Study plan for MAMN-BIODI Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology, spring 2024

Name of qualification

Master of Science in Biology - Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology

ECTS Credits

Two years of full-time study, where the normal workload for a full-time student is 60 credits for one academic year.

Objectives and content

Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology is a specialization in the Master's Programme in Biology.

This specialization will give you a broad introduction to ecology, evolution or systematic research. The programme covers themes that range from the biology of single organisms to biogeographical patterns, and you can immerse yourself in both theoretical and applied research. Through choosing your own subjects and working independently, you will acquire scientific competence. By working on the masters project you will learn to work in a scientific manner.

After completing the study you will have a working knowledge of scientific methods and have developed the ability for critical thinking based upon knowledge of the subjects. Thesis topics can be drawn from fields such as behavioral ecology, biodiversity, biogeography, evolutionary biology, quantitative ecology, landscape ecology, paleoecology, parasitology, population biology, population genetics, taxonomy and systematics, vegetation history, and pollen analysis.

Required Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

Know fundamental patterns and processes in biodiversity, ecology and evolution.
Be well acquainted with, and understand, evolutionary and ecological theory for interspecific variation in adaptation to the biotic and abiotic environment.
Understand how human activities effect other populations, species, and ecosystems.

Skills

Be able to use evolutionary theory to explain biological patterns.
Contribute to understanding the issues that are important in natural resource management and provide relevant knowledge in conservation and management issues.
Be familiar with relevant research questions in biodiversity, evolution and ecology, and be able to set up experiments or field studies which can aid in answering such questions.
Be able to access in the biological scientific literature and understand relevant methodology.
Be able to retrieve, analyze and apply new knowledge within the field
Be able to analyze, interpret and discuss their own data in an academic and critical manner, in light of data and theories in the field.
Be able to manage and present quantitative data, discuss the precision and accuracy and to use the basic statistical principles

General competences

Be able to work in accord with scientific principles, and understand and respect openness, precision, accountability and the significance of distinguishing between knowledge and opinion.
Be able to present, orally and in writing, research results put into context of existing knowledge, also to non-specialists.
Be able to analyze the biological scientific issues and participate in the discussion of approaches and ways of solving the issue.
Be able to work independently and as part of a team with comprehensive and demanding assignments, and to meet deadlines.
Be able to discuss the student's research field in public discussions.

Admission Requirements

In order to apply for the Master Programme in Biology, you need a bachelor degree in biology or related field. You must hold a minimum of:

60 ECTS in biology
7,5 ECTS in chemistry that must include lab work
7,5 ECTS in statistics
7,5 ECTS in mathematics

Bachelor degrees from UiB that qualify:

Bachelor degree in Biology
Bachelor degree in Sustainable Aquaculture
Bachelor degree in Environment and Resources (Natural Sciences specialisation, Biology track)

Bachelor degrees that qualify

Other bachelor degrees may qualify, if they include the required subjects listed above.

You also need to document:

Average grade of minimum C (equivalent to Norwegian grade C)
Proficiency in English

Recommended previous knowledge

Specialized courses in ecology and evolution, such as BIO201 Ecology, BIO210 Evolutionary Biology, BIO241 Behavioral Ecology, BIO250 Palaeoecology, BIO232 Systematics and Evolution of Marine Invertebrates, etc.

Compulsory units

START: AUTUMN

1st semester (Autumn):

BIO201 Ecology* (10 ECTS)
BIO300A Academic Writing (5 ECTS)
BIO300B Biostatistics (5 ECTS)
Elective courses (10 ECTS)

2nd semester (Spring):

BIO210 Evolutionary Biology* (10 ECTS)
BIO301 Current Topics in Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology (10 ECTS)
Elective courses (10 ECTS)

3rd semester (Autumn):

BIO399 Master's Thesis in Biology (30 ECTS)

4th semester (Spring):

BIO399 Master's Thesis in Biology (30 ECTS)

*Compulsory unless the course (or equivalent) has been taken previously. If taken previously, replace with an elective.

START: SPRING

1st semester (Spring):

BIO210 Evolutionary Biology* (10 ECTS)
BIO301 Current Topics in Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology (10 ECTS)
Elective courses (10 ECTS)

2nd semester (Autumn):

BIO201 Ecology* (10 ECTS)
BIO300A Academic Writing (5 ECTS)
BIO300B Biostatistics (5 ECTS)
Elective courses (10 ECTS)

3rd semester (Spring):

BIO399 Master's Thesis in Biology (30 ECTS)

4th semester (Autumn):

BIO399 Master's Thesis in Biology (30 ECTS)

*Compulsory unless the course (or equivalent) has been taken previously. If taken previously, replace with an elective.

Recommended electives

Interested in ecology, with a focus on plants and terrestrial ecology:

BIO230 Plant Systematics, Morphology and Evolution (10 ECTS, Spring)
BIO241 Behavioural Ecology (10 ECTS, Spring)
BIO250 Palaeoecology (10 ECTS, Autumn)
BIO260 Cultural Landscapes of Scandinavia (10 ECTS, Spring) odd-numbered years
BIO262 Norden sin vegetasjon i fortid og notid (10 ECTS, Autumn) even-numbered years, Norwegian only
BIO303 Ordination and Gradient Analysis (5 ECTS, Autumn)
BIO332 Phylogenetic Methods (5 ECTS, Autumn)
BIO341 Biodiversity (5 ECTS, Autumn) irregular, if min. 5 students enroll
SDG214 UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life below Water (10 ECTS, Spring)
SDG215 UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land (10 ECTS, Spring)

Interested in ecology, with focus on zoological ecology:

BIO241 Behavioural Ecology (10 ECTS, Spring)
BIO250 Palaeoecology (10 ECTS, Autumn)
BIO332 Phylogenetic Methods (5 ECTS, Autumn)
BIO341 Biodiversity (5 ECTS, Autumn) irregular, if min. 5 students enroll
SDG214 UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life below Water (10 ECTS, Spring)
SDG215 UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land (10 ECTS, Spring)

Interested in marine evolution and ecology:

BIO208 Environmental Impact of Aquaculture (10 ECTS, Spring)
BIO212 Marine Community Ecology - Organisms and Habitats (10 ECTS, Spring)
BIO213 Marine Ecology, Environment and Resources (10 ECTS, Autumn) Norwegian only)
BIO217 Microbial Ecology (10 ECTS, Autumn)
BIO232 Systematics and Evolution of Marine Invertebrates (10 ECTS, Autumn) even-numbered years
SDG214 UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life below Water (10 ECTS, Spring)
SDG215 UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land (10 ECTS, Spring)

Interested in environmental management, biogeography and GIS (Geographical Information Systems):

GEO110 Kartografi og tematiske kart (10 ECTS, Autumn) Norwegian only
GEO111 Landformdannande prosessar (15 ECTS, Spring) Norwegian only
GEO113 Klima, oseanografi og biogeografi (10 ECTS, Autumn) Norwegian only
GEO281 Miljøforvaltning og planlegging (10 ECTS, Autumn)¿ Norwegian only
GEO620 Introduksjon til geografiske informasjonssystem (GIS) og geovisualisering (10 ECTS, Spring) Norwegian only

Interested in math, programming, and in doing a combination of evolution, ecology and math:

BIO302 Biostatistics II (5 ECTS, Spring)
STAT200 Applied Statistics (10 ECTS, Spring) odd-numbered years
STAT202 Biostatistics (10 ECTS, Spring) even-numbered years

Master thesis credits

In agreement with your academic supervisor, you will choose a master's thesis (60 ECTS) and make a progression plan containing important milestones for your project. The master's thesis will often include an experiment.

Sequential Requirements, courses

The recommended sequence of the courses in the programme can be found under the heading Compulsory units.

Teaching and learning methods

The Master's thesis is an independently scientific work, under supervision of an academic supervisor. A combination of teaching methods is used in the various courses, mainly lectures, laboratory exercises, field trips, and workshops. You can find more information in the course description.

Assessment methods

The final step in the programme is an oral examination. The examination is held when the master's thesis has been submitted, evaluated and approved. The most common assessment methods in courses are written and oral exams, individual and group presentations, and various forms of term projects. The assessment methods for each course are described in its course description.

Grading scale

At UiB the grades are given in one of two possible grading scales: A to F and Pass/Failed.

The master's thesis will be graded A to F.

The grading scale for each course is given in the course description.

Diploma and Diploma supplement

The Diploma, in Norwegian, and the Diploma Supplement, in English, will be issued when the degree is completed.

Access to further studies

To be eligible for admission to the Doctoral education (PhD) the candidate must have completed a master's degree.

To qualify for the Doctoral education (PhD) at UiB the average grade for the master's thesis, the Master's degree and the bachelor's degree should be at least C.

In order to get enrolled you have to be granted a fellowship for doctoral training.

Study plan for MAMN-BIODI Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology, spring 2024

Name of qualification

ECTS Credits

Full-time/Part-time

Language of Instruction

Semester