Master's Programme in Ecology and Biodiversity
This programme will give you essential knowledge to understand nature’s complex connections and the relationships between species, their environment and climate. Evolutionary ecology and experimental design are important aspects of a programme where you will have opportunities to study empirical ecology in both the field and laboratory.
Reasons to choose a Master in Ecology and Biodiversity
- Increasingly seminar based teaching provides many opportunities for interaction and discussions
- Broad training integrating evolutionary theory with experimental and analytical skills
- Flexibility to shape your studies to your own interests and career aspirations
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Programme overview
The Master’s program in Ecology and Biodiversity includes courses covering Evolutionary Ecology, Biodiversity, Experimental Design, and Science in Biological Research and Investigation. There is plenty of space within the programme to allow you to choose from a selection of additional elective and optional courses so you can pursue a programme adapted to your chosen interests and career aims.
You are required to choose 22.5 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
Biodiversity: Patterns and Processes
Elective courses
Animal Diversity - Vertebrates
Baltic Sea Ecosystem: Applications, Modeling and Management
Ecological and evolutionary responses to climatic variation
Insects: Inventory and Identification
Interactions in Ecological Communities
Management of Aquatic Resources in the Tropics
Plant diversity and evolution - a global perspective
Plants in Environmental Treatment
Year 2
Compulsory courses
Degree project in Ecology and Biodiversity
(instructions apply for all degree projects at the department)Science in Biological Research and Investigation
Elective courses
Animal Diversity - Invertebrates
Marine microbial ecology: from genomes to biomes
Paleoecology, genetics and human prehistory
Social-ecological systems: challenges and approaches
Independent project
Degree projects 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.
Recent degree projects
- Screening for the amphibian Chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in southern Swedish amphibian populations
- Effectiveness of buffer strips for the protection of vascular flora in riparian areas in Boreal forests of Central Sweden
- Genetic rescue in an inbred arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) population
- Habitat suitability as a predictor for occurrence of the saproxylic beetles Osmoderma eremita and Elater ferrugineus
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How to apply
The Master's programme in Ecology and Biodiversity is only open for application in the first round, with deadline for applications in mid-January.
The Ecology and Biodiversity programme requires a solid background in Biology, and a basic understanding in Ecology and/or Evolution. Specifically we expect the equivalent of a Bachelor in Biology, including half a semester of Ecology or Evolution.
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.
Cover letter/Motivation letter
The form is only available when applications are open.Recommendation letters and CVs are neither required, nor concidered if included.
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Career opportunities
A Master’s degree in Ecology and Biodiversity 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 gives a sound background for work concerning conservation and ecology, in for example, forestry and agriculture, fishing and hunting or within administrative authorities working with nature conservation issues.
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Contact
Student office- Visiting address
E315, Arrheniuslaboratory
Svante Arrhenius väg 20C
- Irregular office hours
Restricted hours due to Corona
Mon-Fri: 10-12 am
Study counsellor at master's level- Ann-Christin Lindås
- ann.christin.lindas@su.se
- 08-16 19 98
- Visiting address
E315c, Arrheniuslaboratory
Svante Arrhenius väg 20 C
- Office hours
By request
