Bioscience

Are you interested in biology, from molecules to cells and organisms, and the surrounding natural environment? Are you fascinated by how minor changes in DNA can change the properties of single cells, plants, animals and humans and how such changes have contributed to the evolution of different species? Then the master studies in Bioscience are well suited for you.

By following the master’s programme in Bioscience, you may explore nature through your own research project. You have the opportunity to work in a laboratory and/or do fieldwork, or you may analyze large datasets with bioinformatics and computational and statistical tools. You will participate in the research group of your supervisor(s) and observe how research is conducted in practice.

The master’s programme in brief

The master studies in Bioscience gives research based specialization in one of seven possible directions. Your studies may aim at analyzing the contextual complexity of larger ecosystems; in alpine regions, oceans or lakes, and in the polar areas, and how these are influenced by seasonal and climate-induced variation, or by human activities. The master studies may also aim at understanding molecular, biochemical, and physiological mechanisms at the subcellular, cellular, or organismal level, and these mechanisms are regulated in different species.

The programme has seven options for specialization:

• Biodiversity and systematics
• Cell biology, physiology and neuroscience
• Ecology and evolution
• Genetics and developmental biology
• Marine biology and limnology
• Molecular biology and biochemistry
• Toxicology and environmental science

During the first semester of your master studies, you establish contact with a supervisor and agree upon a research project, within the specialization you have chosen. The different programme options for specialization have different pre-requirements to your previous studies at the bachelor level.

You will participate in a research group

You will participate in a research group at Department of Biosciences or the Natural History Museum, to work on the research topic of your master thesis. During this work you will receive training in analysis of biological data, often in connection to fieldwork or experiments in the laboratory. You will receive training in writing of reports, presenting science orally, and statistical analysis of research data.

As participant in a research group you will contribute to discussion of important biological issues, like:

• How are genes and genomes organized and regulated?
• How do genes and proteins contribute til cellular functions?
• How do genes, protein, other macromolecules, organelles and cells co-operate within a living organism?
• How does this influence physiological functions, health, and disease?
• How has the biological diversity of the world developed and what it might tell us about the future?

You may also take part in answering questions linked to the development and diversity of individual species, and/or related to how organisms relate to their surrounding environment and the processes taking place within populations and ecosystems.

Study environment and student life

We know that students who thrive are more successful in their studies and scientific and personal development. We therefore focus on the wellbeing of students.

The first week of the master studies is designed to welcome you to our department, with scientific presentations and lectures, including presentation of master thesis topics. You will also receive practical information relevant to your studies and get to know those in charge of the programme, those in charge of the initial courses, and those that are available for answering administrative and practical questions in relation to your studies. You will also be acquainted with your fellow master students, also those ahead of you in the programme, and with employees of the department, both professionally and socially. Participation this first week is mandatory. If you have practical questions in relation to the master studies, please contact the department.

The University of Oslo has a rich student life, with more than 200 student associations. We encourage our students to engage socially. As a student, you will have access to pleasant student areas, both for studies and social activities, in close association with the research communities.

Read more about the study environment at the Department of Biosciences.