Biological Sciences

Sustaining natural biodiversity and protecting the environment is impossible without extensive knowledge of ecology and evolution.
The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) offers the state-of-the-art track Ecology and Evolution in the Master's programme Biological Sciences. The aim of this two-year programme is to promote understanding of the relationships between living organisms, the extinction and evolution of species and the functioning of ecosystems for a sustainable earth.

Why the UvA?
The Master's track Ecology and Evolution builds on the internationally renowned research of the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED). Teaching and learning activities are firmly integrated with the current research. Track-specific research can be fundamental (e.g. speciation, soil-plant-insect interactions, community dynamics, long-term (paleo) ecology) or applied (e.g. pest control, nature conservation, bird migration, ecosystem services).

In the two-year track Freshwater & Marine Biology in the Master's programme Biological Sciences you will immerse yourself in research ranging from tropical marine biology to the ecology of wetlands.
Water covers about 70% of our planet and sets it apart from every other planet we know. It plays an important role in the global climate and is a source of food, minerals, energy and recreation. Aquatic ecosystems teem with organisms, ranging from tiny phytoplankton and zooplankton to coral, fish, and whales. Unfortunately, aquatic ecosystems are also used as 'dumping grounds' for much of society's waste and are profoundly affected by global change.

Why the UvA?
The Netherlands is a world leader in water management and aquatic research. The track Freshwater and Marine Biology applies this expertise to its investigation of lake, river, sea and ocean ecosystems. It is unique in the Netherlands in that it devotes attention to both freshwater and marine ecosystems and integrates the scientific disciplines relevant to aquatic ecosystems.

The two-year track Green Life Sciences in the Biological Sciences is a research oriented programme that focuses on studying plants and their interactions with the environment at the molecular level.
The study programme gives you the opportunity to combine fundamental and applied training in molecular biology, chemical ecology, ecogenomics, biotechnology, plant breeding, phytopathology, pest control, cell and population biology. This enables you to develop an integrated view of the functioning of plants and to gain skills required for modern research.

Why the UvA?
The Master's track Green Life Sciences highlights molecular biology. Lectures and research labs are taught by top scientists who have published in Science, Nature, Plant Cell and Plant Journal. In masterclasses you will have the opportunity to interact with international guest scientists. You will also have full access to the Green Life-Sciences Hub with its R&D for the Top Sector Food & Flowers, the Amsterdam Economic Development Board, Greenport Aalsmeer, NAK-tuinbouw, and the Seed Valley cluster of the plant breeding industry in North-Holland.