Program Overview

Programme Structure Master's Programme in Sea and Society

The Master's Programme in Sea and Society is a 120-credit degree that offers students a variety of courses and master's thesis projects to complete their degree. The programme structure consists of core courses, elective courses, and options for the third semester, with the fourth semester dedicated to the degree project (thesis).

First Year

The first two semesters consist of four mandatory transdisciplinary courses:

• Course MAR461: The Sea and Society Relationship; Historical Perspectives, Present Status and Future Challenges
• Course MAR462: Blue economy and sustainable use of marine resources
• Course MAR463: European Marine Directives and Policies - an Interdisciplinary Perspective
• Course MAR464: Seascape Governance in Times of Global Change

Course Descriptions

Course MAR461

The aim of this course is to put into a broad context the human "uses" of the sea through time, including emotional and philosophical uses.

Course MAR462

The aim of this course is to describe the ownership over the marine and maritime resources, and the main governance systems that regulate these ownerships.

Course MAR463

The aim of this course is to give an overview of the contents and requirement of EU marine environmental directives and policies, from legal, social and environmental perspectives.

Course MAR464

This course presents a comprehensive analysis of the interactions between marine ecosystems and socioeconomic systems in a spatial context.

Second Year

Period 1 and 2

During the third semester, students can choose between an internship (applied project), exchange studies, or elective courses, provided they meet the requirements for each course. Examples of electives include:

• Environmental economics
• Conservation and the Genetics of Populations
• Marine Aquaculture
• Primary Producers of the Sea
• Marine Biodiversity
• Experimental Marine Ecology
• Physical Oceanography
• Remote Sensing
• Marine project - From idea to action

Period 3 and 4

The fourth semester is dedicated to the degree project (thesis).

Internship (Applied Project)

Internships can be at the Department of Marine Sciences, or externally at another university, or at a public or private organization in Sweden or abroad. The student has the responsibility to search and find a host organization and supervisor. Internships can be 10 weeks (15 credits, course MAR470) or 20 weeks long (30 credits, course MAR471).

Exchange Study Opportunities

Students from the Master's programme in Sea and Society are encouraged to go abroad during their third semester of studies. They can choose to participate in exchange studies at any of the partner universities or complete an internship. Partner universities are located in countries such as:

• Belgium
• France
• Germany
• Finland
• Great Britain
• Italy
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Netherlands
• Iceland

Master's Thesis Project

During the master's thesis project, the student carries out and presents independent scientific work in the field of sea and society. The task can be an empirical field study, an analysis and evaluation of existing scientific data, or a critical literature review based on original work. Degree projects are generally 30 credits.

Individual Project Plan

An individual project plan is required to be completed, in collaboration with the supervisor, and approved before commencement of the master's thesis project. The completed thesis project is presented and assessed in the form of a written report. The master's thesis project can be done at:

• any of the participating departments in the Master's Programme in Sea and Society
• another department in the subject area
• externally at a public or private organization in Sweden or abroad, e.g. companies, institutes or public authorities, or at other higher education institutions.