Master's Programme in Evolutionary Biology – MEME

120 credits

The Master's Programme in Evolutionary Biology (MEME) is a research-oriented Erasmus Mundus programme. It involves studies at four leading universities in Europe and Harvard University in the US. This ensures you a first-class education and you can tailor your programme according to your career plan and integrate areas such as evolutionary ecology, genomics, macroevolution and developmental biology.

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

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

The Erasmus Mundus Master's Programme in Evolutionary Biology (MEME) is a two-year research-oriented programme aimed at talented and motivated students who are interested in understanding evolution in all its facets. The focus is on the modern evolutionary theory where the interactions between organisms and their environment - biotic and abiotic - are studied. The evolutionary patterns and processes we see today are addressed to understand the origin and evolution of life.

The subject is of interest to many other fields. To understand most biological processes, it has become increasingly clear that we need to place them in an evolutionary context. Therefore, evolutionary thinking has come into focus also for subjects such as ecology, developmental biology, biogeography, phylogenetics. More recently also subejcts such as epidemiology, immunology, genomics, bioinformatics, and systems biology. In addition, evolutionary thinking is gaining a strong foothold in non-biological disciplines such as economics, informatics, robotics and medicine for example.

During the programme, you can expect to:

  • work at two universities in two different countries (at least),
  • develop a large international network with researchers and fellow students,
  • come close to and work with advanced-level research.

The programme is a joint project among four European partner universities (University of Groningen, Netherlands; Ludwig Maximillian's University of Munich, Germany; University of Montpellier, France; and Uppsala University, Sweden) with opportunities for an exchange semester at Harvard University, USA, or Université de Lausanne, Switzerland.

Degree

The programme leads to the degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with Biology as the main field of study and, in addition, an equivalent degree from one of the partner universities.

Semester 1

You will start your studies in either Groningen or Uppsala. If you start in Uppsala, the programme is integrated with the Master's programme in Evolutionary Biology and contains two mandatory courses, Evolutionary Processes and Evolutionary Patterns.

Semester 2

The programme then continues with the second semester in either Montpellier or Munich.

In Montpellier, you will start with some courses designed specifically for the MEME programme:

  • Statistics
  • Genetic Data analysis
  • Hot topics in Ecology & Evolution:presenting and discussing selected research
  • Modelling
  • Evolutionary Applications
  • Research project

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

  • Basic Evolutionary Genomics
  • Advanced Evolutionary Genomics
  • Statistics
  • EES Excursion

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 studies at Uppsala University is done in close connection to current research. All teachers for the individual courses within the Master's Programme in Biology are active researchers, ensuring that you will get an education that reaches the absolute forefront of the respective field. The teachers on the programme 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 work 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 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 programme 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.

The international programme website

The programme is an Erasmus Mundus joint Master’s programme.

Logga för samarbetsprogrammet "MEME".

Register your interest

Keep updated about the application process.

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Contact

Admitted or on the waiting list

Find information about the programme start and registration in the student gateway.

Students

As a student you will find information about your studies in the student gateway.

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