Master - Agroecology

Studieavdelingen

Why study Agroecology?
A master in agroecology is the right study for you if:
• you are concerned about the sustainability of agriculture and food systems
• a broader understanding of agriculture is desired
• environmental and resource stewardship is important to you
• you want to work in international teams solving complex problems
• you want to link knowledge to personal growth
• you want to make a difference

Foto: Tor Arvid Breland

What can you use this qualification for?
The programme prepares students for a wide range of positions related to conventional and organic agriculture and food, e.g., within the advisory service, development projects, industry sales and technical support, management of agricultural and natural resources, environmental protection, and education.

Contents of the programme
The programme starts with a full semester (30 credits) introduction to the structure and functioning of agroecosystems, methodologies for describing, analysing and improving such systems, and skills for individual and group-based learning.

In this semester there is a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to current issues in farming and food systems. The didactic approach is experience-based learning supported by lectures, seminars and supervision related to project work on real-life cases. The evaluation of your own learning is an integral part of the learning
process.

The evaluation emphasises your ability to develop action competency by linking theory and practice and is based on
written group reports and individual assignments, your contribution to the class, and oral exams.

After the first semester, you can develop an area of concentration on various topics constituting 30 or 60 credits. The programme
offers many options for individual tailoring of the students’ subject profiles and for studying abroad at universities that cooperate with UMB.

The study programme concludes with a master degree thesis constituting either 30 or 60 credits. Writing a 60 credits thesis, you have to take a special syllabus consisting of 5 credits.

Study programme structure
The sustainability of farming and food-related activities is important worldwide. This part of society - the agroecosystem - is complex, multifunctional and rapidly changing. Therefore there is a need for people with a holistic and scientific basis to analyse and improve such activities.

In a diverse learning process, you will gain knowledge about agronomic, ecological, economic and social aspects of activities related to farming and food, you will develop action skills and communication abilities, and you will deal with
attitudes and values.

Your learning will take place in lectures, seminars, group work, real-life case studies with an interdisciplinary approach, and through reflection on links between real-life situations and theory. Your agroecological knowledge and skills will in large part be obtained through case studies involving the comparison of ecological (organic) and conventional food production as well as local
and global food systems. This will help you to understand the long-term agronomic, economic, social and environmental impacts of different strategies.

Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate English language ability in accordance
with the UMB regulations for programmes taught in English. Applicants must hold a Bachelor`s degree or equivalent qualification from university-level studies in agriculture, ecology, biology or a relevant social science.

For further information
• Information about application and general questions about the study:
Students Information Office, P.O. Box 5003, 1432 Aas, Norway
tlf: +47 64 96 61 00, e-mail: opptak@umb.no
• http://www.umb.no/
• More information about the content of the study
Study Coordinator Ingrid Bugge, tlf: +47 64 96 55 25.

Updated: 21.12.06
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