Program Overview

Master Degree Thesis Work in Plant Biology

The Master degree thesis work in plant biology is a 45-credit course that focuses on the completion of a degree project in one of three main areas at the Department of Plant Physiology:

• plant physiology
• plant molecular biology
• bioinformatics

About the Course

The degree project must be defined in one of the three main areas and its relevance in a broader field of research of a biological nature must be clarified. The project's relevance can be defined in various biological disciplines, such as morphology, developmental biology, evolution, ecology, or biotechnology. Before approval of the degree project, the student must reach an agreement with the supervisor and present a project plan with a realistic schedule.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the course, students must have completed three compulsory courses of the Master program in Plant- and forest biotechnology or equivalent courses completed elsewhere. These courses include:

• Plant cell and molecular biology (15 credits)
• Plant growth and development (15 credits)
• Plant biotechnology and molecular breeding (15 credits) Proficiency in English (English B/6 or equivalent) is also required.

Selection

Selection is based on academic credits.

Application and Tuition Fees

As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, students are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University. The application fee is SEK 900, and the tuition fee for the first installment is SEK 114,225.

Course Details

• Type: Course, second cycle
• Study pace: Full time
• Study location: Umeå
• Type of studies: On campus
• Number of credits: 45 credits
• Teaching hours: Daytime
• Language: English
• Application code: UMU-50912

Duration

The course starts on November 3, 2025, and ends on June 7, 2026.

Research Areas

The degree project can be defined in various biological disciplines, including:

• Morphology
• Developmental biology
• Evolution
• Ecology
• Biotechnology

Study Guidance

A study counsellor can help students with many of their study-related questions.

Additional Information

Umeå University is certified as a Healthy Campus, with many initiatives that promote health and well-being. The university is also ranked #1 globally in the main categories of Living, Support, and Overall Satisfaction.