The rapid decline of ecosystems results in a global loss of biodiversity and thus there is an increasing demand for people working with environmental management. On the master’s programme in conservation biology, you will learn how to use modern ecology and genetics within management and restoration, as well as in studies on the loss of biological diversity. You will gain insight into global and regional aspects of biodiversity and restoration ecology, how population ecology is used as a tool in conservation, and learn to master the analytical methods used in conservation biology. Your teachers are active researchers in conservation biology so you will study in close association with an expanding, international research environment.

The master's programme provides a foundation for continued higher studies as well as for a diverse range of other careers within the public sector, forestry, agriculture and consultancy.

Recommended course of study

The majority of the links below lead to Lund University's education pages.

Year 1

Autumn

Population and Community Ecology (BIOR69)
Evolutionary Animal Ecology (BIOR81), Nature Conservation, (BIOC05) or Modelling in Biological Systems (BIOS13) plus Processing and Analysis of Biological Data (BIOS14). Please note that the course Nature Conservation is at Bachelor's level and given in Swedish.

Spring

Conservation Biology (BIOR83)
Biological Monitoring (BIOR39) or Water Management (BIOR66)

Year 2

Autumn

Geographical Information Systems (GISA21 or NGEA11)
Processing and- Analysis of Biological Data (BIOS14) and Modelling Biological Systems (BIOS13) or Global Ecosystem Dynamics (NGEN17)

Spring

Master's degree project

You find completed master's degree projects in biology on LUP Student Pages.

Degree requirements

Courses corresponding to 120 credits, of which should encompass:

Compulsory Courses, 75-105 credits:

• Population and Community Ecology BIOR69, 15 credits
• Conservation Biology BIOR83, 15 credits
• Biological Monitoring BIOR39 or Water management BIOR66,15 credits
• Master´s degree project in biology, 30/45/60 credits

Elective Courses

• 15 credits at advanced level  in biology

Optional Courses

• 0-30 credits

Degree title

Master of Science (Two Years)
Major: Biology with specialisation in Animal Ecology

Degree title

Master of Science (Two Years)
Major: Biology with specialization in Conservation Biology

Prerequisites and application at Lund University's education pages.