Biology, Evolutionary Biology - Master Programme

The Master’s programme in Evolutionary Biology has strong connections with research. Our teaching staff possess world-leading expertise in their fields and the programme content is adapted to the research front. During the programme you will gain practical experience of designing experiments and collecting data using the latest methods.

You will learn how to analyse different types of biological data in order to determine what has caused evolutionary changes. You will learn how to reconstruct evolutionary patterns from genomic data and to analyse and understand the evolutionary processes that lead to adaptation and diversity at different levels of biological organisation – from genes and characters to ecosystems. You will also receive training in how to solve research problems using analytical methods.

You will conduct oral and written presentations and gain extensive experience of working in groups. The teaching, which aims to be as interactive, discussion-based and relaxed as possible, is conducted in modern premises and laboratories using advanced equipment and software. The language of instruction is English.

Programme structure

The programme has a recommended study path, but you can also draw up a personal study plan after consultation with the study advisor and programme coordinator. The first semester begins with a course devoted to the major research areas within evolutionary biology. You can then choose from a variety of courses, including molecular biology, evolutionary ecology, biological statistics and genetic analysis. At the end of the spring semester, you take a course on methodology and applications within evolutionary biology.
In the third semester, you can take elective courses or begin your degree project. The degree project is worth 30, 45 or 60 credits and generally consists of an independent research project. The Master’s programme offers the option of doing an internship, which can provide valuable contacts and experiences

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 on our Master’s programme in Biology go on to doctoral studies at a university in Sweden, Europe or another part of the world. As an evolutionary biologist, you will also have career prospects outside academia in professions that require analysis of big data, such as genetic data, and where there is a need for a deep understanding of how living systems change, for example, in biomedicine, biotechnology and ecology.