MSc Ecology and Evolution
Specialization track Evolutionary Biology
Biology Ecology & Evolution Marine Biology Behavioural Neurosciences Biomedical Sciences
The MSc track Evolutionary Biology explores the interface between ecology and evolution. Students can benefit from a wide spectrum of national and international expertise across the fields of ecology and evolution.

This track is also offered as Erasmus Mundus programme. Please visit the special MEME website for more information.

Specialization track Evolutionary Biology
General Information
By following the MSc track Evolutionary Biology, students acquire top quality research competences via advanced theoretical and practical training in such a way that they become highly attractive for research positions in the area of Evolutionary Biology. They can often continue their careers by starting PhD research.

Programme Content
The two-year track starts in September of each year and has a study load of 120 ECTS. The first semester consists of three compulsory modules. After this initial period, each student puts together an individual programme that optimally meets their personal career objectives. At the core of the programme are two individually supervised research projects of about 6 months each. In addition, each student conducts two smaller assignments based on a review of recent research literature. One of these reviews (the colloquium) is presented orally to a wider audience, while the second review (the literature study) takes the form of a review article or grant proposal. In parallel with these activities, students can choose from several seminar series, short courses and Master modules. Throughout the programme, each student is coached by a personal mentor.

The programme elements and their associated ECTS credits (120 in total) are:

Three compulsory modules (30 ECTS in total):
Evolutionary Ecology Research
Genomics in Ecology and Evolution
Evolutionary Theory
At least two series of seminars worth 2 ECTS to be chosen from a list of ‘current themes’ and ‘classic themes’
Two research projects (60 ECTS in total)
One colloquium (6 ECTS)
One literature study written in the form of a review article or a research proposal (6-18 ECTS)
Optional modules (12 ECTS in total)
Admission Requirements & Application
Admission to this MSc track is highly selective. Successful candidates must demonstrate that their motivation and cognitive skills are well above average. The requirements for acceptance include:

A Bachelor’s degree in Biology or the equivalent
Marks that clearly identify the candidate as belonging to the top 10% of their cohort
Outspoken motivation to pursue a scientific career
Documented proficiency in English
Recommendations by qualified referees

Bachelor Programmes

The Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences participates in two Bachelor programmes, Biology and Life Science and Technology. GELIFES coordinates the university-level minor Neurosciences.

A bachelor programme is a three-year programme. The first semester is a joint programme of the Bachelor Biology and the Bachelor Life Science and Technology where all students take the same two modules and the practicals Anatomy & Physiology and Minimal Cell. In the first module, the focal point is on the living cell, with courses in Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Genetics. The second module focuses on the complex organism, with courses in Physiology & Therapy, Ecology & Behaviour and Diversity.

In the second semester students choose a major. The Biology programme offers one general major and four specializations:

General Biology: the general option for students with a broad interest in biology. The contents of this major can be largely defined by yourself.
Ecology and Evolution: specialization focusing on the interactions within living nature and the way they came into existence. This major is mostly research-oriented but also provides a good starting point for working in government, consultancy and other organisations in the nature conservation sector.
Behaviour and Neurosciences: specialization focusing on the workings of the brain and the behaviour of humans and animals, providing insight into all manners of factors to do with behaviour, such as nurture conditions, the environment and endogenous processes.
Molecular Life Sciences: specialization focusing on molecular science, such as studying prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in their environment, research of cellular functions, or the development of molecular technologies for medicine or biotechnology in cooperation with many other disciplines.
Biomedical Sciences: the focus of this specialization is the human being as a biological creature. Medical biology aims to understand the biological basis and progression of diseases in humans and to develop better diagnostic and therapeutic programmes.
In the Life Science and Technology programme students choose one of four specializations: in addition to the majors 3 – 5, the programme offers the specialization Biomedical Technology for students interested in both healthcare and technology. Biomedical technologists design and develop new diagnostic and treatment techniques for the healthcare sector, in cooperation with physicians, biologists, biochemists and engineers.

Minor Neurosciences
The minor in Neurosciences is an introduction to the neurosciences, intended for students with no previous experience of natural sciences. Most of the lectures and practical sessions in the course unit are given by lecturers from the Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES).

The lectures (9 ECTS) explore the main principles of the neurosciences with a special emphasis on the neurobiological background of behaviour. In addition, specialist lectures (magistraalcolleges) (4 ECTS) given by expert guest speakers look into the most diverse subjects covered by neurosciences. Finally, there are practicals (5 ECTS) dealing with subjects such as: anatomy and immuno-histo-chemistry of the brain, autonomous reflexes, nerve conductivity, learning behaviour and EEG.

Default programme of the minor Neurosciences
Course Period ECTS Coordinator/Lecturer
Neuroscience Sep-Nov 15 Scheurink, various PIs
Behavioural Neuroscience Nov-Jan 15 Scheurink,.

University Of Groningen Courses

Master’s degree programmes in English
Below you can find an overview of all master’s degree programmes and specializations taught in English.

Looking for a specific subject, faculty or degree? See Master’s degree programmes by subject, Master’s degree programmes by faculty or Master’s degrees in alphabetical order.

The University of Groningen offers several master’s degree programmes.

Arts
Archaeology (research)
Arts and Culture
Arts, Cognition and Criticism
Arts, Policy and Cultural Entrepreneurship
Art History
Curatorial Studies
Film and Contemporary Audiovisual Media
History of Architecture and Town Planning
Music, Theatre and Performance Studies
Arts and Culture (research)
Cultural Leadership (research)
Arts, Media and Literary Studies (research)
Classics and Ancient Civilizations
Ancient History
Classics
Communication and Information Science
Digital Humanities
Information Science
European Studies
Euroculture (erasmus mundus)
History
History Today
History (research)
Classical, Medieval and Early Modern Studies (research)
International Relations
East Asian Studies
European Politics in a Global Perspective
Geopolitics & Connectivity
International Relations and International Organization
International Political Economy
International Security
International Relations 120 ECTS
International Humanitarian Action (NOHA)
International Relations (research)
Modern History and International Relations (research)
Linguistics
Applied Linguistics
European Linguistics
Multilingualism
Linguistics (research)
Clinical Linguistics / EMCL+ (research) erasmus mundus
Language and Cognition (research)
Language and Communication Technologies (LCT) (research) erasmus mundus
Literary Studies
English Literature and Culture
European Literatures and Interculturality
Writing Editing and Mediating
Media Studies 90 ECTS
Datafication and Digital Literacy
Journalism
Media Creation and Innovation
Social Media and Society
Middle Eastern Studies
North American Studies
American Studies
Behavioural and Social Sciences
Behavioural and Social Sciences (research)
Educational Sciences:
Learning in Interaction
Pedagogical Sciences:
Deafblindness
Ethics of education: history, philosophy and law
Youth 0-21, Society and Policy
Psychology
Work, Organizational and Personnel Psychology
Applied Social Psychology
Clinical Psychology
Clinical Neuropsychology
DDM Sustainability and Environmental Psychology
Applied Cognitive Neuroscience
Clinical Forensic Psychology and Victimology
Environmental Psychology
Theory and History of Psychology
Talent Development and Creativity
Economics and Business
Accountancy and Controlling
DDM Chinese Economy and Finance
Business Administration
Change Management
Management Accounting and Control
Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Strategic Innovation Management
Health
Econometrics, Operations Research and Actuarial Studies
DDM Chinese Economy and Finance
Economic Development and Globalization
DDM Chinese Economy and Finance
DDM Central-East European Economies
DDM International Development Economics
DDM Economic Development and Growth (MEDEG)
Economics
DDM Chinese Economy and Finance
DDM Economics and Economic Analysis
Finance
DDM Finance
DDM Chinese Economy and Finance
Human Resource Management
International Business and Management
DDM Advanced International Business Management and Marketing
DDM Chinese Economy and Finance
International Financial Management
DDM Chinese Economy and Finance
DDM International Financial Management
Marketing
DDM Strategic Marketing Intelligence
DDM Marketing and finance
DDM Chinese Economy and Finance
DDM Marketing Information Systems
Marketing Analytics and Data Science profile
Marketing Management profile
Research Master in Economics and Business
Supply Chain Management
Technology and Operations Management
DDM Operations Management
Campus Fryslân
Climate Adaptation Governance
Tourism Geography and Planning
Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Voice Technology
Health and life sciences
Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences (research)
Behavioural and Social Sciences – Research
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Sciences
Biomolecular Sciences (selective)
Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology (research)
Health Systems and Prevention (research)
Clinical Neuropsychology
Ecology and Evolution (selective)
Energy and Environmental Sciences
Human Movement Sciences
Molecular Medicine and Innovative Treatment (research) (formerly Medical and Pharmaceutical Drug Innovation)
Innovative Medicine
Medical Pharmaceutical Sciences
Sport Sciences
Law
Energy and Climate Law
European Economic Law
Global Criminal Law
Governance and Law in Digital Society
International Commercial Law
International Human Rights Law
Public International Law
Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy (research)
Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Philosophy, Science and Humanities
Science and Engineering
Applied Mathematics
Applied Physics
Artificial Intelligence
Astronomy
Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences (research)
Biology
Biomedical Engineering
Biomolecular Sciences (selective)
Chemical Engineering
Chemistry
Computing Science
Computational Cognitive Science (formerly Human-Machine Communication)
Energy and Environmental Sciences
Industrial Engineering and Management
Marine Biology (selective)
Mathematics
Science Education and Communication
Mechanical Engineering
Molecular Medicine and Innovative Treatment (research) (formerly Medical and Pharmaceutical Drug Innovation)
Nanoscience (top master)
Physics
Water Technology