work. These activities allow students to get directly acquainted with central issues discussed in the ongoing international debate and to get into contact with researchers belonging to the international philosophical community.

At Master's level, this study programme in Physics provides students with advanced courses and starts the process of specialisation. About half of the courses are compulsory and of general interest, the other half consists of more specialised elective courses.
The Master's thesis will be supervised by an active researcher and initiates students to the frontiers of research, in the following subjects: Atomic physics, Electrons in solids, Soft matter and photonics, Theoretical interdisciplinary physics, Collective quantum phenomena and Nanosciences (Nanomaterials).
At the end of the programme, students will have learned how to apply their knowledge to do research projects and how to work independently or integrate into an interdisciplinary research team.

The Master's in Psychology aims to provide students with a deeper theoretical understanding of a number of domains in Psychology. You will gain knowledge of the principle scientific concepts and methodologies from several domains in Psychology, further understand the application of these concepts and methods in diverse settings (e.g. hospitals, organisations, schools, and research) and gain practical expertise. With this knowledge, on completing the Master's you will therefore be prepared to enter various fields in Psychology: Clinical, Health, Organisational, Educational, Neuropsychology and Human Factors and Ergonomics. The Master's also provides a sound base for beginning a PhD in Psychology, or collaborating in research projects. The teaching provision in the Master's is distinguished by the individual nature of the supervision provided for students. Class sizes remain small, while at the same time registrations for each subject are not restricted. The wide range of external contributors from research and applied domains also enriches the teaching and learning experience of the Master's.

The Master's degree programme in Slavic studies at the University of Fribourg offers the opportunity of intensive analysis of cultural developments and traditions in Russia and Poland. The emphasis is on the period from the 19^th to the 21^st century. Students examine literature, philosophy and cultural criticism with regard to their relevance for contemporary social constellations and current political tendencies. The languages of instruction are German and French. Seminars are also regularly held in Russian. There are frequent visits from guest lecturers from the Slavic region.
The University of Fribourg offers a wide range of Eastern European exchange programmes, research projects and academic and cultural events organised by various institutes. This gives our students the possibility of interdisciplinary exchange and a chance to broaden their academic and their personal horizons.

This Master's programme aims to develop a critical and scientific understanding of social and health issues and the conditions for their reasoned analysis. It teaches students how to draft appropriate action plans and implement more effective response programmes, training them to become analysts and stakeholders able to grasp complex social realities in the field of social and health policy. There is currently a worrying lack of experts, against a backdrop of a redefinition of social policies and, more broadly, of social cohesion mechanisms in each of the Swiss cantons to varying degrees.
Teaching is based both on sociological theoretical approaches and empirical contributions presented by specialists from various fields (politics, administration, business). The course is rounded off by a three-month (full-time) internship designed to immerse students in the professional reality of social and health work.

This Master's programme allows students to acquire knowledge in the four following fields: different types of Hispanic literature in their historical and cultural context and in terms of their mutual relationships; study of the Spanish language in its historical development and in its current varieties (Spain and Latin America); analysis of literary and linguistic modernity; documentation and research techniques.
Fribourg's specific teaching has an inter-cultural focus and a dual linguistic and philological perspective. It is the only university specialised in the latter.
The programme comprises four compulsory modules, two of which concern the historical perspective and two of which concern modernity.

This study programme in sport sciences is based on the idea that to understand the issues of the future in relation to sports and well-being through motor activity calls for more in-depth knowledge, notably in the fields of movement and training, as well as in neuropsychology and sports education.
The Master's programme thus gives students the opportunity to increase the depth and scope of their acquired knowledge and to pursue the specialisation ( «Teaching» or «Health and Research» ) that they chose during their Bachelor's degree.
The fact that this course of study is taught at the Medicine Section of the Faculty of Science and Medicine and the special emphasis on a «class-seminar/workshop» structure, as well as the partnership with the Swiss Federal Institute of Sports Magglingen (SFISM) mean that the underlying conditions for teaching and research in the field of sport sciences are extremely favourable.

In the context of a state university, theology makes a specific contribution to research: an intellectual, scientific and rational exploration of the Christian approach to the question of God, in particular from the perspective of the Catholic tradition. The other fields of study extend the theological line of thought by juxtaposing it with other ways of perceiving reality.
The richness of theology as a field of study encourages students to continue for another two years after their Bachelor's degree to complete a Master's degree (complete study programme, 120 ECTS credits). The Master's thesis gives students the opportunity to test their ability to produce a piece of personal academic research. Students are admitted to the degree of Master of Theology with Specialisation with a score of 60 of the total 120 ECTS credits in the chosen specialisation: 30 ECTS credits for the respective lectures and 30 ECTS credits for the thesis. Possible topics are, for example, the Christian Orient, interreligious dialogue, practical theology or the New Testament in its cultural and historical setting.