Molecular Environmental Biology

Admission requires:

• bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS) or an equivalent degree following a programme of study of minimum 3 years.
• a minimum of 80 ECTS in the bachelor's degree must include a specialization in biological topics [i.e., biodiversity (zoology/botany), ecology, cell- and molecular biology, microbiology, physiology (animal/plant), biochemistry and bioinformatics].
• a minimum of 10 ECTS in basic and practical molecular biology (BIO-2018 or equivalent) or documenting hands-on molecular lab experience through a bachelor thesis.
• a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (3,0) in the ECTS scale. The average grade is calcualted from the entire bachelore´s degree.
• proof of English language proficiency. (Applicants with education from non-Nordic countries. You will find more information of English language requirements here.)

Applicants with a degree in Agricultural, Fisheries and Aquaculture studies, Biomedical laboratory sciences ("Bioingeniør"), or Bachelor of Pharmacy, Medicine or Dentistry do not fulfil the admission requirements.

How to apply for admission to UiT? Read more here

Non-EU students must be prepared to pay tuition fees, more information here

Program description

The specialization in Molecular Environmental Biology focuses on the physiological and molecular analysis of plants and microorganisms. Research areas cover a broad range of contemporary research topics ranging from functional plant and microbial molecular biology and physiology and plant/microbe interactions to bioinformatic analysis and modelling. The common theme of our discipline is understanding interactions within, and between cells and between organisms and their environment at a cellular and molecular level. The Master students will be offered an opportunity for a molecular study within one selected field of research and the participation in an ongoing research project.

During the master´s study the students will be given the opportunity to choose from a variety of different courses applying modern methods of experimental molecular biology and bioinformatics for the study of plant and microbe systems. All courses are designed specifically to prepare the candidates for their master’s thesis.

Students will be an integral part of the Microorganisms and Plants Rearch Group and are expected to participate actively.

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Learning outcomes

The specialization in Molecular Environmental Biology gives you advanced knowledge in one of the following topics:

• intra- and interspecies communications and molecular interactions.
• functioning dynamics and biotechnological application of microbial communities in a changing world.
• secondary metabolites in microbes and plants, their biological functions and applied aspects.
• bioinformatics and scientific programming.

You will also gain knowledge within molecular methods.

Job prospectives

The Master’s degree in Biology will allow you to qualify for different career paths and prepare you to step into a professional role or to apply for a PhD.

A Master of Science degree in Biology will prepare you for a wide range of jobs, in both public and private sectors, including research, resource and nature management, administration, consulting and the teaching profession.

The master thesis can play an important role to establish your domain of expertise and to showcase acquired technical and soft skills. Also, it can be very important in building scientific and professional network, that will be a support in your future job search.

Access to further studies

On successful completion of the degree programme, students may be qualified for admission to a PhD-programme in Biology at the UiT or elsewhere.

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Study plan

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Language of instruction

The language of instruction and all syllabus material is English.

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Teaching and assessment

Several teaching and assessment methods are employed, including lectures, seminars, laboratory work, computer lab and field courses. These will vary from course to course.
Course examinations may be oral or written examinations, assessments of project work/ lab reports/field reports, often in combination.
Supervision of the project work that leads to the writing of the Master`s thesis will be given by faculty staff, sometimes in co-operation with an external supervisor.