Photo: Katarina Landberg

Independent Projects

Page reviewed:  12/05/2026

Independent projects at the bachelor's and master's levels are important components of all SLU educational programs. On this page, you will find information about our subjects, available projects, and how to get started with your own independent project.

What we offer

We offer independent projects/thesis projects in the subject area Biology, with a focus on Plant Biology and related fields. We supervise projects at both undergraduate and advanced levels. 

If you already have an idea you’d like to explore, you’re welcome to discuss it directly with a researcher or contact our directors of studies. We also collaborate with other departments when needed to offer the best possible supervision.

 

Available thesis projects

Many organisms, including humans, have an optimal age for reproduction, with the likelihood of producing healthy offspring decreasing with age. This phenomenon is also observed in plants. Given the fundamental role of plants and their seeds in human nutrition, understanding plant reproduction is crucial, particularly amidst climate change and increasing demands for resilient crop varieties to sustain the growing global population.

One significant gap in our current knowledge is the decline in fertility observed in aging plants. In many species, including trees and agriculturally important crops, older plants tend to produce fewer seeds, with parental age impacting critical seed properties such as size and germination ability. 

This project addresses this phenomenon in several aspects including:

  • Identifying which parent (male or female) contributes more to the age-related decline in fertility.
  • Revealing the specific genes and molecular pathways involved in this process.
  • Determining the role of plant hormones in the fertility decline of aging plants.
  • Investigating how parental age affects seed quality and the fitness of the next generation.

You can join the specific part of the project based on your interests.

Contact

Katarzyna Dziasek, Researcher
Department of Plant Biology, SLU Uppsala
katarzyna.krzyczmonik@slu.se

 

More information

How to Apply

Independent projects are applied for in the same way as courses, and you can start at different times during the year. For detailed information how to apply, contact your Programme Director.

Bachelor's level – 15 credits

  • Independent project in biology (EX0894)

Master's level – 30 credits

  • Independent project in biology for agronomists (EX1026)
  • Master thesis in Biology (EX0895, EX0900)
     

A comprehensive description of what an independent project involves, including instructions and all necessary documents, can be found here.

Very welcome to carry out your independent project with us!

 

Project Ideas and Previous Theses

Looking for inspiration? Here are some useful links:

 

Contact

For guidance or help finding a supervisor, please contact Per-Olof Lundquist and Anna Westerbergh, Researchers and Directors of Undergraduate Studies.

Contact