Nature Management

See study programme

Spring 2024 (2. semester)

BIO1020
10 sp

Spring 2025 (4. semester)

Autumn 2025 (5. semester)

Elective courses
GEO2009
0 sp

Spring 2026 (6. semester)

Elective courses
GEO2009
10 sp
MA116F
10 sp

The curriculum in Nature Management consists of biological and wildlife management topics. You will learn about biological diversity, management of game and fish, landscape planning and management of the nature of Norway. The main content of the study is practical and the focus is on exercises and field excursions. 

Topics included are geology, vegetation, ecology, zoology, botany, nature registration, nature management, landscape planning and GIS (geographical information systems). The courses in the latter part of the study emphasizes on linking the teaching to real management situations in today`s society. In the course Nature Management (NAT330) there is a excursion abroad. For the bachelor thesis during the 3rd year of study you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself professionally in a chosen topic, often in cooperation with external collaborators or as a participant in one of our research projects.

There are 2 elective courses in the 6th semester. These can be replaced by other relevant topics. Change of elective courses must be clarified with the student advisor. If you are interested in forestry, you can take SKO120 Introduction to Forestry, 10 credits as an additional course.

Parts of the teaching may be given in English. 

Upon successful completion of this programme, the candidate:

Knowledge:

  • has broad knowledge of nature and nature management in Norway
  • has extensive knowledge of flora, fauna and other relevant aspects of biological diversity
  • has knowledge of research and development work in nature and outback management, nationally and internationally
  • has knowledge about sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems, including Norwegian management regulations, the history of the field, its tradition and its role in society
  • has knowledge of relevant laws and regulations

Skills:

  • has basic skills in registering, mapping and monitoring nature, including using GIS and other tools
  • can collect, assemble, analyse and discuss the application of his or her own data and results as part of writing a professional report informing a defined research questions
  • can apply relevant public laws and regulations in sustainable managerial work, for instance in planning, case work and impact assessments
  • can apply his or her professional knowledge a.o. related to relevant research on practical and theoretical issues in nature and outback managemen

General competence:

  • can plan and conduct various work assignments and projects, alone or as member of a team, in accordance with ethical requirements and guidelines
  • can communicate key professional knowledge in writing as well as orally to both the public as well as other professionals in nature and outback management
  • can exchange experiences and views with other professionals in the field, nationally and internationally
  • has knowledge of the professional ethical issues of the field and can reflect on his or her professional conduct and adjust this when needed
  • Has knowledge of new thinking and innovation processes, nationally and internationally
Higher education entrance qualification. Norwegian language proficiency. This programme is only taught in Norwegian. If you do not meet the Norwegian language proficiency requirements, you do not qualify for admission. View general admission and documentation requirements.
The study provides a solid foundation for jobs in nature management in both private and public sector.
This programme qualifies candidates to apply for the MSc programme in Biosciences or Nordic Master in Sustainable Production and Utilization of Marine Bioresources at Nord University. For admission at MSc programme in Bioscience, an additional course in mathematics/statistics is required. The programme is also suited for those wanting to pursue relevant masters degrees at other institutions in Norway as well as abroad.

Would you like to spend a semester abroad at a foreign institution? 
For students of the study programme Nature Management it is advisable to go abroad in the fourth semester. Please contact the international coordinator at the faculty, Jose de Pool, to explore your exchange opportunities.

Below you will find an overview of our partner universities where you, as a student in Nature Management, can travel to:

AUSTRALIA
James Cook University
Charles Darwin University
Deakin University

CANADA
Memorial University of Newfoundland
University of Northern British Columbia
St. Francis Xavier University
Lakehead University
University of Saskatchewan

USA
Humboldt State University
University of Minnesota - College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Management (CFANS)
University of New England
University of Alaska Fairbanks

DENMARK
Roskilde University

NETHERLANDS
Wageningen University

In addition to the semester fee and syllabus literature, it is assumed that students have a laptop with microphone and camera. 

Students must purchase their own laboratory coat for use in courses with laboratory exercises. 

Students should further expect costs to incur in relation to transportation, accommodation and catering related to non-mandatory excursions and field courses. Please note that we depend on students providing their own car for driving on certain excursions. All driving will be compensated according to the state's mileage rates.

 In the third year of the programme, there will be a study trip with requirements for user fees. The faculty offers a professionally satisfactory alternative for those who do not wish to participate in the trip.

Students will be evaluated and graded based on home exams, oral examinations and written examinations, or a combination, using the regular Norwegian grading system. See individual course descriptions for details.

The Norwegian system for grading and assessment using the letter grades A - F, in which A denotes the best/highest grade and F denotes "not passed". Candidates work can also be assessed as "passed", "not passed", "approved" and "not approved". See rules and regulations.

The programme is evaluated via student questionnaire, as well as by the programme director. The evaluations form a part of the University's quality assurance system.