spring 2025
BIO-3950 Master's Thesis Biology - 60 ECTS
Course content
The master thesis is an independent scientific work, under the guidance by one or several supervisors. The thesis is written within one of the following disciplines:
- Arctic animal physiology
- Freshwater ecology
- Arctic marine ecology
- Molecular environmental biology
- Northern populations and ecosystem
- Arctic marine ecotoxicology
- Ecology and sustainability
Students who are admitted to the master's in biology normally select a project during the first semester, and no later than one month before the end of the second semester. All students will fill out a supervision contract in consultations with their supervisor. The contract along with a project description, has to be approved by the Department.
Deadline for handing in the contract is September 1st, at the beginning of the 3rd semester.
Objectives of the course
Knowledge
Students will have advanced knowledge in biology and in one of the following disciplines offered:
- Arctic animal physiology
- Freshwater ecology
- Arctic marine ecology
- Molecular environmental biology
- Northern populations and ecosystem
- Arctic marine ecotoxicology
- Ecology and sustainability
Skills:
- 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
Teaching methods
Individual guidance and supervision according to agreement and of two semesters duration. Maximum workload for the supervisor is 80 hours, you will receive supervision within these limits. The general work effort in a master`s project (60 ECTS) is 1500-1800 hours (including field and lab work).
The Master`s thesis must be written in English.
Examination
| Examination: | Date: | Weighting: | Grade scale: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | 15.05.2025 14:00 (Hand in) | 0/1 | A–E, fail F |
| Oral exam | 1/1 | A–E, fail F | |
Coursework requirements:To take an examination, the student must have passed the following coursework requirements: |
|||
| Participation to Master student seminars | Approved – not approved | ||
More info about the coursework requirements
Participation to Master student seminars. The seminars consist of master thesis related presentations in a conference format (e.g., 15 to 20 minutes plus 10 min questions) for a general biology audience (BSc, Master and PhD student community and the scientific staff). The seminars are organized weekly. Every student is required to give 1 talk during his/her master (e.g., state of the art review or project presentation) and be part (in groups of 3) of the organizing committee (arrange the seminar, prepare questions and provide feedback to the speaker). In addition, every student has to participate to a minimum of 6 seminars per year.
The organization of the seminars will be presented to all new Master students at the beginning of each semester.
More info about the oral exam
The master's thesis and all courses included in the master's degree must be passed before the oral presentation and examination can take place.
After the master's thesis is submitted and approved, there will be an oral master's examination. This examination consists of a public presentation at minimum 30 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 (1 hour) 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 Program Board for a new master's thesis project.- About the course
- Campus: Tromsø |
- ECTS: 60
- Course code: BIO-3950
- Responsible unit
- Institutt for arktisk og marin biologi
- Spørsmål om emnet
- E-post: ambstudie@hjelp.uit.no
- Tidligere år og semester for dette emnet