Biology

As an MSc student of Biology you will be part of a rapidly developing field in which modern biology is integrating molecular techniques in the solution of biological problems such as climate change, pollution, diseases and loss of biodiversity. If you would like to make a difference and make your mark on the future, an MSc degree in Biology might well be the obvious choice for you.

The programme is offered in English.

The 21st century is rapidly becoming the biological century. Master’s students in Biology have the chance to partake in modern biology’s revolutionary current where, among many other developments, molecular techniques are being integrated to address biological problems. The graduate programme allows you a learning opportunity to understand, utilize and protect nature and its diverse abundance of organisms.

Profile and Career

You should pursue studies in Biology if you are into biological phenomena like DNA, have an interest in nature management or would like to investigate the issues that life itself confronts us with every day. If you are the type who likes to poke their fingers into ponds or grapple with genetic puzzles while wearing lab garb, then Biology is for you. It is a programme where theory alternate with practical work in the field, in the lab or both. The wide range of courses in the programme offers you the opportunity to specialize in one of the many disciplines in the field of biology and thereby tailor your education to your interests and dreams for the future.

Competence Description

A graduate degree in Biology offers you a strong foundation for mastering important scientific techniques. You will leave the graduate programme equipped with skills applicable in nature as well as in the lab.

Competences

An graduate in Biology is able to

• effectively and systematically acquire new knowledge and make themselves acquainted with biological subjects at a high scientific level
• think and work systematically and analytically
• survey and analyse large amounts of data and complex biological relationships
• evaluate and analyse biological problems at a high professional level
• analyse and evaluate own and others findings in a scientific context and apply the results within relevant commercial and community connections
• critically evaluate and put into perspective findings within the thesis subject area and related fields
• formulate, structure and conduct research projects, biological innovation projects and other advanced biological tasks
• apply and develop biological methods within the thesis subject area with the aim of generating new knowledge
• assess the expected future developments within the thesis subject area
• work independently but also to initiate and constructively contribute to interdiciplinary collaboration
• effectively and precisely communicate biological knowledge and problems both in writing and orally
• independently and critically structure own professional progress and specialisation

Skills

A person holding an MSc in Biology has acquired the skills to

• use the methods related to the thesis subject area, including operation of relevant scientific equipment
• conduct biological investigations, including scientific experiments, in the laboratory or in the field
• generate and work up complex biological data sets
• work scientifically

Knowledge

A graduate in Biology has knowledge about

• the thesis subject area at high scientific level and related areas at scientific level

Career Opportunities

Biologists work in a variety of occupational settings. The MSc programme in Biology covers a broad set of skills, so immediate job prospects are good. Also, your education and training can easily be targeted to suit specific career aims. Often, biologists get jobs in:

• biotech
• pharmaceutical companies
• government ministries
• municipalities
• universities
• upper secondary schools
• intellectual property consultancies
• environmental organisations
• the media
• biotech start-ups

All in all, equipped with a graduate degree in Biology, your prospects are extensive.

The MSc Programme in Biology gives you the freedom to choose one of the programme's 7 specialisations - or you can design an individualised academic profile on the basis of some of the 50+ restricted elective courses offered (see the list at the bottom of this page), supplemented by elective courses and relevant coursework from studies abroad.

Your MSc programmes concludes with a thesis project. Examples of thesis subjects include inquiries into:

• Genes and mechanisms of programmed cell death

• The effect of water pollution upon water fleas

• Spread of antibiotic resistance in bacteria

• Effects of global warming on ecosystems

Specialisations

You can choose between the 7 specialisations listed below.

There is no registration for the specialisation. Instead you must register for the courses forming the desired specialisation.

Aquatic Biology

You will learn about organisms in streams, lakes, seas and oceans - including their physiology and ecological interactions.

Microbiology

You will focus on bacteria and fungi, molecular biology and environmental adaptability, and learn how bacteria and microfungi can be biotechnologically exploited.

Ecology and Evolution

You will work with animal behaviour, interactions between living organisms, together with ecological and evolutionary processes and their importance for organisms.

Cellular Biology and Physiology

You will specialize in an understanding of biology at the cellular level and integrate this understanding with research of physiological responses in humans and other fauna.

Molecular Biology and Genetics

You will learn about the genetic and epigenetic basis for cell functioning, regulation and differentiation, including immune systems and genetically modified organisms.

Marine Biology

You will learn about the Danish marine habitats, the complexity of marine ecosystems, biodiversity, energy balances and turnover of organic and inorganic matter.

Terrestrial Ecology

See the Curriculum for MSc in Biology for a description of the courses at this specialisation.

(1) Applicants with a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen may be admitted to the Master's Programme in Biology.(2) Applicants with a Bachelor's degree in Biology from other universities in Denmark or the Nordic Region may be admitted to the Master's Programme in Chemistry.(3) Applicants with a Bachelor's degree in biology from universities outside the Nordic Region may be admitted to the Master's Programme in Biology as long as they have built up independent, practical skills in laboratory or field work in the main areas of biology corresponding to min. 30 ECTS credits.(4) Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen may be admitted if their programme included min. 30 ECTS credits in biology.(5) In addition, the Faculty may admit applicants who, after a thorough assessment, are deemed to possess educational qualifications equivalent to those required in (1)–(4).Prioritisation criteriaApplicants with Bachelor's degrees in Biology from the University of Copenhagen are guaranteed admission on the first MSc intake after graduation.If there are more qualified applicants than there are places available, priority will be given to other applicants with Bachelor's degrees in biology from other universities. The next priority will be applicants with other Bachelor's degrees, ranked on the basis of the total number of ECTS credits in biology.Language RequirementsTo gain admission to an MSc in the English language, non-Danish applicants must document qualifications on par with the Danish secondary school ‘English level B'. The Faculty of Science accepts the following 3 ways of documenting this:English is your native language. The Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen, accepts The University of Purdue view that citizens of the following countries are exempted from taking an English Language Proficiency exam: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Dominica, Grand Cayman Islands, Grenada, Guyana, Irish Republic, Jamaica, Montserrat, New Zealand, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, & Wales and United States of AmericaIf you are citizen of one of the above countries, you are not required to submit any proof of English proficiency. Your copy of your passport will suffice as sufficient proof.Prior studies completed in the English language/in an English speaking country. For example, if you have studied your Bachelor degree in England you are not required to complete an English language proficiency exam. We ask such students to provide a signed statement from the Educational institution (with the institution's stamp on it) stating that English is the main language of instruction. Furthermore, applicants from Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland) do not need to provide proof of English language proficiency.Applicants with English as their second language (except Scandinavians) must pass an IELTS, TOEFL or Cambridge Advanced English test before being admitted. The Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, accepts the following tests and scores:IELTS-test (British Council) with a minimum score of 6.5Computer-based TOEFL-test with a minimum score of 213 pointsPaper-based TOEFL-test with a minimum score of 560 pointsInternet-based TOEFL-test with a min score of 83 pointsLanguage tests older than 2 years are not accepted (from the application deadline). English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 560 TOEFL iBT® test: 83

The Faculty of Science will not be awarding any scholarships for the academic year 2014/2015.

Please note that many scholarships are offered by companies or organisations, it can be worthwhile to research your particular options from your home country.