Program Overview
Program Overview
The Freshwater Ecology program is part of the Biology master's degree at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. The program focuses on research in lakes, rivers, and coastal areas, studying fish, invertebrates, and parasites.
Admission Requirements
- 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 Deadline
- Non-EU/EEA applicants: 15 November
- EU/EEA + Swiss applicants: 1 March
- Nordic applicants: 15 April
Application Code
- Non-EU/EEA applicants: 2077
- EU/EEA + Swiss applicants: 7111
- Nordic applicants: 6021
Program Description
The freshwater ecology specialization focuses on research in lakes, rivers, and coastal areas, studying fish, invertebrates, and parasites. MSc projects explore both fundamental ecology and applied topics like nature and resource management. Key themes include population and community ecology, predation, competition, parasitism, food webs, invasive species, migration, life history, catchments to coasts, and the impacts of climate change.
Learning Outcomes
The specialization in Freshwater ecology gives students advanced knowledge in ecological and evolutionary theory, management-related knowledge, and key methodologies for research in freshwater habitats and fish ecology. Students will gain an overview of the physical and chemical processes in freshwater environments, providing a foundation for understanding the significant seasonal changes in ecological patterns.
Job Prospects
A Master of Science degree in Biology will prepare students for a wide range of jobs, in both public and private sectors, including research, resource and nature management, administration, consulting, and the teaching profession.
Degree Name
Masters of Science in Biology
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 can be found in the courses available in the Biology master's program.
Language of Instruction
The language of instruction and all syllabus material is English.
Teaching and Assessment
Several teaching and assessment methods are employed, including lectures, seminars, laboratory work, computer lab, and field courses. Course examinations may be oral or written examinations, assessments of project work/lab reports/field reports, often in combination.
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
- 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