International Fisheries Management - master

The Master's degree programme in International Fisheries Management (IFM) applies a multidisciplinary approach to the management of marine and freshwater resources, including aquaculture.

The programme emphasizes knowledge of scientific theory and methods, and will offer students experience in the use of these. By facilitating reflection and using case studies from various parts of the world, the programme will develop the students understanding of how fisheries and aquaculture are managed. Students will carry out nine courses over a period of 1.5 years (total of 90 ECTS), before writing the Master's Thesis (30 ECTS).

Two out of the nine courses are optional, with certain courses recommended, depending on previous qualifications. A typical thesis is problem-oriented and includes: a literature survey or review, theory, methods and data used, results and policy and management implications. Students may use data from their country of origin, data from a Norwegian setting or other relevant data, all dependent on approval from the designated supervisor. Each student will receive a local supervisor and if needed, an external one.

The courses are designed to offer a basic understanding of fisheries biology, technology, economics and management. Through the course FSK-3005 the various subjects are bound together, offering a multidisciplinary view on a number of selected fisheries and aquaculture cases.

For each programme at UiT - The Artic University of Norway there are a set targets for knowledge, analytical understanding, skills and competence that a student should have reached by the end of the studies.

A graduate from the IFM program should:

• have thorough knowledge of how fisheries develop and function as biological, economic and social processes including a proper knowledge about the world's fisheries and accompanying management systems
• have a profound understanding of how fisheries management may be used to meet given political objectives related to the use of aquatic resources and, moreover, have good knowledge of the biological, economic and social properties and consequences of employing different management measures
• have an understanding of how aquaculture competes and cooperates with traditional fisheries
• be able to make use of scientific theories and methods related to fisheries management issues and be qualified for carrying out fisheries management tasks or continued studies towards an academic career
• have good knowledge of research ethics and be able to identify good scientific performance
• be an interested, critical, analytical and well-informed professional in the field of fisheries and aquaculture

Admission to the Master's programme in International Fisheries Management requires a Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) in biology, economics, social sciences, combinations of these, or equivalent qualification. Applicants must enclose an application essay written in English (one page). This should include descriptions of their motivation, interest and expectations related to their Master's degree studies and ideas for their Master`s thesis project. Important information on admission and grade requirements: https://en.uit.no/education/art?p_document_id=352162&dim=179015

Applicants from Norway or Nordic countries:

• The application deadline for Norwegian and other Nordic applicants is April 15.

Applicants from outside the EU countries:

• The application deadline is December 1.
• Online application, study code 2032.

Teaching and assessment methods are described in the course plan for each course.
This Master's degree is an intensive programme. Most courses are compulsory and demand active participation from the students. Emphasis is placed on direct student participation, in the form of literature search and data retrieval, oral presentations, term papers, fieldwork, laboratory assignments and computer labs. The examination form varies between courses and includes: written examinations, term papers, presentations and laboratory reports. The final examination is based on the Master's thesis and an oral examination. All final exams will have one internal and one external examiner.

The grading scale is A-F, where A-E is pass, and F is fail.

The language of instruction and all syllabus material is English.

Successful completion of the programme allows students to graduate after two years. The degree opens the doors to a variety of national and international positions in fisheries and aquaculture administration, NGOs, international agencies, business and industry, as well as in research and teaching institutions.

While courses in the IFM study programme are open for incoming exchange students, we normally do not recommend that students take elective courses other than those offered at UiT.