Master's Programme in Molecular Life Sciences
Photo: Niklas Björling
The Master's in Molecular Life Science offers a highly flexible structure, allowing you to tailor your studies to your individual needs and interests. You will study in an international and interactive research and learning environment, with a strong focus on laboratory work and experimental methods.
Please note! The programme has received an updated description of required prior knowledge, which means that a new programme page has been created (programme code NMLSO). The content of the programme remains unchanged – only the entry requirements have been clarified.
The Master’s programme offers a selection of courses covering a broad range of subjects within cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, developmental biology, molecular physiology, and immunology. The flexible nature of the programme allows upto 45 credits of optional courses, which can be courses in other subject areas such as law or economics.
You are required to choose 30 credits of courses from the list of elective courses (updated each year). You can also include at least 15 credits of optional courses, these can be in other subjects.
Year 1
Compulsory courses autumn term
Elective courses autumn term
Radiation Biology and Cellular Toxicology
Elective courses spring term
Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions
Stem Cells in Developmental and Cancer Biology
Courses offered at other departments
Advanced Methods in Biochemistry
Neurochemistry with Molecular Neurobiology
Year 2
Compulsory courses
Degree project in Molecular Life Science
(instructions apply for all degree projects at the department)
See also elective courses year 1.
Independent project
Degree projects are carried out in ongoing research projects within the current broad research areas of Infection and Immunobiology, Integrative Biology and Molecular Cell Biology at the Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute (MBW). It is also possible to conduct the degree project externally, at a research institute, organisation or company.
Recent degree projects
- Role of imaginal disc growth factors (IDGFs) in Drosophila immunity
- Investigation of radiosensitizers for tumor initiating cells in lung cancer
- RNA editing in splice sites
- Suitable conditions for quantitative Western blot with analysis of UCP1 protein expression in iBAT and ingWAT of mice under thermal stress, high fat diet and thyroxin treatment
The Master's programme in Molecular Life Science is only open for application in the first round, with deadline for applications in mid-January.
The Molecular life sciences programme requires a solid background in molecular biology, as well as good understanding of chemistry. Specifically expect the equivalent to our Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology: at least one year's fulltime studies in molecular biology including one semester of chemistry, particularly biochemistry.
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 two selection criteria, with equal weight:
- relevance of previous studies in relation to the programme
- grades of academic courses
Required supporting documentation
Recommendation letters and CVs are not concidered. In other words, there is no additional documentation to that required according to University Admissions.
A Master's degree in Molecular Life Sciences opens a broad spectrum of career opportunities both within and outside of the academic sphere. This programme gives you the eligibility to continue with PhD studies.
Important parts of industry and society require deep knowledge within molecular life sciences, from biomedical research and pharmaceuticals development to the effect of the environment on biological systems, quality assurance of foodstuffs, and nutritional science.
