Master of Science in International Development Studies
Department of Academic AffairsWhy International Development Studies?
- You want to learn about the challenges facing developing countries.
- You want to study in an international environment and experience a developing country.
- You want to contribute towards poverty reduction and a sustainable world.
For updated information for 2012-2014
Master of Science in International Development Studies
Photo: Håkon Sparre
UMB’s Masters (MSc) course in Development Studies provides a solid grounding in the concepts, theory and practice of international development.
In contrast to other development studies programmes our M-DS programme encourages understanding of the connections between human and environmental development, and questions standard approaches to development that avoid the political and economic connections between north and south.
Students are equipped and encouraged to test their analytical and practical skills through engaging critically in development issues and debates from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Contents of the programme
The first year of the Master’s degree consists of course work covering development theory and policy, research methodology.
Students are also encouraged to take elective subjects and to participate in one of our two field courses i.e. Development and Environment in Practice in Tanzania, given at Sokoine Agricultural University, or State and Civil Society in Development and Environmental Governance in India, given at the Institute of Development Studies in Jaipur.
Both of these courses are designed to assist students make rapid connections between their theoretical development and learning of practice oriented research skills.
The field courses are commonly followed by field research for the master thesis. Whilst optional, most students conduct their research in a developing country.
Time for completion of the writing-up of the thesis is given in the final spring semester at UMB.
Compulsory Courses:
- Introduction to Development Studies
- Development Theory and Policy
- Research Methods
- Development Classic
- Development and Environment in Practice in Tanzania (field course)
- State and Civil Society in Development and Environmental Governance of India (field course)
- 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
- 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
- Global Change and Development, Human Rights and Development
What can you use this qualification for?
Although not a vocational degree, students find employment in a wide range of national and international institutions, government agencies, non-governmental development organizations, multilateral and bilateral aid organizations, businesses and research and teaching institutions.
After graduation, you will be able to:
- Understand and analyze policy issues related to poverty, human development, wealth creation, social justice, equality and environmental protection
- Formulate and critically assess development policies and project interventions
- Undertake research that links relevant theory to practical development projects, and identifies concrete alternatives and solutions.
The students attending the programme each year typically represent around twenty-five nations from all continents. The teaching staff has also been recruited internationally.
What will I learn?
- You will gain a solid grounding in the concepts, theory and practice of international development. You will learn a nuanced understanding of the concept and meaning of development.
- You will learn about conditions for human development at the local and global levels, as well as the relationships between development and ecological processes.
- You will learn to understand the connections political and economic processes in the north and south.
- You will learn the necessary analytical and practical skills to work in the field of international development.
Admission requires a bachelor’s degree, a Norwegian cand. mag. degree, or an equivalent background in one of the following relevant fields, e.g., political science, education, anthropology, sociology, resource management, economics, humanities or other relevant social sciences.
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
Updated: 11.12.12
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Del med en venn:
Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB)
PO Box: 5003, N-1432 Ås
Phone: (+47) 64 96 61 00
Fax: (+47) 64 94 75 05
E-mail: opptak@umb.no
PO Box: 5003, N-1432 Ås
Phone: (+47) 64 96 61 00
Fax: (+47) 64 94 75 05
E-mail: opptak@umb.no