Tekniska högskolan vid Linköpings universitet

2009

MASTER'S PROGRAMME IN APPLIED ETHOLOGY AND ANIMAL BIOLOGY 120 ECTS credits

Aim/vision

The aim of the programme in Applied Ethology and Animal Biology is to give the students the knowledge, skills and approach that are necessary within the profession as well as in post-graduate studies. The education programme corresponds to the needs of national and international bodies within the subject, for example in university, industry and society. The education is based on the related bachelor programme and intends to give a deep knowledge within applied ethology with a specialization towards animal welfare and conservation biology. The programme prepares for postgraduate studies.

• The students leaving the master programme in Applied ethology and animal biology shall be prepared for advanced scientific and mathematical communication with different target groups.
• The students leaving the master programme in Applied ethology and animal biology shall be able to contribute to a sustainable development of society.
• The students leaving the master programme in Applied ethology and animal biology shall be well prepared for postgraduate studies and functional in the national and international labour market.

Programme goals

• Mathematical, scientifical and technical knowledge ans reasoning
  The students from the master programme in Applied ethology and Animal biology shall demonstrate broad knowledge within the field, and in addition a profound knowledge of animal's biology in captivity , functional physiology, zoo biology and primate ethology. The graduates from the master programme in applied ethology and animal biology shall on an advanced level possess
  • deep knowledge in the theory of the natural behaviour of animals, the biological meaning and consequence of stress and effect of captivity concerning both behaviour and physiological reactions, especially stress.
  • knowledge about the problems associated with keeping animals in captivity which includes knowledge in conservation biology, in situ and ex situ.
  • deep knowledge of different methods of recording and quantification of behavioural data, measurement of physiological reactions, handling animals and statistical calculations.
  • ability to plan, run and interpret scientific research within the field
• Personal and professional skills and attributes
  Students graduated from the master programme in applied ethology and animal biology have achieved the individual and professional skills and attitudes which are demanded for being able to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyze, judge and handle complex issues even with limited information . The graduates shall also be able to assume responsibility for their own work or post graduate studies with respect to work ethics, responsibility and reliability. Students from the programme shall be able to make relevant judgements regarding scientifical, social and ethical aspects of their professional areas.
• Interpersonal skills: Teamwork and communication
  • Students graduated from the master programme in applied ethology and animal biology shall be able to collaborate with other people. This requires the ability of active participation in a project with clear roles and well defined responsibilities and tasks. The graduates can also initiate, plan, lead and evaluate large projects.
  • The students shall have good skills in written and oral communication. The students can present information, problems and solutions in a structured way with relevant techniques both written and orally, in different languages (preferably Swedish and English) to different target groups.
• Conceiving, designing, implementing and operating scientific projects in the enterprise and social context
  Students graduated from the master programme in applied ethology and animal biology shall have knowledge about the natural scientist and the natural science in the society both from a historical and a contemporary perspective. The graduates shall also have an understanding of social and economic conditions in the related area and related research area. They shall be competent in initiating, working in and leading advanced development projects with accepted methods. The students shall also have skills in planning, implementing and present their work. The graduates have a comprehension of how research results can be transformed into industrial use and commercial business.

Disposition of the Programme

The programme comprises four semesters and leads to a Master of Science in Biology within the programme Applied Ethology and Animal Biology. The education is given in English. The range of courses is found in the curriculum. Normally the content of the programme is presented at lectures, seminars, laboratory work and field studies. Some extensive projects or assignments are parts of the courses and will be reported oralyl and/or in writing. Laboratory work, seminars and field studies are compulsory.

The Master thesis is mainly performed during the second year and comprises 30, 45 or 60 högskolepoäng (equivalent to ECTS credits). This means that the student may choose a less extensive master thesis and combine this with further course studies in other areas.

Courses may contain compulsory elements that means extra costs for the student.

Content of the Programme

The programme consists of courses within the area of ethology such as primate ethology, zoo biology and physiological adaptations on an advanced level. These courses are combined with a seminar course focused on scientific literature. There are possibilities to change some of the courses to other courses from different areas within biology or totally different such as mathematics, chemistry, physics, medicine or economics.

The Master's thesis can be carried out at the university or in cooperation with companies or local authorities and is regarded as a good introduction to post graduate studies.

The programme ends with the course Communicating Science where the students use their master thesis to develop their skills in oral and written communication to different target groups.

Master's Thesis

The thesis should be based on the high quality scientific content and carried out in close contact with the research groups involved in the programme and in the area of the profile chosen by the students.

Requirements for a degree

The programme is designed to give the Master's Degree "Naturvetenskaplig masterexamen i biologi" translated to "Master of Science (2 years) with a major in Biology".

The requirements are the following:

• a Bachelor's degree as specified in the entrance requirements.
• course requirements for a total of 120 ECTS credits from courses from the curriculum for the programme or after special decision from the programme board and thesis work.
• passed the requirements for all compulsory courses.
• courses on advancement level A (advanced) 90 ECTS credits including:
  • at least 30 ECTS credits courses from the major subject.
  • a 30 ECTS credits Master's Thesis in the major subject.
• a Master's thesis presented and passed as per Linköping Institute of Technology degree regulations.

Entrance requirements

See general rules and regulations for master programmes at LiTH.

Tekniska högskolan vid Linköpings universitet