Understanding the emergence of life from complexity is key to making the right choices. To take care of life, we need to understand how it works. While the functions of your body are highly complex, they also share many principles with the functions of organisms that belong to the phyla that appeared first and have few cells, or just one.
When studying Molecular and Physiological Basis of Health, you will:
The Molecular and Physiological Basis of Health study track (MAP-Health*) provides you with a holistic view of the integrated mechanisms that govern the functions of organisms, from cells to entire functional systems. In addition to addressing the complexity of the metabolic design of organisms, one special focus is on understanding the processes of cell development, regeneration, and aging, the key determinants between life and death. Other focus areas are understanding the mechanisms influencing cardiometabolic health and training in modern omics technologies.
Students undertake modules to the value of 120 credits (cr; ECTS) according to their personal study plan. The Master’s Degree consists of:
84 cr of compulsory advanced studies (MAPH-100 Molecular and Physiological Basis of Health):
36 cr of elective studies chosen from the Programme (courses from both topical study tracks are available) or from other Programmes (e.g. Genetics and Molecular Biosciences or Translational Medicine)
The curriculum of the programme enables you to complete 90 credits in 12 months of full-time studying and utilising study opportunities during the summer months, but not including your Master’s thesis research project. However, we recommend that you complete the programme in two years as this will give you more flexibility for your optional studies.
With elective studies, you can refine your specialisation within the field of neuroscience and broaden your knowledge in other disciplines. You can also include career planning or extracurricular activities in your personal study plan. Discussing the options with your teachers and study advisors during the first months of your studies will help you to identify the various opportunities and prepare your personal study plan. You can revise your plan, if necessary, as your studies progress.
* Please note that prior to 2026, the name of the study track was Cellular and Systems Physiology.
We are conscious, we sense, we feel and we act because of our brains. The brain coordinates and is affected by bodily functions, and it integrates the information about the outside world conveyed by our senses – it is the most central player in the physiology of the whole body.
Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field that studies the brain and the entire nervous system at different levels of organisation, from genes and molecules to nerve cells and networks; and beyond. The focus of a neuroscientist’s research may lie in understanding the neurobiological bases of behaviour, analysing the functional roles of a single molecule, or developing new treatments for neurological disorders or sensory deficits.
The Neuroscience study track provides you with an understanding of both fundamental and cutting-edge neuroscience, and its modules allow you to gain theoretical knowledge and methodological skills in areas that are of specific interest to you.
Students undertake modules to the value of 120 credits (cr; ECTS) according to their personal study plan. The Master’s Degree consists of:
66 cr of compulsory advanced studies (NEU-100 NEUROSCIENCE study module):
Choose all:
Choose one of the following:
54 cr of elective studies chosen from the Programme (courses from both topical study tracks are available) or from other Programmes (e.g. Genetics and Molecular Biosciences or Translational Medicine)
The curriculum of the programme enables you to complete 90 credits in 12 months of full-time studying and utilising study opportunities during the summer months, but not including your Master’s thesis research project. However, we recommend that you complete the programme in two years as this will give you more flexibility for your optional studies.
With elective studies, you can refine your specialisation within the field of neuroscience and broaden your knowledge in other disciplines. You can also include career planning or extracurricular activities in your personal study plan. Discussing the options with your teachers and study advisors during the first months of your studies will help you to identify the various opportunities and prepare your personal study plan. You can revise your plan, if necessary, as your studies progress.
Students studying for qualification as Biology teachers can specialise in either Molecular and Physiological Basis of Health or Neuroscience. They will have 60 cr of pedagogical studies in their degree. Please note that this applies only to Finnish or Swedish speaking students who have been accepted to the Biology Teacher study track during their bachelor studies.