Master's Programme in Evolutionary Biology – MEME

Semester 1

As a student in the program you start your studies in either Groningen or Uppsala. If you start in Uppsala, the program is integrated with the master program in evolutionary biology and contains two mandatory courses, Evolutionary Processes and Evolutionary Patterns.

Semester 2

The second semester then continues in Montpellier or Munich. In Montpellier, you first take six 2.5 EC courses designed specifically for the MEME program:

• Advanced Population Genetics (2.5 EC)
• Advanced Statistics (2.5 EC)
• Genetic data analysis (2.5 EC)
• Current Topics in Ecology (2 EC)
• Modeling in Ecology and Evolution (2.5 EC)
• Reading of papers and seminars (2 EC)
• Evolutionary applications (1 EC)
• Writing grant proposals (2.5 EC)

If you choose instead to continue your second semester in Munich, you can choose freely among the courses offered by the Master's program in Evolution, Ecology and Systems (EES), such as:

• Basic and Advanced Evolutionary Genomics (3 EC each)
  
• Modeling of evolutionary ecology (3 EC)
  
• Experimental behavioral ecology (3 EC)
  
• Population genetics (6 EC)
  
• Principles of behavioral ecology (3 EC)
  
• Statistics (3 EC)

Semester 3 and 4

In the third and fourth semesters, you choose at which university or universities you want to do your two individual research projects.

Please go to the official MEME website to read more about courses available for the first semester, the second semester and information about research projects.

Courses within the programme

See the programme outline for courses within the programme.

Biology instruction at Uppsala University is done in close connection to current research. All teachers for the individual courses in the Master's Programme in Biology are active scientists, ensuring that you will get an education that reaches the absolute forefront of the respective field. The teachers on the program are open to discussion and we expect you to be active during lectures and laboratory sessions.

The courses provide factual knowledge and practical training in the form of laboratory work and field trips, as well as the ability to solve problems, think analytically and work scientifically. You will also gain the skills to solve problems, think analytically and work scientifically both individually and in groups.

Communication training is integrated into all courses of the programme - something that is increasingly in demand in the workplace. Exercises in oral and written presentation are a strongly integrated part of the teaching, as are exercises in discussions and debates.

The programme at Uppsala University has a strong international character, and all courses are taught in English

This Master's degree is an entry port for PhD training in Sweden as well as abroad. Your most important merits in that respect are your degree projects. With a careful choice of the topics for your degree projects, you will leave this programme with a solid theoretical knowledge regarding evolutionary processes as well as knowledge of the methods you need to study them, including statistics.

Successful studies in this programme are an excellent basis for students who wish to pursue a research career (PhD) in any subject within the front-line of evolutionary biology. The programme has gained a worldwide reputation for excellence in education. Many MEME graduates aim for a career in academics, but some also find positions in industry, business and other fields.

Graduates of the program work at for example:

• the Université de Lausanne (Switzerland)
• Uppsala University (Sweden)
• the Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (Portugal)
• the Smithsonian Institution (USA).

Job titles include research student, research assistant and research communicator.

Career support

During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career.