Bachelor of Science Programme in Life Science, 180 Credits

Entry Requirements

General entry requirements and Biology 2, Physics 1a or 1b1+1b2, Chemistry 2, Mathematics 4 or Mathematics D

Degree

After completing the programme, a student who has applied for a degree can obtain a Degree of Bachelor of Science (180 credits) in accordance with the local qualification descriptor established by the Vice-Chancellor (see Umeå University's website).
In Swedish, Degree of Bachelor of Science (180 credits) is called Naturvetenskaplig kandidatexamen. The degree is awarded in one of the main fields of study, Chemistry or Molecular biology.

Description of the education for current education cycle

Swedish Higher Education Act (SFS 1992:1434), Chapter 1, Section 8 First-cycle courses and study programmes shall be based fundamentally on the knowledge acquired by pupils in national study programmes in the upper-secondary schools or its equivalent. The Government may, however, permit exceptions for courses and study programmes in the fine, applied or performing arts.

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:

• the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments,
• the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
• the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:

• gather and interpret information at a scholarly level,
• stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
• communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

National goals for current degree

Knowledge and understanding
 
For a Degree of Bachelor the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including knowledge of the disciplinary foundation of the field, knowledge of applicable methodologies in the field, specialised study in some aspect of the field as well as awareness of current research issues.

Competence and skills
 
For a Degree of Bachelor the student shall
 

• demonstrate the ability to search for, gather, evaluate and critically interpret the relevant information for a formulated problem and also discuss phenomena, issues and situations critically,
• demonstrate the ability to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously and to complete tasks within predetermined time frames,
• demonstrate the ability to present and discuss information, problems and solutions in speech and writing and in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required to work autonomously in the main field of study.

Judgement and approach
 
For a Degree of Bachelor the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues,
• demonstrate insight into the role of knowledge in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and ongoing learning.

Local goals for current degree

In addition to the national goals, the student shall for a Degree of Bachelor (180 credits) in Chemistry and Molecular biology at Umeå University:

Knowledge and understanding

• demonstrate basic knowledge in chemistry and molecular biology, respectively,

Competence and skills

• demonstrate the ability to plan, carry out and evaluate scientific experiments in the laboratory and to interpret and evaluate the results obtained,
• demonstrate skills in working independently and in collaboration with others,
• demonstrate the ability to present knowledge and achieved results orally and in writing,
• demonstrate proficiency in searching and analysing information, with various channels, in databases relevant to the main areas,
• demonstrate the ability to search for information in international scientific journals.

Examination format

Each syllabus sets out the examination formats used in each individual course.

Grades

Each syllabus sets out the grades used in the course.

Transfer of Credits

A student who believes to have gained knowledge from previous relevant studies or professional experience that may be equivalent to a course or part of a course in the programme can apply for transfer of credits. Granting a transfer of credits means that the student will not have to study the parts of the programme included in the decision. Information on transfer of credits is available on Umeå University's website.

https://www.umu.se/en/student/my-studies/transfer-of-credits/

General

The first year of the education includes courses in chemistry where the introductory course, Biological Chemistry, 15 credits, deals with various chemical and molecular biological applications of biological chemical methods. The second year consists of courses in molecular biology. The third year gives the opportunity to study additional courses in chemistry and/or molecular biology corresponding to 45 credits. Alternatively, during this period, you can instead broaden your knowledge by taking courses in an optional field. The Bachelor programme ends with an independent degree project of 15 credits in chemistry or molecular biology.

The courses during the entire education involve full-time studies. The teaching includes lectures, lessons, group discussions and laboratory work. In addition, supervision takes place in connection with laboratory work, group work and project work. The laboratory work is mandatory and is examined in writing and/or orally. Some other course elements may also be mandatory. The studies are assumed to be conducted full-time. A working week normally comprises about 25 hours of scheduled teaching while 15 hours are devoted to own studies. The course literature is in English. Teaching is usually in English. Lessons, group discussions, and laboratory reviews can, however, be given in Swedish, for Swedish students, if necessary.

Students who follow the programme are guaranteed admission to compulsory courses within the programme as well as to elective courses, but not necessarily the first-choice alternative, to an extent corresponding to full-time studies. The course syllabi state the prerequisites that apply to each course. In order for a student to be qualified for a course, its prerequisites must be met. A student who does not meet the prerequisites may be granted an exemption.

A student who during the first year of the programme has not been approved on the courses that are prerequisites for the courses during the autumn of year 2 must in consultation with the programme supervisor find an individual solution to continue the studies. The same applies before the spring semester year 2.
 
A Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or Molecular Biology qualifies for the Master's Programme in Chemistry and Molecular Biology at Umeå University. Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology also qualifies for the Master's Programme in Plant and Forest Biotechnology at Umeå University.

Compulsory courses
Compulsory courses are courses that all students enrolled in the programme normally study. A student enrolled in the study programme is guaranteed admission to all compulsory courses, provided that the entry requirements for the course in question are met. Entry requirements are set out in each respective course syllabus.

5KE111 Biological Chemistry, 15 credits
5KE165 Fundamentals of Chemistry, 15 credits
5KE180 Organic Chemistry, 15 credits
5KE020 Biochemistry, 15 credits
5MO103 Microbiology and Basic Molecular Biology, 15 credits
5MO104 Basic and Molecular Genetics, 15 credits
5MO100 Cell Biology, 15 credits
5MO101 Animal and Plant Physiology, 15 credits
5KE048/5MO092 Bachelor Degree Thesis in Chemistry/Molecular Biology, 15 credits

Elective courses
Elective courses are a selection of courses that Umeå University offers within the scope of the programme and where the student chooses which courses to enrol in. The student is guaranteed admission to one of these courses, provided that the entry requirements for the courses in question are met. However, the student is not guaranteed admission to their first choice courses. Entry requirements are set out in each respective course syllabus.
 
Recommended courses (Chemistry)
5KE195 Molecular Spectroscopy and Diffraction, 7,5 credits
5KE196 Chemical and molecular thermodynamics, 7,5 credits
5KE081 Analytical Chemistry, 15 credits
5KE002 Aquatic Chemistry, 15 credits

Recommended courses (Molecular Biology)
5MO096 Immunology, 7,5 credits
5MO097 Bacterial Physiology and Pathogenesis, 7,5 credits
5MO098 Neurobiology, 7,5 credits
5MO099 Genetics II, 7,5 credits
5MO120 Molecular Genetics, 15 credits

For other elective courses in chemistry and molecular biology, see the programme's website.

Free elective courses
Free electives within the programme are applied for in open competition. Free electives can be studied at Umeå University or at other higher education institutions in Sweden or abroad.
 
Programme overview

*In order to meet the degree requirement, the third year should consist of at least 15 credits course(s), in addition to the degree project, at least at the bachelor's degree level (G2F) in the main area of study to which the degree relates. In order to be qualified for certain second-cycle courses in chemistry as well as master's programme in chemistry with certain specializations, courses in mathematics and additional courses in chemistry must be chosen.

Degree project/independent project
The degree project within the bachelor's programme in "Life Science" completes the education, and may begin when the prerequisites in the syllabus are met. In the degree project, which comprises 15 credits, the student must apply the knowledge acquired during the study period and in a written report/essay report the results of the work. For degree project in chemistry, the report should contain an English summary and an English translation of the title, alternatively the entire report can be written in English. The result must also be presented orally. For a degree project in molecular biology, the entire report must be written in English and the results must also be presented orally at a poster presentation. The work must contain some form of in-depth study of the field of chemistry or molecular biology. The degree project is normally carried out individually.

Deferment of studies

Information on deferment of studies is available on Umeå University's website.

Approved leave from studies

Information on approved leave from studies is available on Umeå University's website.

Discontinuation

Information on discontinuation is available on Umeå University's website.