Technology - Industrial Economics - master

300 credits, taught in Norwegian. Contact: Department of Mathematical Sciences and Technology (IMT), www.umb.no/imt

The Master?s degree programme in Industrial Economics at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences is a 5-year degree for engineering professionals, based on natural sciences, technology and economics. The programme is given by the Department of Mathematical Science and Technology (IMT) in close collaboration with the Department of Economics and Resource Management (IØR) and gives a solid platform in engineering sciences and as well as theoretical and applied economy. The educational profile is well suited for students that wish to combine technology subjects with economy and management, but individual combinations and adaptations are also possible within the study programme. The Master?s degree programme in Industrial Economics combines one higher-level study profile in technology with a corresponding higher-level profile in economics, with a basis in natural sciences, engineering and design, as well as important basic economy subjects. Currently four combination profiles in economy and five in technology are offered, whereof two have to be chosen for a full Master?s degree. The profiles in economy are: Business Management, Environmental Economics and Energy Economics. The corresponding profiles in technology are: Machinery- and Product Development, Process Technology, Forest Industry, Water and Environmental Engineering, Energy Technology and Construction.Students that have graduated with a Master?s degree in Industrial Economics are qualified to apply for positions in the traditional market for university graduates in Civil and Mechanical Engineering and are qualified industrial economists and technology leaders in Norway and abroad. Students that have chosen a similar profile/programme in recent years are now technology leaders in private companies or in process industry, work in product development and design, are professional advisors or architects, or work in the public sector. The Master?s degree in Industrial Economics also qualifies for applying to Ph.D. programmes and recruitment scholarships at universities, university colleges and research institutes.

Admission requirements
Higher Education Entrance Qualification and specific courses within science and mathematics from upper secondary school is a requirement. Acceptance to the higher level is open to students with a 2-year relevant education of at least 120 credits. This has to include at least 20 credits of Mathematics. Applicants with relevant background for the specialisation can normally complete the programme in three years. Applicants with a relevant background in both Technology and Economics may take the degree in less time. The study program is taught in Norwegian and applicants who do not have Norwegian as their native language must document sufficient Norwegian skills to be admitted.

Internationalisation, studies abroad and exhange agreements
The department recommends students to take a semester or a year abroad on one of our bilateral or ERASMUS agreements. This should preferably be done in the 4th year of study. Many scientists are active in international fora and this contributes to the development of their research area.The content of basic subjects, such as mathematics, physics and engineering courses corresponds to a large degree with similar courses found at other universities in Norway and abroad. By careful planning (securing extra financial support/grants), students may complete part of the programme abroad, the programme is scheduled to accommodate for this during the third and fourth year of study, and an increasing number of students choose this opportunity. The students typically choose to study in; Denmark, Sweden, England, Australia, USA and Canada.

Related studies
The study programme is related to similar study programmes in technology at NTNU and will lead to the same degree.

Learning goals
After graduation, the candidates will have acquired knowledge and skills to fill positions in technology management, carry out technology projects in companies, industries and organisations, or fill posts as technology advisors and teachers. Their knowledge will be applicable in a variety of professions and enable them to become a central and creative resource person in engineering tasks, and product- and process development, planning and management. Their skills will be suited for a variety of professions, amongst them renewable energies, food production, small and middle-sized engineering companies and consultancies, as well as in management and planning. They will have the necessary theoretical background and skills to solve engineering problems, use modern tools for analysis, design, planning and product development etc. and able to acquire new skills and knowledge on their own.

Teaching and evaluation methods
The programme includes the following teaching methods: 1) Lectures. 2) Lectures given by the students in connection with presentation of their semester assignments. During the work on their Master\'s theses, meetings are arranged where the students present their work. 3) Demonstrations. 4) Group work in relation to topics, methods, computer-models. 5) Exercises taken from previous examination papers or other relevant exercises. 6) Analyses in laboratory. 7) Participation in seminars. 8) Excursions. 9) Study trips.Some courses have a written examination, while others have an oral examination. Grades (A-F) are mostly used, but also passed/failed in some courses. Assessment of completed assignments (with high relevance for the profession) is considered to be a very natural assessment method, and will still be used extensively. In the final part of the programme, the students will do an independent assignment that shall show their understanding, reflection and maturity.

Programme content
The Master?s programme in Industrial Economics consists of 185 credits of basic subjects and technology oriented subjects + 85 credits of economy subjects and a Master\'s thesis of 30 credits. Students which are admitted to the programme will have to pass the following compulsory topics during the first part of the study period (similar for all technology degrees at UMB): Introductory courses 10 credits, Mathematics 30 credits, Informatics 10 credits, Physics 20 credits, Statistics 10 credits, Examen Philosophicum 10 credits. In addition a compulsory package of courses in economy, totalling 60 credits must be taken during the period. Also, natural science courses, basic engineering courses and select courses in economy and technology together with programme-specific courses. At least 30 credits must be taken at the 300 level, 15 credits in technology and 15 credits in economy. The Master?s thesis counts 30 credits.

Student advising

Evaluation