Double Degree Programme in Global Change Ecology

Across the degree students will learn basic principles underlying ecological and evolutionary theory, observational and experimental approaches, and obtain insight into current research across  multiple fields of Global Change Ecology. In depth research training is provided in a selected field of interest within the MSc project. Here,  students are actively involved in ongoing research projects but also learn to independently plan and perform both theoretical and experimental work and  to summarize and discuss the results obtained in their MSc thesis.

By the end of the Programme, students will have expanded their knowledge on all aspects. They become qualified to understand basic and applied ecological research, and design and evaluate observational and experimental approaches in ecological laboratory, field and landscape studies.

Both at UiB and at JMU, we strive to create an environment where you as a student are a natural part of the research group. The working environment is inclusive and informal. Many different nationalities work together, and English is normally the working language.

In the double degree programme, you will get a good introduction to a study plan and mobility scheme that UiB and JMU jointly set the framework for.

As a student, you must have sufficient funds to cover all costs that are not borne by your home university and host university.

You must also cover any travel, board and accommodation costs, as well as personal expenses and costs in connection with your stay.

You must ensure and are responsible for having the right insurance and being able to pay for medical assistance if the need arises. In addition, you must make sure you have the right visa to be able to study in Germany/Norway.

You can take many different career paths, both in the private and public sectors. You will be well equipped to enter positions in research, education, industry and management, and other important jobs in society. 

You can work both centrally and regionally, for example in environmental organisations and consulting companies, and in government departments and directorates. You can also specialise in biological and environmental issues at research institutes and relevant industrial companies, such as the growing aquaculture and seafood industries and the biotechnology sector.

Students with citizenship from countries outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland must pay tuition fees. Some applicants may be exempted from this rule.

Application deadline:

At JMU
Admission to the Master's degree programme in Biowissenschaften will require a completed Bachelor's degree programme (acquisition of 180 ECTS credits) at JMU or another German or foreign university or an equivalent German or foreign degree in the field of Biology.

You must give proof of competencies from modules, usually acquired as part of the first-degree programme mentioned above, consisting of all the following areas and to the minimum extent of ECTS credits specified in each case.
– 70 ECTS in Biology/Biosciences
– 10 ECTS in Inorganic/Organic/Physical chemistry/Biochemistry
– 12 ECTS in Physics/Mathematics/(Bio)Statistics, Biophysics

Students must provide proof of English language proficiency at level B2/C1 CEFR (corresponding to a TOEFL score of at least 90) and German language proficiency at level A2 CEFR, at the latest by the end of the second semester.

The Deadline for Admission for Local Master’s Programme is 15th July (winter term) and 15th January (summer term).

At UiB
Admission to the Master's degree programme in Biology will require a completed Bachelor's degree programme (acquisition of 180 ECTS credits) at UiB or another Norwegian or foreign university or an equivalent degree in the field of Biology.

You must give proof of competencies from modules, usually acquired as part of the first-degree programme mentioned above, consisting of all the following areas and to the minimum extent of ECTS credits specified in each case.
– 60 ECTS in Biology
– 7,5 ECTS in Chemistry/Biochemistry
– 7,5 ECTS in Statistics
– 7,5 ECTS in Mathematics

Students must provide proof of English language proficiency at level B2/C1 CEFR (corresponding to a TOEFL score of at least 90)

Teaching language: English

Students with UiB as their home university will spend the first semester at their home institution, the second semester at JMU, and the third and fourth semesters either at JMU or at UiB.

Students with JMU as their home university will spend the first semester at their home institution, the second semester at UiB, and the third and fourth semesters either at JMU or at UiB.

See detailed information in the programme description at the bottom of this page.

Courses at UiB:

1.Semester  start semester autumn

Mandatory:

BIO300A – Academic writing (5 credits)

BIO300B – Biostatistics (5 credits)

Choose 20 credits among following courses:

BIO250 – Palaeoecology (10 credits) 

BIO201 – Ecology: from Individual to Ecosystem (10  credits) 

BIO299 – Research Practice in Biology  (10 credits)

BIO301 – Current Topics in Biodiversity, Evolution and Ecology (10  credits) 

BIO303 – Prescribing and Gradient Analysis (5 credits)

2. Semester

Choose 30 credits among following courses:

BIO210 – Evolutionary Biology (10  credits) 

BIO294 - Norway's nature - natural variation, knowledge systems and mapping (10 credits)

BIO302 - Methods for reproducible and open science (5 credits)

BIO367 - Principles of Ecosystem Management (5 credits)

BIO368 - Global Ecology and Biodiversity (5 credits)

3. Semester

Master's thesis (30 credits)

4. Semester

Master's thesis (30 credits)  

Topics at JMU: 
1. Semester

Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Conservation (5 credits)

Conservation Biology (Theory) (10 credits)

OR 

Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Theory) (10 credits)

Conservation Biology F1, practical Course (10 credits)

OR 

Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology F1 practical Course (10 credits)

Additional subject-specific courses e.g. Macroecology. (5 credits)

2. Semester

Global Change Biology and e.g. Agroecology (10 credits)

Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology II, theory (10 credits)

Additional subject-specific courses, e.g. Soil Ecology; Ecology in Alpine Environments (10 credits)

3. Semester 

Conservation Biology F1, practical course (10 credits)

Or

Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology F1, practical course (10 credits)

Conservation Biology F2, practical course (15 credits)

Or Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology F2, practical course (15 credits)

Additional subject-specific courses, e.g. Forest Ecology (5 credits)

4. Semester

Master's thesis (25 credits)

Oral defence of master's thesis (5 credits)

 

Students with JMU as their home university will spend the first semester at their home institution, the second semester at UiB, and the third and fourth semester either at JMU or at UiB.

Students with UiB as their home university will spend the first semester at their home institution, the second semester at JMU, and the third and fourth semester either at JMU or at UiB.

After completing your master's degree, you can apply for a paid position as a doctoral student (PhD) in biology and related subjects, both in Norway and abroad.