Master programme in Plant Science
120 credits
This specialization will not be offered in 2026.
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 focuses 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.
Degree requirements
Program structure 2026
Courses corresponding to 120 credits, of which should encompass:
Compulsory Courses 15 credits:
- BIOR76 Plant Function or Evolutionary Plant Ecology BIOR99
Elective Courses, at least 45 credits:
- Applied Bioinformatics BIOR93
- Bioinformatics and Sequence Analysis BINP17
- Chemistry, Advanced Biochemistry, KEMM23
- Evolutionary Biology - Methods and Applications BIOR90
- Evolutionary Biology - Patterns and Processes, BIOR89
- Evolutionary Plant Ecology BIOR99
- Genetic Analysis BIOR92
- Microscopy – Bio-Imaging BIOS08
- Modelling Biological Systems BIOS13
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution BIOR25
- Molecular Genetics of Eukaryotes BIOR95
- Molecular Biotechnology and Methods BIOR94
- Plant Systematics and Diversity BIOR72
- Population and Community Ecology BIOR69
- Processing and Analysis of Biological Data BIOS15
- Plant Function BIOR67
- Soil and Plant Ecology BIOS16
Optional Courses, 0-30 credits
Master´s degree project in biology BIOM02/BION02/BION03, 30/45/60 credits
Degree title
Master of Science (Two Years)
Major: Biology with specialization in Plant Science
Application
This program will not be offered 2026.
Questions?
Lotta Persmark, Study advisor, biology and bioinformatics
Telephone: +46 46 222 37 28
Email: Lotta [dot] Persmark [at] biol [dot] lu [dot] se (Lotta[dot]Persmark[at]biol[dot]lu[dot]se)