The Master’s Programme in Integrative Plant Sciences (IPS) is a joint programme of the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences and the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, which ensures an exceptionally comprehensive curriculum.

You will be able to study the diversity of wild and cultivated plants from the Arctic to the Tropics, as well as plant functions from the molecular level, such as ontogeny and regulation of growth and differentiation, to the ecosystem level.

Why Integrative Plant Sciences?

When you have graduated from the Master’s Programme in Integrative Plant Sciences you will have the current answers, based on cutting-edge research by our scientists, to these big questions, and more, such as:

• How one plant cell develops into a complicated organism and how plant cells, tissues and organs communicate with each other and regulate each others’ growth at molecular and physiological levels
• How plants avoid, tolerate or defend themselves from external stress factors such as diseases, drought and excessive solar radiation, and adapt to their environment
• How plants sense their environment and communicate with each other and with other organisms
• How plants, interacting with microbes, fungi and animals, maintain ecosystems and thus life
• How the genotypic, functional and morphological differences among plants allow them to thrive in vastly different habitats

You will also be able to:

• Understand how research in plant sciences and biotechnology can contribute to plant breeding and production
• Plan, coordinate and execute high-quality basic and applied scientific research
• Have a good command of the scientific method and critically evaluate research across scientific disciplines
• Master the top notch lab techniques in molecular and physiological plant sciences
• Use the basic skills needed to expand your knowledge into other related fields and communicate professionally with experts in those fields
• Act in working life as an expert and innovator in your field, supported by your language, communication, lab skills and other transferable skills
• Be eligible for scientific post-graduate (doctoral) studies

Courses and study modules:

The teaching is diverse, consisting of lectures, modern laboratory and computer courses, field courses, seminars and excursions. The curriculum is closely intertwined with research. You will be introduced to the research groups from the beginning of your studies, so you will swiftly become familiar with research methods as your studies progress. Much of the study material is in various digital learning platforms (such as Moodle), which allow distance learning.

Your advanced studies include joint courses and alternative study modules. With the choice of courses, you can deepen your expertise in particular areas of integrative plant sciences and tailor your degree towards your aspirations. A personal tutor will help you to tailor an individual study plan according to your interests and requirements.