The Curriculum for
The Study Board for Science
Programme titles:
- Kandidat i biokemi og molekylærbiologi
ECTS value: 120
Cities: Odense
Semesters: Autumnx
Effective date: 01-09-2021
Applicable for students enrolled as of: 01-09-2018
Version: Archive
§ 1 - Description of the Programme
§ 1.1 - Programme
Programme titles
(Master of Science (MSc))Ministerial orders
Ministerial Order on the Grading Scale and Other Forms of Assessment of Study Programmes Offered under the Ministry of Higher Education and Science (the Grading Scale Order) (BEK nr 114 af 03/02/2015)
Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om bachelor- og kandidatuddannelser ved universiteterne (uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 258 af 19/03/2019)
Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om adgang til kandidatuddannelser ved universiteterne og de videregående kunstneriske uddannelsesinstitutioner på Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriets område (BEK nr 257 af 19/03/2019)
Bekendtgørelse om ankenævn for afgørelser om merit i universitetsuddannelser (meritankenævnsbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 1517 af 16/12/2013)
Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om ankenævn for afgørelser om merit i universitetsuddannelser (meritankenævnsbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 880 af 26/08/2019)
Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om bachelor- og kandidatuddannelser ved universiteterne (uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 876 af 26/08/2019)
Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om eksamen og censur ved universitetsuddannelser (eksamensbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 1080 af 28/08/2018)
Bekendtgørelse om talentinitiativer på de videregående uddannelser på Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriets område (talentbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 597 af 08/03/2015)
Ministerial Order on Bachelor and Master's (Candidatus) Programmes at Universities (the University Programme Order)
Bekendtgørelse om karakterskala og anden bedømmelse (BEK nr 262 af 20/03/2007)
Ministerial Order on University Examinations and Grading (the Examination Order) (BEK nr 1062 af 30/06/2016)
Ministerial Order on Admission and Enrolment on Master's (Candidatus) Programmes at Universities (BEK nr 106 af 12/02/2018)
Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om adgang til kandidatuddannelser ved universiteterne og de videregående kunstneriske uddannelsesinstitutioner på Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriets område (BEK nr 639 af 25/06/2019)
Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om eksamen og censur ved universitetsuddannelser (eksamensbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 878 af 26/08/2019)
Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om adgang til kandidatuddannelser ved universiteterne og de videregående kunstneriske uddannelsesinstitutioner på Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriets område (BEK nr 891 af 26/08/2019)
Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om talentinitiativer på de videregående uddannelser på Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriets område (talentbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 892 af 26/08/201)
ECTS value
120Academic Study Board
The Study Board for ScienceLanguage
DanishCities
OdenseSemesters
AutumnLevel
Master§ 1.2 - Aim of Programme, including any professional profile and specialisations
Jf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen §§ 1-4
The Bachelor and Master’s programmes are independent research-based educational courses with a set amount of ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System) aiming to make the student qualified to independently perform professional functions based on knowledge and practical proficiencies in several subject areas. A subject area consists of a single subject or a group of related subjects within the natural sciences.
The aim of the Master’s programme is to:
1. expand the student’s academic knowledge and proficiencies and increase the theoretical and methodical qualifications and skills with a higher level of independence compared to the Bachelor programme.
2. give the student an academic immersion through the application of advanced elements within the disciplines and methods of the subject areas, including training in scientific work and methods which will develop the student’s skills in performing specialised professional functions along with participating in work related to scientific development and,
3. qualify the student for further education, including the ph.d. programme.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Learning outcome
The learning outcome for the programmes of the Faculty of Science is described in accordance with the Danish “Qualifications Framework for Higher Education” through three general categories:
- Knowledge: This category is related to the specific programme or the specific course and covers the level of comprehension and reflection within a subject area in relation to the terms, theories, methods and scientific problems of the area.
- Skills: This category is aimed explicitly at the performance of practical skills, professional ethics and responsibility.
- Competences: This category entails the graduate’s personal and independent application of knowledge and skills. These competences are universal, not limited to the individual programme or course. Instead, they include skills such as analysis and abstract thinking, an attitude for learning, the ability to participate in academic and interdisciplinary collaboration, communicative skills and the graduate’s ability to acquire new knowledge and structure his/her own learning.
§ 1.3 - Didactic and pedagogical basis
The didactic and pedagogical foundation of the programme is based on SDU’s leading principles about activating teaching and active learning. This is implemented in practical science by the application of the three-phase-model for teaching, the three phases being introduction, training and studying.
- In the introductory phase the joint reference frame for theory, models and terms is established through the teacher’s use of varied teaching methods.
- The training phase is utilised by the students to obtain their own experiences and to immerse themselves in the material through active work and dialogue with the teacher.
- The study phase is a learning environment unaffiliated with the teacher and where the student independently acquires academic, personal and social skills in relation to an understanding of and immersion in the subject of science.
Content, standard and learning activities for the individual subjects within the first year of the Bachelor programme are planned in accordance with the requirements of the programme. The teachers responsible for courses which directly build on knowledge from the qualifying youth education will always be informed of the admission requirements and have access to information about the academic content of the central qualifying subjects from the youth education.
The form of examination for the specific courses is selected in consideration of several factors. There must be a clear coherence between the purpose, content, learning activities and examination of the specific course, so that the exam result of the specific course reflects how well the student fulfils the learning objectives of the course. Throughout the entire programme, a variation of forms of examinations is strived for across the different courses, so that the students are tested in the overall different types of knowledge, skills and competences which are represented in the Degree Qualifications Profile of the programme. This is to make sure that the student’s overall exam results reflect how well the student fulfils the learning objectives of the programme in its entirety.
§ 1.4 - Profiles
MSc in major Biochemistry and molecular biology - registration 1 September 2020 and 2021
MSc in major Biochemistry and molecular biology - registration 1 September 2018 and 2019
MSc in major Biochemistry and molecular biology with special minor in Chemistry- registration 1 September 2020 and 2021
MSc in major Biochemistry and molecular biology with special minor in Chemistry- registration 1 September 2018 and 2019
§ 2 - Enrollment
§ 2.1 - Legal claim of admission
Cf. Adgangsbekendtgørelsen §26
Admission to a Master’s programme requires that the applicant has completed a qualifying Bachelor programme, including a professional Bachelor’s programme, or another relevant Danish or foreign education at the same level.
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen §12
The university can register students who are admitted to and enrolled on a Bachelor programme at a university for courses and exams worth up to 30 ECTS credits from an academic graduate or Master’s programme, if the university deems that the student has the relevant academic prerequisites to complete and pass the Bachelor programme and simultaneously complete courses on an academic graduate or Master’s programme.
§ 2.2 - Tuition
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
The Study Board refers to the general webpages at sdu.dk regarding fees for continuing/further education: http://www.sdu.dk/efter_videreuddannelse/generelle_informationer/deltagerbetaling (in Danish).
§ 2.3 - Entry requirements
Cf. Adgangsbekendtgørelsen §28
Admission to a Master’s programme requires that the applicant has completed a qualifying Bachelor programme, including a professional Bachelor programme, or another relevant Danish or foreign education at the same level.
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen §12
The university can register students who are admitted to and enrolled on a Bachelor programme at a university for courses and exams worth up to 30 ECTS credits from an academic graduate or Master’s programme, if the university deems that the student has the relevant academic prerequisites to complete and pass the Bachelor programme and simultaneously complete courses on an academic graduate or Master’s programme
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
In accordance with Adgangsbekendtgørelsen § 28, the following Bachelor programmes grant direct admission to the Master’s programme in Molecular Bioscience:
- Bachelor degree in Molecular Bioscience from SDU
- Biomedicine from SDU
- Molecular Medicine from Aarhus University
- Molecular Biology from Aarhus University
- Molecular Biomedicine from the University of Copenhagen
- Biology-Biotechnology from the University of Copenhagen
- Biochemistry from the University of Copenhagen
Other Bachelor programmes containing courses in molecular bioscience. worth a minimum of 60 ECTS may grant admission if approved by the Study Board.
§ 3 - Structure and Progression
§ 3.1 - The structure of the programme
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 7
The Bachelor and Master’s degree programmes consist of a specified number of modules. A module is a single subject element or a group of subject elements with the purpose of providing the student with a set of academic qualifications and skills within a specified timeframe indicated by ECTS credits. The modules end with one or more tests during a specified examination period which is indicated and outlined in the programme regulations.
Additional provisions of the Study Board
The Master’s degree programmes at the Faculty of Science at SDU are planned in accordance with one of the following structures:
a) A Master’s degree programme consisting of a major subject worth 120 ECTS within the area of natural science, including an experimental Master’s thesis worth 60 ECTS.
b) A Master’s degree programme consisting of a major subject worth 120 ECTS within the area of natural science, including a theoretical or experimental Master’s thesis worth 30 ECTS.
c) A Master’s degree programme which is an extension of the Bachelor degree programme and planned with the end purpose of teaching at upper secondary schools, structured with a major subject worth 75 ECTS, including an experimental or theoretical Master’s thesis worth 30 ECTS combined with a minor subject worth 45 ECTS from another subject area of the natural sciences. The major and minor subjects must be taught at upper secondary schools and the lessons of the programme are planned to fulfil the academic minimum requirements cf. Retningslinjer for universitetsuddannelser rettet mod undervisning i gymnasiale uddannelser.
d) A Master’s degree programme which is an extension of the Bachelor degree programme and planned with the end purpose of teaching at upper secondary schools, structured with a major subject worth 75 ECTS, including an experimental or theoretical Master’s thesis worth 30 ECTS combined with a minor subject worth 75 ECTS from another subject area of the natural sciences in which 30 ECTS are added as an extension of the study period. The major and minor subjects must be taught at upper secondary schools and the lessons of the programme must be planned to fulfil the academic minimum requirements cf. Retningslinjer for universitetsuddannelser rettet mod undervisning i gymnasiale uddannelser.
e) A minor subject worth 75 ECTS within the area of natural science which is combined with a major subject outside of the area of natural science. The major and minor subjects must be taught at upper secondary schools.
f) A Master’s degree programme which is an extension of the Bachelor degree programme (major and minor subjects) and is planned with a focus on interdisciplinarity, structured with a major subject worth 75 ECTS, including an experimental or theoretical Master’s thesis worth 30 or 40 ECTS, combined with an elective worth 45 ECTS from another area of the natural sciences.
The programmes consist of a specified number of semesters.
Course descriptions – in general
The course descriptions are part of the programme regulations and describe the specific courses. Course descriptions may be updated twice a year if approved by the Study Board.
The approved course descriptions can be seen in the syllabus on the Faculty of Science’s website.
The approved syllabus and the valid module descriptions contain information regarding:
- The Danish and English title of the course
- The level of the course (Bachelor, Master’s or PhD courses)
- The responsible department and lecturer
- The amount of ECTS credits the course is worth
- Admission requirements
- Expected qualifications
- Purpose
- Learning objectives
- Content
- which language is used
- Form of examination
- Teaching methods
- The dates and times of the lectures
- When the course has last been updated
The number of the course description indicates the level:
- 2XX: PhD courses
- 5XX: Bachelor courses
- 8XX: Master’s courses
If fewer than five students sign up for a course, the teaching methods of the course may divert from the one indicated in the approved course description. If fewer than five students sign up for an elective course, the course may be cancelled.
To ensure the progression and quality of the programme, the course descriptions contain a description of how the specific course relates to the programme’s additional courses and how it contributes to the Degree Qualifications Profile of the overall programme.
Transition rules
Students of regular or part-time study programmes may experience that courses or exams which are part of their programme no longer are offered. Similarly, some programme regulations may expire and be replaced. The student will be informed of which consequences the cancelled courses/exams or expired programme regulations may have on their further studies. In connection with cancelled courses/exams or expired programme regulations, certain transition rules will apply.
The transition rules establish the following:
- When the last lesson will be held
- When the last exams will be conducted
- Which course you should attend instead of the cancelled one
- Which exam(s) you should take instead of the cancelled one(s)
- Potential rules regarding credit transfers from expired programme regulations to the newest one
- Potential rules regarding service registration for exams
- Whether there is a risk of expulsion if the transition rules are not followed
§ 4 - Course descriptions
§ 4.1 - Course descriptions
Profile course descriptions
MSc in major Biochemistry and molecular biology - registration 1 September 2020 and 2021
MSc in major Biochemistry and molecular biology - registration 1 September 2018 and 2019
MSc in major Biochemistry and molecular biology with special minor in Chemistry- registration 1 September 2020 and 2021
MSc in major Biochemistry and molecular biology with special minor in Chemistry- registration 1 September 2018 and 2019
Course descritions in the curriculum
KE525: Uorganisk Kemi A
BMB822: Moderne tendenser og teknologier i molekylær cellebiologi
BMB821: Specialeforberedende kursus
NAT805: Fagdidaktik, fag og fagsamspil i naturvidenskab
IABMB801: Individuel studieaktivitet ved BMB
IABMB802: Individuel studieaktivitet ved BMB
KE825: Nukleinsyrer i Medicinalkemi og Nanobioteknologi
BB807: Molekylær toksikologi
BMB806: Infektionsimmunologi
BMB208: Cancer-immunologi
KE801: Uorganisk kemi B
KE826: Spektroskopi
FA505: Naturstofkemi og farmakognosi
BMB815: Human Molekylær Genetik - Molekylær Patologi og Diagnostiske Metoder
SPBMB801: Speciale i biokemi og molekylær biologi
BMB842: Avanceret cellebiologi
NAT809: Assembling af minimale levende systemer
BMB831: Biostatistik i R II
BMB205: Avancerede metoder i protein massespektrometri og proteomanalyse
BMB830: Biostatistik i R I
BMB841: Strategies for Protein Purification and Characterization
FA506: Medicinalkemi A
BMB826: Eksperimentel molekylærbiologi. Metoder til undersøgelse af eukaryot genregulering
§ 5 - Examination provisions
§ 5.1 - Programme passing requirements
The Master’s degree programme will be completed when the student has obtained:
a) A grade of 02 or higher on all exams graded according to the 7-point grading scale
b) A “pass” grade on all exams which are given “pass”/”fail” grades
c) An “approved” grade on all exams which are given “approved”/”not approved” grades and
d) Approval of all exams which are approved through attendance of classes
§ 5.2 - Start of study exam
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 16
The university may decide that students must participate in and pass a start of study exam in order to continue the programme. The purpose of the start of study exam is to clarify whether a student has actually participated in the start of the programme. The exam is internal and will be evaluated with “Approved” or “Not approved”. The start of study exam will be conducted no later than 2 months after the start of the programme and the result must be given to students no later than 2 weeks after the exam. If a student does not pass the exam, they may do a re-exam which is conducted no later than 3 months after the start of the programme. Students have 2 exam attempts to pass the start of study exam.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
If a study start test is included in the programme this is stated in the recommended course of study. Further information about the study start test is given in the course description.
The study start test is held in connection with the start of studies in resp. September and February. Students have two exam attempts to pass the study start test. The second exam attempt is completed no later than three months after the start of the study programme.
§ 5.3 - Spelling and writing skills
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 26
In the evaluation of Bachelor projects, Master’s theses and other longer written assignments, there will be a focus on the student’s spelling and writing skills as well as on academic content. In the programme regulations, rules determine how much the student’s spelling and writing skills affect the overall evaluation of the exam project, as academic content is considered most important. The university may provide students who have documentation of a relevant functional impairment with a dispensation.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
The evaluation of longer written assignments is mainly concerned with academic content. The student’s spelling and writing skills will have minimal impact on the evaluation unless it deviates considerably from normal academic writing. This rule may be overlooked if the student provides documentation of a relevant functional impairment.
In the evaluation of the Master’s thesis, the grade will be based on a combined assessment of report, abstract and oral examination.
§ 5.4 - Evaluation of examinations and tests
Cf. Karakterbekendtgørelsen §§ 9 og 10
The evaluation of a student’s performance must be in accordance with the academic objectives of the relevant subject or subject element (absolute grading). Grades may not be given in order to achieve a specific distribution of grades (relative grading). The evaluation will be based on an assessment of how well the student achieves the objectives of the subject or subject element which are provided in the programme regulations of the programme.
The educational institution provides programme regulations which determine the learning objectives and criteria used in the assessment of individual courses, specific subjects or educational elements which are concluded with a final exam. In the assessment of an exam, a grade will be given either according to the 7-point grading scale, as a pass/fail grade or as an approved/not approved grade. To pass a graded exam, the student must have obtained 02 or above.
Cf. Jf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen §22 og §25
Examinations are either internal or external.
The external exams must cover the basic areas of the programme, including the Bachelor project, Master’s thesis, academic graduate project and Master project. A minimum of 1/3 of the programme’s total ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System) must be documented by exams with external grading. This does not apply to credit transfers.
Grades are given according to the 7-point grading scale, as a “pass” or “fail” grade or as an “approved” or “not approved” grade, cf. karakterbekendtgørelsen.
Bachelor project, Master’s thesis, academic graduate project and Master project are graded according to the 7-point grading scale. Participation in class is given a “pass” or “fail” grade or an “approved” or “not-approved” grade.
The “pass/fail” grade or the “approved/not-approved” grade must not be used in more exams than what covers 1/3 of the programme’s overall ECTS credits. This does not apply to credit transfers, however.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
The learning objectives of a specific course establishes that the student will receive a 12 for an excellent performance which demonstrates a full achievement of the objectives of the course or course element with no or few flaws. The learning objectives can be found in the specific course descriptions.
§ 5.5 - Exam language
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 6
If a programme is conducted in Danish, the exams will be in Danish. If the lectures of a specific course have been conducted in a foreign language, the exam will be done in this language. For programmes which are available in English, the exams are conducted in the provided language. The university can deviate from these rules.
§ 5.6 - Forms of assessment
The student’s qualifications are assessed at examinations. The assessment may be based on:
a) a final oral exam
b) a final written exam
c) practical tests
d) one or more written or oral exams conducted during lectures
e) one or more assignments or reports or course work handed in for assessment in connection with lectures
f) study periods given a pass/fail grade at internal exams (portfolio)
g) participation in lectures, exercises, seminars or similar activities or a combination of two or more of items a – g
The choice of examination form for the specific course is made in accordance with several factors. In order for the final grade of the course to reflect to what degree the student has met the learning objectives, there must be a clear cohesion between the course’s objectives, content, learning activities and the examination of the course. Over the course of the entire programme, the aspiration will be to have a variation of examination forms in order to test the student in the different types of knowledge, skills and competences which are represented in the Degree Qualifications Profile of the programme. This is done so that the overall exam result of the student reflects how well the student achieved the learning objectives of the programme.
§ 5.7 - Ordinary exams
Ordinary exams will typically be conducted at the end of a course in the fall and spring semesters respectively. The exams of the fall semester courses are typically held in January and the exams of the spring semester courses are typically held in June. The accurate dates of the examinations can be found in the exam plan on the faculty’s website. The dates of ordinary exams which are conducted as part of the course’s lectures will be announced on Blackboard.
Withdrawal from exams is not possible after registering for a course. If the student does not participate in the exam, they use an exam attempt. If the student is prevented from participating because of an illness, they need to submit a doctor’s note to the Student Services (via SPOC). If the doctor’s note is accepted, the absence will not count as a used exam attempt. For more information, see SDU’s general exam rules on the university website.
§ 5.8 - Reexams
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 14
It may be established in the programme regulations that the reexam has another form and/or evaluation than the ordinary exam. This does not apply, however, for Bachelor projects or Master’s theses.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
A reexam is conducted for students who failed, were absent or were ill at the preceding ordinary exam. Therefore, the reexam still requires that the student has participated in the course’s lectures and readings.
The dates of reexams which are conducted as part of the course’s lectures will be announced on Blackboard.
For all courses which the Study Board for Science is responsible for, with the exception of the Bachelor project and the Master’s thesis, the exam and censorship at a reexam may be different from the ordinary exam. The Head of Studies at the Faculty of Science will make the decision regarding exam and censorship form upon request from the department. The departments are required to inform the students of any changes.
Withdrawal from exams is not possible after registering for a course. If the student does not participate in the exam, they use an exam attempt. If the student is prevented from participating because of an illness, they need to submit a doctor’s note to the Student Services (via SPOC). If the doctor’s note is accepted, the absence will not count as a used exam attempt. For more information, see SDU’s general exam rules on the university website.
If the faculty announces that a course is cancelled, it will also be announced when the student at the latest must use their third exam attempt.
§ 5.9 - Exam attempts
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 13
Students have 3 attempts to pass an exam. The university may provide additional attempts under exceptional circumstances. When assessing whether there are any exceptional circumstances, the university must not include the student’s academic aptitude. A student who is having their participation in a course assessed for the second time, may request to take an exam instead. However, the university may establish in the programme regulations that this does not apply to the start of study exam. Course participation which includes practical exercises cannot be replaced by an exam.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Students can apply for additional exam attempts through the Study Board for Science under exceptional circumstances. For more information, see the Study Board’s guide on dispensation. Students have two exam attempts to pass the start of study exam. The first year exam must be passed before the end of the first year of study even if the student has not used up all three exam attempts.
§ 5.10 - Requirements for exams
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 3
The university may in the programme regulations establish that the student is required to participate in lectures or submit written assignments, etc, as part of the lectures in order to be able to attend the exam of the relevant course.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
If a course has prerequisite exams, these must be passed before the ordinary exam related to the prerequisite exam. If a student does not pass the prerequisite exam before the course’s ordinary exam, the student will not be able to participate in the exam and has used an exam attempt. Prerequisite exams which have been passed before the ordinary exam do not need to be repeated in case the student needs to use another exam attempt.
§ 5.11 - Digital exams and aids
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 10
The university may in the programme regulations establish rules regarding the use of computers during exams.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Written exams will be conducted on the student’s own computer unless the course description says otherwise. For written exams, the SDU’s rules regarding use of computer during written exams apply.
A list of allowed aids can be found in the specific course descriptions.
§ 5.12 - Special examination conditions
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 7
The university may provide special exam conditions for students with a physical or mental disability and for students whose native language is not Danish, if the university deems that this is necessary in order to place these students on an equal footing with other students participating in the exam. This provision must not alter the academic level of the exam.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
If a student wishes to be provided with special exam conditions, they must send an application to the Study Board for Science no later than four weeks before the beginning of the relevant exam period. The Study Board has the option to provide students with special exam conditions for the entire course of their studies.
Due to specific examination forms, it will not be possible to grant students additional time for certain exams.
If a student wishes to be provided with special exam conditions, it is their own responsibility to contact the department which conducts the relevant exam no later than 14 days before the examination date and let them know. If the student fails to do so, they will not be provided with special exam conditions.
§ 5.13 - Irregularities at exams
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 9
The university establishes rules regarding the disciplinary precautions in cases of cheating and distracting behaviour during exams.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
The university sees irregularities at exams as a serious violation of the disciplinary rules. For more information, see the rules on disciplinary precautions for students at SDU.
§ 5.14 - Group exams
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 4
On a basis of academic considerations, the university decides whether an exam should be individual or a group exam. For group exams, the university further establishes the maximum number of students allowed in a group and whether students may choose to take the exam as an individual exam. At both individual and group exams, there will be an evaluation of the individual student’s performance and individual grades will be given.
Oral group exams must be structured in a way that allows for evaluation of the performance of individual students.
In the case of written exams which have been produced by a group of students, individual evaluation and grading is only possible if the work of the individual student is somehow indicated.
In the case of written exams which have been produced by a group of students where individual evaluation and grading is not required, the assignment may be part of the evaluation of a subsequent oral exam.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
It will be evident from the course description of the specific course whether the exam is a group exam or not. In cases of individual study activities, Bachelor projects or Master’s theses, it will be established in collaboration with the supervisor if a group exam is possible. In cases of group exams, all students must be indicated in the contract and the evaluation will be adapted to the form of a group exam.
§ 6 - Credit transfer
§ 6.1 - Transfer of credit
Cf. Adgangsbekendtgørelsen §37
Students must inform the university of and apply for credits for passed programme elements from all previous unfinished studies of the same level. The university establishes rules concerning disciplinary steps in case the applicant provides incorrect or insufficient information.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
As quickly as possible after having been accepted at a programme, the student must apply for starting credits at the Faculty of Science based on previously passed educational elements from the same or a different educational institution. The Study Board will make a specific credit assessment of the student’s previously passed subject elements. Credits are only given if the course element has academic relevance for the programme which the student has been accepted to. If the Study Board deems that credits will be given in the form of a shortening of the student’s period of study, this will be evident in the decision that the student receives from the Study Board.
§ 6.2 - Transfer of credit
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 47
Students who wish to complete certain programme elements at another university or educational institution in Denmark or abroad may apply for advanced credits for planned programme elements at their home university. The student must provide the necessary documentation to their home university for whether the programme elements have been passed or not. If the documentation indicates that the programme elements for which the student has been given credits in advance have been passed, the home university will approve and grant credits for these.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Students must send an application for advanced credits to the Study Board for Science. It is the student’s own responsibility to apply early so that the student is sure to receive a decision before the deadline for applications at the host educational institution. Students can seek advice and counselling regarding the level and contents of the intended courses at the institute.
§ 6.3 - Credit
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen §§ 45 and 46
This order states that a passed programme element is equivalent to a corresponding programme element at another university which provides the same programme.
The university may approve that passed programme elements, as defined in this order, may replace programme elements in another programme of the same level (credits).
The university may further approve that passed programme elements from another Danish or foreign programme of the same level may replace other programme elements.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Students may send applications for credits to the Study Board for Science. It is the student’s responsibility to document the content and level of the course in the form of a course description and documentation of achieved results.
§ 6.4 - Extemptions
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 42
In cases with exceptional conditions, the university may make exemptions from the rules which are established by the university itself in the programme regulations.
§ 7 - Provisions on the organisation of the programme
§ 7.1 - Enrolment and unenrolment from teaching and exams
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen §8
The university must establish internal rules regarding the registration of students for courses or course elements at the Bachelor and Master’s degree programmes, including rules establishing whether registration is the responsibility of the university or the student. The university may establish requirements for registration in the form of ECTS credits. The registration requirements may apply to both new courses and failed courses from earlier semesters. The registration requirements may be no higher than 60 ECTS credits per academic year, except in cases of failed courses from earlier semesters.
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen §14
The university must further establish internal rules regarding the placement of and the registration for the programme’s ordinary exams (1st exam attempt) and reexams (2nd and 3rd attempt). The university will establish whether the registration is the responsibility of the university or the student, as well as whether registration for a course or course element constitutes as registration for the exam or reexam of the course. The university will further establish whether students have the option of timely notification of deregistration from exams or reexams.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
It is the aim of the university that students registered for courses worth 30 ECTS points per semester at their relevant level of study. Registering for courses worth more than 30 ECTS points per semester is allowed.
Twice per year, students can register for the courses provided in the fall semester (20. – 30. May) and the spring semester (20. – 30. November) respectively. For more information on registration deadlines, visit the faculty’s website. Registration is done via SDU Student Self-Service (https://sso.sdu.dk/) within the indicated time limits. Registration for a course gives access to the course’s page on e-learn.sdu.dk.
Registration for a course constitutes as registration for the first of the three exam attempts connected with the course. Deregistration from the course and its exams is not possible after the deadline for the registration period. If the student does not participate in the exam, they will have used one exam attempt.
The university will register new students for the courses of their first year of the Bachelor degree programme when the student has been accepted at SDU.
Registration for second or third exam attempts will be done within the indicated registration periods or by request to the Educational Law & Registration via SPOC. Registration for second or third exams is binding, and it is not possible deregister.
Students who have failed the ordinary exam (first exam attempt) can register for the reexam (second exam attempt) in the same examination period or the appertaining re-examination period. Students who have failed their second exam attempt can register for their third attempt at the next ordinary examination period.
Students will automatically be registered for exams which are offered for the last time.
Students can apply to the Study Board for Science for dispensation to deregister from courses and exams during any given semester in cases of exceptional conditions.
Students can apply to the Study Board for Science for dispensation to participate in a reexam although the student has not used an exam attempt at the preceding ordinary exam.
§ 7.2 - Permission to enrol in courses from a Master’s degree programme
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen §12
The university may register students who are enrolled in a Bachelor degree programme at the university for courses, subject elements and exams from a Master’s degree programme worth a maximum of 30 ECTS points, if the university deems that the student has the academic prerequisites to complete their Bachelor degree programme while at the same time completing and passing courses or subject elements from the Master’s degree programme.
Students who complete courses or subject elements from a Master’s degree programme have the right to enrol in the relevant Master’s degree programme as a direct continuation of their Bachelor degree programme.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Applications for permission to participate in courses from a Master’s degree programme before having completed a Bachelor degree programme must be sent to Counselling. The study board refers to the general guidelines.
§ 7.3 - Deadline for programme completion
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen §6
Bachelor and Master’s degree programmes must be organised as full time studies so that students are able to complete a Bachelor degree programme in 34 months, or 36 months if they begin their studies in the spring semester, and complete a Master’s degree programme in 24 months if they choose to start the Master’s degree programme in direct continuation of their Bachelor degree programme. If a student chooses not to start a Master’s degree programme in direct continuation of their Bachelor degree programme, the Master’s degree programme must be organised so that the student is able to complete it in 22 months if they being in the fall semester and 24 months if they begin in the spring semester. The university may in the programme regulations establish deadlines for the completion of the programme.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
The Study Board refers to the SDU rules on time limits.
- Bachelor degree programme must be completed within the standardised study period + 1 year
- A 2-year Master’s degree programme must be completed within the standardised study period + ½ year
- A 2½-year Master’s degree programme must be completed within the standardised study period + ½ yea
- Master's degree for working professionals must be completed within the standardised study period + ½ year
- "AO" (Akademisk overbygningsuddannelse) - Master's degree must be completed within the standardised study period + 1 year
§ 7.4 - Study activity
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen §§ 20 og 20a.
The university may establish rules which dictate that the student continuously or at the end of each year of study must pass exams estimated in ECTS credits (demands of study activity) in order to continue their studies. The demand can be established as exams worth collectively no more than 45 ECTS credits per year of study. The university must ensure that students have 3 exam attempts in the courses or subject elements which are part of the demands of study activity. The university may further establish that demands of study activity may be overlooked if the student is an entrepreneur or chairperson of a volunteer organisation which is included in Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd (DUF). The university may provide dispensation from demands of study activity if the student is an elite athlete or in cases of exceptional circumstances.
The university can determine rules regarding termination of enrolment for students who have not as a minimum passed one exam in a consecutive period of at least 1 year.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Enrolment of a student will be terminated if the student has not passed a minimum of one exam within a consecutive time period of at least 1 year. Participation in the studiestartsprøve does not count as part of the demands of study activity regarding passing a minimum of one exam within a consecutive time period of at least 1 year.
Students who fail to earn 30 ECTS per semester are notified of offers of counselling and potential support measures. Before their enrolment is terminated, the student is notified of the date of the termination of their enrolment.
The demands of study activity at the SDU are implemented as so-called accumulated study activity requirements. In accordance with the SDU’s general rules on study activity, Bachelor and Master’s degree students must pass a minimum of 45 ECTS per year of study.
The provisions in this paragraph do not include enrolment via Open University.
§ 7.5 - Master\'s thesis
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 27
The constituent subject elements of a Master’s degree programme must include a Master’s thesis worth 30 ECTS credits or up to 60 ECTS credits if the thesis is experimental. The Master’s thesis must document the student’s proficiency in applying scientific theories and methods throughout their work and must have a specified academic subject. If the student fails to submit their thesis before the provided deadline or does not get a grade of 02 or higher, the university will approve a modified thesis statement on the same academic subject and set a new submission deadline of three months. If the student fails to submit their thesis before the new deadline, the student may get a third exam attempt in accordance with the same rules that applied for the second exam attempt.
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen §§ 22 and 25
A Master’s thesis is graded externally and according to the 7-point grading scale.
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 4
In cases of written assignments produced by a group of students, it is only possible to give individual grading if the contribution of the individual student is clearly marked.
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 14
When the university has set a deadline for submission of a Master’s thesis, it is no longer possible to deregister and one exam attempt will thus be used if the student fails to submit their thesis before the scheduled deadline.
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 26
The Master’s thesis must include an abstract in a language which is not Danish. If the thesis has been written in a foreign language, except Norwegian and Swedish, the abstract may be written in Danish.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
In the Master’s degree programme of the Faculty of Science, theoretical Master’s theses are worth 30 ECTS while experimental theses are worth 30, 40 or 60 ECTS.
The Master’s thesis constitutes the part of the Master’s degree programme where the student independently document their ability to identify, analyse and critically process academic problems. In the experimental theses, the student must demonstrate the ability to plan and complete a practical project within a specified time limit. The thesis further demonstrates the student’s ability to provide a written report of their completed practical work. More information on the content and objectives of the Master’s thesis can be found in the relevant course descriptions.
The Master’s thesis includes the following elements:
− An experimental and/or theoretical project
− A thesis report which is submitted for evaluation and is included in the Master’s thesis examination
− A Master’s thesis examination which starts with a presentation. The exam form of the Master’s thesis examination may vary at the Faculty of Science. After the presentation, the student may be examined in their thesis report and their presentation. The student’s presentation is included in the overall evaluation.
The Master’s thesis must be produced by no more than two students collectively and must be submitted as a written report. If the thesis is produced by two students, the thesis will be included in the evaluation of a subsequent individual oral exams.
Registration for the Master’s thesis is done via SDU Self-Service (https://sso.sdu.dk/) before the specified registration deadline. After registration – no later than a week into the semester – the student must submit a Master’s thesis contract with an appertaining thesis statement via the online form system (https://blanket.sam.sdu.dk/form/97/submit). The submission deadline for the Master’s thesis can be found in the relevant course descriptions.
If a student fails to submit their thesis before the provided deadline or if they fail the exam, a new altered thesis statement on the same subject must be made. The altered thesis statement must – no matter the prescribed period of the thesis – correspond to a workload of 3 extra months and must be submitted to the Head of Studies no later than 14 days after the original deadline or announcement of the exam results. After those 14 days, the new work period of an additional 3 months begins. The new deadline is thus 3 months and 14 days after the original deadline or announcement of exam results.
If the Master’s thesis is written in Danish, the abstract must be written in English. If the thesis is written in English, the abstract must be written in Danish.
The Head of Studies at the Faculty of Science may, based on a well-documented application, approve an extension of the submission deadline in cases of exceptional conditions.
§ 7.6 - The 4+4 PhD arrangement
Cf. Ph.d.-bekendtgørelsen § 5
The university can decide that the PhD programme begins in connection with the Master’s degree programme, but must ensure that the overall course of the programme is of the same extent and on the same level as established in the rules for the Master’s degree and PhD programmes respectively. The university must establish rules regarding this. Students who are enrolled in accordance with these terms must be able to complete their Master’s degree programme.
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 8
Students who are simultaneously enrolled in a Master’s degree programme and a PhD programme must once a year register for programme elements from the Master’s degree and PhD programmes so that their enrolment is in accordance with SDU’s rules on registration for courses and exams.
§ 7.7 - Leave
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen §§ 40-41
Students may be granted leave of absence from their studies in accordance with the rules established by the university. During the leave, students cannot participate in the courses of the relevant programme. Students cannot participate in the exams or tests of a programme during the semester in which they have or have had leave.
Bachelor students may be granted leave of absence after completing their first year of studies. Master’s students may be granted leave of absence after completing their first semester.
Apply for leave of absence if the application is due to maternity/paternity leave, adoption or regarding compulsory military service.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
The Study Board refers to the rules on leave of absence for students at SDU.
§ 7.8 - Limitation on the number of entries
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 8
The university must in the programme regulations establish rules regarding the registration for courses or subject elements and regarding the selection criteria for electives. The university will use academic criteria as selection criteria. If it is not possible to determine any academic criteria, the university may draw lots instead.
The university may not use age as a selection criterium.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Some electives provided by the Faculty of Science have a maximum student capacity. If more students are registered for a course than the maximum capacity allows, students who have registered in good time are prioritised. The principles concerning prioritisation are provided in the course description of the courses with maximum student capacities.
PhD students will always have first priority for PhD courses.
§ 7.9 - Minor, elective subject and elective
Minor subjects
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen §§ 17 og 28
Bachelor degree programmes which grant access to Master’s degree programmes with minors must consist of a major subject and a minor subject with a clear emphasis on the major subject. Both the major and minor subjects must be subjects which are taught in upper secondary schools.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
For Bachelor degree programmes at the Faculty of Science, the minor subject is placed in the third year of study. For Master’s degree programmes at the Faculty of Science, the minor subject is placed in the second and third semester. For students with a major subject outside of the natural sciences, the minor subject may be placed differently.
Registration for the Bachelor degree minor subjects must be done no later than 1 April during the second year of study via https://dans.stads.dk.
The Study Board refers to the General guidelines for enrolment (Only in Danish) which you can find at SDU’s website. Registration for Master’s degree minor subjects is done in connection with the application for enrolment in the Master’s degree programme.
Elective subjects
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 29
The university may establish that Master’s degree programmes which consist of only a major subject must be combined with an elective subject in or outside of the academic field of the major subject. The elective subject may consist of a selection of elective courses organised by the university or by the student. The university may decide that the selection of elective courses organised by a student must be approved by the university.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
The Study Board for Science has organised one Bachelor degree elective subject in Biological Anthropology meant for students with a major subject outside of the natural sciences as well as a selection of Master’s degree elective subjects meant for students with a major subject within the natural sciences. It is not possible for students on scientific Bachelor and Master’s degree programmes to organise their own individual elective subject.
Registration for Master’s degree elective subjects is done in connection with the application for enrolment in the Master’s degree programme.
Electives
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen §§ 27
The university will in the relevant programme regulations provide electives worth a minimum of 10 ECTS credits.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
The programmes at the Faculty of Science include electives worth a minimum of 10 ECTS credits. Electives are defined as courses which are offered by the Faculty of Science and which are not compulsory for the relevant programme. Electives may be defined further in the subject specific programme regulation, just as limitations might be given in the course descriptions.
Courses which coincide with constituent courses or subject elements (including supporting subjects), or which coincide with already passed courses or subject elements, cannot be approved as electives or grant credits.
Courses on a Bachelor degree level which are within the field of the major subject cannot be approved as electives or grant credits to the Master’s degree programme.
Students are required to register for electives of a relevant level of study worth a certain number of ECTS credits specified in the relevant programme regulations. Registration is done via SDU Self-Service (https://sso.sdu.dk/) within the specified time limit. Registration for courses grants access to the course’s page on e-learn.sdu.dk.
Students may change their electives after the deadline for registration, however, this must be done no later than three weeks after the beginning of the semester. Changing to another elective is only possible if the new elective is worth the same number of ECTS credits as the previous one, if there is an open spot for the student and if there has not been conducted any exams or tests yet in the course.
Registration for electives is binding and an exam attempt will be used if the student does not participate in the exam. Students apply to the Study Board for deregistration from electives in a relevant semester. The elective will remain a part of the student’s course of study, however, and must be passed before graduation.
Changing electives is not possible if the student has used an exam attempt in one or several parts of the current elective. The Study Board will not process applications from students regarding this kind of change of electives. The Study Board refers to the SDU’s general information on this subject.
After the deadline for changing electives, the student may apply to the Study Board for Science for a change of electives based on exceptional conditions, if the student has not yet used an exam attempt in one or several parts of the course.
If an elective is no longer offered, students will be notified that teachings will end and that exams likewise are only offered within a limited time period. This information regarding this issue will also be made evident in the course description.
§ 7.10 - Talent
Cf. Talentbekendtgørelsen §§ 1 and 2
Institutions of higher education which are within the area of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science may provide talent initiatives in the form of extra programme activities for talented students who are enrolled in a fulltime programme at the institution and in the form of courses from a Bachelor degree, Professional Bachelor degree or business academy programmes at the institution for talented students attending upper secondary school or other maritime training programmes. The specific institution must establish rules regarding talent initiatives in accordance with the conditions of the Talentbekendtgørelse.
The purpose of providing extra programme activities is to support and strengthen the performance of particularly talented students at the institutions of higher education so that a limited amount of the brightest and highly motivated students receive more challenging work than is required by the relevant programme regulations as well as acknowledgements for the extra work on their diploma.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Students at the Faculty of Science have the opportunity to participate in talent programmes and extracurricular activities across the faculties. The completion of such activities may recommend the student for an honours degree. The Study Board refers to SDU’s webpage on talent programmes.
§ 8 - Exemptions and complaints procedures
§ 8.1 - Dispensation from University regulations
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 42
In cases of exceptional conditions, the university may grant dispensation from rules in the programme regulations which have been established by the university only.
General regulations
It is further specified that students who participate in laboratory work, for the safety of themselves and others, are not allowed to be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
Students must comply with instructions and orders given by the university employees, including expulsion from the laboratory, cf. the Rules on disciplinary precautions for students at the SDU § 1 subsection 6.
Violations of the regulations may lead to sanctions, in reference to the Rules on disciplinary precautions for students at the SDU § 5.
§ 8.2 - Complaints over exams
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen § 34
Complaints against an exam or any other evaluation included in the exam must be filed by students to the university. The complaint must be a written document containing the reasons for the complaint. The complaint must be filed no later than 2 weeks after the announcement of the evaluation. However, the deadline will be set no earlier than the provided announcement date of the evaluation.
Additional provisions of the Study Board:
Complaints must be sent to nat-klager@sdu.dk . We refer to the Faculty of Science’s webpage on complaints against exams.
§ 8.3 - Complaints over University decisions
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 49
The decisions made by the university regarding rejection or partial rejection of application for credits for passed Danish programme elements and advanced credits given for Danish or foreign programme elements may be taken to the Credit Appeals Board in accordance with the rules established in the legislation on boards of appeal specialised in university programme credit.
The decisions made by the university regarding rejection or partial rejection of application for credits for passed foreign programme elements may be referred to the Qualifications Board after the rules in the act concerning evaluation of foreign educational qualifications etc.
Cf. Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen § 52
If a student wishes to file a complaint concerning the legal basis of decisions made by the university in accordance with this provision, the complaint may be taken to Styrelsen for Videregående Uddannelser. The deadline for filing the complaint is 2 weeks from the date on which the student has received the decision made by the university. The complaint must be filed to the university and the university will then releases a statement. The student must be given the opportunity to address the university’s statement within a time limit no shorter than 1 week. The university will send the complaint attached with their statement and any notes made by the student to Styrelsen for Videregående Uddannelser.
Cf. Eksamensbekendtgørelsen §§ 38, 39 og 43
Students whose complaints have been rejected may make an appeal against the university’s decision on academic matters to one of the university’s boards of appeal and the board will then make a decision. The student must submit the appeal to the university. The appeal must be a written document containing the reasons for the appeal and must be filed no later than 2 weeks after the university has announced their decision to the student. The university will announce the decision of the board of appeal to the student as soon as possible. If the decision entails an offer of re-evaluation or reexam, the student must be informed that a re-evaluation or reexam may result in a lower grade. The decision of the board of appeal cannot be taken to another administrative authority.
§ 9 - The affiliation of the programme
§ 9.1 - Legal basis
- Uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen: Ministerial order No. 20 of 9 January 2020 regarding university programmes scheduled as full-time studies.
- Eksamensbekendtgørelsen: Ministerial order No. 22 of 9 January 2020 regarding exams and grading in university programmes
- Karakterbekendtgørelsen: Ministerial order No. 114 of 3 February 2015 regarding grading scale and other forms of evaluation in educational programmes within the area of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science
- Adgangsbekendtgørelsen: Ministerial order No. 153 of 26 February 2020 regarding admission to university degree programmes scheduled as full-time studies
- Talentbekendtgørelsen: Ministerial order No. 597 of 8 March 2015 regarding talent initiatives within the area of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science
- Ph.d.-bekendtgørelsen: Ministerial order No. 1039 of 27 August 2013 regarding PhD programmes at universities and certain art programmes
- Meritankenævnsbekendtgørelsen: Ministerial order No. 1517 of 16 December 2013 regarding boards of appeal and decisions concerning credits for university programmes
§ 9.2 - Academic Study Board
The Study Board for Science
§ 9.3 - External examiners
Corps of examiners for biology
§ 9.4 - Codes
Ingen STO-kode fundet
§ 9.5 - Effective date
01-09-2021
§ 9.6 - Applicable for students enrolled as of
01-09-2018
§ 9.7 - Date of Study Board Approval
12-11-2021
§ 9.8 - Date of Deans Approval
§ 10 - Terminology
§ 10.1 - Terminology
ECTS and workload
ECTS is an abbreviation of European Credit Transfer System. ECTS credits function as an estimation of the time frame and workload of a university programme.
60 ECTS credits are equivalent to one year of full-time study. 1 ECTS credits is equivalent to a workload of 25-30 hours. ECTS credits can be transferred as credit both nationally and internationally.