Master’s programme in Evolutionary Genomics
In the Evolutionary Genomics Master's programme you will learn how evolutionary processes shape genetic variation in natural populations across a wide range of organisms. The pictures illustrate the diversity of possible study organisms, ranging from yeast to wild plant and fish populations, to arctic fox and extinct woolly mammoths. Photo: Rike Stelkens, Benjamin Laenen, Aurélie Désamoré, Anastasia Andersson, Petter Hellberg and Love Dalén
Are you intrigued by the rapid growth of genomic data and want to explore the genetic variation at the level of DNA sequences? Are you interested in understanding the genetic differences between individuals, populations, or species? Do you want to learn bioinformatic tools to analyze DNA sequence data? This Master’s programme will provide the tools and knowledge to explore these questions through the analysis of genes and genomes.
You will receive training in:
- Population Genetics: You will study the genetic diversity within and between populations and learn how to analyze and interpret genetic variation (e.g. determine which genetic variants are beneficial, harmful, or neutral, or infer past population size changes from DNA sequence variation)
- Molecular Evolution: You will dive into how small differences in DNA, RNA, and proteins contribute to evolutionary processes.
- Phylogenetics: You will investigate the evolutionary relationships between species, populations, and genes, building phylogenetic trees to understand these connections.
- Genome Evolution: You will explore larger, structural changes in genomes over time, understanding how entire genomes evolve and what drives these changes.
- Paleogenetics: You will study the evolutionary past on our planet by investigating of preserved genetic material from the remains of ancient organisms
Knowledge of evolutionary genomics has applications outside of the scientific world. In the programme, you will gain skills needed in many different professions. For instance, after completion of this programme, you may work with wildlife agencies to study genetic diversity in endangered species or aid in breeding programs by managing and analysing genetic data. You can apply evolutionary theory to understand the impact of environmental changes on species and ecosystems, or how genomes evolve in response to climate change or human interference. You can also use your expertise to improve crop yields, pest resistance, or disease tolerance in agriculture through the study of evolutionary genomics.
Reasons to choose the Master in Evolutionary Genomics:
- Broad education in evolutionary genomics suitable for diverse careers in biotechnology, bioinformatics, medicine, forensics, agriculture, food security, and wildlife conservation.
- Excellent opportunities for experimental and computational studies to gain experience for research
- Flexible programme allows you to create your own direction based on your interests
The compulsory courses within the Master’s programme in Evolutionary Genomics will give you a strong foundation in evolutionary biology, genetics, statistics, and bioinformatics. Specifically, the Master’s program in Evolutionary Genomics includes courses in theory and practice of evolutionary genomics, hands-on exercises in DNA sequence analysis, advanced statistics for biologists, evolutionary ecology, and paleogenetics.
There is plenty of space within the programme to allow you to choose optional courses, so you can pursue a programme adapted to your interests and career aims. You can include at least 22.5 credits of optional courses, and these can be in other subjects or taken at another university.
During the compulsory independent project, the degree project, you will apply the knowledge and skills you have developed, in conducting a scientific study within evolutionary genomics.
Year 1
Year 2
Compulsory courses
Degree project in Evolutionary Genomics
(instructions apply to all degree projects at the department)
Optional courses depending on scope of degree project
Independent project
Degree projects, which are 30, 45 or 60 credits, are carried out within ongoing research projects at either the Department of Zoology or Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences. It is also possible to conduct the degree project externally, at a research institute, organisation, or company.
Examples of possible degree projects
- Testing for the effect of extreme temperature events (e.g. repeated heat waves) on population survival, and resolving the genetic basis of adaptation, using experimental evolution and whole genome sequencing with yeast
- Population genomic responses to soil warming in Icelandic Arabidopsis lyrata – Geothermal soil heating as a natural experiment to study adaptation to heat stress
- Understanding how environmental change has shaped the evolution and distribution of wildlife populations using DNA from ancient animal remains (e.g. cave lions, wolves, bears and woolly mammoths).
- Reconstructing phylogenetic relationships to resolve the evolutionary history of a species of extinct megafauna, using ancient DNA and palaeogenomic approaches
- Combining modern samples of bumblebees and samples from museum collections to study how populations adapt to human-induced environmental change (agriculture and pesticide use).
The Master's programme in Evolutionary Genomics 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 Evolutionary Genomics requires a strong background in Biology, equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree with at least one year of full-time studies in Biology. A solid foundation in genetics, molecular biology, evolution, and/or bioinformatics is particularly relevant. All applications are assessed individually. The examples below are provided only as guidance.
Backgrounds that may be considered eligible
Applicants whose studies include substantial coursework in genetics, molecular biology, evolutionary biology, bioinformatics, or related areas, for example:
- Bachelor’s degree in biology (general or specialised, including evolution, genetics, genomics, molecular biology, cell biology, ecology)
- Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, genetics, genomics, biotechnology or biomedicine, including coursework in evolution or population genetics
- Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, with relevant courses in genetics, genomics, or evolution
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, with at least one year of biology including molecular biology, genetics, and evolution
- Bachelor’s degree in bioinformatics, provided it includes sufficient biological coursework
- Bachelor’s degree in marine biology or aquatic biology, if combined with strong coursework in genetics/genomics/evolution
- Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy or biomedical laboratory science, if supplemented with relevant biology courses (e.g. molecular genetics, genomics, evolution)
- Other natural science degrees (e.g. biochemistry, biotechnology engineering) if combined with significant biology and molecular/genetic components
Backgrounds that may not be considered eligible
Applicants whose previous studies lack core biological and molecular coursework, or focus mainly on unrelated disciplines, for example:
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, if focused on sustainability, policy, or earth sciences with limited genetics, evolution, or molecular biology
- Bachelor’s degree in ecology/natural Resources/conservation, if missing molecular genetics or genomics-focused coursework
- Bachelor’s degree in veterinary nursing, animal care, or wildlife rehabilitation, with limited theoretical biology and genetics
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or physics, unless combined with substantial biology and molecular/evolution courses
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, unless supplemented with significant biology, genetics, and evolution coursework
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology, unless strongly biology-oriented
- Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, humanities, or education, without biological studies
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 supplemented with additional university-level Biology courses, especially in genetics, evolution, or molecular biology.
- Admission decisions are always based on an individual assessment of the applicant’s complete academic background.
Selection process
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
Required supporting documentation
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.
A Master’s degree in Evolutionary Genomics opens up many career possibilities within academia or the public sector. On completion of this programme you will be eligible to apply for PhD studies. The programme also gives a sound background for work in the applied fields of biotechnology, bioinformatics, medicine, forensics, agriculture, food security, and wildlife conservation.
