Guide to the composition of courses on the Master's degree programme

Choices you must make on the candidate with associated rules

Thesis: The thesis may be experimental (60 ECTS) or theoretical (30-45 ECTS). If you choose a theoretical Master's thesis of 30 ECTS credits, you will have an addtional 30 ECTS credits to fill in with elective courses. The thesis must be initiated one year after the start of the Master's degree programme. If you want to postpone the start of your Master's thesis/project, you must apply for a dispensation.

Molecular Biology Project: In addition to the Master's thesis, a compulsory molecular biology project of 10 ECTS is required. This project can be carried out in either the first or the second semester, but is usually carried out immediately before the thesis project.

Company Project in Molecular Biology: A company project allows the student to apply and develop his/her professional skills in a company or an organisation by carrying out a small (often theoretical) project in collaboration with a company. Read more about the Company Project in Molecular biology (10 ECTS) in the course catalogue or on the study portal.

Study abroad: As a student, you can choose to  study abroad during either first or second semester of the Master's degree programme. If you would like to hear more about study abroad period, come to the international presentation event held every year in October.

Specialisation or supplementary subject: In the Master's degree programme, you must choose either two specialisations (a) or one supplementary subject equivalent to 30 ECTS (b). However, this requirement lapses if you choose to study one semester abroad. In general, the curriculum must consist of 90 ECTS credits for molecular biology subjects, where the Molecular Biology Project (10 ECTS) and the thesis (60, 45 or 30 ECTS) are considered as molecular biology subjects.
Specialisation vs. supplementary subject

Specialisation vs. supplementary subjects

a. Areas of specialization

In the first academic year of the Master's degree programme, two specialisations are chosen that provide academic depth and, among other things, the aim is to prepare the student for project and Master's thesis work. You are not bound to choose specialisations that you followed on your bachelor's degree programme.

You can choose between the following five specialisation areas:

• Molecular Cell Biology
• Plant Molecular Biology
• Molecular Nutrition
• Protein Science
• Bioinformatics

*An individually adapted study plan may, however, be agreed with the head of degree programme

Below is an overview of the specialisation courses that form part of each specialisation direction. Please note that the courses mentioned at the top of the table cells above are mandatory for the specialisation, while the others are recommended supplementary courses.

(A) = Autumn semester (Sp) = Spring semester (Su) = Summer course

• Students are encouraged to seek inspiration in the course catalogue based on other graduate courses than those listed here.
  TIP: Check out the Master's curricula for other study programmes for inspiration.

b. Supplementary courses:

Instead of specialisations, you can choose supplementary courses worth 30 ECTS within the specific subject. The supplementary course can broaden you education and help you to qualify for a job as a upper secondary school teacher. Typical supplementary subjects are chemistry and biology. On the Master's programme, you do not already have compulsory support courses, so in order to fulfil the supplementary subject, you must take/complete 30 ECTS in an elective subject within the specific course.

If you choose to take a supplementary subject, you still have to complete the compulsory Molecular Biology project and Master's thesis.

c. If you have a semester abroad

If you have chosen to study abroad during one of the semesters in the first year of master's studies, the rule that you have to do two specialisations or choose a supplementary subject will no longer apply. Consult the person responsible for the degree programme for approval of the courses on your study abroad to ensure an adequate molecular biology content.

d. If you take courses outside the Faculty of Natural Sciences (NAT)

If you would like to take a course outside NAT, the course must be approved in advance by the Board of Studies. Before applying for advance approval, your degree programme coordinator must have approved that the course is included in your study plan. You apply for a advance approval like this:

Read more about enrollment in a credit course.

e. Summer courses at AU Summer University

AU Summer University is an offer for AU students, where you can take 5 ECTS courses during the summer months.  Summer courses will be included in the study plan, which means that you will then only have to follow 25 ECTS in one of the adjacent semesters. The courses are taken in agreement with your head of degree programme and must be approved in advance via mitstudie.au.dk (read more about the application procedure).

You can read more about AU summer University, which courses are offered and the application process here: Summer University courses at AU, or contact AU Summer University's email address here: summeruniversity@au.dk.

f. Company-oriented courses 

You might consider targeting your Master’s degree programme towards business and industry by following courses that prepare you for your work life after graduation from the university. Among other things, the following options can be considered:

• Industrial project in molecular biology (10 ECTS) (both A and Sp)
• The courses "Trends in Nanoscience-Communication" and "Entrepreneurship" (Sp) and "Bio-Entrepreneurship" (A) g.

Considerations for designing your Master's study programme

When deciding on your study programme, start by considering what you would like to achieve with your Master's programme:

• Would you like to focus more on a specialisations to give your education professional depth?
• Would you like to take a supplementary courses in a subject other than molecular biology to give your education has a greater professional breadth, thereby preparing you better for jobs within communication and teaching?
• Would you like to make an industrial project to prepare yourself to enter the inidustrial world after your Master's degree?

These are just some examples to consider before choosing courses. Once you have decided which courses you want for your Master's degree, your Master's study plan must be approved by the head of degree programme via the contract generator. The approval is necessary for you to register for your courses, which takes place during the period 1-5 May for autumn courses and 1-5 November for spring courses. If you need help in choosing courses and preparing your study plan, you can contact the head of degree programme responsible for supervision.