Plant biotechnology and molecular breeding 15 credits

About the course

The course aims to provide knowledge on biotechnological applications in agriculture and forestry as well as how modern molecular biological methods can be used in plant breeding. The theory module deals with 1. the genetic transformation of plants with Agrobacterium system but also with other techniques and tissue culture propagation. Specific problems regarding e.g. grasses and trees are also discussed, and the laboratory sections illustrate the transformation and tissue culture of plants. 2. how plants but also to some extent bacteria can be utilized as production systems for example, chemicals, fuel, drugs and antibodies, as well as how plants can be genetically modified to have an altered nutrient content (e.g. Golden rice) or to become more resistant to stress. Practical exercises are also included here. 3. synthetic biology and gene editing methods e.g. CRISPR/Cas9 as well as their applications in plant biotechnology. 4. social aspects of plant biotechnology, for example, legislation of GMO plants in Sweden and the EU, patent legislation, risk assessment and ethical aspects of GMO plants and similar substances.

The course is divided into three modules: theory (10.5 credits), laboratory exercises (1.5 credits), literature studies and seminarium presentation (3 credits)

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Spring 2026
- Plant biotechnology and molecular breeding
  
  Spring 2026 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Application opens 15 September 2025
  
  Save education at universityadmissions.se
  
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  Starts
  19 January 2026
  
  Ends
  23 March 2026
  
  Number of credits
  15 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  100%
  
  Teaching hours
  Daytime
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-50942
  
  Eligibility 90 ECTS credits, of which at least 15 ECTS credits are in the main area of chemistry and 60 ECTS credits in the main area of biology where at least 30 ECTS credits should be in cell- and molecular biology. Swedish for basic eligibility for higher education programmes and English B/6. Requirements for Swedish only apply if the course is held in Swedish.
  
  Selection
  Academic credits
  
  Application
  The online application opens 15 September 2025 at 09:00 CET. Application deadline is 15 October 2025.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 38,075
  
  Total fee: SEK 38,075
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding

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