Master's Programme in Biology

Elective courses autumn term

Animal Cognition

Animal Diversity – Invertebrates

Biodiversity: Patterns and Processes

Evolutionary Ecology

Evolutionary Genomics: Theory and Practice

Green Biotechnology

Immunology

Marine Ecosystem Dynamics

Marine Fish Biology and Fisheries

Marine Microbial Ecology: From Genomes to Biomes

Radiation Biology and Cellular Toxicology

Sensory Biology

Elective courses spring term

Animal Diversity - Vertebrates

Animal Social and Sexual Behaviour

Conservation of Populations: Theory

Current Controversis in Animal Behaviour

Ecological and Evolutionary Responses to Climate Change

Infection Biology

Interactions in Ecological Communities: theory

Management of Aquatic Resources in the Tropics

Microbiology

Molecular Physiology

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions

Paleogenetics

Plant Diversity and Evolution – A Global Perspective

Project in Ecology and Biodiversity

Stem Cells in Developmental and Cancer Biology

Elective courses summer term

Insects: Inventory and Identification

Compulsory course

Degree project 30/45/60 credits

See also list year one.

Degree projects, which are 30, 45 or 60 credits, are carried out in ongoing research projects within one of the Biology departments at Stockholm university. It is also possible to conduct the degree project externally, at a research institute, organisation or company.

Recent degree projects

• Effects of seasonality on the movement patterns of Arctic foxes
• Bottom trawling impacts on meiofauna biodiversity
• The effect of microbial and dietary factors on macrophage polarization

The Master's programme in Biology is only open for application in the first round, with deadline for applications in mid-January.

Specific eligibility

Admission to the Master’s Programme in Biology requires a strong background in biology, equivalent to a bachelor’s degree with at least one year of full-time studies in biology. Because this programme is broad and flexible, a wide range of biology-focused study backgrounds may qualify. All applications are assessed individually. The examples below are provided only as guidance.

Backgrounds that may be considered eligible

Applicants whose previous studies include substantial theoretical and practical coursework in biology, for example:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology (general or specialised, e.g. ecology, evolution, cell biology, molecular biology, physiology, microbiology)
• Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, microbiology, biomedicine or biotechnology, if it includes at least one year of general Biology (e.g. ecology, organismal biology, evolution alongside molecular courses)
• Bachelor’s degree in ecology, environmental biology or earth and life sciences with sufficient biological coursework
• Bachelor’s degree in marine biology or aquatic biology
• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, with one year of biology including relevant courses
• Other natural science degrees (e.g. chemistry, environmental science, geosciences) if supplemented with at least one year of full-time biology courses

Backgrounds that may not be considered eligible

Applicants whose degrees contain limited Biology, or focus primarily on non-biological disciplines, for example:

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, if mainly oriented toward policy, sustainability, GIS, or earth sciences with limited biology

Bachelor’s degree in veterinary nursing, animal care, or wildlife rehabilitation, with insufficient theoretical biology coursework

Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy or biomedical laboratory science, with insufficient theoretical biology coursework

Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, horticulture, or forestry, without substantial coursework in biology, ecology, genetics, or physiology

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, if not combined with at least one year of biology

Bachelor’s degree in geography, geology, or earth sciences, without biology-related courses

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, unless heavily biology-oriented and including a significant amount of biology courses

Bachelor’s degree in humanities, social sciences, or education, without biology coursework

Important to note

These examples are not exhaustive.

• Meeting one of the “eligible” examples does not guarantee admission.
• A background listed as “not sufficient” may still qualify if combined with additional university-level Biology courses.
• Admission decisions are always based on an individual assessment of your complete academic background.

Applicants that meet the eligibility requirements are ranked based on their merit rating. Only students with the highest merit ratings are selected for our programmes. The merit rating is based on the following four selection criteria, with equal weight:

• relevance of previous studies in relation to the programme
• grades of academic courses
• motivation letter
• research ideas

To submit your motivation letter and research ideas you must use our cover letter form (updated yearly, only latest version accepted).

Cover letter/Motivation letter

After submitting the form, download the generated PDF and upload it to your application at University Admissions before the supporting documentation deadline.

Do not make any changes to the resulting PDF!

Note! The form is only available during the application period, up to the supporting documentation deadline. Recommendation letters and CVs are neither required nor considered if included.