Master's Programmes at the Department of Biological Sciences (BIO)

Master's Programme in Biology

We have a Master's Programme in Biology, taught in English, with seven options for specialisation.

The various specialisations have different objectives and content, and contain some common courses and some specific to the specialisation. 

• Programme page: read a general introduction to the programme, about programme structure and how to apply. For more specific information about the specialisations, select a link below.

Specialisations offered in the Master's Programme in Biology: 

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

Geobiology is no longer a study programme option, but it is possible to specialise in Geobiology under Microbiology and Marine Biology. It's also possible to specialise in Nutrition through many of the other disciplines - especially Aquaculture Biology.

All MSc students in this programme have the courses BIO300A Biological Data Analysis and Research Design + BIO300B Biostatistics as a mandatory part of their study.

Master's Programme in Molecular Biology

We also offer a Master's Programme in Molecular Biology, taught in English.

• Programme page: read a general introduction to the programme, about programme structure and how to apply.
• Additional information about our Master studies in Molecular Biology

Meet Aurélien, Master student in Marine Biology 

Meet Lena, Master student i Molecular Biology

Meet Martina, Master student in Molecular Biology

Master's Programme in Biology

In order to qualify for admission to this programme you must have completed a Bachelor's degree in Biology or equivalent. Your academic performance in Biology is essential when considering whether you qualify for admission. Specific admission requirements related to the required academic background are listed under each specialisation.

Master's Programme in Molecular Biology

You need a Bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology or equivalent education - with first class results. Admission to the programme will be based on content and performance in Chemistry and Molecular Biology, which in general should not be any less than three semesters worth of courses.

Equivalent education must include extensive Molecular Biology and some Chemistry. It may be a three-year Engineering or Bioengineering degree, or a degree with a background in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Informatics. In addition, practical laboratory skills in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry are required.

Application deadlines

Follow the guidelines on how to apply for a Master's degree depending on which applicant group you belong to:

• European Union citizens (DEADLINE: 1 March)
• Citizens from outside the European Union (DEADLINE: 1 December)
• Nordic citizens and applicants residing in Norway (DEADLINE: 1 February and 1 November) 

Master's Programme in Biology

Your master's project will be performed in one of our research groups or with one of our collaborative partners. The project/thesis makes up half the programme, one year. You must find a thesis research topic/project in collaboration with academic staff at the Department. Available topics depend on available supervisors and other resources. In general, we encourage you to incorporate field work, laboratory or computer analysis work, statistical or conceptual synthesis, into the thesis research topics, as well as a write-up that puts the study and its findings into the context of previously published research.

Examples of our collaborative partners: 

• The University Museum of Bergen
• The Institute of Marine Resarch (IMR)

Students with a project in nutrition usually perform their project at NIFES.

You can find completed master's theses in BORA.

Master's Programme in Molecular Biology

Students may do their master thesis in one of our research groups, or choose to do the work for their master thesis with external supervision, for example at the Institute of Marine Research or at Haukeland University Hospital.

If you want an idea of what our students write about in their theses, take a look at our Master Thesis Archive for Molecular Biology students.