Applied Computational Science, Biology - Master Programme

The Master Programme in Applied Computational Science with specialisation in Biology will give you detailed knowledge about the underlying methods with respect to biology. You will learn how to study complex processes in natural sciences, and how Computational Science can contribute to knowledge evolution in society. A few of many examples are studies in, and research on, environment and climate change, climate adaptation, biodiversity and ecosystem services, nature conservation and chemical risks. The programme will prepare you for a professional career in academia as well as in business and industry. Applied computational science can be divided into several components: mathematics, modelling, statistics, and programming. The borders are not sharp, as concepts and methods often combine these components. The programme will prepare you for a professional career in academia as well as in business and industry.

Programme overview
This interdisciplinary education will give you in-depth knowledge in the field of computational science, but you also study advanced courses based on your subject knowledge in biology from your bachelor’s degree. In addition to knowledge of theory of computational science, there will be an emphasis on obtaining knowledge about the practical tools that are used by professionals in the field and you will amongst several things train your skills in programming. You will get generic knowledge and skills of importance for computationally intensive jobs such as problem formulation, information search, data processing, scientific writing, and presentation techniques.
The programme has five separate specialisations: Environmental Science, Biology, Geology, Physical Geography and Chemistry. You will study several courses together with students from another track than your own and there are possibilities to do common projects and thesis work. During your studies, an interdisciplinary perspective is emphasized and you will even study together with students from mathematics and physics.
The education has a strong connection to research. You will meet and be taught by active and internationally well recognized researchers, and you will be in contact with several research groups. You will at the same time be prepared for a career in business and industry.

Programme structure
In the first year of the biology specialisation, you will start studying courses in bioinformatics focusing on data handling and programming. You will also do a course in basic mathematics that will give you knowledge to conduct projects in computational science. Then you will have the possibility to go deeper into biology and ecosystem modelling, courses that builds on your bachelor exam.
The second year your study courses in “modelling in computational science” and “reproducible data science and statistical learning” as well as courses in “modelling biological systems” and “data handling and analysis of biological data”. The last semester is reserved for the master’s thesis.

Career opportunities
After graduation, there are several different career paths depending on which subject profile you have chosen. The Master's programme gives you a solid ground for postgraduate education in natural sciences. You can also choose a career path outside academia and then find attractive jobs in areas where there is a need to solve computational problems both in industry and in public administration and other organisations.