Aquaculture | Master in Biosciences
The ocean holds the key to sustainable food production in the future. Choose aquaculture as your specialisation in the Master’s in Biosciences and help shape solutions that truly make a difference!
Programme description
Aquaculture is the world’s fastest‑growing food‑producing sector and now accounts for around half of all seafood globally. There is a growing need for expertise in sustainability, biology, innovation and new technical solutions – approaches that safeguard fish health while addressing the challenges of modern food production.
Through this specialisation in Master’s in Biosciences, you will gain in‑depth knowledge in areas such as sustainable aquaculture nutrition, fish physiology, aquatic animal health, environmental pollution and ecotoxicology, as well as quality and food safety. Teaching is carried out in collaboration with research institutes and partners from the aquaculture industry, ensuring that you receive practical, up‑to‑date knowledge that is highly relevant to today’s job market.
You will also gain insight into future aquaculture solutions – such as precision nutrition, alternative feed ingredients, new farmed species and sustainable resource use.
Broad academic flexibility
The programme offers excellent opportunities to shape your own academic profile. If you want to develop a broader skill set, you can combine aquaculture with related research fields such as algae and other marine bioresources, sustainability and circular bioprocesses, or genomics and bioinformatics. This is easily done by choosing relevant elective courses from other specialisations within the master’s programme. The flexibility of the study structure is a major advantage for students who want to position themselves within emerging and rapidly developing areas of marine and biosciences.
Choose your academic direction
The master’s thesis can be either 30 or 60 ECTS credits. If you choose the 30‑credit option, you have the opportunity to combine several elective courses from the faculty or from other academic environments at Nord University.
Typical topics for master’s theses include:
- fish reproduction and development
- fish physiology, welfare and health
- nutrition and alternative feed ingredients
- toxicology and food safety
- quality and product development
- new species and the future of aquaculture
The theses are often carried out in collaboration with research groups and industry partners, and many are directly linked to ongoing research projects.
Practical learning in modern facilities
As a student, you will get the access to our top modern facilities in Noatun, which is the the new faculty building at Bodø campus. The building is a key part of Nord University’s investment in marine sciences, and houses advanced laboratories, modern teaching rooms and workspaces located close to active research environments. You will also gain valuable hands‑on experience at the Mørkvedbukta research station, where you can take part in experiments and fieldwork in collaboration with researchers and industry partners.
The programme is a full‑time, two‑year course (120 ECTS credits) and is taught in English.
Career opportunities
With a Master’s degree in Biosciences specialising in Aquaculture, you can pursue roles such as manager, operational biologist, or specialist within research and development, quality assurance, feed production, or environmental management. You may also work directly in research, both within academia and in institutes focusing on aquaculture, marine biology, and fish health. Career opportunities exist within the aquaculture industry, the supplier sector, and in public and private organisations involved in aquaculture, fish health, and marine management.
Teaching methods
Teaching consists of a combination of lectures, laboratory exercises, group work and other learning activities.
A completed bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification (at least 180 ECTS credits) with a subject group/specialisation of a minimum of 80 ECTS credits in biosciences.
A minimum average grade of C is required.
If you’re interested in spending part of your studies abroad, we encourage our students to go on exchange to one of our partner universities. A period abroad will give you valuable international experience while also giving you access to a wider range of courses and academic opportunities.
The second semester is the most suitable time for an exchange stay. The application deadline for studying abroad in the spring semester is 1 September. For more information, please contact our international coordinator, Jose de Pool.
The programme provides a solid foundation for applying to a PhD in Biosciences at Nord University, as well as doctoral programmes at other institutions in Norway or abroad.
Knowledge
The candidate:
- has a general knowledge and overview of farmed species and farming practices worldwide
- has advanced understanding of the ethical challenges of sustainability related to commercial aquaculture
- has practical knowledge of relevant scientific methods and communication
Skills
The candidate:
- has the necessary skills for efficient retrieval, critical review and management of academic information related to aquaculture
- is be able to use relevant reference tools, presentation techniques, and demonstrate scholarly writing skills
- will from an academic point of view become skilled in different aspects of aquaculture research and be able to design an experiment.
General competence
The candidate:
- can communicate about the main issues, challenges and solutions in aquaculture both with the industry, scientists and the general public
- can apply basic research methods and academic communication skills of relevance for the completion of his/her master project
- can exchange views and experiences with others involved in aquaculture research and thereby contribute to the continued development of good research practices
In addition to the semester fee and required course literature, students are expected to have access to a laptop with a microphone and webcam.
Students must also have their own lab coat for courses that include laboratory exercises.
Some elective courses may involve additional costs, up to a maximum of NOK 3,000.
Tuition fees:
The government has proposed removing the requirement that tuition fees must be at least cost-covering.
The Ministry aims for the change to take effect from 1 August 2026. Current rates will apply until a new bill is passed.
The planned rates for 2026/2027 are:
- NOK 60,000 for humanities, social sciences, and economics/administrative subjects
- NOK 85,000 for natural sciences, technology, health, social work and sports, teacher education, and performing arts and media studies
