Master of Science in International Development Studies
Photo: Håkon Sparre
Contents of the programme The first year consists of course work covering development theory and policy, research methodology plus elective subjects.
A two-month field course in rural development and project management at Makerere University, Uganda, or state and civil society in environmental governance at Institute of Development Studies in Jaipur, India, will give you valuable field experience.
The field course is normally followed by field research for the master thesis.
Most students do their research in a developing country. You will write your thesis in the final spring semester at UMB.
Compulsory Courses: Introduction to Development Studies Development Theory and Policy Research Methods I and II Development Classic Methods in Environment and Development Research Rural Development and Project Management (field course) State and Civil Society in Development of India (field course) Recommended 300-level Courses: Political Ecology Advanced Readings in Development Studies Conflict and Development Gender and Development International Relations Theory State Formation: Historical Issues and Contemporary Debates International Relations, Politics and Development
Additional Elective Courses: Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment Political Structures and Processes Linking Ecological and Social Resilience Health and Development Global Environmental Change Anthropology of Development Development Aid and Politics Land Rights: An Introduction to Theory, Applications and Policy Management of Genetic Resources: Law and Policy Global Political Economy Management of Dryland Resource Systems Global Change and Development, Human Rights and Development
Students will design individual study plans during the first semester. Compulsory courses can be waived for students with a strong background in the subject.
What can you use this qualification for? Graduates find employment in a wide range of national and international institutions, such as government agencies, non-governmental development organisations, multilateral and bilateral aid organisations, and research and teaching institutions. After graduation, you will be able to:
Understand and analyse policy issues related to poverty, human development, wealth creation, social justice, equality and environmental protection
Formulate and assess development policies and project interventions
Undertake studies that link theories to practical development projects
International setting The students attending the programme each year typically represent around twenty nations from all continents. The teaching staff has also been recruited internationally.
What will I learn? You will learn about conditions for human development at the local and global levels as well as relationships between development and ecological processes.
Admission and Requirements Admission requires a bachelor’s degree, a Norwegian cand. mag. degree, or an equivalent background in one of the follwing relevant fields, e.g., political science, education, anthropology, sociology, resource management, or economics.
Applicants must meet the university’s requirement for English language proficiency.
For further information • Application and general questions about studies at UMB: Student Information Office, P.O. Box 5003, 1432 Aas, Norway, phone: +47 64 96 61 00, e-mail: opptak@umb.no
• More information about content of the study: Noragric, the Department of International Environment and Development Studies. P.O.Box 5003 1432 Aas, Norway, phone: +47 64 96 52 00 http://www.umb.no/noragric e-mail: studieveileder-noragric@umb.no
