Biology

Bergen’s location offers unique opportunities to use nature as a classroom and we emphasise a hands-on approach by extensive use of data analysis, field work and interactive discussions with our staff and students from around the world.

As a master’s student in Biology, you study key processes and typical patterns in the ecosystems. From flora and fauna characteristics to habitats and organisms, their biology and ecology.

Biology develops knowledge that is needed to solve many of society’s major challenges. It is essential to understand the effects of anthropogenic changes to natural processes in the short and longer term. We also need biological knowledge to ensure sustainable social and economic development.

Read more about our vision and goals.

As a master’s student in Biology, you will research the major questions in biology:

• How do life forms, life processes and patterns of life develop?
• How is biological diversity created and maintained?
• How does the interaction between individuals, populations and species maintain the functions and processes of ecosystems?

We offer these specialisations:

• Aquaculture Biology
• Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology
• Developmental Biology and Physiology
• Environmental Toxicology
• Fisheries Biology and Management
• Marine Biology
• Microbiology
  

  Career

  Our graduates have a combination of biological expertise and a broad natural science foundation. This ensures that they are well equipped to fill important roles in research, education, industry, management and society.

  With a master’s in biology, you will have many available career paths in both the public and private sector, such as consultancy agencies, in ministries and directorates both on the national and regional level, and in environmental organisations. They can also study biological and environmental issues in research institutes and relevant industries, such as the growing aquaculture and seafood industry, the biotechnology industry and many others.

  Our graduates have landed jobs as for instance:

  • Aquaculture Technician at Sterling White Halibut
  • Conceptual Developer at Nature:xpo
  • Advisor at the Norwegian Environment Agency

  You can apply for a PhD degree at UiB or another institution if you are interested in pursuing a career in research.

  Structure

  The programme covers two academic years (four semesters) and starts in the autumn. Applicants residing in Norway and Nordic citizens may also apply for supplementary admission for the spring term.

  The first year you follow courses worth 60 ECTS. Courses, schedules and study plans depend on your specialisation. All master’s students follow two compulsory research method courses in their first semester: BIO300A Academic Writing (5 ECTS) and BIO300B Biostatistics (5 ECTS).

  We offer specialisations in:

  • Aquaculture Biology
  • Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology
  • Developmental Biology and Physiology
  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Fisheries Biology and Management
  • Marine Biology
  • Microbiology

  The second year is devoted to working with your master’s thesis, which is also worth 60 ECTS. Having a whole year dedicated to the thesis gives you the chance to really focus on your own independent scientific work.

  You choose your master’s topic from available master’s projects in biology  or you can find a suitable subject in cooperation with your supervisor.