Biology

The Master Programme in Biology offers many alternative course combinations, and there are a number of specialisations preparing you for research or professions outside the academy.

Specialisations

• Limnology - Ecology and Environment of Inland Waters
• Nabis - Nordic Master in Biodiversity and Systematics
• Environmental Toxicology
• Immunology and Infection Biology
• Genetic and Molecular Plant Science
• Evolutionary Biology
• Ecology and Conservation
• Cell and Molecular Biology

Career

This Master Programme in Biology provides you with proficiencies for qualified professional activities in industry, the public sector and entrepreneurship. You may also continue with doctoral studies.

Depending on your specialization you can work with, for example, nature and environmental conservation at governmental agencies, NGOs and consultancy firms, or with product development or microbiological analyses at pharmaceutical and biotech companies. You can also work as a teacher or science journalist.

Degree

The programme leads to a Master of Science (120 credits) with Biology as the main field of study.

The Master Programme in Biology offers many alternative course combinations, and there are a number of specialisations preparing you for research or professions outside the academy.

Cell and Molecular Biology

You will obtain an in-depth understanding of molecular systems to interactions within complex systems and within cells and organelles. This course is suitable for pharmaceutical research and other biotechnical applications, as well as basic scientific research in cell and molecular biology. You can also specialise in microbiology or structural biology.

Ecology and Conservation

Within this specialisation, you may choose among theoretical courses dealing with plants, animals and microorganisms and their interactions, or alternatively, vocational courses aiming at a future career in nature conservation within industry, the public sector or other organisations.

Environmental Toxicology

Here the entire chain of the impact of chemicals on nature is covered, from biochemical effects in living cells, via physiological effects on cells, organs and individuals to consequences at population and ecosystem levels. The programme has substantial applied aspects within fields such as risk assessment, environmental impact descriptions and the testing of chemicals.

Erasmus Mundus Master Programme in Evolution Biology (MEME)

This is a research-oriented separate programme within evolutionary biology linked to the EU Erasmus Mundus scholarships. Applications for this specialisation are made via MEME (www.evobio.eu) where students apply for both the programme and the scholarship simultaneously.

Evolutionary Biology

This specialisation is characterised by the integration of field, laboratory and theoretical studies, and embraces areas such as evolutionary ecology, genomics, macro-evolution, and developmental biology. Studies may also be turned towards biodiversity and systematics.

Genetic and Molecular Plant Science

The growth of plants, their development and interactions with the surroundings and other organisms (for example, symbioses) are studied in this joint education given by Uppsala University, Stockholm University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Applications are found within research, plant breeding, genetic engineering and biotechnology.

Immunology and Infection Biology

This specialisation focuses on how the immune system discovers and removes pathogenic bacteria, viruses and parasites. In addition to studies in microbiology, investigations of mechanisms at cellular and molecular levels are also made. For instance, we study what happens when the immune system overreacts and allergies or autoimmunity arise.

Limnology – Ecology and Environment of Inland Waters

The limnology specialisation provides an interdisciplinary study of physical, chemi­cal and biological processes and their interactions in freshwater ecosystems. The course is linked to current research and has strong connections to professional activities related to the management of water resources.

Nabis – Nordic Master in Biodiversity and Systematics

This specialisation is jointly hosted by universities in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Each university offers courses for organisms where it has specialist competence. Combining courses (largely web based) at different universities leads to a top-quality master in systematics.

A bachelor degree, equivalent to a Swedish degree of at least 180 credits (i.e. three years of full-time studies). The degree must include:For Cell and Molecular Biology, Environmental Toxicology, Genetic and Molecular Plant Science, Immunology and Infection Biology:40 weeks of full-time studies (60 credits) in Biology plus20 weeks of full-time studies (30 credits) in Chemistry.For Ecology and Conservation, Evolutionary Biology, Limnology – Ecology and Environment of Inland Waters, Nabis – Nordic Master in Biodiversity and Systematics: Either:60 weeks of of full-time studies (90 credits) in Biology, or40 weeks of full-time studies (60 credits) in Biology plus 20 weeks of full-time studies (30 credits) in Chemistry.Proof of skills in English to a level corresponding to English B in the Swedish secondary school. This is normally attested by means of an internationally recognised test with the following minimum scores:IELTS: an overall mark of 6.5 and no section below 5.5TOEFL: Paper-based: Score of 4.5 (scale 1-6) in written test and a total score of 575. Internet-based: Score of 20 (scale 0-30) in written test and a total score of 90Cambridge: CAE, CPESelectionSelection will be based on previous academic studies and degrees, and a statement of intent. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 575 TOEFL iBT® test: 90

---

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Uppsala University provides several different scholarships for students. The scholarships cover exclusively the tuition fees for courses within the programme, i e 30 credits per semester.
Read more about scholarships on www.uu.se/scholarships.