Biological timekeeping

Theoretical and practical  

This course focuses on biological timekeeping (chronobiology) in animals, covering time-scales from hours to years. It covers the eco-evolutionary and biomedical importance of innate timing processes, the formalisms necessary for their study and the physiological mechanisms through which biological timekeeping is achieved.

Who can apply as a singular course student:

• PhD student enrolled at another institution than UiT. PhD students must upload a document from their university stating that there are registered PhD students. This group of applicants does not have to prove English proficiency and are exempt from semester fee.
• Holders of a master´s degree of five years or 3+2 years (or equivalent) may be admitted. These applicants must upload a Master´s Diploma with Diploma Supplement / English translation of the diploma. Applicants from listed countries must document proficiency in English. To find out if this applies to you, see the following list: Proficiency in English must be documented - list of countries. For more information on accepted English proficiency tests and scores, as well as exemptions from the English proficiency tests, please see the following document:  Proficiency in english - PhD level studies 

Knowledge and skills:

• The course aims to establish understanding in the following areas:
• The key principles and intellectual formalisms of chronobiology
• The evolutionary origins and ecological importance of biological timekeeping, and its relevance in biomedical contexts
• The mechanistic basis to biological timekeeping at levels from the genetics to the whole organism

General skills:

• Understanding the process of generating scientific knowledge
• Science communication, orally and in writing
• Review and extraction of relevant information from scientific research papers
• Critical analysis of scientific literature
• Presentation of scientific content clearly and in logical order while using language appropriate for the audience and occasion
• Proposing, discussing and evaluating hypotheses

Language of instruction and examination

PhD students at UiT apply for a seat by registering for classes in StudentWeb before 1. September. The registration starts 15. May.

Other applicants apply for admission through SøknadsWeb before 1. June. Application code 9301. For applicants who are granted a seat, a study right will be created, and these applicants  apply for a seat by registering for classes in StudentWeb before 1 September.

The study right gives the applicant admission to register to other open PhD courses or apply for a seat to PhD courses where entry is limited.

An 2000 word essay within the subject area (20%) and a 3 h final written exam (80%). Both elements are graded on a scale of five marks from A to E for pass and F for fail.

Course work requirement: 

Participation in the adaptive clock symposium through oral presentation and debate must be approved in order to be able to sit the exam. 

Re-sit exam:

There will be a re-sit examination for students that did not pass the previous ordinary examination.