Master's Programme in Molecular Biology

While studying

As a student in the Master’s programme in Molecular Biology, you will be part of an inclusive, multicultural study environment together with international students and professors. Your professors are active researchers, often principal investigators in world-leading research groups.

Teaching is often conducted in small groups and you can expect a lot of feedback from your teachers. Theory will be mixed with practical problem solving, conducted in state-of-the-art teaching labs using the latest techniques. Many courses take place inside academic departments where students are embedded with professors and active researchers.

A wide range of courses to choose from

The individual courses in the programme usually consist of nine weeks of full-time studies. The teaching forms used include lectures, group exercises, seminars, laboratory exercises, and tutorials. Current questions in molecular biology, with relevance to biomedicine, biotechnology and basic research, are covered.

After the compulsory courses, Advanced Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics, you can choose from various elective courses in molecular biology or related subjects, provided they meet the degree requirements. For example, you can take courses in biochemistry, infection biology or plant molecular biology. You can also undertake project courses, conducting independent research projects within a research group under the supervision of an experienced researcher.

Research in Umeå led to the Nobel Prize

Emmanuelle Charpentier was awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 genetic scissors – a discovery she made during her time as a researcher at the Department of Molecular Biology at Umeå University.

Read more about Emanuelle Charpentier

Thesis project in a research group

The programme finishes with a thesis project in Molecular Biology, which you can conduct embedded in a research group at Umeå University. This experience prepares you for doctoral studies if you choose to pursue an academic career. It is also possible to carry out your project in collaboration with research intense organisations like biotech companies.

Close to strategic research

Umeå University hosts many prominent research groups conducting strategic molecular research of international significance within areas of microbiology, cell biology, chemical biology, genetic model organisms, immunology, systems biology, sensory systems, cancer biology, developmental biology, medical biology and immunology. Many of our graduates continue their studies in PhD programmes here or at other institutions.

Programme overview

Career opportunities

With a Master of Science Degree in Molecular Biology you are attractive for employers at, for example, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, usually within research, development or marketing. Other employment possibilities include management, investigations, scientific journalism, and research.

Further studies?

Following your degree you are eligible to apply for PhD positions in relevant areas.