During the first year, the coursework (as outlined below) will ensure that the student acquires a wide range of skills relevant to environmental biology. During the second year, the primary emphasis is research, the result of which will be an individual MSc thesis.
The Master's programme is shown in the conceptual diagram below. 
All courses are taught and examined in English.
Programme outline
In this biology programme, we recommend the courses in order for you to specialize in Environmental Biology. The degree will be awarded in Biology, and the profile in Environmental Biology will be described on the degree certificate as a research profile.
PhD programme
Students taking the Master's degree may go on to apply for a further research degree. This can be either as a 3-year programme following the master’s programme or as a 4-year programme beginning a year after the bachelor programme. The research programme leads to a PhD in science. Read more about the PhD programme at the Faculty of Science.
Courses
Below, we have included a brief description of some of the courses that are either elective or mandatory in the Master's programme.
Under each course there is a link to the full course description.
Please refer to the programme outline above in order to see the complete outline of courses in the MSc programme in Environmental biology. If you have any questions regarding the courses, please contact the Institute of Biology
Natural Resource Economics and Management BB801 - (5 ECTS)
The objective of this course is to give a broad introduction to the political, social and especially economic principles guiding the management of natural resources and environmental goods and services. The course includes: introduction to economic theory and methodology (general welfare economics), environmental policy (standards versus economic regulatory means, i.e. taxes and Individual Transferable Quotas’), bio-economic modelling of renewable resources, integrated environmental planning and the DPSIR model, cost-benefit analysis and other analytical tools and valuation of non-market goods. Actual up-to-date topics will be the starting point for course (i.e. Climate change, the Water Framework Directive, Fisheries Policy and Coastal Zone Management). Full course description
Field Course in Freshwater or Marine Biology BB808 - (5 ECTS)
In this course participants plan, carry out, and analyze the results of a biological field project. The process includes the search for relevant scientific literature and the evaluation of results obtained in relation to the existing knowledge in the field. Specific research topics are chosen among pertinent biological issues in the natural environments that surround the field stations of the Institute of Biology, where the practical part of the course takes place. The participants will gain insights into the different stages of the research process in general, and to principles and methods in biological fieldwork in particular. Full course descriptionResearch project
Research Project BB810-811-812 - (5 or 10 ECTS)
The objective of this course is to make your own research project. You will have to define your own scientific question and hypothesis, and then solve the problem. You can choose your own topic and use the facilities at the Institute of Biology, extending from laboratory experiments, field work, mathematical modeling or literature studies. You will get trained in literature search and use of literature to support your study and results.
Full course description BB810 - BB811 - BB812
Planning and evaluation of biological experiments BB817 - (5 ECTS)
Throughout the course the students will be trained in summarizing biological topics with the aim of planning, evaluating and presenting their own experimental, biological investigations. The course will enable the students to critically evaluate research papers from the international scientific literature. A variety of studies reflecting the real complexity in a number of experimental biological disciplines, will be reviewed. The students will learn to use statistical as well as graphical software. Full course description
Practicals in Aquatic Ecology BB819 - (10 ECTS)
This course aims to give the student knowledge about freshwater ecological theories within the areas: cycling of nutrients and energy in ecosystems, and function and development of ecosystems. The level of knowledge should be adequate for future work with management of aquatic ecosystems. The students should furthermore obtain practical knowledge about field and experimental ecology and know the most common aquatic environmental analysis. The course content is a mixture of lectures, fieldwork and laboratory training. Full course description
Risk assesment of chemicals BB820 - (5 ECTS)
This course will supply the basic theory and terminology necessary for risk assessment of chemicals. It includes principles of hazard and risk assessment of chemicals; basic principles in toxicology and ecotoxicology; data demands in human and environmental risk assessment; test systems; uncertainties in risk assessment; principles for regulation of use of chemicals; risk perception; principles for evaluation of pesticides; ecotoxicological effects in the aquatic and terrestrial environment. The course will give practical experience in performing risk assessment of chemicals. Full course description
Concepts of ecotoxicology BB821 - (5 ECTS)
This course gives a basic introduction to the fundamental principles of toxicology and a more thorough description of the principles and methods of ecotoxicology. The most important problems with discharge of chemicals to the environment and the subsequent adverse biological effects are described. The students acquire skills in producing experimental data and then treating, presenting and interpreting them in relation to the scientific literature. Full course description
Mathematical environmental modelling 1 BB822 - (5 ECTS)
This course will give the students knowledge of the applicability of mathematical modelling within the scope of environmental modelling. Through lectures and practical computer sessions students will become able to work with environmental topics. The course includes the following topics: Introduction to environmental modelling, numerical methods in environmental modelling, classification of models, empirical models, water quality models, environmental management models, eco-toxicological models, case-studies and GIS-related models. In the practical part of the course, the student will use dynamic mathematical modelling as an evaluation tool for environmental questions. Full course description
Environmental quality and assessment of pollution in streams BB825 - (5 ECTS)
This course aims to give the students the scientific basis for targeting and for performing survey of environmental quality in streams and they should be able to perform technical evaluations of environmental quality in streams. The course gives background information on the administration of streams in relation to the EU Water Frame Directive, bathymetry and river hydraulics, important physical parameters in streams, stream ecology and stream pollution and general biotic indexes and fauna indexes with indicator species that target pollution with organic matter. Full course description
Mathematical environmental modelling 2 BB827 - (5 ECTS)
This course will give the students knowledge of the applicability of mathematical modelling within the scope of environmental modelling. The students will in a extended project use mathematical modelling to analyze complex environmental topics. Through the project the student will gain expertise in the full modelling procedure: Create conceptual diagrams, process description, numerical solution of partial differential equations, parameterization, sensitivity analysis, verification, calibration, validation, and finally setting up scenarios. The model project becomes reported so the results are discussed and scientific perspected.
Full course description
Geographical Information systems (GIS) in Environmental monitoring and Natural conservancy BB836 - (10 ECTS)
This course includes an introduction to the GIS-program (MapInfo) and its applicability in environmental monitoring and natural conservancy policy. The students will learn the GIS-tool through practical environmental cases, where they learn to prepare, implement and create environmental maps and treat and manipulate the data. The intention is that the students reach a level, so GIS can be used as a tool during the Master's project. The applicability of GIS inside county and municipality activities with environmental management will be presented through practical assignments. Full course description
Field Course in Geobiology BB831 - (5 ECTS)
The course will take place in Iceland and have the focus on geobiology and microbiology in geothermal sites. The goal of this course is to work at the interface between microbiology, molecular ecology, biogeochemistry and geology while learning how microorganisms affect the elemental cycles of hot springs and how they shape the environment of the ancient and modern Earth. The course is internationally funded by NordPlus and a collaboration with the University of Iceland, University of Bergen, University of Stockholm and University of Helsinki. Full course description