Biology, Aquatic Ecology - Master Programme

This Master’s programme focuses on ecology in lakes, marshlands, running water and the sea. You will learn about physical and chemical processes and how they affect plants and animals, as well as nutrient cycling in water. You will also learn about the interaction between organisms; for example, competition and predation, and interactions both within and between different populations in the aquatic food webs.

You will practise chemical analyses and methods for taking specimens, as well as refine your species knowledge on planktons, invertebrates, large algae, other submerged aquatic plants and fish. We also discuss the effects of over-fertilisation, acidification and climate change with regard to aquatic systems. The programme includes applied courses that provide you with important expertise on, for example, the EU framework directives on water, environmental toxins and utilisation of geographic information systems (GIS), and implementation of the action programme for restoring damaged aquatic environments. The programme also provides you with specialised knowledge on experimental design and statistics, as well as training in analysing and interpreting biological data. You will practice both oral and written presentations and obtain ample experience in working in groups.

Teaching takes place on modern premises and in laboratories with advanced equipment. Field instruction is an important part of the programme. Excursions and field projects are provided at no cost to the student. The Master’s programme has a high proportion of scheduled lessons, and the interaction with teaching staff and course assistants is relaxed. All of the teaching staff are researchers, and as a result the programme is continuously adapted based on current research. The Department of Biology has several world-leading research teams and conducts both basic research and applied research. The language of instruction is English.

Programme structure

The Master’s programme has a recommended study route, but you can also make a personal study plan after consultation with the study advisor and programme coordinator. During the first semester you will study limnology and marine ecology, focusing on ecosystems, species and processes. During the spring semester you will first take the aquatic ecology course, which addresses how climate change impacts the aquatic ecosystems. It also gives you more in-depth experience of scientific methods. The semester concludes with a water management course.

In the second academic year you can select courses on GIS, processing and analysing biological data, modelling of biological systems or ecotoxicology, for example. The degree project is worth 30, 45 or 60 credits and is generally conducted in a research team, but it can also be conducted in cooperation with a public authority or a company. The Master’s programme offers the option of doing an internship, which can provide valuable contacts.

Career prospects

After graduation, you can work in water management as a municipal ecologist or as a county water administrator, for example. You could also work as a consultant. Among other things, work duties could include environmental monitoring through field sample collection and evaluation, offering advice and assessing measures. If you are passionate about research within aquatic ecology, there are good opportunities to continue your studies at a higher education institution.