During the first year, the coursework (as outlined below) will ensure that the student acquires a wide range of skills relevant to marine biology. During the second year, the primary emphasis is research, the result of whi
ch 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.
Both years in the Master's programme are divided into four quarters. Each quarter lasts for 7 weeks and is followed by a period of evaluation.
The 1st quarter starts each year on September 1st and the 4th quarter finishes at the end of June.
Programme outline
The master's programme is shown in the conceptual diagram where the courses shown in yellow are mandatory and those highlighted in blue are for the student to decide.
PhD programme
Students taking the Master's degree may go on to take 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 the courses in the MSc programme in Biology - marine science.
If you have any questions regarding the courses, please contact the Institute of Biology
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 description
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
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
An Introduction to the Biology of Marine Mammals BB824 - (5 ECTS)
The aim of the course is to introduce the students to selected topics in the biology of marine mammals presented through lectures and guest lectures by experts in the field and by participating in a small practical project at Fjord & Bælt, the Marine Biological Research Center in Kerteminde and at Odense Zoo. The topics vary from year to year and can include evolution and systematics, mating systems, reproduction, behavior, distribution, feeding and energetics, respiration, diving and thermoregulation, conservation and epidemics, communication, echolocation and sound production, hearing, anatomy and physiology, population biology, genetics and molecular genetics.
Full course description
Geographical Information systems (GIS) in Environmental monitoring and Natural conservancy BB826 - (5 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
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
Aquatic Chemistry BB828 - (5 ECTS)
The aim of this course is to give a theoretical and quantitative understanding of the chemical processes controlling the distribution of the main elements like carbon, nitrogen, phosphor and oxygen in the environment. The course will focus on thermodynamics, kinetics, and redox processes.
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
Marine Ecosystems BB832 - (5 ECTS)
In this course the student will learn about the dominant plants and animals in different marine environments. The aim is to understand how physical, chemical and biological factors form an ecosystem with a focus on marine environments around Denmark. The course includes a one-day excursion to the Waddenzee supplemented with lab exercises where the students will qualitatively and quantitatively determine the fauna collected during the field trip.
Full course description