Studying

The Master’s Programme in Integrative Plant Sciences (IPS) is a joint programme of the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences and the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, which ensures an exceptionally comprehensive curriculum. 

Plants help un­der­stand how life works. When you have graduated, you will have learnt based on the cutting-edge research by our scientists:

• how one plant cell develops into a complicated organism and how plant cells, tissues and organs communicate with each other and regulate each others’ growth at molecular and physiological levels.
• how plants avoid, tolerate or defend themselves from external stress factors such as diseases, drought and excessive solar radiation, and adapt to their environment.
• how plants sense their environment and communicate with each other and with other organisms.
• how plants, interacting with microbes, fungi and animals, maintain ecosystems and thus life.
• how the genotypic, functional and morphological differences among plants allow them to thrive in vastly different habitats.

Upon graduation, you will be able to:

• understand how research in plant sciences and biotechnology can contribute to plant breeding and production
• plan, coordinate and execute high-quality basic and applied scientific research
• have a good command of the scientific method and critically evaluate research across scientific disciplines
• master the top-notch lab techniques in molecular and physiological plant sciences
• use the basic skills needed to expand your knowledge into other related fields and communicate professionally with experts in those fields.
• act in working life as an expert and innovator in your field, supported by your language, communication, lab skills and other transferable skills.
• be eligible for scientific post-graduate (doctoral) studies.

Get to know the IPS programme structure in a compact form.

This Prezi presentation compiles key information from several websites in a visual format.

The scope of the Master’s Programme in Integrative Plant Sciences is 120 credits (ECTS), to be completed in two years of full-time studies. The degree consists of:

• 100 credits of advanced studies (in integrative plant sciences), including joint courses (30 credits), alternative study modules (40 credits) and the Master's thesis (30 credits)
• 20 credits of other studies from this or other programmes

You study the diversity of wild and cultivated plants from the Arctic to the Tropics, as well as plant functions from the molecular level, such as ontogeny and regulation of growth and differentiation, to the ecosystem level. The topics (modules) include:

• IPS-300 Plant Molecular Biology, 20 cr
• IPS-400 Plants, Genomes and Future Environments, 20 cr
• IPS-500 Plant and Fungal Diversity, 20 cr
• IPS-600 Changing Vegetation, 20 cr

The curriculum contains a personal study plan which can include career planning, transferable skill studies, exchange studies at another university, or an internship or apprenticeship period.

A personal tutor will help you tailor an individual study plan according to your aspirations and requirements.

The teaching is diverse, consisting of lectures, modern laboratory and computer courses, field courses, seminars and excursions. The curriculum is closely intertwined with research. You will be introduced to the research groups from the beginning of your studies, so you will swiftly become familiar with research methods as your studies progress. Much of the study material is in various digital learning platforms which allow distance learning.

Your advanced studies include joint courses and alternative study modules. With the choice of courses, you can deepen your expertise in particular areas of integrative plant sciences and tailor your degree towards your aspirations. A personal tutor will help you to tailor an individual study plan according to your interests and requirements.

The University of Helsinki also offers Finnish courses for international degree students.

All students undertake a master's thesis (30 credits). By completing it, you will show that you are:

• capable of scientific thinking
• able to design and carry out experiments under supervision
• profoundly familiar with the topic of your thesis
• capable of effective written scientific communication

A Master’s thesis project usually consists of four distinct phases:

• Design and planning of the study
• Gathering the data (fieldwork and/or laboratory work and/or mathematical modelling)
• Analysing the data (validation/quality control, statistical analysis, plotting)
• Interpreting and discussing the results in the light of existing literature on the topic

Typically, the work is carried out in a research project in which you have a clearly defined and independent role. You must write the thesis yourself. Your work will be supervised by a person, such as a professor or a lecturer, who has a PhD in the same field of research and who knows the topic and the relevant courses well. 

Upon completing your Master’s project, you will understand how a research project proceeds, from planning the work to carrying it out and reporting the results.

A multifaceted programme is only possible through the joint efforts of various parties. Therefore the teaching and research are carried out in cooperation with:

• Institute of Biotechnology (HiLIFE unit)
• Botany Unit of the Finnish Museum of Natural History
• Natural Resources Institute Finland
• Plant Biotechnology Unit of the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
• Finnish Food Authority
• Finnish Environment Institute SYKE

The international scope is also a key benefit of the IPS programme. You can, for example,:  

• go on a student exchange with cooperating universities. It will give you new ideas, perspectives and personal contacts that may prove useful later in your working life or doctoral studies. Find out more about student exchanges.
• complete a traineeship abroad or in Finland in an international research group.
• tutor international students. More information about becoming a tutor.
• become involved in the international activities of subject organisations or the Student Union of the University of Helsinki.
• improve your language skills by participating in the language courses at the University of Helsinki Language Centre.

All this is to ensure that you have good opportunities for networking, jobs and apprenticeships.

The best way to know more about the IPS programme is through our students and graduates!

In the testimonials, they give their insights about the programme, studies and student life in Helsinki as well as share their aspirations and future goals.

Student life and especially the student organisation culture is exceptionally rich and diverse in Finland.

At the University of Helsinki, more than 250 student organisations operate within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY), ranging from faculty and subject organisations to political and societal organisations, and from choirs and orchestras to sports and game clubs. Their activities include anniversary celebrations, academic dinner parties, cultural events, get-togethers and excursions.

Students in Finland are also entitled to many benefits and services. For example, affordable student housing, low-cost sports services and student-priced meals. You also get numerous discounts, for example on public transport fees across the country.