Master's Programme in Biology – Cell and Molecular Biology

Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the function, reproduction and communication of cells is fundamental for the understanding of multi-cellular animals and plants. The combination of cell and molecular biology in the Master's Programme in Biology, specialising in Cell and Molecular Biology, encourages you to develop a deep insight into biological systems, from molecular interactions at the subatomic level to complex systems and their interactions in cells and organelles.

Autumn 2024 Autumn 2024, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, English

Location

Uppsala

Pace of study

100%

Teaching form

On-campus

Instructional time

Daytime

Start date

2 September 2024

Language of instruction

English

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.

Also required is:

40 weeks of full-time studies (60 credits) in biology; and
20 weeks of full-time studies (30 credits) in chemistry.

Language requirements

Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.

Selection

Students are selected based on an overall appraisal of previous university studies and a statement of purpose.

Tuition fee-paying students and non-paying students are admitted on the same grounds but in different selection groups.

Fees

If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees.

First tuition fee instalment: SEK 72,500
Total tuition fee: SEK 290,000

Autumn 2025 Autumn 2025, Uppsala, 100%, On-campus, English

Location

Uppsala

Pace of study

100%

Teaching form

On-campus

Instructional time

Daytime

Start date

1 September 2025

Language of instruction

English

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.

Also required is:

40 weeks of full-time studies (60 credits) in biology; and
20 weeks of full-time studies (30 credits) in chemistry.

Language requirements

Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.

Selection

Students are selected based on an overall appraisal of previous university studies and a statement of purpose.

Tuition fee-paying students and non-paying students are admitted on the same grounds but in different selection groups.

Fees

If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees.

First tuition fee instalment: SEK 72,500
Total tuition fee: SEK 290,000

About the programme

Uppsala University is internationally renowned and the Master's Programme in Biology gives you a degree with a good reputation worldwide. We strive for all kinds of biology to exist at the university. Each student in the Master's Programme in Biology has their personal study plan and you can choose freely from a large number of courses according to your interest. We also give you suggestions for a well-thought-out course of study.

The cells are the smallest units of all living organisms. As a student in the Master's Programme in Biology, specialising in Cell and Molecular Biology, you will obtain an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind e.g., the biological processes governing the function and behaviour of proteins. This makes you well equipped for the pharmaceutical and other biotechnical job markets and basic research. You can also specialise in microbiology or structural biology.

During the programme you can expect to:

obtain an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind the function, reproduction and communication of cells,
gain necessary skills for a career in the pharmaceutical and other biotechnical job markets,
get insights into molecular interactions at the subatomic level to complex systems and their interactions in cells and organelles.

In most courses, the lectures are intertwined with discussion seminars and laboratory practices to give you general knowledge about cells and cellular processes, and how to work with cells.

Student profile

You have a broad interest in biology or more narrowly focused interest in a specific sub-area. Either way, you are willing to take a lot of responsibility yourself to form your own educational experience from the very wide range of biology courses offered at Uppsala University.

Ideally, during your Bachelor's studies, you had the opportunity to work in a laboratory and do some field work as well as use statistics to analyse data from your work. Writing lab reports and shorter essays is something you already have experience doing.

A PhD education is a distinct possibility in your future so you would value coming in close contact with current research and prominent researchers in this international field.

Degree

The programme leads to the degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with Biology as the main field of study. After one year of study, it is possible to obtain a degree of Master of Science (60 credits).

Content

Year 1

There is a joint starting course for this specialisation and the specialisation in Immunology and Microbiology; Trends in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. It covers modern applications of molecular biology and also builds on the knowledge gained in your Bachelor's studies. This starting course also includes a general introduction to the Master's programme. Thereafter, you can choose among the courses according to your interest and your personal study plan, such as:

Structure and Function of Macromolecules
RNA: Structure, Function and Biology, Microbiology
Genes, Brain and Behaviour

In the course Molecular Cell Biology, the first course in the second semester, you will delve much deeper into the structure and function of the cell. Together with some of your classmates, you will choose a topic for deeper studies, and present and discuss this topic at a symposium concluding the course.

During the last period of the first year, we recommend the course Functional Genomics. It provides in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of the large-scale and technology-driven strategies that are currently applied within the field of molecular biology.

Year 2

In the second year, you can study one or two courses, or combine a research training course with a degree project of 30, 45, or 60 credits. This allows you to be well prepared for an academic career or a career outside academia.

Courses within the programme

Courses within the programme are found in the programme outline.

Learning experience

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 Master's Programme in Biology has a strong international character, and all courses are taught in English

Career

Your primary work area will be in research and development in academia or industry, for instance in the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnical industry, forensic medicine, diagnostics or agriculture industry.

In the programme, you will be trained to apply solid theoretical knowledge in solving problems or conducting projects, to present projects or research orally and in writing, and to work both individually and in groups. All these capabilities will be valuable for you to raise in your future work.

The specialisation in Cell and Molecular Biology also builds a strong ground for PhD studies in Sweden or internationally. Your most important merit in this aspect is your degree project. With a careful choice of the courses and topics for your degree project, you will graduate with solid theoretical knowledge regarding molecular processes in the cell and practical knowledge of the methods you need in further studies.

As a biologist, you can also work as a teacher or science journalist.

Examples of titles that biologists may have:

Researcher
Administrator
Agricultural auditor
Project manager
Nature conservation officer
Investigator
Laboratory engineer
Research engineer
Consultant
Specialist

The average salary in Sweden for biologists was SEK 42 100 in 2021, according to the trade union the Swedish Association of Professional Scientists.

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.