Master's Programme in Development Studies - Poverty, Environment and Collective Action
EvyThis Master programme is designed for students who are interested in development from a local and global perspective, including: - Global and environmental issues - Poverty reduction, resource management - Understanding and solving problems related to poverty, environment and social conflict.
What is special about studying at Noragric?
- Close individual follow-up and supervision
- 1 class, 10-15 nationalities in a class
- Research and courses in a developing country
- Field excursions
- Friendly social environment
With a Master's degree in Development Studies you can:
- Serve as a facilitator in settings where interdisciplinary and cross-cultural communication competence is required
- Apply for positions on the international job market, in the public sector, in civil society organisations, in international development agencies, in the private sector, and in education and research institutions
- Continue studies at the doctoral level.
The majority of the world's population faces problems related to poverty, environment and social conflicts. These are problems best understood with an inter-disciplinary approach. This is a unique two's-year Master of Science programme for those who are interested in development from a local and global perspective.
Objectives:
This programme gives you a broad understanding of social science perspectives on development and change, as well as more specialised knowledge of technological, biological, economic and social science approaches to innovation, income generation and sustainable resource management. At the end of the studies, students will have a reflective view of issues within the field of development. In the beginning of the first semester you will choose a specialisation within Development Studies, that will give you an opportunity to acquire more in-depth knowledge in a specific field. The study plan will be individually tailored to meet each student's interests. You will have your own supervisor from the start until you finish your Master's thesis.
What can you use it for?
The programme focuses on:
An interdisciplinary approach to global and local development issues · Cross-cultural and interdisciplinary communication competence · Knowledge of relationships between technological challenges and social factors · An understanding of learning as change - and change as a learning proccess
Specialisation areas you can choose from are:
Environmental technology and management
This specialisation will give students a better knowledge of environmental technologies. You will specialise in environmentally friendly methods of water treatment/purification and waste management. In addition you will obtain a better understanding of how to plan, implement and evaluate concrete technological solutions within different social contexts.
Biodiversity, Genetic Resources and Development
Using development theories, the genetic basis of biodiversity is linked to policies of conservation and sustainable utilization, including access to genetic resources and modern technologies, intellectual property rights, and the global system of management and access. By lectures, seminars and exercises we shall review and discuss the following main topics: (1) Diffusion, Exchange and Ownership of Genetic Resources from Ancient Time to the Age of Biotechnology: (2) International Structures and Laws to Manage and Govern Genetic Resources; Science + Politics and their Offspring: (3) How the "System" actually works: Access, Exchange, and Sharing of Benefits.
Rural Development Economics
This specialisation aims at educating policy-oriented economists who are able to integrate and apply knowledge from agricultural and development economics. The specialisation gives the students: a solid basis in economic theory, with a specialisation in rural development economics; knowledge, training and practical experience with economic methodologies; deeper insights into the links between the social well-being of rural people, their natural resource base, and the underlying causes of poverty; and insight into relevant policies for poverty reduction and promotion of economic development.
Conflict and development
This is a specialisation focusing on issues of rural development, local participation, and conflict management. Students will acquire skills in analysing processes of social change, key factors in social and economic development and conflicts over resources. Students will learn to recognise different conflict situations, to interpret these within their historical contexts and to analyse the appropriateness of alternative resolution mechanisms.
Structure of the programme and course curriculum:
The programme consists of the following blocks:
Core courses in development studies; thematic courses the specialisation area chosen; a choice of courses from within the broad range of courses offered at UMB; the Master thesis including fieldwork. Courses:
Autumn: EDS 205 Development Studies I (15 ECTS )
Specialisation specific courses (...)
Spring: EDS 300 Research methods (5)
Specialisation specific courses (...)
Autumn: Specialisation specific courses (...)
Fieldwork for thesis (...)
Spring: EDS 320 Scientific communication seminar (5)
Thesis (30)
Total: ECTS 120
For more information about the structure of the programme see: http://www.umb.no/?viewID=7379
For more detailed information about the courses, see: One semester in a developing country!
Within the "Biodiversity" and "Conflict and Development" specialisations, you can study for two months at Makerere University in Uganda or Tribhuvan University in Nepal during the second year of studies. Within all specialisations the aim is that students should carry out the field research for their thesis in a developing country. In their thesis work the majority of students will be part of an existing research programme.
Requirements for application:
- You have completed a Bachelor degree, cand.mag. degree or equivalent education in any field relevant to development studies; political science, biology, teaching, anthropology, resource management, journalism, etc.
- Documentation of English knowledge is required. Teaching and other programme activities will all be in English.
- You possess a positive and active approach to learning and participation in the study programme.
- The diploma(s) with transcripts of subjects and grades must be submitted with the application
- The deadline for application is March 1st .
- The deadline for applicants with a Norwegian / Nordic education is April 15th.
Application forms:
International students can find the application form http://www.umb.no/international/
Applicants with an education from a Nordic country can find the application form at http://www.umb.no/?avd=12&search=true&kategori=emne&target=%20
For further information:
More information regarding intake, study programmes, housing etc.: http://www.umb.no/sit
For further information regarding the study programme, please contact Noragric, Department of International Environment and Development Studies at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB).
Phone: (+47) 64 96 52 00, (+47) 64 94 99 50;
URL: http://www.umb.no/?viewID=7332
Academic responsible: Espen Sjaastad (espen.sjaastad@umb.no)
Programme coordinator: Ingunn Andersen (ingunn.andersen@umb.no)
Master of Science theses titles 2004 -
Master of Science theses titles 1988-2004
Updated: 29.06.05
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Del med en venn:
Department of International Environment and Development Studies
- Noragric
Phone: +47 64 96 52 00
Fax: +47 64 96 52 01
E-mail: noragric@umb.no
Postal address:
Noragric, Norwegian University of Life Sciences
P.O. Box 5003
NO-1432 Aas
Norway
Visiting/delivery address:
Universitetstunet 1 (Tivoli)
NO-1432 Ås
Phone: +47 64 96 52 00
Fax: +47 64 96 52 01
E-mail: noragric@umb.no
Postal address:
Noragric, Norwegian University of Life Sciences
P.O. Box 5003
NO-1432 Aas
Norway
Visiting/delivery address:
Universitetstunet 1 (Tivoli)
NO-1432 Ås