Jyväskylän yliopisto, Finland
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 12,000 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* applications open from January 8th to January 22nd.
Key Summary
Introduction
Both global and local environmental problems makes studying biological and environmental sciences important and meaningful. Due to climate change and decrease in natural resources and biodiversity, there is a growing need for specialists in the field.
Studies in our international Master’s Degree Programme in Biological Science provide you with the ability to understand different phenomena of life comprehensively, from interaction between molecules to the functioning of ecosystems.
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.
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Admissions
Curriculum
The programme requires completion of 120 ETCS credits within 2 years, with compulsory (85 ECTS) and optional (35 ECTS) components.
The compulsory part include transferable skills (20 ECTS: scientific writing, independent seminar work and individual training in a research group, language studies, 20 ECTS), individual thesis work (30 ECTS) and 35 ECTS compulsory subject studies for either Aquatic science or Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. These subject studies include lectures, practicals (in the laboratory, computer class and in the field) and book examinations.
Specialisation is possible through the selection of the optional courses (35 ECTS) and choice of topic for the individual thesis. This individual research project (e.g. thesis work) with associated courses and seminars, in which independent research skills are developed, is a core part of the programme.
Within the transferable skills students must complete at least 2 ECTS in Finnish language studies.
Program Outcome
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.
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 Opportunities
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.