This programme will not be offered in 2024.

During the programme you will learn how plants and their organs, cells and genomes are structured and work together. You will study the evolutionary drivers that lead to new plant species, the mechanisms that affect plant distribution and the ecological processes which influence species diversity in plant communities. You will also obtain knowledge on plant interaction with other organisms and on how plants adapt to environmental changes.

You will gain experience in modern field and laboratory methods. The programme provides you with specialised knowledge on experimental design and statistics, as well as training in analysing and interpreting biological data. You will learn to analyse and understand evolutionary processes at gene, individual and population levels. Field instruction is an important part of the programme in many of the courses, which means extensive opportunities for excursions and field projects. These are provided at no cost to the student. You will also have the chance to enhance your knowledge in inventory methods. You can select a molecular specialisation with courses in bioinformatics and molecular genetics. Teaching takes place on modern premises and in laboratories with advanced equipment.

The courses have a high proportion of scheduled lessons, and the interaction with teaching staff and course assistants is relaxed. You will practice both oral and written presentations and obtain ample experience in working in groups. The programme has strong ties with research. 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 (some of the elective courses are given in Swedish).

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. You will initially take a course on population and community ecology, soil and plant ecology or methods in molecular biology. A course on plant function follows. During the spring semester you will study molecular ecology and evolution, genetic analysis or conservation biology as well as a course on plant evolution and adaptation. During the summer you will have the opportunity to take a course in floristics (in Swedish), and you can start your degree project.

For the second year you will select courses based on interest and do your degree project. Your 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. The programme provides a good foundation for doctoral studies within plant physiology, plant ecology, plant molecular biology and evolutionary biology. After graduation, if you have specialised in plant ecology, you can work in nature conservation in both the public and private sectors, for example as a municipal ecologist, at county councils or as a consultant. Among other things, your work duties could include environmental monitoring in the form of taking species inventory, field sample collection and doing evaluations, offering advice, as well as assessing and implementing biodiversity measures. The knowledge you obtain is also needed in silviculture and agriculture. If your Master’s studies have instead focussed on genetics and plant physiology, you could work at a biotech or plant breeding company, for example.