Master programme in Plant Science

This specialization will not be offered in 2025. 

Plants use intricate systems for growth, development, transport and metabolism to cope with adverse environmental conditions, but also have considerable capacity to adapt genetically to both biotic and abiotic factors. An understanding of the mechanisms that underlie these features is of fundamental importance for all biological disciplines.

This program focusses on plant biology, evolution and biodiversity. You will gain knowledge and understanding of how plants function at different levels of organisation, from the molecular to the eco-physiological level. During the program, you practice relevant methodology since field trips and laboratory work are integrated parts of many courses. You will learn about the mechanisms that are involved in plant evolution, distribution and diversity, as well as how mating systems and population structure influence gene flow and genetic diversity in plants. You will also study how plants interact with other organisms and their ability to adapt to environmental change. The teachers are active researchers and you will gain insight in plant research on the molecular, cell, physiological and ecological level.

You have the possibility to direct your studies toward your own specific interests.

The program comprises two years of full-time studies (120 credits), with at least 90 credits at advanced level in Biology. Teaching is carried out in the form of courses, primarily in modules worth 15 credits and a Degree project for one or two semesters.

Get some inspiration to what the Master's programmes leads to. You find completed Master's degree projects in biology on LUP Student Papers.

Recommended course of study

You choose among around 15 advanced level courses in Biology. You may also choose some courses from other disciplines. Together with the study advisor you can create an individual course of study. Please note that many of the advanced courses in Biology have other prerequisites than the Master’s Programme in Biology itself. 

Year 1

Autumn

• Population and Community Ecology BIOR69 or Soil and Plant Ecology BIOR78. For students with a strong background in molecular biology and chemistry, the course Methods in Molecular Biology BIOR79 is also available.
• Plant Function BIOR76 or elective courses

Spring

• Molecular Ecology and Evolution BIOR25 ,  Conservation Biology BIOR83 or Molecular Biotechnology BIOR31 
• Plant Evolution and Adaptation BIOR77 or Genetic Analysis BIOR92, 7,5 credits and
  Applied Bioinformatics BIOR93, 7,5 credits

Summer

• Start of Master's degree project or Floristics intermediate course BIOF03 - at our Swedish web (Bachelor's level and given in Swedish).

Year 2

Autumn

• Population and Community Ecology BIOR69 or Soil and Plant Ecology BIOR78
• Processing and- Analysis of Biological Data BIOS14 and Modelling Biological Systems BIOS13 or Nature Conservation BIOC05 (Bachelors level and given in Swedish) - at our Swedish web  

Spring

• Master's degree project BIOM02/BION02/BION03
• Plant Systematics and Diversity BIOR72