Nature-Based Development and Innovation - master

120 credits, taught in Norwegian. Contact: Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management (INA), www.umb.no/ina/

The programme deals with rural development based on wilderness tourism and other fields of business as well as the use and conservation of natural resources and environments. The natural and cultural landscapes of Norway have considerable potential for tourism, small-scale production of food and other products, bio-energy and hydroelectric power. The global tourist market demands authentic experiences based on nature and/or culture. Creativity and entrepreneurship are prerequisites for the generation of value added in rural communities.The interdisciplinary nature of this programme will give perspectives for working with business development and management of natural resources both in the private and public sector. To start one�s own firm directly involved in tourism or other businesses, or indirectly in related consultancies, will probably be a natural option for some students.

Admission requirements
A Bachelors degree with emphasis on one of the following subjects: forestry, agriculture, ecology, biology, natural resource management, economics, tourism, or engineering. Applicants with little knowledge in economics, timber, technology, or biology may have to develop individual study plans with special emphasis on these subjects.

Internationalisation, studies abroad and exhange agreements
Students are encouraged to undertake a part of their studies abroad.The Norwegian University of Life Sciences has a number of exchange agreements with various universities globally. Example plans for this programme are available for exchange with University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA, and Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand. Studies at other universities are also possible.

The department has exchange agreements with several foreign universities: University of Lleida, Ectsain; The polytechnical University of Madrid, Ectsain; ENGREF, The French Institute of Forestry, Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Nancy, France; Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Germany Freising, Technische Universität München, Germany Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Austria; University of Aberdeen, UK; Universiteit Gent, Belgium. In addition, the international office of UMB has agreements with several universities outside of Europe.

Related studies
Some of the compulsory courses are also part of the following programmes: Master�s degree programme in Business Administration, Master�s degree programme in Economics and Resource Management, Master�s degree programme in Forestry. Among the optional profiles are courses that also are of interest in the programmes: Master�s degree programme in Management of Natural Resources, Master�s degree programme in Spatial Planning, Property and Land Law, Master�s degree programme in Technology. Other related studies at Norwegian schools: BSc and MSc programmes in Travel and Tourism at Finnmark University College, BSc programmes in Applied Ecology and Nature Management at Hedmark University College, BSc programme in Travel and Tourism at Lillehammer University College, BSc programme in Management of Natural Resources at Nord-Trøndelag University College, BSc programme in Nature and Outdoor Life at Telemark University College, BSc programme in Travel and Tourism at Sogn og Fjordane University College, Outdoor Recreation studies at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, BSc programme in Tourism Management at the Norwegian School of Management, BSc and MSc programmes in International Hotel and Tourism Leadership at the University of Stavanger, and BSc programme in tourism at Harstad University College.

Learning goals
A Master in nature-based development and innovation shall be able to contribute actively to sustainable development of various business options based on the resources found in rural areas. This implies that the person is result oriented and has an interdisciplinary competence suited to evaluate market potential, profitability, conditions of production, and ecological as well as socio-cultural consequences of nature-based businesses. This requires the following professional goals: 1. The Masters shall be able to undertake a profitability analysis of an enterprise or an investment in nature-based business in Norway. They should also be able to analyse the market potential for such businesses and apply both approaches to product development and consultancy. 2. The Masters shall also be able to evaluate whether such enterprises, investments, or products are legal according to Norwegian law. They should also be able to judge whether nature-based business development is ethically acceptable. 3. The masters should be able to estimate the likely environmental consequences of nature-based business development, particularly new investments and new services and products, and be able to identify and support activities with acceptable and positive environmental effects. In addition, Masters should be able to assess potential conflicts that may arise as a consequence of such investments or product development. They must also be able to behave analytically and mediate among parties involved in such conflicts. 4. The Masters shall be aware of, and be able to apply, standard methods within economics, law, and sociology in an independent way for analyzing nature-based business development under varying conditions, and thereby assess opportunities and threats connected with such development. In addition the program aims to equip the Masters for: 1. Acquiring information and data about enterprises, communities, and ecological conditions, and on their own assess the reliability of such information. They must also be capable of evaluating the relevance of research results, and synthesize and apply such results to their professional work. 2. Working well with others who have different professional backgrounds. 3. Communicating their assessments and conclusions in a clear and convincing manner to the public and professionals in various sectors.

Teaching and evaluation methods
Much of the teaching will be based on lectures, seminars or colloquials, group work, projects or exercises, individual assignments and excursions. There is extensive contact with business operators during lectures and excursions.The programme is made up of many courses that may have different teaching and evaluation strategies. Many of the courses will be evaluated by continuous assessment of written papers, possibly in combination with a final examination. The Master�s thesis makes up 25 % of the degree, is evaluated as independent work/group work, and advocated orally.

Programme content
Central subject areas in the study will be: management of natural resources, spatial planning, sociology, economics, ethics and environmental philosophy. The programme consists of 55 compulsory credits, and is completed by the Master�s thesis of 30 credits (included in the 55 credits). All courses are at the 200 and 300 level. The program has three specializations: 1) renewable energy, 2) land-use, and 3) nature-based tourism. They have a varying number of credits as requirements in addition to the subjects that are compulsory for all. Finally there is room for some freely selectable courses.

Spesialisation requirements
Compulsory courses: Rural Development and Tourism (REIS202), Management Accounting (INN200), Economic Development and Entrepreneurship (BUS370), Master Thesis. Sum 55 ECTS. 1) Renewable energy: Energy Physics and Energy Conversion (FYS271), Energy Economics I+II (ECN280 and ECN380), Introduction to Bio-energy (BIOE200), Operations Management (BUS240), Sum 45 ETCS. 2) Land-use: Law of Planning and Environment I (JUS220), Nature Conservation and Management in Norway (NATF200), Law of Real Property I (JUS210), Property Construction I (EIE225), Municipal Planning (APL201), Research in Social Sciences (AOS240), Tourism as Phenomenon and Business (REIS200), Nature-based Tourism (REIS300), Sum 50 ECTS. 3) Nature-based tourism: Nature Conservation and Management in Norway (NATF200), Market Oriented Product Development (AOS220), Research in Social Sciences (AOS240), Business Start-up (BUS271), Tourism as Phenomenon and Business (REIS200), Nature-based Tourism (REIS300), Sum 40 ETCS.

Student advising
The Department of Ecology and Management of Natural Resources has two student advisors in full-time positions who offer student guidance. In addition, all the teachers are available for questions during office hours or by e-mail.

Evaluation
The Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management offers this program in collaboration with the Department of Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning, and the Department of Economics and Resource Management. Evaluation of the program�s courses follows regular UMB procedures.