About the education
The programme aims to give advanced knowledge about plants and plant research in a broad perspective. The courses deal with the theoretical importance of plants and plant research, within the framework of environmental protection, industrial research and legislation, and it gives thorough practical training in planning and executing plant-related research projects. The course also examines the opportunities and risks of gene-modified organisms (GMO)s. The programme is a collaboration between Stockholm University (SU), Uppsala University (UU) and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU-Uppsala). The first year comprises three compulsory courses.
The first course, The Growth and Development of Plants (UU), focuses on the mechanisms at molecular, cell and organism levels, that control various phases of the development of plants. The next course, Genetic Diversity and Plant Breeding (SLU), deals with biodiversity, plant breeding and comparative genetics, together with issues of biotechnology and the tools of bioinformatics within the field of plant breeding.
The course Plant-Microbe Interactions (SU) focuses on the interactions of plants with their surroundings, and includes the phenomenon of symbiosis and defence strategies against attacks by insects and micro-organisms. This course includes a five-week project.
The year ends with elective courses of a total of 15 HEC. The second year consists of optional courses and a degree project of 30, 45 or 60 HEC at any one of the departments involved.
Subject: Biology
Biology means the study of life and living organisms including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, diversity, their interaction with their environment and their presence in time and space.
There are many subdivisions and topics within Biology such as: molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, genetics, botany, zoology, ethology, faunistics, floristics and ecology.
An education in biology not only gives you basic knowledge in biology, but also an understanding of relationships between structure and function on various biological levels and it also gives you a grasp of the processes that control the evolution of the organism.
Biology is an experimental subject, meaning it alternates theoretical studies with practical exercises such as laboratory work and field trips. Examples of laboratory work include analyzing DNA molecules, producing bacteria or studying preparations of various tissues under a microscope. Dissections and experiments with living organisms are a part of an education in biology, however, an option without animal experiments within the zoology moments is also available.
You will be able to study animals and plants in their natural habitats as well as participate in practical ecological field work through different field trips and excursions. Stockholm University has access to three field stations located in interesting nature areas: Tovetorp in Södermanland, Askö in Trosa Archipelago and Tjärnö on the west coast of Sweden.
Area of interest: Science and Mathematics
Science and mathematics help us understand how the world around us is connected – from the origin and structure of the universe, to the development and function of humanity and all other organisms on earth.
Scientific knowledge makes it possible to critically examine the credibility of information in different areas of everyday life, society, and the media.
As a scientist or mathematician, you will be attractive on a large job market that covers all parts of society and includes everything from pure technology companies to environment and healthcare, as well as research.