Turku, Finland
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
21 Jan 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 12,000 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* application period: January 2026
** free for citizens of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland, for citizens of non-EU/EEA countries €12,000/academic year
Key Summary
Introduction
Discover all degree programmes of the University of Turku
Build a systemic view of molecular processes
The Molecular Systems Biology track offers extensive training in modern molecular biology and education focused on systems biology (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, gene/protein structure-function relationships) with a special focus on practical laboratory skills and molecular interaction networks.
Through this Master’s Degree Programme in Biosciences: Molecular Systems Biology specialisation track, you will acquire scientific and analytical skills together with expertise in present theories and up-to-date technologies. The skills and knowledge obtained will pave the way for future career paths in academia or industry for you.
This programme is tightly connected to the progress in omics technologies that help us enhance our understanding of cell functions and develop more holistic view of biological processes. The focus of this programme lies on the molecular interactions comprising cell physiology, signalling pathways, and regulatory links.
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Biosciences at the University of Turku
The Molecular Systems Biology specialisation track is a part of the Master’s Degree Programme in Biosciences. The other specialisation track in this programme is Evolutionary Biology .
The Molecular Systems Biology track offers extensive training in modern molecular biology and education focused on systems biology (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, gene/protein structure-function relationships) with a special focus on practical laboratory skills and molecular interaction networks.
In the Evolutionary Biology track, the focus is on deepening knowledge of evolutionary biology, ecology, genetics, and physiology, with a special focus on bioinformatics and computational methods for analysing and interpreting evolutionary and NGS data, both modern and ancient DNA.
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarship Opportunities
The University of Turku supports merited and motivated students with generous scholarships. The university offers these scholarships to students pursuing Master's level studies who are subject to tuition fees.
Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, and you can apply for a scholarship by simply answering “yes” to the corresponding question in the online application form when you apply for the programme.
One type of scholarship covers whole tuition fees for two years for Master’s degree programmes. In addition to that, there is a scholarship for the best applicants that covers tuition fees and includes an additional grant of €5,000.
Approximately 30 % of the admitted students are awarded a scholarship by the University of Turku.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
Courses will contain a mix of teaching methods, including lectures, exercises, laboratory and computer practicals, student-driven presentations as well as completion of an independent research project (MSc Thesis). Numerical analysis of biological data including bioinformatics and other statistical analyses will be part of the curriculum.
The Master’s degree in Bioscience is a two-year programme amounting to 120 ECTS. Both tracks follow their own curriculum of courses. The degree is comprised of:
- common courses that provide you with the essential knowledge needed as well as transferrable skills including mandatory language studies;
- track-specific major subject studies that will provide state-of-the-art theories and practical skills relevant to the field;
- selectable studies that expand your knowledge in specific thematic areas and special themes of your choice;
- master’s thesis where you will apply your newly acquired knowledge.
Master's Thesis & Topics
To complete your studies, you will carry out a final project that is an independent and experimental, supervised research project aiming for the master’s thesis. The purpose of the master's thesis is to display your obtained skills in terms of data gathering, data analysis, and interpretation of the analyses, as well as setting your project within the larger scientific background based on scientific literature. You will present your project and its results in a master’s seminar that follows the procedures used in scientific meetings. You will also write a master’s thesis that describes your experimental work and its results as well as includes a review of relevant background literature.
Program Outcome
Competence Description
In the Molecular Systems Biology track, you will get a solid understanding of the theories and concepts behind state-of-the-art technologies used for systems biology research in a variety of molecular bioscience disciplines. Hands-on training provided in practical courses and research projects allows you to develop methodological proficiency in current systems biology techniques. The course facilitates strong expertise and active participation in modern bioscience research.
Career Opportunities
Job Options
Master's programme in Biosciences educates future experts for positions in academia, industry, and the public sector. After graduating from the programme, you will be eligible for scientific postgraduate degree studies and may work, among others, as a:
- research scientist,
- lecturer,
- project manager,
- research coordinator.
Career in Research
Master of Science degree will also allow you to apply for scientific postgraduate degree studies – doctoral and licentiate degrees. You will be able to apply for studies at theUniversity of Turku Graduate School and in one of the Doctoral Programmes.