Nordic Master´s Programme in Biodiversity and Systematics
Be part of the new generation of taxonomists with the expertise and skills to take action against biodiversity loss. You will gain a broad knowledge of living organisms, their relationships and learn specific identification and research skills to be able to follow a career in the conservation of biodiversity for the future.
Reasons to choose a Master in Biodiversity and Systematics
- Emphasis on gaining practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge
- Constantly updated courses to reflect latest research
- Programme designed to be tailored to individual students career goals
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Programme overview
The programme is a collaboration between five nordic universities and courses are taught as a combination of distance studies and intensive field and lab sessions at different field stations and participating universities. The distance element allows you alot of flexibility in when and where you conduct your studies. The up to week long field and lab sessions give you hands on experience of methods and deeper insight to biodiversity and systematics research across Sweden and the Nordic countries.
The programme consists of courses within four main categories: Biodiversity-identification, Biodiversity-classification, Systematic theory and Tools & skills. You will receive a broad training in both practical and theoretical subjects and there is plenty of space available in the programme to choose from a selection of elective courses depending on your interests and career goals. The requirement is that you include at least one course from each of the categories.
Year 1
Compulsory courses
Alpha taxonomical principles (Gothenburg)
Fundamental and molecular systematics (Uppsala)
Elective courses
Year 2
Compulsory course
Degree project in Biodiversity and Systematics
(instructions apply for all degree projects at the department)Independent project
Master’s degree projects are carried out within ongoing research projects at your host university.
Recent degree projects
- Phylogenomics of Marine Nematodes
- Phylogeny and species delimitation of an endemic radiation of diving beetles of Madagascar using genomic data
- Species diversity and phylogeny of Dakuidae (Acoela)
- Exploring a territory teeming with terrestrial tardigrades: Integrative taxonomy supports two new species of Macrobiotidae from Kristianstad vattenrike biosphere reserve
- The early worm para(d)(H)ox: exploring the xenacoelomorph Hox complement
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How to apply
The Master's programme in Biodiversity and Systematics is only open for application in the first round, with deadline for applications in mid-January.
The Biodiversity and Systematics programme requires a solid background in Biology, specifically we expect the equivalent to a Bachelor in Biology including at least one year's full time studies in Biology.
Selection process
Additional eligibility criteriaApplicants 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
Note! Must be submitted by the supporting documentation deadline. The form is only available during the application period, up to the supporting documentation deadline.Recommendation letters and CVs are not concidered.
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Career opportunities
The Master’s degree in Biodiversity and Systematics opens career paths for students wishing to pursue careers in academic research or as museum curators. Similarly, the programme is well suited to non-academic careers in Nature conservation, government agencies and non-governmental organisations.
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Contact
Student office- Visiting address
Arrheniuslaboratory, E315
Svante Arrhenius väg 20C
- Office hours
Mon-Wed: 10.00-15.00 (lunch 12.30-13.30)
Thur-Fri: 10.00-12.30
- Irregular office hours
Summer opening hours
June 27th - August 19th
10.00 - 12.00 Monday- Thursday (closed Fridays)
Study counsellor at master's level- Visiting address
Arrheniuslaboratory, E315c
Svante Arrhenius väg 20 C
- Office hours
By request