Master's Programme in Fisheries Biology and Management

Objectives / Contents

The aim of the programme is to give post graduate students a comprehensive insight into the discipline fisheries biology with emphasis on how to conserve living aquatic resources while securing a sustainable yield. This includes a solid understanding of the internal and external drivers that determine fish dynamics. When completing the programme students will have a good knowledge of the behaviour, development, life history styles and ecology of fishes, in addition to oceanography and marine ecosystems. They will further have a basic understanding of the population structure of fish stocks, the function, use and selective properties of fishing gear, methods for surveillance, as well as exploitation strategies of fish populations from selected ecosystems. The students will also have basic knowledge of how ecological factors in combination with the fishing pressure influence the development of fish stocks. Principles of fishereis management and conservation are introduced as well as the application of simple population dynamic models. The students will also get practical experience from work in fisheries biology and monitoring of fish stocks in the laboratory, in the field on a research vessel. The master's programme includes training in conducting an independent scientific study. The thesis will be based on data collected in the laboratory or in the field, or based on time series. The thesis could also be based on extended literature review.

Admission requirements

Main intake in the autumn semester. For more information about the application procedure please see:

For international applicants residing abroad (Application deadline 1 December) http://www.uib.no/education/admission/master/international-applicants-residing-abroad

For international applicants residing in Norway (Application deadline 15 April) http://www.uib.no/education/admission/master/international-applicants-residing-in-norway

The selection of students for admission to the Master's programme in Fisheries Biology and Management is based on the following criteria: 

* Your Bachelor's degree must include knowledge and competence in biology corresponding to 60 ECTS (one academic year) and should be documented with course descriptions and learning outcomes for the degree

* The average grade of the bachelor's degree must be at least 2nd class, upper division/B

* Academic degree not older than two years (exceptions can be made if the applicant has relevant work experience)

* A good command of English

Additional consideration is given to the following:

* Laboratory and practical field experience (must be documented)

* Depth and relevance of educational training

* Extent and relevance of work experience

* Connection to cooperating institutions of UiB (required for the Quota Scheme)

* The applicant's prospects for having a productive career in the special field of study

* Consideration to ensure diversity in the pool of students admitted to the programme

Number of self-financing students admitted to the master's programme: max 3 students

Applicants for the Quota Scheme, from the following institutions:

Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Tanzania

Makarere University, Uganda

Yellow Sea Fisheries Resarch Institute, China

University of NhaTrang, Vietnam

Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 3, Vietnam

University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

The Degree

The master´s programme leads to the degree Master of Science in Fisheries Biology and Management. It is a two year's programme (120 ECTS).

Objectives / Contents

The aim of the programme is to give post graduate students a comprehensive insight into the discipline fisheries biology with emphasis on how to conserve living aquatic resources while securing a sustainable yield. This includes a solid understanding of the internal and external drivers that determine fish dynamics. When completing the programme students will have a good knowledge of the behaviour, development, life history styles and ecology of fishes, in addition to oceanography and marine ecosystems. They will further have a basic understanding of the population structure of fish stocks, the function, use and selective properties of fishing gear, methods for surveillance, as well as exploitation strategies of fish populations from selected ecosystems. The students will also have basic knowledge of how ecological factors in combination with the fishing pressure influence the development of fish stocks. Principles of fishereis management and conservation are introduced as well as the application of simple population dynamic models. The students will also get practical experience from work in fisheries biology and monitoring of fish stocks in the laboratory, in the field on a research vessel. The master's programme includes training in conducting an independent scientific study. The thesis will be based on data collected in the laboratory or in the field, or based on time series. The thesis could also be based on extended literature review.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the master's programme in Fisheries Biology and Management, the candidate shall:

- Have acquired a basic understanding of the key processes in the marine ecosystem, and between individuals, populations and communities, and fish biology, its place in the ecosystem and management of fish in an ecological perspective

- Have a basic understanding of how the condition of the aquatic ecosystem is being monitored both physically and biologically, and how the abundance and exploitation of the living resources are determined

- Be familiar with the main features and trends in world fisheries, their present condition, as well as relevant international management measures and strategies

- Be able to plan and carry out a scientific study in the field, laboratory or based on collected data, through the ability to formulate and specify a problem, select methods and tools for data collection, and acquire and analyze data, present and discuss the results and write a scientific thesis on the study

- Be able to explain the main features of how human and other external or internal influences affect living marine resources and their environment

- Be able to explain the main features of life history strategies of the most important marine organisms

- Be able to discuss the reasons for changes in aquatic ecosystems, population trends and structures.

Admission Requirements

Main intake in the autumn semester. For more information about the application procedure please see:

For international applicants residing abroad (Application deadline 1 December) http://www.uib.no/education/admission/master/international-applicants-residing-abroad

For international applicants residing in Norway (Application deadline 15 April) http://www.uib.no/education/admission/master/international-applicants-residing-in-norway

The selection of students for admission to the Master's programme in Fisheries Biology and Management is based on the following criteria: 

* Your Bachelor's degree must include knowledge and competence in biology corresponding to 60 ECTS (one academic year) and should be documented with course descriptions and learning outcomes for the degree

* The average grade of the bachelor's degree must be at least 2nd class, upper division/B

* Academic degree not older than two years (exceptions can be made if the applicant has relevant work experience)

* A good command of English

Additional consideration is given to the following:

* Laboratory and practical field experience (must be documented)

* Depth and relevance of educational training

* Extent and relevance of work experience

* Connection to cooperating institutions of UiB (required for the Quota Scheme)

* The applicant's prospects for having a productive career in the special field of study

* Consideration to ensure diversity in the pool of students admitted to the programme

Number of self-financing students admitted to the master's programme: max 3 students

Applicants for the Quota Scheme, from the following institutions:

Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute, Tanzania

Makarere University, Uganda

Yellow Sea Fisheries Resarch Institute, China

University of NhaTrang, Vietnam

Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 3, Vietnam

University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

Contact information

studie@bio.uib.no

Department of Biology