Nordic Master's Programme in Sustainable Production and Utilization of Marine Bioresources (MAR-BIO, N2MAB)

Our unique Nordic Master's program integrates aspects within biology, environment, social sciences and law for sustainable production and utilisation of marine bioresources.

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The programme is organised by three Nordic universities:

University of Gothenburg (Sweden)
Nord University (Norway)
Holar University (Iceland)

A mandatory mobility is included, which means that through the programme you will have a fantastic opportunity to visit three countries!

We will prepare you for a number of different job opportunities – as a PhD student or within the industry – within marine circular economy and blue growth. You will develop knowledge and skills within marine food production systems. You will build networks and partnership opportunities with academic institutions, the industry, authorities and the seafood trade, and product and marketing institutes.

Our programme targets inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to aquaculture along with the interactions between aquaculture, fisheries, and production and utilization of marine bioresources. The programme addresses the entire value chain “from ocean to table” also including development and entrepreneurship.

A global challenge

Do you want to help solve this major global challenge? One of the greatest challenges of our time is to find solutions for increased production of healthy food to meet the needs of a growing world population.

Are you one of the next generation professionals aiming to reduce the ecological footprint, protecting natural resources and ecosystems and advancing rural development? Would you like a career within the area of sustainable marine circular economy?

If so, you should apply for our Nordic Master Programme in Sustainable Production and Utilisation of Marine Bioresources – MARBIO!

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

The MAR-BIO programme is a 2-year programme of 120 credits. The programme will start with one mandatory hybrid course of 15 credits, jointly taught by the three Nordic universities. This mandatory introductory course will include three, one week sections where all students gather at one of the Nordic partner Universities for an intensive campus course. The students will be registered at the Consortium University of their respective admission and the successful completion of the programme leads to a double/multiple degree, i.e., separate degree certificates from each Consortium University where the student has studied. The student should apply for the degree at least at two Consortium Universities for the Nordic Master.

Thereafter the students are free to choose courses (5-30 credits) for the rest of the first year from a “smorgasbord” of relevant course offered by the Nordic partner Universities.

The second year of the MAR-BIO programme must be taken as an individual research project course - the degree project. Joint seminar series and shared activities will be planned throughout the programme to help the students communicate and create group cohesion. This will facilitate their academic integration and identify the added value of being part of a unique, international, interdisciplinary master’s programme.

The degree project, of 60 credits, should be conducted at one of the Consortium Universities or at one, to the Consortium University associated partner from industry, authorities or public body. The local master thesis rules and procedures of the chosen university will apply. In preparation for the degree project all students must have taken a relevant methodology course, either during their bachelor or during the first year of the MAR-BIO programme.

After successful completion of the programme, students shall be awarded master’s degrees from at least two of the Consortium Universities where they have been admitted. The Consortium Universities will each issue a degree certificate (including a diploma supplement). A diploma for the Nordic Master will accompany these student degree certificates.

A requirement for a Nordic Master’s programme is a mobility of at least 30 ECTs for all students. This will be fulfilled by course work at one or more of the partner universities that is not the university where the students registered to the programme and will be assured through the establishment of an individual study plan (ISP) for each student.

The student have the possibility to structure the programme in a natural science profile, a social science profile, or a mix, based on the elective courses chosen during the first year. An ISP will be established, in communication between the student and a study counsellor. This is to support and guide each individual student in their course choices and to ensure that the student fulfil the requirements for a degree from two or more of the Consortium Universities.

RECOMMENDED COURSES

As the MAR-BIO programme is interdisciplinary in its character, individual study plans crossing over between natural sciences and social sciences will be encouraged. However, the students are also free to choose course profiles focusing mainly on the natural sciences or the social sciences.

During the mandatory course study counsellors will together with the student set up the ISP for each student to support each student’s unique course choices in line with their interests and the courses prerequisites. The ISP will also ensure that the 30 ECTS mobility requirement will be fulfilled. There are more than 50 courses included in the MAR-BIO “smorgasbord”.

The courses are placed at all different positions of the academic year and there are at least 10 recommended courses from each University. Please see the list (that are continuously updated) of all courses, with links to course plans, under "COURSES ON OFFER".

AFTER THE EDUCATION

The MAR-BIO programme will educate the next generation professionals with knowledge and skills in production and utilization of marine bioresources. Knowledge of modern transdisciplinary methods to implement the FAO conventions on responsible fisheries and the ecosystems approach to aquaculture are essential for future ocean professionals.

The programme will develop new networking and partnership opportunities between academic institutions and seafood trade, product, and marketing institutions for MAR-BIO students.

The three partner universities have extended networks with relevant stakeholders in the private sector, management authorities, and higher education worldwide. This will ensure good contacts and build student networks for future job opportunities.

MAR-BIO students will have the possibility to apply for PhD positions at all partner universities.

Many employers within the area of production and utilization of marine bioresources require international collaboration, therefore the mandatory mobility between the three Nordic Universities as well as ample possibilities for other mobility is a valuable qualification for future employments.

DEGREE

The master’s programme in Sustainable Production and Utilisation of Marine Bioresources is a programme at the advanced level and is intended as a continuation of a Bachelor’s degree (180 credits) in natural science, social science or arts.

There is one mandatory course (15 credits) needed for the degree and 60 credits should be in the form of a degree project at the advanced level. Of the remaining 45 credits of elective courses to be included in the degree, at most 30 credits can be at the basic level. The programme leads to a Degree of Master of Science with a major in Sustainable Production and Utilisation of Marine Bioresources.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for the master’s programme in Sustainable Production and Utilisation of Marine Bioresources, please go to any of the following admission sites:

University of Gothenburg: universityadmissions.se
Nord University, Bodø: applicants from the Nordic countries read here; applicants from non-Nordic countries read here; read more about admission requirements here.
Holar University: Please contact the Division for Graduate Studies by email, kennsla@holar.is

The programme applies separate admission rounds at each Consortium University according to national and local requirements. All applications passing the requirements will be sent to the programme committee together with the letter of intent for discussion and suggestions on students to be admitted. Admission of students will thereafter be decided by each Consortium University. Student complaints pertaining to admission decisions are handled by each Consortium University according to national and local rules and procedures.

The programme follows the local tuition fee policy of each Consortium University. Student Union fees are charged according to the regular procedures of each Consortium University.

When applicable, students will pay tuition fees, student union or registration fees, directly to the universities involved in their study track according to the universities’ regulations. Total fees charged will vary accordingly. Under no circumstances shall a student be charged double fees for any part of the programme.

The MAR-BIO programme have Erasmus agreements between all Consortium Universities that are open for all programme students to apply.

Read more about Erasmus.
Read more about Erasmus application and selection.
Read more about Erasmus application process.

Furthermore there will be possibilities to apply for mobility grants specifically for the three sections of intensive campus courses during the mandatory course.

The application route for the individual courses, which are part of the master's programme, are according to the national and local rules of the Consortium University that offers the course.