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Bachelor of Science Programme in Life Science

  • Number of credits 180 credits
  • Study time 3 years (full time)
  • Level Bachelor's Degree
  • Starting Autumn Term 2024

The Bachelor's Programme in Life Science provides you with a broad competence in chemistry and molecular biology. 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.

Study both chemistry and molecular biology

The Life Science programme builds the basis and during the third year you specialize in chemistry or molecular biology.

 

While studying

What is Life Sciences?

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

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.

Double bachelor's degree

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.

A mix of theory and practical lab work

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 teaching in English

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

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:

Meet Umeå University

 

Programme overview

Career opportunities

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.

A stated goal of being leading life-science nation

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/

Common jobs

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!



Further studies?

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.

Application and eligibility

Bachelor of Science Programme in Life Science, 180 credits

Visa tillfällen för föregående termin Autumn Term 2024 Det finns inga senare terminer för kursen
  • Bachelor of Science Programme in Life Science

    Programme starts

    Autumn Term 2024

    Type of studies

    100%, Daytime

    Study location

    Umeå

    Language

    English

    Eligibility

    General entry requirements and Biology 2, Physics 1a or 1b1+1b2, Chemistry 2, Mathematics 4 or Mathematics D Entry requirements

    Selection

    The selection is based upon both GPA and the Swedish National University Aptitude test (Högskoleprovet) in the ratio 66/34.

    Application code

    UMU-P1506

    Application

    Online applications are now open. You will be transferred to Universityadmissions.se. Application deadline is 15 April 2024. How to apply

    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 71,400

    Total fee

    SEK 428,400

    Programme starts

    Autumn Term 2024

    Type of studies

    100%, Daytime

    Study location

    Umeå

    Language

    English

    Eligibility

    General entry requirements and Biology 2, Physics 1a or 1b1+1b2, Chemistry 2, Mathematics 4 or Mathematics D Entry requirements

    Selection

    The selection is based upon both GPA and the Swedish National University Aptitude test (Högskoleprovet) in the ratio 66/34.

    Application code

    UMU-G1506

    Application

    Application deadline was 15 January 2024. The application period is closed.

    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 71,400

    Total fee

    SEK 428,400

Contact us

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Programme is given by
Faculty of Science and Technology
Contactpersons for the programme are:
Erik Chorell and Teresa Frisan, programme directors