Course code: BIO-3930

Master thesis project for exchange students

Campus Tromsø
Semester / Year Spring 2027
Level Higher grade level
Credits 30

About the course

Only exchange students on Master level are eligible for this course.

It is not available to any other category of students as a singular or elective course.

Student need to find a project and supervisor at Department of Arctic and Marine Biology before applying for this course as exchange students.

The master thesis is an independent scientific work, under the guidance of one or several supervisors.

The thesis is written within one of the following disciplines:

  • Arctic animal biology
  • Freshwater ecology
  • Arctic marine ecology
  • Molecular environmental biology
  • Northern populations and ecosystem
  • Arctic marine ecotoxicology
  • Ecology and sustainability

Objectives of the course

Knowledge:

Students will have advanced knowledge in biology and in one of the following disciplines offered:

  • Arctic animal biology
  • Freshwater ecology
  • Arctic marine ecology
  • Molecular environmental biology
  • Northern populations and ecosystem
  • Arctic marine ecotoxicology
  • Ecology and sustainability

Skills:

  • Define, plan and conduct an independent research project under our guidance. That implies to:
    • Formulate relevant research questions and hypotheses,
    • Identify and use relevant approaches to answer research questions and test hypotheses,
    • Collect, visualize and analyze data,
    • Interpret and discuss data considering current advances in the research area and study designs.
  • Apply theories, concepts and methods pursuant to the scientific and ethical standards in the field.
  • Evaluate critically your own and others’ academic work.
  • Acquire technical and methodological competence in your field of specialization.

General competence

  • Communicate biological knowledge and concepts in an instructive manner to the scientific community, policy makers and the general public.
  • Work in accordance with scientific principles and have understanding and respect for transparency, accuracy, accountability.

Credit reduction

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

  • BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology 30 ects
  • BIO-3960 Master thesis project for exchange students 30 ects

Teaching methods

Individual guidance and supervision according to agreement and credits. Maximum workload for the supervisor is 40 hours per semester, you will receive supervision within these limits. The general work effort in a master`s project 750 - 900 hours including field and lab work.

The Master`s thesis must be written in English.

Language of instruction and examination

English

Schedule

The schedules are normally finalized and published well in advance of the start of the semester, often a few weeks beforehand. This gives students the opportunity to organize their studies and prepare for upcoming activities.

It is recommended to check the schedule regularly, as changes may occur.

Information to incoming exchange students

This course is open to incoming exchange students.

Study Level: Master's

Admission to this course requires a Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS) or an equivalent qualification, with a major in biology of at least 80 ECTS.

For details on how to apply for exchange, course selection guidelines, or to contact the Incoming Admissions Team, please visit: Admissions for Student Exchange.

Examination

Exams
Assignment Weighting: 0/1 Grade:
A–E, fail F
Oral exam Weighting: 1/1 Grade:
A–E, fail F

Everything you need to know about before, during, and after the exam; registration, absence, appeals, and diplomas: UiT Exams homepage

More info about the assignment

The deadline for submission is 15 May in the spring semester and 15 November in the autumn semester.

The master's thesis must be submitted in PDF format, the submission is done electronically in Wiseflow.

More info about the oral exam

After the master's thesis is submitted and approved, there will be an oral master's examination. This examination consists of a public presentation of 15 minutes where the student provides an overview of the project. Examination Commission consists of at least one external examiner and an internal examiner. Sensors should be present at the public presentation. Then follows an oral examination with the examination commission. Oral presentations and examinations are open to the public according to "Act relating to universities and university colleges" § 3-9(3).

Re-sit examination

Only if a master's thesis project is graded "F" (fail), may the thesis be resubmitted in revised form. A new deadline for submission will be given. The deadline for resubmitting the thesis is normally 3 months from the point in time when the candidate was informed about the exam result. If the thesis receives a grade of "F" a second time, the student can apply to the Department for a new master's thesis project.

Previous years and semesters

Contact us

Responsible unit: Department of Arctic and Marine Biology