Presentation

Objectives and content

The aim of the Joint Nordic Master´s Programme in Marine Ecosystems and Climate is to train students with a background in either physical oceanography or biological oceanography in the skills necessary for addressing complex interdisciplinary problems in marine science, and to prepare them for positions in society where such competence is needed.

Parallel to the interdisciplinary activities, the students will also strengthen their disciplinary competence by pursuing more traditional courses in their own field, acquiring a higher-level specialization in either physical or biological oceanography. A mentor system is applied, and the individual education plan for each student is worked out in consultation with his or her mentor at the start of the programme, to fit each student´s particular interests and background.

The programme is a two-year, full-time master´s study (120 ECTS) offered jointly by the Universities of Bergen (co-ordinator), Aarhus , Iceland, and the Faroe Islands, all of which are universities intensively involved in marine research with well-established international cooperation. Mobility is an important aspect of the programme, and longer or shorter time periods at all of the partner universities are integrated in the curriculum. Successful completion of the programme leads to a joint degree which is fully recognized at all the partner universities. The degree is certified by one diploma issued jointly by all the partners.

Why an interdisciplinary programme?
Fisheries activities and other utilization of the sea have been important sources of income for the Nordic countries throughout history and today. Access to this wealth carries with it a responsibility for knowledge-based utilization and management. Scientists have explored the oceans for centuries, but even though there are strong links between the marine organisms and ecosystems and their physical environment, the research and education within biological and physical oceanography have traditionally been carried out without much interaction. The changing climate and increased contamination and stress on the marine systems, both in Nordic waters and globally, are now finding their way higher up on both scientific and political agendas. The future calls for strengthened competence and innovative approaches to a range of marine problems of an interdisciplinary character.

Why an international degree?
The Nordic countries carry a long and well-reputed tradition of marine research in marine biology as well as in physical oceanography, meteorology and climate research. Throughout the programme, the students will benefit from the facilities and expertise of all of the partner institutions. The programme is fully integrated in the study offers of all four universities, and the joint diploma will serve as a broad base for further scientific studies (PhD) or for other careers in the societies of the partnering countries or abroad.

Construction

The first two semesters
The first semester takes place in Bergen. The semester starts out with an introduction week, with an introduction to the scientific topics to be covered, practical information about the studies and a social programme. A mentor system is applied for the programme, and all the mentors will be present during this first week so that the students can discuss their individual choices of courses, topics for their master's thesis and other academic issues. You spend the second semester at any one of the partner institutions, e.g. in Aarhus, depending on what optional courses you have selected. You also start working on your thesis. During this semester the class is spread out on the partner universities, but all meet up for two compulsory courses.

The third and fourth semesters
During the third and fourth semester you will carry out your research project and write your thesis. The master's thesis is independent research project, carried out from either a biological or from a physical point of view depending on your background. You will have (at least) two supervisors, one from each discipline to ensure the disciplinary and interdisciplinary support and follow-up to the project. You will be sitting at the institution of your main supervisor. The students are spread out, but meet up for a compulsory course.

As a student in the programme, you will get to see four Nordic countries and four different universities, and have the opportunity to get yourself a unique competence in marine matters.

Travel and travel costs
The students are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. Scholarships are planned to be available for covering the extra costs.

Accommodation
The partner Universities will be helpful with arranging accommodation for the students in the programme, both for the short stays and for the longer periods. Accommodation will usually be located to the ordinary student housing facilities.

Your mentor
At the start of the programme you will get in contact with a mentor, who is an academic staff person from one of the partner institutions. The role of the mentor is to help out when you select your optional courses, and also to be a discussion partner for you when it comes to deciding topic for your thesis.

Teaching methods
A combination of methods is used in the teaching: traditional lectures, individual and group projects with written and oral presentations, hands-on laboratory and field exercises with following data analysis, discussion and report writing. The thesis work is in the form of an independent research project conducted under supervision of at least two academic staff, one from each discipline to ensure the disciplinary and interdisciplinary depth of the project. An internet-based learning platform will be used throughout the programme for communication and sharing of material.

Admission

Admission Requirements

This Master's programme is not open for new applicants, it is in the process of being closed down.

Application procedure

Application to the programme takes place through the University of Bergen. The successful applicants are selected by the steering group, based on the relevance of their academic background for the programme, previous study results and a letter of intent.

Main uptake in the autumn semester. For more information about the application procedure please see:

For international applicants residing abroad (Application deadline 1 December) http://www.uib.no/education/admission/master/international-applicants-residing-abroad

For international applicants residing in Norway (Application deadline 15 April) http://www.uib.no/education/admission/master/international-applicants-residing-in-norway

For more information prospective self-financing Master´s students at the University of Bergen, please see the following page: https://www.uib.no/education/admission/master/international-applicants-residing-abroad/applicants-financing-their-own-studies#whomayapply

The online application form is available on our website from 11 October to 1 December.

Not yet completed your BSc at the application deadline?

Then you won¿t be approved by the central admission system, but if you are an applicant from the Nordic Countries or Europe, you still can apply at the Norwegian admission system. Given your BCs is completed before you intend to start the Master¿s programme.

• You do not need Visa, but you do need a Norwegian personal identification number (SO). Contact studieveileder@gfi.uib.no.
• For more information about applying through Søknadsweb, please see the following page: http://www.uib.no/matnat/en/education/admission/international-master-applicants-residing-in-norway#soslashknadsweb
• Be aware that this method of applying shortens the time between admission and start date: http://www.uib.no/matnat/en/education/admission/international-master-applicants-residing-in-norway#admissionprocessanddeadlines

Study Period Abroad

Study period abroad

Mobility between the partner universities is an essential part of the master´s programme and integrated in the curriculum. A minimum of 30 ECTS total from the partner institutions other than the University of Bergen is in general required, though 20 ECTS may be accepted in individual cases where strong academic reasons apply. The first semester is spent in Bergen, the second at either of the partner universities. The full year of the master´s thesis takes place at one of the partner institutes.

One degree - four universities

University of Bergen (UIB) - Geophysical Institute and Department of Biology
With a number of very active marine institutes nearby (i.e. the Institute of Marine Research, the Nansen Centre, the Norwegian Institute for Water Research) Bergen provides a stimulating education and research environment in a range of marine topics. The Geophysical institute (GFI) offers courses in meteorology, physical and chemical oceanography and climate research. The Department of Biology (BIO) offers a large number of courses in marine biology. Both institutes are engaged in the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research.

University of Aarhus (AU) - Department of Biological Sciences

The University of Aarhus is Denmark's largest university. The Department of Marine Biological Sciences offers courses in marine optics and biological dynamics in the open ocean. The institute has well-equipped laboratories for general marine research and a large field station with very good laboratory facilities. The research is focused on the ecology of marine organisms from the level of phytoplankton and fish to marine mammals, with a special focus on the ecology in estuarine environments.

University of Iceland - Institute of Biology

The Institute of Biology at the University of Iceland specializes in the ecology, behavior, population genetics, physiology and biochemistry, evolutionary biology, zoogeography, and conservation and management of marine organisms. The Institute partners with other institutions, such as the Marine Research Institute (Hafrannsóknastofnunin) and the Icelandic Institute of Natural History (Náttúrufræðistofnun Íslands), to provide an atmosphere of collaboration and cooperation in scientific endeavors throughout Iceland.

University of the Faroe Islands (FF) - Faculty of Science and Technology

The University of the Faroe Islands (FF), in association with the Faroe Marine Research Institute (FAMRI), is intensively involved in biological and physical research of high relevance to the programme.