Master Degree Programme in Aquaculture

Norway has long traditions in exploiting resources in the marine environment. This is a key factor to understand why the Norwegian aquaculture industry has become the fastest growing industry in Norway. To date, the aquaculture industry has been based largely on the production of salmon and trout, but more emphasis is now being placed on alternative species, particularly marine fish. The Norwegian College of Fishery Sciences offers a Master program directed towards the need of the aquaculture industry. The program builds upon the Bachelor program in aquaculture, and emphasizes the importance of the interaction of biological and technological factors to optimize production, the health and economy. The program consists of theoretical coursework and practical thesis work. The practical work may be carried out as an individual scientific study (2 semesters), or as a literature study (1 semester). The theoretical part of the program comprises obligatory courses within “Aquatic eco-physiology”, “Biology of marine fish egg and larvae” and “Methods in experimental biology”. In addition, a minimum of 20 or 50 ECTs (depending on the type of practical work, i.e. plain literature study or scientific study), covering other areas with relevance for the selected topic of the practical work, should be covered.

Objectives

The Master program in aquaculture should give the students a comprehensive background concerning biological, environmental and technological prerequisites for the culture of aquatic organisms. The program may qualify the candidates for work in the aquaculture industry, or in public administration.

Admission requirement
A Bachelor degree within aquaculture. The program builds upon the Bachelor program in aquaculture, and emphasizes the importance of the interaction of biological and technological factors to optimize production, the health and economy.

Programme structure diagram

Term 1	BIO-3517 Aquatic Ecophysiology		BIO-3502 Experimental Design in Aquatic Biology
Term 2	Optional/abroad	Optional/abroad	Optional/abroad
Term 3	Master Thesis
Term 4	Master Thesis

The practical work may be carried out as an individual scientific study (2 semesters), or as a literature study (1 semester). The theoretical part of the program comprises obligatory courses within “Aquatic eco-physiology”, “Biology of marine fish egg and larvae” and “Methods in experimental biology”. In addition, a minimum of 20 or 50 ECTS (depending on the type of practical work, i.e. plain literature study or scientific study), covering other areas with relevance for the selected topic of the practical work, should be covered.

Student exchange
Students are encouraged to study one semester abroad as participants in one of the students exchange programs offered by the College. For students at the Master Degree Program in Aquaculture it is most practical to participate in a students exchange program in the 3rd semester. For more information contact your student counselor or the Department of Aquatic Biology.

Qualification awarded
Students who have completed the program will get the academic title Master in Science of Aquaculture.

Professional prospects (yrkesmuligheter)

The program may qualify the candidates for work in the aquaculture industry, or in public administration. The Master program in aquaculture should give the students a comprehensive background concerning biological, environmental and technological prerequisites for the culture of aquatic organisms.

Access to further studies
High scoring candidates can applye for further PDH-studies to become a researcher.

Programme coordinator (programansvarlig)
Coordinator: Professor Malcolm Jobling. Contact: Senior executive officer Trine Lise Heimkjær .

Form to apply for admission: http://uit.no/studieavdelinga/tjenester/1 (the application form are in Norwegian).