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Applied Computational Science, Biology - Master Programme

Master's programme · 2 years · 120 credits

Description

If you are passionate about both biology and advanced computations, this programme could be for you. This Master’s programme gives you knowledge in how to use numerical simulations and machine learning to make forecasts and analyses, or to replace experiments. You can learn how to generate and store large amounts of data and use data science to search for patterns, connections, and trends in issues related to biology.

Advanced computations are increasingly important in research and business. On this Master’s programme you will learn how to study complex processes within biology, and how computational science can contribute to knowledge evolution in society. Some examples of angles to focus on could be biodiversity, ecosystem services, environmental protection, chemical risks, environmental and climate change, and climate adaptation. In addition to theory for computational science, there will be an emphasis on obtaining knowledge about the practical tools that are used by professionals in the field, including training your skills in programming.

 

The programme prepares you for a future career in academia or business. The Master’s programme gives you specialised knowledge in the field of computational science, while also being interdisciplinary in character. You will take courses alongside students from other specialisations, and there will be a chance to conduct joint projects and degree projects. You will also take advanced courses in biology in order to build on your subject knowledge from your Bachelor’s degree.

You will get general knowledge and skills of importance for computationally intensive professions, such as problem formulation, searching for information, data processing, scientific writing, and presentation techniques. The programme has strong ties with research. You will be taught by internationally well-recognised researchers, and you will be in contact with several research groups. The programme is taught in English.

Programme structure

You will start studying courses in bioinformatics focusing on biological data processing and programming, followed by a course in basic mathematics that will give you knowledge to conduct projects in computational science. In the second half of the first year, you will have the possibility to choose courses in biology or ecosystem modelling, in which you can apply your knowledge of computational science.


In the second year, you study courses in modelling in computational science and reproducible data analysis and statistical learning. Thereafter, you can choose courses in the modelling of biological systems and data processing and analysis of biological data. The last semester is reserved for the Master’s thesis.

Career opportunities

Graduates of the programme can embark on several different career paths. The Master's programme gives you a solid foundation for third-cycle education in the natural sciences, or a career within industry or business. You can thus also choose a career path outside academia and then find attractive jobs in areas where there is a need to solve natural science problems with the help of statistics, data processing or simulations, in industry or in public administration and other organisations.

Computers in the programme

The programme requires that you have access to a computer, preferably a laptop, on which you can install software mainly provided by the University, such as Microsoft 365, CAD/CAM and development environments for Python, Matlab or other computational tools. It can be either a Windows computer or a MacOS. On some courses you may need to buy or rent your own software.

Conditions in the study environment and during study visits and field studies

The programme contains compulsory elements that require you to be able to work independently and safely in a laboratory environment, in a hospital environment, in workshops, in production facilities, or during study visits and field studies. These elements require the ability to comply with safety regulations and instructions, and to move around in and evacuate premises safely. The elements also require the ability to monitor and control the processes studied.

Open for applications

Application opportunities

This programme is open for applications from 15 October 2024 to 15 January 2025.

Contact

Master programme coordinator

Stefan Olin

Email: appliedcompsci [at] math [dot] lu [dot] se

Requirements and selection

Entry requirements

Bachelor´s degree of at least 180 credits, including 90 credits in science of which 15 credits must be in mathematics, 7.5 credits in statistics, 60 credits in biology including cell biology, and genetics and/or ecology. 

Proficiency in English equivalent to English 6/B from Swedish upper-secondary school. 

Selection criteria

Based on grades awarded for previous academic courses, with majors in science, technology and mathematics, as well as a statement of purpose for the application in which applicants state their goals with the programme (from the applicant’s "Summary sheet").

English language requirements

Most of Lund University’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the deadline, in order to be considered for admission.

How to prove your English proficiency – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements

Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Bachelor's or Master's studies in Sweden:

Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se

Apply

Your selection at www.universityadmissions.se

Day-time Lund, full time 100%

In English

Study period

1 September 2025 - 6 June 2027

Application

Last application date 2025-01-15

How to apply

Lund University uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.

When to apply for studies

Step 1: Apply online

  • Check that you meet the entry requirements of the programme or course you are interested in (refer to the section above on this webpage).
  • Start your application – go to the University Admissions in Sweden website where you create an account and select programmes/courses during the application period.
    Visit the University Admissions in Sweden website
  • Rank your programme/course choices in order of preference and submit them before the application deadline.

Step 2: Submit documents

  • Read about how to document your eligibility and how to submit your documents at the University Admissions in Sweden website. Follow any country-specific document rules for Master's studies or Bachelor's studies
    Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
    Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
     
  • Get all your documents ready:
    - official transcripts and high school diploma (Bachelor's applicants)
    - official transcripts and degree certificate or proof that you are in the final year of your Bachelor's (Master's applicants)
    - passport/ID (all applicants) and
    - proof of English proficiency (all applicants).
     
  • Prepare programme-specific documents if stated in the next paragraph on this webpage.
  • Upload or send all required documents to University Admissions before the document deadline.
  • Pay the application fee (if applicable – refer to the section below on this webpage) before the document deadline.

* Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus+).
* If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below. 
Svensk student? 
Läs instruktionerna om att söka till ett internationellt masterprogram på lu.se

Programme-specific documents

In addition to the documents mentioned under Step 2, you must also submit a 'Summary Sheet' when you apply for this programme. Click on the link below to download the template document. 

Summary Sheet – Applied Computational Science, Biology (Word, 47 kB)

Watch on YouTube: How to apply for a Master's programme

Tuition fees

Non-EU/EEA citizens

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 340 000

First payment: SEK 85 000

Convert currency – xe.com

Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Application fee

If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 when you apply at the University Admissions in Sweden website. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.


*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or doctoral/PhD students, regardless of their nationality.

Scholarships & funding

Lund University Global Scholarship programme

The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.

Lund University Global Scholarship

Within the framework of the Lund University Global Scholarship programme, the University also offers the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities.

ARUA Scholarship

Swedish Institute Scholarships

The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Master's level.

Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website

Country-specific scholarships and funding options

Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University.

Country-specific scholarships

External scholarships

Information about scholarships from external organisations

Testimonials