Energy and Process Technology, Master's, 2 years

The Norwegian process industry has been developing for more than 100 years and consists today of a wide range of activities, from the industrial locomotives Hydro, Yara, Elkem and Equinor to smaller cornerstone companies throughout the country. The process industry develops materials and products we are surrounded by every day, from the houses we live in, the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the means of transport we use to high-tech products such as PCs, tablets, and telephones.

The process industry is the navel of the green shift. Although Norway is a global leader when it comes to the use of renewable energy, the industry will be facing significant challenges in the years to come. The process industry represents around 20% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in Norway and consumes about a third of the total production of renewable energy from hydropower, wind and solar. To meet the demands for reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the Norwegian process industry must reduce the consumption of fossil energy sources, solve the challenges associated with carbon capture and storage, and contribute to sustainable solutions for the production and conversion of renewable energy.

Through this study programme, you gain solid knowledge within natural science and technology subjects. Depending on the background and the theme of the main thesis, it could be relevant to delve into subject areas such as fluid dynamics, multiphase systems, separation, nanotechnology, numerical methods, combustion physics, chemometrics, process safety, and risk analysis. The teaching is research-based, and the study programme provides you a broad professional background that makes you well-equipped to solve interdisciplinary issues in the industry.

Career

There are traditionally very good job opportunities for candidates with competency in process technology. Former students have found work in energy companies (including oil and gas), consulting companies, and various branches of the process industry. The work tasks can vary from developing advanced products and materials to consulting services and the lease / operation of industrial facilities. Many also work with research and teaching.

Our former students work, among other things, as …

• Process engineer
• Project manager
• Safety engineer
• Inspection engineer

If you are interested in a career in research, you can apply for admission to the doctoral program.

Structure

The programme lasts for two years (four semesters) and starts in Spring and Autumn. You can choose to specialise in separation, safety process technology and multiphase.

1. year 

You take courses corresponding to 60 credits each year, some compulsory and some that you choose freely on your own. The type of courses, syllabi and study plans will depend on which specialisation you choose. You choose a topic in collaboration with your supervisor. 

2. year 

You write your master's thesis in process technology, which amounts to 60 credits. Based on your areas of interest, you and your supervisor will find a suitable research team for the master's thesis.

Recommended study plan for specialisation process safety 

The process industry plays a vital role for the global energy transition and the economy of Norway. At the same time, release of hazardous materials, fires, and explosions represent a hazard in many industrial systems. The research activities on process safety in the research group for Energy and Process Technology (EPT) at UiB focus on gas and dust explosions, and the research is often carried out in close cooperation with external partners from industry or consulting companies.

1. semester: ENERGI352 - PTEK350 - Elective course
2. semester: Elective course - Elective course - PRO399  
3. semester: PTEK351 (starts autumn 2025) - PRO399 
4. semester: PRO399

Recommended electives: 

ENERGI257, PTEK354, ENERGI255, KJEM210, ENERGI353, MAT160, ENERGI351, ENERGI360

Recommended study plan for specialisation multiphase systems

Multiphase systems represent a significant part of fluid mechanics and involve the simultaneous movement of multiple phases - such as gas, liquid, and solid - within a system or channel. The study of multiphase systems explores how these phases interact, are distributed, and behave under various conditions, including variables like pressure, velocity, and temperature. Understanding multiphase systems plays a crucial role in industries such as energy technology, chemical processing, and environmental engineering, where the transportation of multiple phases is a common occurrence.

1. semester: ENERGI257 - Elective course - Elective course
2. semester: ENERGI353 - Elective course - PRO399   
3. semester: Elective course - PRO399   
4. semester: PRO399  

Recommended electives: 

KJEM214, ENERGI255, KJEM220, ENERGI352, PTEK350, ENERGI351, ENERGI360

Recommended study plan for specialisation advanced thermodynamics for industrial separation processes

Advanced thermodynamics for industrial separation processes focuses on thermodynamic stability and multiphase equilibria in multicomponent mixtures. This provides the foundation for efficient separation solutions in many industrial areas, including natural gas processing and transportation. The field is important for developing sustainable processes that optimize energy consumption, reduce waste, and improve product quality.

1. semester: ENERGI356 - Elective course - Elective course
2. semester: ENERGI255 - Elective course - PRO399  
3. semester: Elective course - PRO399   
4. semester: PRO399  

Recommended electives: 

KJEM214, ENERGI257, ENERGI351, ENERGI360, KJEM220, ENERGI366, ENERGI300, ENERGI364, 

Student life

The Department of Physics and Technology has a welcoming, international environment. The working environment is informal, with many different nationalities present. The teaching methods are a mixture of lectures, seminar groups, laboratory exercises and excursions. You can also apply for a desk at a study room at the department.

As a student, you will naturally become a part of the research groups at the department. You will work closely with a supervisor who has expertise in the topic you choose for your master's thesis. In consultation with the supervisor, you set up a progress plan that contains important milestones in your project.

What will I learn?

With a master's degree in process technology, you will acquire different competency depending on your specialication:

• in-depth knowledge in various subjects within energy and process technology
• knowledge of basic physics, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and mathematics
• knowledge of various unit operations with regards to energy and current conditions
• knowledge of modeling and computer simulation of processes that take place in equipment and nature

Study period abroad

You can spend one semester at one of our partner universities abroad, depending on your specialisation. In process safety technology, you can study abroad during the 2nd semester (taking courses) or in the 3rd semester (as part of the master's thesis).

Admission

The Master's degree program in Energy and Process Technology builds on a relevant bachelor's degree in science / engineering or equivalent (for example petroleum technology, physics, mathematics, chemistry, process, machinery, energy, statistics, etc) and requires 80 ECTS in relevant subjects with an average of grade C (3.0). For students with a bachelor in petroleum- and process technology from UiB and students that have an external bachelor's degree, the grade average will be based on 80 study points from relevant subjects. 

How to apply

Follow these links to find the general entry requirements and guidelines on how to apply:

• We are currently not able to receive applications from citizens for outside the European Union/EEA/EFTA
• Citizens from within the European Union/EEA/EFTA (application deadline 1 March)
• Nordic citizens and applicants residing in Norway (application deadline 15 April)

The programme has its main admission in autumn and its supplementary admission in spring (application deadline November 1) if not all the spots have been filled up in the autumn admission.