Master: Nature-based Development and Innovation

Ellen Soldal

The unique natural and cultural landscapes of Norway have considerable potential for tourism, small-scale production of food and other products, bio energy and hydroelectric power. The global tourist market demands authentic experiences based on nature and/or culture.

Students on field trip

This program deals with rural development based on these resources within nature’s limits of tolerance. The interdisciplinary nature of this program will give perspectives for working with business development and management of natural resources both in private and public sector.

In this study you combine traditional nature management courses with economics, spatial planning, sociology and tourism. You will learn to use a holistic approach to nature management and to the possibilities, challenges and conflicts that are connected with the expanding exploitation of natural resources. Through project reports, excursions and field trips you will get familiar with the companies and organizations that work within this field.

There are three different specializations you can choose between:

• Land use: focus on property and land laws in relation to tourism. This is important competence for business development in the wilderness.
  
• Renewable energy: focus on development of business linked to production of energy. Important here are knowledge about renewable energy sources, like bio energy, wind, solar energy, hydro power, and the impact of these on the environment.
  
• Wilderness and nature tourism: connecting good management of natural resources with possibilities for exploitation of these through tourism. Keywords are ecotourism, agro tourism and nature adventure.

Master: Nature-based Development and Innovation Foto: Børge Weines

We have two study advisors at the department that will help you fit your studies to your fields of interest.

Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in one of the following subject areas: forest, agriculture, environment, biology, natural resource management, economics, engineering or tourism.

We incite our students to take parts of their education abroad, and many of our students follow that encouragement.

Updated: 05.11.06
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