Biology - master

120 credits, taught in Norwegian. Contact: Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, IPM.

Knowledge of biology is the foundation for important decisions in the future. We are constantly learning more about nature\'s diversity, how genetics and the environment influence life processes, and the consequences of environmental and climatic changes for life on earth. Knowledge of biology is the basis for a sustainable management and utilisation of nature, for food production and other bio products, disease control and it also influences our health and life quality.A Master\'s degree in biology qualifies the candidate for positions within research and development, teaching (with teaching competence) and positions within public management, private sector and different organizations. The candidates are also qualified to apply for doctoral degree studies at UMB or other universities.

Admission requirements
You can find general information on admission to UMB here: http://www.umb.no/study-options/article/admission A Bachelor\'s degree in biology or equivalent education with at least 80 credits in biology and basic knowledge in mathematics and chemistry.

Internationalisation, studies abroad and exhange agreements
The Master\'s programme has an international level and content, and the reading materials are mostly in English. All courses on 300 level may be given in English upon request. The Master\'s thesis may be written in English and supervision of the Master\'s thesis may be given in English. It is possible to take courses abroad at selected universities if this fits into the master programme. These courses can be included in the master after an agreement with the student adviser and the master thesis adviser . It is therefore possible to take a full year of studies in English in this master programme.As long as it does not interfere with the Master\'s thesis and upon agreement with the student adviser and thesis superviser, it is possible to complete courses at selected foreign universities.

There is a good opportunity to study biological subjects for students from our collaborating universities. There are many courses, at different levels, taught in English. There is therefore possible to have a year with full time study within biological subjects.

Related studies
The programme is related to other programmes in biology at UMB; biotechnology, ecology, microbiology, plant science and animal husbandry. The programme is also quite similar to Master\'s degree programmes at other universities. At UMB, the candidates may work on foundational biology as well as applying biology to specific problem issues.

Learning goals
A candidate who has completed the education is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in competence, knowledge and skills: Competence: - Has a critical understanding of scientific literature. - Is able to give both oral and written presentation of scientific topics and results. - Is able to reflect over central, ethical and scientific problems in own and others scientific work. Knowledge: - Has fundamental knowledge about biological processes from molecular biological to ecological level. - Has advanced knowledge about animals and plants adaption to their environment. - Has thorough knowledge within the specialization. - Is able to connect theory and practice to meet the challenges in society. Skills: - Is able to work independent in field and laboratory. - Is able to conduct own studies, collect, process and analyse data, interpret results, present methods and explain possible errors.

Teaching and evaluation methods
The teaching comprises lectures, supervised self-study, laboratory courses, exercises, assignments, demonstrations in lab/field and written and oral presentations. Completion of 60-credit Master\'s thesis under supervision. The students will be assessed on their participation and reports of compulsory activities and by their written and oral examinations. The Master\'s thesis and possibly the chosen special curriculum is discussed with an external examiner.The types of evaluation include written and oral exams, semester assignments, participation in and reporting from obligatory activities, and student presentations. The Master\'s thesis and possibly the special syllabus related to it are defended with an external examiner present.

Programme content
This is a two-year programme. The specialisation requires a minimum of 30 credits of courses on 300 level, including one course in scientific methods, and a special curriculum of 5 credits. The students, depending on their chosen specialisation, must also complete 25-35 credits in biology within their specialisation. 15-25 credits of electives. 60-credit Master\'s thesis with superviser.

Spesialisation requirements
In the master thesis, students can specialize within 3 different directions: 1) plant biology 2) animal biology or 3)molecular genomics and evolution. Within this directions the students can specialise in different problem areas related to plant or animal physiology, ecophysiology, development biology, molecular- and cellbiology or molecular genetics and evolution. An additional 15-25 credits are chosen according to interest and study profile (biology, chemistry, methodology, statistics etc.). Students lacking the necessary basic courses in statistics from their Bachelor\'s degree may complete the basic course in statistics (STAT100) as part of the Master\'s programme.

Student advising

Evaluation