Master’s Degree Programme in Biological and Environmental Science
The programme combines two focus areas: aquatic science and ecology and evolutionary biology. As our university is surrounded by lakes and forests in the diverse landscape, you are in an ideal position to combine field work in natural environments with laboratory and theoretical exercises during your studies.
The aquatic major focuses on environmental and biological processes that determine the characteristics and ecosystem services of inland waters and ecologically, economically and socially sustainable use of natural resources. The ecology major focuses on fundamental concepts and theories of ecology, genetics and evolutionary biology and the ability to use these at the individual, population, community and ecosystem level.
Programme info
Applications for Master's Degree Programmes can be submitted once a year in January. The next call for applications is in January 2025.
The programme requires completion of 120 ECTS credits within 2 years, with compulsory and optional components. All courses are taught in English. The majority of the literature used is in English.
The aim of the programme is to produce experts in biology and environmental science. The programme contains two specialisation areas:
- aquatic science
- ecology and evolutionary biology
Students are assigned to one of these specialisation areas based on their application letter and academic background.
Student profile
Aquatic science focuses on environmental and biological processes that determine the characteristics and ecosystem services of inland waters and ecologically, economically and socially sustainable use of natural resources. Ecology and evolutionary biology focuses on fundamental concepts and theories of ecology, genetics, and evolutionary biology and the ability to use these at the individual, population, community and ecosystem level.
Graduates will be able to:
- apply theories and use the primary literature and empirical observations to answer scientific questions.
- use their knowledge to develop solutions to practical questions.
- obtain, evaluate and incorporate the latest knowledge of scientific problems using appropriate scientific practices and following ethical principles.
Career
Globally, there is a growing need for experts in the field of biological and environmental science. This global demand is expected to continue or even increase due to global environmental problems caused by human population growth and decrease in natural resources.
The MSc degrees qualify students for advanced studies in bioscience, especially aquatic sciences, ecology and evolutionary biology and other related fields.
Established collaborations exist with relevant national state institutes, such as SYKE (Finnish Environment Institute) and LUKE (Natural Resources Institute Finland). Collaboration is mainly in the form of teacher exchange, shared supervision of Master’s theses and internship positions. All research groups have both national and international collaborations with other universities as well as research institutes.
The next call for applications is in January 2025
In order to be eligible to international master’s programmes at the University of Jyväskylä, applicants must hold (or must complete by our deadline) a bachelor’s degree, master's degree or equivalent from a recognised institution of higher education. Please note also, that all applicants, even native speakers, must demonstrate their English language proficiency in one of the ways mentioned in the admission criteria.
The online application form will be available in the Studyinfo.fi portal only during the application period. In addition to the online application form, the applicant needs to submit the required attachments mentioned in the programme-specific admission criteria and on the application form.
Well before you apply, please read carefully the general instructions for applying and the programme-specific admission criteria below.
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Contact us
If you have questions concerning the admission process, please contact JYU Admission Services: admissions@jyu.fi
About tuition fees and the scholarship programme for students liable to pay tuition fees, please contact the International Office: degree-students@jyu.fi
If you have programme-specific questions for example on studies in the programme, or the suitability of the field of your previous degree when applying to the programme, please contact us: study-sci@jyu.fi
