About the Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture

Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture is one of five faculties at Nord University, and has two campuses located in Bodø and Steinkjer. The faculty is an international arena for education and research within marine biosciences.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Our Vision

Blue-green knowledge for a sustainable future

Our mission

Promoting a sustainable society through education and research ​in ​biosciences related to aquatic, coastal and terrestrial northern environments to meet future challenges and contribute to blue-green growth

About the faculty

The faculty offers study programmes at bachelor and master level within the fields of agricultural economics, aquaculture management, biology, animal sciences, veterinary nursing, nature conservation and nature management. 

FBA meets the needs for employment and value creation in the knowledge-based bio-economy. This is defined by the European Union as sustainable production and transformation of biomass to food, fiber products, industrial products and energy.

The faculty bases this work on talented people, up-to-date infrastructure and advanced methodologies - all supported by high academic quality standards and scientific integrity.

Scientific production and quality is assessed according to NIFU-STEP. Our ambition is to rank among the top educational establishments for marine biological sciences in Norway.

Facilities
The faculty is one of the leading academic environments within marine biosciences and aquaculture in Norway. It has modern facilities for  students and researchers in the main university buildings, including advanced equipment for the study of genomics, one of today's cutting-edge fields of research. These facilities are augmented by a large, well-equipped research station on the water's edge, just a 15 ­minute walk from the main campus.

​Organisation chart

Click on image for large version.

Research divisions

Leadership


Mette Sørensen
​Dean
​Jarle Jørgensen
Faculty Director
​Marit Bjørnevik
Vice Dean of Education
Kiron Viswanath
​Vice Dean of Research and Development 
​Irene Stork
Office Manager
Ørjan Hagen
​Head of Aquaculture​ Division
​Vigdis Tverberg
​Head of Ecology​ Division
Joost Raeymaekers​
Head of Genomics Division 
​Jorge Fernandes​
​International Coordinator
​Geir Næss
Head of Animal science, Production and Welfare​ Division
Kiron Viswanath
​Head of Algae and Microbial Biotechnology Division
​Øivind Torslett
Head of Research Station

Administration

Bodø
Mats Pedersen 
Advisor - Study administration
​Jeanett Stegen 
​Senior Advisor - Study administration
​Viktor Solbakken 
​Advisor - Life long learning
Christian Helgesen
​Advisor/controller
Ann Merete Sivertsen
Senior Executive Officer
​Siu Shan Mak
​Advisor
Hala Dana Bougrine​
Advisor - Study administration
Jose de Pool
​Advisor - Internationalisation
Mathilde Lyngøy Hultgren
​Executive Officer - Study administration
Øivind Torslett
Head of research station
​​Karina Mikalsen
​Executive Officer - HSE coordinator
Tonje Markussen 
​Senior Advisor - Project controller
Steinkjer

Anita Sundet
Advisor -  Study administration
Linda Kristin Evenset 
Executive Officer - Study administration
​Tom Kilskar
​Senior Advisor

Mørkvedbukta Research Station

The Faculty of Bioscienses and Aquaculture has its own research station located in Mørkvedbukta. The research station supports high-quality research and provides competent advice to both our internal and external clients.

We help our clients effectively carry out their projects and provide in-depth analyses at highest standards. The research station is proud of its dynamic international environment, which helps build a solid foundation for knowledge exchange and development within the field of marine biosciences.



Read more about the research station

Cooperation with UVMP in Košice​

Nord University (Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture) has established cooperation with University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice in Slovakia.

Committees

RESEARCH BOARD
FBA, Nord University

The ​research board (FU-FBA) at FBA is a committee responsible for the preparation of cases and decisions in matters concerning research and research education.

Members:

Kiron Viswanath (Vice Dean for Research and Development - leader)
Mark Costello 
Geir Næss
Jarle Tryti Nordeide
Pål A. Olsvik
Prabhugouda Siriyappagouder 
Nimalan Nadanasabesan

Jeanett Stegen (secretary)​​



EDUCATION BOARD
FBA, Nord University


The education board (UU-FBA) at FBA is an advisory and coordinating committee for the faculty's educational activities at a bachelor's and master's level​.

Members:
Marit Bjørnevik (Vice Dean for Education - leader)
Astrid Helland
Ørjan Hagen
Hege Meldal
Monica Brinchmann
Linda Evenset
Vigdis Tverberg
Rolf Terje Kroglund
Torgrim Sund
Leslie Noble
Sofie Forfang - student Bachelor Bodø
Vilde Bilstad - student Bachelor Steinkjer
Håvard J. R. Johansen - student Master

Mats Pedersen (secretary)




FACTS

  • Established in 1971

  • More than 800 students 

  • 160 employees (scientific, technical and administrative staff)

  • International environment: Staff and students from more than 30 different countries

  • Around 50 PhD-students

  • Modern research facilities on campus and at our research station in Mørkvedbukta

  • Aprox. 25% external funding from the Research Council of Norway, Nordland County Council, EU and the industry