BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology - 60 stp

Only students on the Master's degree programme in biology are eligible for this course.

It is not available to any other category of students as a singular or elective course.

The master thesis is an independent scientific work, under the guidance by one or several supervisors. The thesis is written within one of the following disciplines:

• Arctic animal physiology
• Freshwater ecology
• Arctic marine ecology
• Molecular environmental biology
• Northern populations and ecosystem
• Arctic marine ecotoxicology
• Ecology and sustainability

Students who are admitted to the master's in biology normally select a project during the first semester, and no later than one month before the end of the second semester. All students will fill out a supervision contract in consultations with their supervisor. The contract along with a project description, has to be approved by the Department.

Deadline for handing in the contract is the third semester for all students;

1. September for students admitted in autumn.

1. February for students admitted in spring.

Knowledge

Students will have advanced knowledge in biology and in one of the following disciplines offered:

• Arctic animal physiology
• Freshwater ecology
• Arctic marine ecology
• Molecular environmental biology
• Northern populations and ecosystem
• Arctic marine ecotoxicology
• Ecology and sustainability

Skills:

• Formulate relevant research questions in an independent manner, and apply theories, concepts and methods pursuant to the scientific and ethical standards in the field.
• To search for and evaluate recent biological research in a critical manner, and to make assessments using scientific knowledge in the field.
• To present biological knowledge and ideas in an instructive manner to researchers, policy makers and the general public.

General proficiency:

• Have acquired specialized expertise in one of the disciplines offered
• Have the competence to analyze biological problems that require skills at a high level.
• Apply their knowledge and skills in biological theory and methods in new areas relevant to society
• Have sufficient competence to participate in and to evaluate research projects or to advance to doctoral studies

Individual guidance and supervision according to agreement and of two semesters duration. Maximum workload for the supervisor is 80 hours, you will receive supervision within these limits. The general work effort in a master`s project (60 ECTS) is 1500-1800 hours (including field and lab work).

The Master`s thesis must be written in English.