The Institute of Plant Sciences of the University of Bern comprises six sections that aim to carry out top level research and innovative teaching in all areas of plant biology. The research at the IPS covers plant ecology (Markus Fischer), plant nutrition (Urs Feller), plant genetics and development (Cris Kuhlemeier, Zerihun Tadele), tropical forest ecology (David M. Newbery), molecular physiology (Doris Rentsch), and paleoecology (Willy Tinner).

Independent as well as (external) associated groups work on complementary and linked areas, including systems biology (Richard Smith), grassland ecology (Andreas Stampfli), mycology (Beatrice Senn), and biodiversity and conservation biology (Christoph Scheidegger).

The Institute is responsible for teaching at all academic levels. During the first two years all biology students attend courses in Plant Biology and Plant Ecology. The Institute offers an attractive third year curriculum that leads to a B.Sc. in Plant Sciences.
Within the M.Sc. programs of the Department of Biology specializations in plant physiology/molecular biology (MSc Molecular Life Sciences) or plant ecology (MSc Ecology and Evolution) are available. These specializations allow the students to enrich their knowledge in biology with plant-specific aspects.
At the Ph.D. level the wide range of plant biology is reflected by the participation in different graduate programms: Molecular Life Sciences, Ecology and Evolution, Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, NCCR Graduate School “Plant Survival” and NCCR Graduate School “Climate”.

The Institute attracts numerous Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows from all over the world who carry out research in a wide variety of externally funded projects.
Approximately one third of the institute’s budget comes from competitive external funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation, the EU and others.

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