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About the study
Please note that this discipline will change name to "Arctic Animal Biology" from study year 2026/2027.
Have you ever wondered how animals cope with climatic variability, extreme light-dark cycles and large seasonal fluctuations in food availability? Or how it is possible for aquatic birds and mammals to dive for extended periods of time? By studying Arctic Animal Biology you will be able to explore research questions like these!
What will you learn?
Knowledge
The candidate
- has advanced knowledge of integrative biology and its importance for understanding ecological adaptation, with an emphasis on arctic contexts
- has insight in many aspects of animal physiology and behavior including, bioenergetics, thermoregulation, photobiology, chronobiology, endocrinology, reproductive physiology, thermoregulation, nutrition/digestion and cardiovascular physiology)
Skills
The candidate
- can utilize an integrative approach to develop insights into animal biology linking eco-evolutionary demands and constraints with physiological adaptation and whole-organism, organ, cellular and molecular levels, and has intellectual appreciation and practical know-how at all these levels
- can critically evaluate information from a variety of sources and to transpose acquired knowledge and competency to issues relevant for society e.g., environmental change and management of natural resources, food production (aquaculture), human and animal health.
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Admission requirements
Admission to the master’s program in Biology requires a bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualification, including a specialization in biological topics [i.e., biodiversity (zoology/botany), ecology, cell- and molecular biology, microbiology, physiology (animal/plant), biochemistry and bioinformatics] corresponding to a minimum of 80 ECTS.
Applicants must have a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (3,0) in the ECTS scale. The average grade is calcualted from the entire bachelore´s degree.
Applicants with education from non-Nordic countries must document English language proficiency. You will find more information of English language requirements here.
Applicants with a degree in Agricultural, Fisheries and Aquaculture studies, Biomedical laboratory sciences ("Bioingeniør"), or Bachelor of Pharmacy, Medicine or Dentistry do not fulfil the admission requirements.
How to apply for admission to UiT? Read more here
What can you become?
The Master’s degree in Biology will allow you to qualify for different career paths and prepare you to step into a professional role or to apply for a PhD.
A Master of Science degree in Biology will prepare you for a wide range of jobs, in both public and private sectors, including research, resource and nature management, administration, consulting and the teaching profession.
The master thesis can play an important role to establish your domain of expertise and to showcase acquired technical and soft skills. Also, it can be very important in building scientific and professional network, that will be a support in your future job search.
Access to further studies
On successful completion of the degree programme, students may be qualified for admission to a PhD-programme in Biology at the UiT or elsewhere.Outgoing exchange
Students can undertake periods of studying at The University Centre at Svalbard (UNIS).
International exchange during an entire semester is not possible in the first year of studies due to obligatory courses.
Stays abroad can take place as part of a master project in the third and fourth semester. Please consult the program study adviser for more information.
Studiesteder du kan utveksle til
Costs and support
Apply for student financial support from Lånekassen
You are responsible for covering your own travel and accommodation expenses for any required on-campus sessions and examinations.
Har du spørsmål?
Følg @uitstudent på Instagram eller TikTok for å få et enda bedre innblikk i hvordan det er å studere på UiT. Her viser studentene fram sin studiehverdag, deler tips og nyttig informasjon, og du kan stille spørsmål om alt du måtte lure på.
Sjekk også @uitnorgesarktiske på Instagram eller TikTok for info om studier, jobbmuligheter og forskning.
