For good animal welfare and husbandry, an understanding of animal behaviour and biology from an applied perspective is important. If you are interested in the well-being of animals and want to preserve biodiversity, this programme is for you.

Applied Ethology and Animal Biology, Master's Programme

Autumn 2025 / Full-time / Linköping

This programme provides solid knowledge in both theory and methods in applied ethology. After initial courses in ethology, knowledge in the field of animal biology is broadened with courses in stress, cognition, behavioral genetics and conservation biology. Apart from lectures and seminars, you will experience field trips, meet alumni and professionals, and carry out practical studies on farm animals, laboratory animals and zoo animals. You can also exchange one of the later courses for a professional internship to gain extra work experience.

The emphasis in the programme is on the one-year degree project. In the process of planning, performing and presenting a scientific study, your theoretical and methodological knowledge is put into practice. Previous degree theses have investigated the learning ability of stressed chickens, the diving ability of sea turtles after bycatch fishing, and behavioral studies of endemic fruit bats and their ecological value. Other degree projects have provided knowledge about genetic changes in feral horses, the importance of smell for food choices in primates, and why dogs tilt their heads.

Syllabus and course details

A detailed syllabus, curriculum and information on courses, including literature, can be found in our Study Information database via the link below. For entry requirements and tuition fees, please click the ”Admission requirements” tab at the top of the page.

Career opportunities

After graduation, there are many opportunities. You can work with animal and environmental issues at public and private organisations, both nationally and internationally, or as an adviser to NGOs, zoos or private companies. The programme also qualifies for further research studies leading to a doctoral degree.

Upcoming webinar

Study a Master's in animal behavior and biology in collaboration with the biggest zoo of Northern Europe

On October 30, 2024, you have the opportunity to join a webinar to learn more about this programme.

 
Webinar topics are:

  • Course structure, workload, projects
  • Life in Sweden and Linköping, student life, living cost
  • A typical week
  • Opportunities after graduation

Read more and join the webinar

Testimonials

Meet our student Perrine and hear what she has to say about the Applied Ethology and Animal Biology master’s programme and life in Sweden.

Doortje Theunissen talks about why she applied to this programme and what her upcoming thesis will focus on. She also explains what she believes is the main advantage with Linköping University.

Alumni insights

Thorbjörn - Germany - PhD Student

”This programme gave me a good overview of ethological topics. It was interesting and fun to get hands-on experience with various species ranging from farm animals to more exotic ones in Kolmården Wildlife Park. The extensive work on the thesis project provided me with in-depth knowledge and opened the door to my current PhD project. Having a full year to work on your thesis is one of the key characteristics of this programme.”

Stories from the programme

a trainer stands on the edge of a dolphin pool measuring exhaled air, a researcher works on a computer at the pool edge

Zoo biology course opened interesting opportunities for degree project

LiU student Ioulia is doing research for her master thesis on energy requirements in doplhins in both Kolmården Wildlife Park and Oceanografic de Valencia.

Dolphin under the surface in a pool, with ECG logger.

Filipa Cunha Oliveira - Variation in heart rate according to dive depth in captive common bottlenose dolphins

Filipa monitors the heart rate of dolphins in her master's thesis at Applied Ethology and Animal Biology.

A woman with a big smile next to a loggerhead turtle.

Leonor Gomes Fernandes - How changes in magnetic fields affects the behavior and physiology of turtles

Leonor is one of the Master´s students at Applied Ethology and Animal Biology. Her research focuses on loggerhead turtles behaviour and physiology.

Woman petting happy dolphin on its chin.

Sofia S. Tegnered - Respiration physiology and spirometry in marine mammals

Sofia worked as a small animal veterinarian before applying to a Master´s course at LiU and shifting her focus to dolphins.

Research

Application and admission

Essential information

Contact us

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