Program Overview

Ecological Dynamics Program

The Ecological Dynamics program is a 15-credit course that focuses on mathematical modeling as a tool for studying ecological dynamics. This program explores the interplay between organisms and their environment, teaching students how to translate biological and environmental information into meaningful mathematical models.

Program Description

The program is designed to provide students with a solid background in population and community theory from a process-oriented, dynamic perspective. The focus is on how interactions between organisms drive the dynamics of ecological systems through feedbacks among various processes, often with unexpected results.

Program Structure

The program includes two main sections:

• Section 1: Methods, principles, and concepts in ecological dynamics (7.5 ECTS) This part gives a thorough introduction to how models are constructed and analyzed, including exercises in how biological assumptions translate into mathematical models and how the models are subsequently programmed and numerically analyzed in Matlab.
• Section 2: Research project (7.5 ECTS) In this part, students develop their own research project, starting from a published scientific article that models a natural system in order to address questions of practical and theoretical importance.

Eligibility and Selection

To be eligible for the program, students must have:

• 90 ECTS in Biology, including 30 ECTS in Ecology
• Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6/level 2 Selection is based on academic credits.

Application and Tuition Fees

• Application fee: SEK 900
• Tuition fee, first installment: SEK 38,075
• Total fee: SEK 38,075

Program Details

• Type: Course, second cycle
• Study pace: Full-time
• Study location: Umeå
• Type of studies: On campus
• Language: English
• Application code: UMU-50203
• Starts: 19 January 2026
• Ends: 23 March 2026
• Number of credits: 15 credits
• Teaching hours: Daytime

Department and Research Areas

The program is given by the Department of Ecology, Environment, and Geoscience, which conducts research in various areas, including ecological dynamics.