The Master`s discipline in Arctic animal physiology focuses on physiological adaptations to life at high latitudes in fishes, birds and mammals. Particular emphasis is placed on how these animals cope with the climatic variability, extreme light-dark cycles and large seasonal fluctuations in food availability that are all typical of their environment. Physiological adaptations of diving birds and mammals, which are abundant at high-latitudes, also represents an important topic.
Students will be introduced to and given the opportunity to specialize within many aspects of animal physiology (e.g., chronobiology, endocrinology, reproductive physiology, thermoregulation, nutrition/digestion, cardiovascular physiology), with approaches spanning from studies of molecular and cellular/subcellular mechanisms, to integrative, whole-animal studies that may be conducted in the field or as experimental studies in the laboratory (or as a combination of these). For this purpose, specialized laboratories and approved research animal facilities, where several relevant species of fishes, birds and mammals are maintained, are available.
Master`s projects will normally form a part of ongoing projects which encompass both curiosity-driven basic research projects and projects important for production and management of natural resources in aquatic and terrestrial environments. Students will be expected to participate actively in seminars that are given within the research group, as well as at the institute.
Recommended elective courses for the Master's discipline:
Autumn:
- BIO-3014 Biological rhythms - 10 ECTS
- BIO-3009 Arctic Marine Pollution - 10 ECTS
- BIO-3506 Top predators - 10 ECTS (every second year)
- Bio-3018 Environmental Molecular Genetics - 20 ECTS (every second year)
- BIO-3013 Northern food web ecology (autumn) - 10 ECTS
- MBI-3006 Biotechnology - 10 ECTS
- STA-3300 Applied Statistics 2 - 10 ECTS
- BIO-3805/3810/3815/3820 Individual Special Curriculum (autumn/spring) - 5/10/15/20 ECTS
Spring:
- BIO-3504 Production and Growth in Polar Areas - 10 ECTS
- BIO-3805/3810/3815/3820 Individual Special Curriculum (autumn/spring) - 5/10/15/20 ECTS
In addition, some courses at Bachelor`s level (e.g., the course BIO-2310 or other relevant courses) may be included in the Master' s discipline, if such courses were not taken during the Bachelor`s studies.
Students are encouraged to discuss with supervisors what will be the optimal set of courses.
Application procedure
Please, find more information of the application form and procedure HERE (https://en.uit.no/education/admissions/howtoapply).
Learning outcomes
Skills
Students will have the ability to:
- Formulate relevant research questions in an independent manner, and apply theories, concepts and methods pursuant to the scientific and ethical standards in the field.
- To search for and evaluate recent biological research in a critical manner, and to make assessments using scientific knowledge in the field.
- To present biological knowledge and ideas in an instructive manner to researchers, policy makers and the general public.
General proficiency
- Have acquired specialized expertise in one of the disciplines offered
- Have the competence to analyze biological problems that require skills at a high level.
- Apply their knowledge and skills in biological theory and methods in new areas relevant to society
- Have sufficient competence to participate in and to evaluate research projects or to advance to doctoral studies
Prerequisites
Admission to the Master`s programme in Biology requires a Bachelor`s degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualification. An additional requirement is specialization in biological topics (i.e. biodiversity (zoology/botany), ecology, cell-and molecular biology, microbiology, physiology (animal/plant), biochemistry and bioinformatics) worth a minimum of 80 ECTS.
Applicants with a degree in Agricultural studies, Biomedical laboratory sciences ("Bioingeniør"), Bachelor of Pharmacy, Medicine or Dentistry does not fulfil the admission requirements.
Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in Europe, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand: An average grade C as a minimum requirement.
Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in countries other than the above mentioned region/countries: An average grade B as a minimum requirement.
The average grade is calculated from the entire bachelor's degree.
Applicants from Norway or Nordic countries:
Application deadline: April 15th for admission to the autumn semester and November 1st for admission to the spring semester.
Online application is via Søknadsweb, study code 6001.
International appplicants/Applicants from outside the Nordic countries:
Application deadline: December 1st for admission to the autumn semester.
Online application, study code 2004.
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