Marine biology, fisheries biology and management

Introduction

Objectives and content

Marine Biology, Fisheries Biology and Management is a specialization in the Master's Programme in Biology.

The specialization aims to educate biologists with a general overview and knowledge about: key processes and typical patterns in the marine ecosystem, flora and fauna characteristics to marine habitats, life history and ecology of fishes and other marine species, in addition to oceanography and marine ecosystems, how exploitation and other internal and external factors impact marine living resources, and the most common research methods within field based, experimental and theoretically oriented research of marine ecosystems.

The independent research project (master's project) combined with specialization courses and special curricula will give a specialized and deep knowledge of selected research topics and methods. Relevant topics for research projects are: marine ecology, sustainable use of marine living resources, marine organismal biology, biogeography, invasion biology, population genetics, biosystematics, fisheries biology, stock assessment, fisheries management, and general evolutionary themes based on the study of marine organisms.

Master students also develop general skills in defining, planning and conducting an independent research project, and to learn to document and discuss scientific results through a written dissertation.

What you Learn

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

The student can

• Explain key concepts and terminology in Biology/Marine Biology
• Describe typical marine habitats and associated flora and fauna
• Familiarity with oceanographic forcing of marine systems
• Understand interactions between marine organisms and the environment, and adaptations of marine organisms
• Understand the dynamics and structural processes in marine populations and communities
• Knowledge of how ecological factors in combination with fisheries affect development of fish populations
• Apply marine research methods and understanding their limitations and sources of error
• Apply knowledge to illuminate and/ or solve management problems

Skills

After completing the programme the student has acquired:

• Use basic methods in marine biology
• Practical experience from laboratory work within marine and fisheries biology, in the field and on research vessels.
• Perform an independent, limited research project under supervision, but with a high degree of independence and own initiative, and in line with research ethics standards
• Ability to measure size of fish and determine age and maturity status.
• Handle and present quantitative data, discuss precision and accuracy, and use the most fundamental statistical principles.
• Analyze marine biological topics and discuss ways to explore these applying relevant theory and method
• Retrieve, analyze and apply new knowledge within the special topic.
• Analyze, interpret and discuss their own data in a scientific and critical manner, in light of data and theories within their field of study.

General competences

the student should be able to:

• Be able to follow scientific discourse in general and evaluate approaches and techniques for solving problems
• Give good written and oral presentations of scientific topics and research results
• Be able to communicate professional topics and findings in marine biology, both to specialists and the general public
• Be able to reflect on key ethical and scientific issues in their own and others' work
• Show understanding and respect for scientific values such as remaining accurate, open, honest, objective, factual and distinguish between knowledge and opinions

Study Period Abroad

Study period abroad

You can plan study periods abroad in consultation with your supervisor as apart of the master agreement.

How to Apply

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