Master's Degree Programme in Fishery Science(The Fisheries Candidate Programme)

The Norwegian Parliament and the Government have designated the fisheries and sea farming industries to be an important area to focus attention on. In the last years, the marine industries have been a rapidly growing area of enterprise, and expectations are high for this forward-thinking industry, which in the next 20 – 30 years may become Norway's most important industry. The long unpolluted coastline and a favourable climate for the farming of marine species provide Norway with value creation opportunities to compensate for future reduction in the petroleum industry-related income. Fisheries, sea farming, marine biotechnology and other bordering enterprises are included in the marine industries. There is an increasing need for specialists with higher education in Biology, Management, Technology, Economics, Marketing and Administration.

The Fisheries Candidate Programme (three-year Bachelor's Degree + two-year Master's Degree) at the Norwegian College of Fishery Science aims to provide students with the most comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of the fisheries and sea farming industries, of its possibilities and challenges.

Professional Prospects
The Bachelor's Degree Programme in Fishery Science will provide students with thorough understanding of the fisheries and sea farming industries on basis of the interdisciplinary profile of the programme. The fields of activity have a wide range within the Norwegian and international fisheries and sea farming industries. The specialisation offers students special qualifications within a limited field, and makes the students more attractive on the employment market.

Since the start of the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Fishery Science, close to 550 candidates with the right to call themselves Fisheries Candidates have successfully completed their exams at the Norwegian College of Fishery Science. These candidates are today spread far and wide across the world, from Japan in the south-east to Greenland in the north-west, in exciting and important jobs in production, sales, marketing, product development and research related to fisheries and sea farming

Admission Requirements
In order to be admitted in the Master's Degree Programme in Fishery Science, it is required that applicants hold a Bachelor's Degree in Fishery Science (or equivalent degree) with a grade average of C or better.

Study Programme Description
The Master's Degree Programme in Fishery Science consist of a course part and a Master's Thesis part. The theory element of the programme includes compulsory courses and elective courses. The amount of elective courses varies with the different specialised fields of study. The Master's Thesis part may either be based on an independent work of research (60 credits), or form a limited literature study (in the final semester/30 credits). The thesis will be written under supervision from the academic staff at the Norwegian College of Fishery Science.

The Norwegian College of Fishery Science offers 8 different specialised fields of study within the Master's Degree Programme in Fishery Science. All Master's Degree Programmes build on th Bachelor's Degree in Fishery Science.

Fishery Resource Management


Marine Nutrients


Innovation, Organisation and Management


Fisheries Technology


Business Administration


Marketing


Fisheries Biology


Sea Farm Biology

The Master's Thesis
The Master's Thesis will demonstrate the student's ability to carry out independent academic work within one of the specialised fields of study in the Master's Degree Programme. The Master's Thesis will display understanding, reflection and maturity. The deadline for submitting the thesis is 15th May in the 4th semester.

Student Exchange Programmes
It is possible to study abroad during the Bachelor's Degree Programme period. The Norwegian College of Fishery Science and the University of Tromsø offer a number of student exchange programmes in collaboration with foreign universities. In the Master's Degree Programme, the student exchange may last one or two semesters.

Study Programme Objectives
The Master's Degree Programme in Fishery Science will strengthen the analytical abilities and the methodological qualifications. The programme leads to specialisation within one of eight possible fields of study, and will enable the candidates to work in an interdisciplinary manner, with basis in their Bachelor's Degree, with biology, social science, economics and technology subjects. At the same time, the Master's Degree Programme implies specialisation.

Qualification Awarded
At the completion of the Master's Degree Programme in Fishery Science, candidates achieve the degree Master of Fishery Science, with the extra title Fisheries Candidate.

Further Studies
Candidates with a good grade in their Master's Degree in Fishery Science may apply for admission in a Doctoral Degree Programme (Ph.D.) in order to pursue a career in research.

Programme Coordination
The Norwegian College of Fishery Science is in charge of the Master's Degree Programme. The Fishery Science Programme Board is in charge of programme coordination.

Contact: Senior Executive Officer Henrik Romsaas.