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Master of Science (MSc) in Biology

Type
Master (ISCED 2011 level 7)
Language

English

Duration 4 semesters
Entry level Bachelor
Cost DKK 55,000 ≈ EUR 7,390

The MSc programme in Biology allows you to work responsibly with nature management, to do genetic research in the laboratory or to undertake field work on the structure of eco systems.

The programme is offered in English.

The academic scope of biology is wide – thus, you can choose between these five specialisations: Molecular Biology and GeneticsCell Biology and PhysiologyMicrobiologyEcology and Marine Biology. The programme enables you to do interdisciplinary research and to feel equally at home when working in nature as well as in the laboratory.

Read about the academic profile and career opportunities

Application procedure

In order for you to be admitted you need to have a qualifying Bachelor’s degree or another qualifying degree at the same level.

The application procedure depends on your citizenship and educational background:

ARE YOU A CITIZEN IN DENMARK, EU, EEA OR SWITZERLAND?

ARE YOU A CITIZEN IN A COUNTRY OUTSIDE EU, EEA OR SWITZERLAND?

ARE YOU STUDYING OR HAVE YOU STUDIED A MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMME?

Prioritisation of applicants

Selection criteria

If the number of qualified applicants to the programme exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be prioritised as follows:

  1. Bachelor's degree with reserved access to the programme. This can only be Bachelor’s degrees from SCIENCE.
  2. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Copenhagen University.
  3. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology.
  4. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry or Molecular Biomedicine from the University of Copenhagen.
  5. Other applicants.

If the number of qualified applicants within a category exceeds the number of places available, applicants will be prioritised according to the following criteria.

Highest number of ECTS credits achieved within the following areas (not listed in prioritised order):

  • Organismal biology
  • Ecology
  • Evolutionary biology
  • Cell biology
  • Physiology
  • Molecular biology
  • Microbiology
  • Statistics, Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Practical skills within laboratory and field work within the main areas of biology

Learning outcomes

You should pursue studies in Biology if you are into biological phenomena like DNA, have an interest in nature management or would like to investigate the issues that life itself confronts us with every day. If you are the type who likes to poke their fingers into ponds or grapple with genetic puzzles while wearing lab garb, then Biology is for you. It is a programme where theory alternate with practical work in the field, in the lab or both. The wide range of courses in the programme offers you the opportunity to specialize in one of the many disciplines in the field of biology and thereby tailor your education to your interests and dreams for the future.

Competence Description

A graduate degree in Biology offers you a strong foundation for mastering important scientific techniques. You will leave the graduate programme equipped with skills applicable in nature as well as in the lab. 

Competences

A graduate in Biology has acquired the following generic competencies regardless of the chosen specialisation:

Knowledge about:

  • State-of the-art within a particular specialisation in biology.
  • Current biological problems relevant to industry and society and their possible solutions.

 Skills to:

  • Apply the most recent and most advanced experimental techniques, measuring methods and equipment in the field and/or in the laboratory.
  • Analyse, interpret and critically evaluate experimental complex stratified biological data from a range of methods.
  • Summarise a research subject based on original scientific literature.

Competencies to:

  • Manage, advice on and conduct research into biological systems, based on in-depth biological knowledge of the systems.
  • Hypothesise, independently formulate and conduct experiments, in the field and/or in the laboratory, and explain, communicate and put into perspective a scientific problem, both orally and in writing.
  • Combine and further develop advanced methods and techniques, including the competencies required to evaluate the complexity of the data collected, sources of error and methodological uncertainties.
  • Disseminate knowledge about the subject area in both academic and non-academic contexts.

Career Opportunities

Biologists work in a variety of occupational settings. The MSc programme in Biology covers a broad set of skills, so immediate job prospects are good. Also, your education and training can easily be targeted to suit specific career aims. Often, biologists get jobs in:

  • biotech
  • pharmaceutical companies
  • government ministries
  • municipalities
  • universities
  • upper secondary schools
  • intellectual property consultancies
  • environmental organisations
  • the media
  • biotech start-ups

All in all, equipped with a graduate degree in Biology, your prospects are extensive.

Prerequisites

If you have completed a Bachelor’s degree or are enrolled in the final semester of a Bachelor’s programme you are eligible to apply for the Master’s programme in Biology.

Bachelor’s degrees that automatically fulfill the academic requirements

If you hold one of the degrees listed below, you are considered to meet all academic requirements. Learn about when and how to apply.

Other bachelor’s degrees

If you have a bachelor’s degree other than those listed above, you must submit additional documentation along with your application so the University can evaluate whether or not you meet the admission requirements. Learn about when and how to apply.

Academic requirements

Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from other Danish, Nordic or international universities may also be admitted if their programme includes the following:

  • A minimum of 5 ECTS credits within each of the following areas: organismal biology, ecology, evolution biology, cell biology, physiology, molecular biology and microbiology, statistics, chemistry and biochemistry.
  • Practical skills within laboratory and field work within the main areas of biology corresponding to a total of 30 ECTS credits

Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree within the areas of Plant Science, Animal Science, Environmental Biology, Biochemistry, Biology-Biotechnology, Molecular Biomedicine or related subjects from the University of Copenhagen or other Danish, Nordic or international universities may also be admitted if their programme includes the following:

  • A minimum of 5 ECTS credits within each of the following areas: organismal biology, ecology, evolution biology, cell biology, physiology, molecular biology and microbiology, statistics, chemistry and biochemistry.
  • Practical skills within laboratory and field work within the main areas of biology corresponding to a total of 30 ECTS credits.

The Faculty may also admit applicants who, after an individual academic assessment, are deemed to possess educational qualifications equivalent to those required above.

Qualifying degree and other courses/projects

When we assess whether you meet the admission requirements for the Master's degree program, Danish legislation only allows us to assess your Bachelor's degree. Consequently, you cannot study supplementary courses between Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in order to meet the admission requirements.

If you have passed courses/projects before you complete the qualifying Bachelor's degree, these can be included in the assessment, even though they are not part of the Bachelor's degree program.

  • It applies to courses/projects you have taken as single subjects and courses/projects you have taken as part of another study program.
  • A maximum of 30 ECTS credits of these courses/projects may be included.

Language requirements

Unless you have reserved access to the program you are applying for, you are required to document proficiency in English according to your background; see the language requirements.

ISCED Categories

Biology
Biotechnology
Toxicology
Ecology
Conservation and environmental management