Master of Science in Biology

  Admission requirements | Study programme | Assets | Career prospects| Registration fee | More information | Application

Fact sheet

The Master's

The Master of Biology programme covers many aspects of modern biology, ranging from the molecular to the population and community levels, with particular emphasis on scientific skills such as problem-solving, independent thinking, and communication. The programme is designed to provide students with a solid theoretical foundation and the techniques needed in fundamental and applied research. It aims to train qualified research biologists capable of conducting fundamental biological research at an international level. On successful completion of the programme, students will have acquired:

• a broad understanding of biology in all its aspects as well as more in-depth knowledge of a specialist area
• the knowledge and technological expertise required for practicing biology according to current scientific standards
• the ability to keep abreast of developments in their field
• a team-player mentality
• the ability to communicate findings and insights
• the ability to understand and enhance the role of biology in society

Admission requirements

To the definitive admission requirements
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Study programme

The Master of Biology programme consists of 120 credits (European Credit Transfer System - ECTS) divided over two years and is only available full-time. The programme offers maximum flexibility, allowing students to design an individualized curriculum tailored to their interests and needs.

Two areas of specialisation are available: ecological and evolutionary biology (M1) or molecular and physiological biology (M2). Students choose one of these areas as a major, taking courses worth between 30 and 36 credits, and the other area as a minor with a study load totalling 12 to 18 credits.

In addition, students select a number of methodology courses (12 to 18 credits) and electives (18 credits), and complete a compulsory research training module (42 credits). This module includes two short research projects (Year 1) and a Master’s thesis (Year 2), each to be completed in one of the Department’s research divisions.

To a detailed overview of the programme

Assets

The Department of Biology consists of five divisions, conducting research activities ranging from molecular and physiological research at the level of cells and organisms to ecological research into populations, communities, and ecosystems. Our internationally renowned research is embedded in well-established collaborations with other universities, research institutes, and companies across the world. Although the primary goal of this research is to obtain insight into patterns and processes at different levels of biological organization and to understand the basis and the evolution of mechanisms that allow organisms to adapt to their continuously changing environment, the knowledge thus gained often leads to applications with significant economic or societal benefits.

Career prospects

As a Master of Biology, you can pursue a research career at a university, an agroindustrial, pharmaceutical or biotech company, an environmental conservation organization or an NGO. Graduates also qualify for positions as scientific advisers at banks or private investment firms, as policy officers in governmental or public administration, as science communication specialists, scientific journalists, or as science teachers.

Registration fee

To the definitive registration fees

Motivated and talented international students, interested in participating in an international master programme of the Faculty of Science of the KU Leuven are invited to apply for a scholarship.

More information

Visit this programme's website. If you have other questions, contact:

Administrative office
Geel Huis
Kasteelpark Arenberg 11 box 2100
3001 HEVERLEE
tel. + 32 16 32 14 01
fax + 32 16 32 19 95
E-mail

Application