Biology, Animal Ecology - Master Programme

The Animal Ecology Master’s programme has strong ties with research. The Department of Biology has several research teams active at the highest international level, and the programme’s content is continuously adapted based on current research results. All of the teaching staff are researchers – many of them world-leading in their fields. Their fields include animal migration, sensory biology, evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology and molecular ecology.

The programme provides knowledge on how ecological and evolutionary processes affect animals’ appearance, physiology and behaviour. You will learn to analyse and understand ecological and evolutionary processes at gene, individual and population levels. During the programme you will also obtain practical experience in designing and conducting field and laboratory experiments using current methods. Excursions and field projects are included in most of the courses. Field instruction is an important part of the programme and is provided at no cost to the student.

You will also learn to handle statistics and analyse and interpret biological data. You will practice both oral and written presentations and obtain ample experience in working in groups. The courses have a high proportion of scheduled lessons, and the interaction with teaching staff and course assistants is relaxed. Teaching takes place on modern premises and in laboratories with advanced equipment. The language of instruction is English.

Programme structure

The 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 population and community ecology and then animal ecology. During the spring semester you can decide to specialise in molecular ecology and evolution or conservation biology. At the end of the spring semester you can study ornithology, do a project or start your degree project.

The third semester offers an opportunity to take courses in evolutionary biology, sensory biology or modelling and advanced statistics. 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

If you are passionate about research, there are good opportunities to continue your studies at a higher education institution. Just over half of the students in our Animal Ecology Master’s programme continue to doctoral studies at a university in Sweden or in another country in Europe or beyond. You can work in professions outside of academia in nature conservation, ecology and environmental management as a consultant or within the public sector as a municipal ecologist, for example.