Program Overview
Program Overview
The Northern Populations and Ecosystems program is part of the Biology master's degree at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. This program provides insight into general ecological theories, analytical approaches, and tools for understanding, analyzing, and managing populations, food webs, and ecosystems.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program requires:
- A bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) or an equivalent degree following a program of study of minimum 3 years.
- A minimum of 80 ECTS in the bachelor's degree must include a specialization in biological topics, such as biodiversity, ecology, cell- and molecular biology, microbiology, physiology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics.
- A minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (3.0) in the ECTS scale.
- Proof of English language proficiency.
Application Deadlines
- Non-EU/EEA applicants: 15 November
- EU/EEA + Swiss applicants: 1 March
- Nordic applicants: 15 April
Program Details
- Duration: 2 years
- Credits (ECTS): 120
- Degree Name: Master's of Science in Biology
- The program is taught in English.
Learning Outcomes
As a student in Northern Populations and Ecosystems, you will gain advanced knowledge in Arctic terrestrial ecosystem ecology, environmental monitoring and management, including plant ecology, animal ecology, ecosystem ecology, environmental monitoring designs and analysis, and ecosystem-based management. You will learn to use relevant analytical methods, including both theoretical and statistical approaches to issues relevant for understanding and managing Arctic terrestrial ecosystems.
Job Prospectives
The Master's degree in Biology will qualify you for different career paths and prepare you for a professional role or to apply for a PhD. A Master of Science degree in Biology will prepare you for a wide range of jobs in both public and private sectors, including research, resource and nature management, administration, consulting, and the teaching profession.
Access to Further Studies
On successful completion of the degree program, students may be qualified for admission to a PhD-programme in Biology at UiT or elsewhere.
Program Structure
The structure of the study includes various courses that can be taken as part of the Biology master's program. The study plan for the program is available, outlining the courses and their sequence.
Teaching and Assessment
Several teaching and assessment methods are employed, including lectures, seminars, laboratory work, computer lab, and field courses. These methods vary from course to course. Course examinations may be oral or written examinations, assessments of project work/lab reports/field reports, often in combination. Supervision of the project work that leads to the writing of the Master's thesis will be given by faculty staff, sometimes in cooperation with an external supervisor.
Outgoing Exchange
Students can undertake periods of studying at The University Centre at Svalbard (UNIS). International exchange during an entire semester is not possible in the first year of studies due to obligatory courses. Stays abroad can take place as part of a master project in the third and fourth semester.
Destinations for Studies Abroad
Possible destinations for studies abroad include:
- Aarhus University, Denmark
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
- University of Constance, Germany
- University of Copenhagen, Denmark
- University of Freiburg, Germany
- University of Helsinki, Finland
- University of Iceland, Iceland
- University of Navarra, Spain
- University of Oulu, Finland
- University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
- University of Tartu, Estonia
- Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands
- University of Aberdeen, UK
- University of Tasmania, Australia