Education Research Current About VU Amsterdam NL
Login as
Prospective student Student Employee
Bachelor Master VU for Professionals
Exchange programme VU Amsterdam Summer School Honours programme VU-NT2 Semester in Amsterdam
PhD at VU Amsterdam Research highlights Prizes and distinctions
Research institutes Our scientists Research Impact Support Portal Creating impact
News Events calendar Woman at the top
Israël and Palestinian regions Culture on campus
Practical matters Mission and core values Entrepreneurship on VU Campus
Organisation Partnerships Alumni University Library Working at VU Amsterdam
Sorry! De informatie die je zoekt, is enkel beschikbaar in het Engels.
This programme is saved in My Study Choice.
Something went wrong with processing the request.
Something went wrong with processing the request.

Study unifying principles of biology

Evolutionary Biology and Ecology

Apply now
Are you ready to learn how toxic chemicals may be related to human health problems? Or do you want to learn more about animal adaptation to human environments? And are you interested in ecosystem modelling?

Via studying the unifying principles of biology, the programme provides an in-depth treatment of selected topics in modern biological sciences, in such a way that students are stimulated to pursue their further studies in a specialized graduate programme focused on one of these topics. At the same time, this minor provides a broad basis for pursuing a general biology graduate programme combined with a professional career in education or science communication.

Related VU master’s programmes: 

Ecology and Evolution 

Bioinformatics and Systems Biology

Environment and Resource Management

Overview courses

  • Ecosystem Modelling

    Uses the acquired understanding of ecosystems, climate and carbon cycling as a basis to explain current ecological processes as well as to project these into the future.

  • Environmental Toxicology

    Offers an in depth insight into the recognition, analysis and prediction of environmental and human health problems caused by potentially toxic chemicals. 

  • Adaptation to Human Environments

    Explores the multiple ways in which animals have evolved adaptations that help them to survive in ever-changing environments (including urbanization).

  • Behavioural Biology

    Spans the animal kingdom and approach important behaviours from evolutionary, developmental, functional and mechanistic angles. Topics will include cooperation, consciousness, aggression, play, reproduction and personalities. 

  • Evolutionary Genetics

    Discusses genome evolution in pro- and eukaryotes, evolution of chloroplasts and mitochondria, horizontal DNA transfer, evolutionary consequences of genome evolution and sex, as well as causes of speciation.

Quick links

Homepage Culture on campus VU Sports Centre Dashboard

Study

Academic calendar Study guide Timetable Canvas

Featured

VUfonds VU Magazine Ad Valvas Digital accessibility

About VU

Contact us Working at VU Amsterdam Faculties Divisions Privacy Disclaimer Veiligheid Webcolofon Cookies Webarchief

Copyright © 2025 - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam