Master's Programme in Ecology and Biodiversity, 120 credits

Biological diversity on Earth is under threat and the rapid extinction of species and populations is one of the major problems that mankind face today. Differences between species can be understood in the light of evolution, partly as a result of adaptation to different environments through natural selection, and partly as a result of random events such as climate change. Ecology is the study of which factors affect the distribution and diversity of species, and how species are adapted to the world around them through competition, predation and mutualism. This includes studies of individuals, populations, communities, and ecosystems, in an attempt to understand the complicated networks of relationships between species, their environment and the climate. Humans today influence the conditions for many species and we need to understand factors and processes that cause biodiversity to decrease and be lost. The Master's Programme in Ecology and Biodiversity provides wide-ranging opportunities for students to tailor their education to obtain the profile desired. A final degree project in ecology is compulsory, as are the courses in Experimental Design and Science in Biological Research and Investigation. These courses are taken in parallel with the degree project. The courses Evolutionary Ecology and Biodiversity: Patterns and Processes are compulsory parts of the programme. The student can choose further courses in, for example, Interactions in Ecological Socities and Molecular Ecology. It is also possible to include courses in, for example, GIS and Environmental Law. The programme can be seen as preparation for students who want to continue to research education with ecological aspects in, for example, ecology, ethology, population genetics, conservation biology and systematics, and it can be an admirable background for, for example, research administration, scientific journalism, work with issues involved with forestry and agriculture, fishing and hunting, and for services for authorities who work with issues of conservation.