Learn more about Umeå University
There are many opportunities to meet us, at study fairs, through study guidance and webinars. Learn more about this here:
The Bachelor’s programme in Life Science focuses on life, bridging chemistry and biology to explore living systems. Our teachers have close links to outstanding research in areas such as microbiology, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, infectious medicine, and plant and forest biotechnology. After completing the programme, you can call yourself a chemist, molecular biologist or both, as you have the opportunity to finish your education with a double Bachelor's degree in both these subject areas.
The Life Science programme builds the basis and during the third year you specialize in chemistry or molecular biology.
Life Sciences cannot be defined by only one field of studies; rather, at its core, it is based on chemistry and molecular biology. In order to provide a university education in Life Science, we have therefore chosen to place the program at two departments - Department of Chemistry and Department of Molecular Biology. In this way, we can have experts teaching on the programme in all areas. And since all teachers are researchers, we have strong research links to important applications in society.
As a strong testament of this, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020 was awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier who was active at Umeå University when the CRISPR-Cas9 method was developed.
Read more about the Nobel Prize and CRISPR-Cas9
Meet one of your teachers – Teresa Frisan
"What interests me is how a system, a process, a mechanism works."
"When we did experiments, they were put into a bigger context, you understood why you were doing them and what you could use the information for."
"We did a lot of lab work and got to try out many practical steps widely used so when I started working, I already had knowledge of the methods I would work with"
"I knew for a long time that I wanted to go into the academic field but after really delving deeper into Life Science it felt just right."
"Someone with my degree can be competitive from a market perspective. If not in Umeå, then elsewhere in the world."
"It was really both the city and the programme that attracted me, so it was nice that my expectations were met."
The first and second year of the Life Science programme gives you a fundamental knowledge of chemistry and molecular biology. During this time, you take courses such as organic chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular genetics.
During the third year you may choose to specialize in these fields by taking advanced courses or broaden your knowledge in other subjects. The programme ends with a thesis project during which you will have the chance to apply your knowledge in the lab.
After studying the Life Science programme, you can call yourself a chemist, molecular biologist or both. You have the opportunity to finish your education with a double bachelor's degree in both of these fields of study, a double bachelor's degree requires only half a semester of extra study.
The teaching includes a varied mix of lectures, lessons, group work, seminars and practical laboratory work with a particular focus on problem-solving. In the laboratory exercises, you will apply modern techniques to investigate chemical and molecular biological processes. Since all courses include practical laboratory work, you will have the opportunity to strengthen your self-confidence and ability to work effectively in a laboratory.
Read more about the Swedish study system
All course literature and instruction are in English. This will not only prepare you for working in the highly international life science field but also gives you the possibility to study one or two semesters abroad at one of our many partner universities.
Read more about studying abroad in an interview with Ida Bengtsson
Read about an ordinary day at the programme
There are many opportunities to meet us, at study fairs, through study guidance and webinars. Learn more about this here:
Year 1
Biological chemistry
Fundamentals of chemistry
Biochemistry
Organic chemistry
Year 2
Microbiology and basic molecular biology
Basic and molecular genetics
Cell biology
Animal and plant physiology
Year 3
Breadth and depth through optional courses
Degree thesis within Chemistry or Molecular Biology
The programme provides you with the theoretical and practical skills you need in your future work life and the work prospects are good. As a chemist or molecular biologist you can for example work in pharmaceutical and biotech companies, often with research, or development and communication. You could also work as an environmental consultant, company leader, salesperson, investigator, or science journalist.
The programme provides an excellent foundation for continuing your education with, for example, a master's degree at Umeå University or elsewhere in Sweden or the world. In addition, the programme opens the opportunity to continue within academic research.
We also have an active industry council to connect companies and the labour market in Life Science to the programme through guest lectures, information sessions, online events and career fairs.
Sweden has a national strategy for life science with a stated goal of being a leading life-science nation. In Sweden alone there are thousands of companies and the sector is growing rapidly both internationally, in Sweden, and in Umeå.
You can read more about some of the companies in the Umeå region here: https://www.ubi.se/lifesciencecompanies-umea/
The Life Science program provides a broad foundation with excellent opportunities to get jobs e.g:
• In the development of new drugs and vaccines at pharmaceutical companies
• In medical technology
• At diagnostics companies, be able to make diagnostics
• Linked to criminology
• Production and development of e.g. food and makeup
• In project management and as a consultant in the entire life science sector
• In addition to this opportunity to continue in research!
The Bachelor of Science Programme in Life Science qualifies for further studies on advanced level. We offer Master of Science programmes in chemistry, molecular biology, and plant and forest biotechnology. A Master's degree provides a good basis for doctoral studies, but also increases your overall competitiveness on the labour market.
Meet one of our alumnae: Inés researches about mechanisms in chromosomes
What is Life Science?
The Bachelor's Programme in Life Science provides students with a broad competence in chemistry and molecular biology. Career paths include pursuing a Master’s degree and having an academic career, or working in biotech industries with research and development, and communication.
What is required for a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and/or molecular biology?
180 credits in total, 90 credits need to be within chemistry or molecular biology, 15 credits need to be at bachelor’s level and 15 credits need to be a thesis at bachelors level.
Read more about degree requirements
What courses are at the bachelor’s level/G2F?
It is courses that have prerequisites of at least 60 credits within the field or at least 120 credits in total.
How do I find a research group/supervisor for my bachelor’s thesis?
As a student you are responsible for contacting a supervisor/research group with the help of the teacher responsible for the course.
Read more about research groups:
https://www.umu.se/en/faculty-of-science-and-technology/research/research-groups/
https://www.umu.se/en/faculty-of-medicine/research/research-groups/
https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-medical-and-translational-biology/research/research-groups/
https://www.umu.se/en/ucmr/ucmr-organisation/
Is it possible to write your thesis at another university in Sweden/abroad?
Yes, but we require that you have a co-supervisor from Umeå University.
Is the programme conducted in English or Swedish?
The education is conducted in English.
Is it possible to take a degree in both chemistry and molecular biology?
Yes, it is possible to do so if you fulfil the requirements for the degree. You need 180 credits in total, of which 90 credits need to be within the field of chemistry or molecular biology, 15 credits need to be the thesis and at least 15 credits need to at a G2F level. For more information please contact study guidance.
Where can I find contact information for the programme?
For more information about the programme, please email lifescience.chemistry@umu.se.