Master in Ecology and Biodiversity Stockholm University

This program will give you the essential knowledge to understand nature’s complex connections and the relationships between species, their environment, and climate. Evolutionary ecology and experimental design are important aspects of a program where you will have opportunities to study empirical ecology in both the field and laboratory.

Reasons to choose a Master in Ecology and Biodiversity

• Increasingly seminar-based teaching provides many opportunities for interaction and discussions
• Broad training integrating evolutionary theory with experimental and analytical skills
• Flexibility to shape your studies to your own interests and career aspirations

The Master’s program in Ecology and Biodiversity includes courses covering Evolutionary Ecology, Biodiversity, Experimental Design, and Science in Biological Research and Investigation. There is plenty of space within the program to allow you to choose from a selection of additional elective and optional courses so you can pursue a program adapted to your chosen interests and career aims.

You are required to choose 7.5 credits of courses from the list of elective courses (updated each year). You can also include at least 15 credits of optional courses, these can be in other subjects.

Year 1

Compulsory courses

• Biodiversity: Patterns and Processes
• Statistics for biologists II
• Evolutionary Ecology
• Science in Biological Research and Investigation

Elective courses

• Animal Diversity - Vertebrates
• Ecological and evolutionary responses to climatic variation
• Interactions in Ecological Communities
• Management of Aquatic Resources in the Tropics
• Molecular Ecology
• Paleogenetics
• Plant diversity and evolution - a global perspective

Year 2

Compulsory courses

Degree project in Ecology and Biodiversity (instructions apply for all degree projects at the department)

Elective courses

• Animal Diversity - Invertebrates
• Marine Ecosystem Dynamics
• Marine microbial ecology: from genomes to biomes
• Animal Social and Sexual Behaviour

Independent project

Degree projects are carried out within ongoing research projects at either the Department of Zoology or the Department of Ecology, Environment, and Plant Sciences. It is also possible to conduct the degree project externally, at a research institute, organization, or company.

Recent degree projects

• Screening for the amphibian Chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in southern Swedish amphibian populations
• Effectiveness of buffer strips for the protection of vascular flora in riparian areas in Boreal forests of Central Sweden
• Genetic rescue in an inbred arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) population
• Habitat suitability as a predictor for the occurrence of the saproxylic beetles Osmoderma eremita and Elater ferrugineus

A Master’s degree in Ecology and Biodiversity opens up many career possibilities within academia or the public sector. On completion of this program, you will be eligible to apply for Ph.D. studies.

The program gives a sound background for work concerning conservation and ecology, in for example, forestry and agriculture, fishing and hunting or within administrative authorities working with nature conservation issues.