Master's Programme in Plant and Forest Biotechnology, 120 Credits

Entry Requirements

A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognised university. Specific entry requirements are: 60 ECTS biology, 30 of which should be plant biology and cell and molecular biology. Chemistry 15 ECTS. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.

Description of the education for current education cycle

The education is at an advanced level (second cycle). The aims for second-cycle courses and study programmes are set out in the Higher Education Act, Chapter 1 Section 9.

National goals for current degree

Knowledge and understanding
To be granted a Master's degree, the student must

• exhibit knowledge and understanding within the main field of study, including a broad knowledge of the area and significantly advanced knowledge within certain parts of the area of study as well as in-depth insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge of the main field of study for the education.

Proficiency and aptitude
To be granted a Master's degree, the student must

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyse, evaluate and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even when limited information is available,
• demonstrate the ability to critically, independently and creatively identify and formulate questions, to plan and with adequate methods, carry out qualified tasks within given time frames and thereby contribute to the development of knowledge and to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability to account clearly for and discuss conclusions and the knowledge and arguments that form the basis of these in dialogue form with different groups in both a national and international context, verbally and in writing, and
• exhibit such skills that are required to participate in research and development work or to work independently in other qualified areas.

Ability to assess and approach
To be granted a Master's degree, the student must

• within the main field of study for the education, exhibit the ability to make assessments by taking into consideration relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects and exhibit an awareness of ethical aspects with regard to research and development work,
• show insight as to the opportunities and the limitations that science has, its role in society and man's responsibility as to how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and to assume responsibility for the development of personal knowledge.

Local goals for current degree

Knowledge and understanding
To be granted a Master's degree in the main field of study Plant Cell and Molecular Biology, the student, in addition to the national goals shall;

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge and skills within the area of molecular biology. For a Master's degree in molecular biology with specialization in plant and forest biotechnology the student must show in depth knowledge and skills within the field of specialization

Proficiency and aptitude
To be granted a Master's degree in the main field of study Plant Cell and Molecular Biology, the student, in addition to the national goals shall;

• demonstrate a good ability to plan, carry out and evaluate scientific investigations in the laboratory and interpret and evaluate the results obtained,
• demonstrate proficiency in experimental work and experimental methods,
• exhibit proficiency in working independently and in cooperation with others,
• exhibit proficiency in accounting for knowledge and achieved results, verbally and in writing in English

Ability to assess and approach
To be granted a Master's degree in the main field of study Plant Cell and Molecular Biology, the student, in addition to the national goals shall; 

• demonstrate the ability to identify the need of further knowledge and show proficiency in searching and analyzing information in relevant databases for the field of study as well as to seek information in international literature

For the specialisation in Plant and Forest Biotechnology, the student shall also;

• exhibit experience of an experimental work method and experimental methods in plant and forest biotechnology,
• exhibit insight regarding the use of plant and forest biotechnology, including transgenic plants.

Examination format

Each course syllabus states what examination formats are to be used in each course.

Grades

Each course syllabus states what grades are to be used in each course.

Transfer of Credits

Student who considers themselves to possess knowledge from previous relevant studies or professional or vocational experience that can be comparable to a course or part of a course in the study programme, can apply for transfer of credits. Approved transfer of credits means that the student does not need to take the or those parts of the education that the decision covers. Information about transfer of credits can be found on Umeå University's web site.

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

General

The Master's programme comprises 120 university credits and includes basic courses, elective courses and optional courses. The education is located in Umeå.

Throughout the entire programme, theoretical teaching is combined with laboratory exercises. The teaching is conducted in the form of lectures, lessons, group instruction and supervision in connection with laboratory experiments, group work or project work. The laboratory experiments are normally compulsory. It is expected that the studies will be conducted on a full-time basis. A working week comprises approximately 40 hours normally, including own studies and exercises. The course literature is in English and the teaching normally takes place in English.

Compulsory courses
Compulsory courses are courses that all students enrolled in the programme normally study. A student enrolled in the study programme is guaranteed a seat in 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.

Plant Cell and Molecular Biology, 15 university credits (5BI214)
Growth and Development of Plants, 15 university credits (5BI210)
Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Breeding, 15 university credits (5BI213)
Master degree thesis work in plant biology/plant molecular biology, 30, 45 or 60 university 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 a seat in one of these courses, provided that the entry requirements for the courses in question are met. However, the student is not guaranteed a seat in their first choice courses. Entry requirements are set out in each respective course syllabus.

Project course in Plant Molecular Biology/Plant Biology, 15 university credits (5BI059) or (5BI061)
Functional Genomics Theory, 7,5 university credits (5BI211)
Applied Functional Genomics, 7,5 university credits (5BI212)
Practical skills for biology research-I, 7,5 university credits (5BI249)
Practical skills for biology research-II, 7,5 university credits (5BI250)

Free electives
Free elective courses within the programme are applied for in open competition. Free elective courses can be studied at Umeå University or at other higher education institutions in Sweden or abroad.
In the Master's Programme in Plant and Forest Biotechnology, the student can choose 45 university credits of free elective courses.

Programme overview
 

Degree project
The degree project in the Master's Programme in Plant and Forest Biotechnology concludes the education, and may be started when the entry requirements for the course syllabus are met. The degree project comprises 30, 45 or 60 university credits in which the student under supervision applies the knowledge acquired during the study period and at a seminar and via a written report/paper expresses the results of his/her work. The work should include some form of subject-related in-depth study within the area. The concluding degree project can be carried out at the university, but it can also be carried out at a company or at an authority.
The report must be written in English. The seminar is given in English.

Deferment of studies

Deferral of commencement of study may be granted if there are special reasons for doing so:
Examples of special reasons are illness, pregnancy, care of children or other responsibility for nursing etc. Your application should be sent in writing to StudentCentrum (the Student Centre).

A negative decision on deferral of commencement of study may be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Approved leave from studies

A negative decision on being allowed to resume studies after a break in study may be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Discontinuation

Students who leave the study programme must notify the programme study guidance officer of the interruption of studies.

Other

Admission to the programme takes place once a year, starting in the autumn term.