Target Group and Admission Requirements

This Master’s degree programme is specially adapted for qualified bioengineers, or for persons with work experience in the area of bioengineering.

Admission requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in bioengineering or the equivalent.

Aim of the Programme

This version of the Master’s degree programme aims to provide students with solid multidisciplinary knowledge in health and the environment by allowing them to acquire subject specialisation in how genetic, microbiological and other biological conditions affect the health of the individual.

Substantial emphasis will be placed on critical and independent work by the students. This applies particularly to the Master’s thesis. They must be able to understand and critically evaluate information, methods and research results. The students on the course will practice multidisciplinary cooperation and communication and learn how scientific research and results reporting is accomplished.

Further Education opportunities

The Master's degree forms a basis for enrolment on more advanced research programmes.

Curriculum and structure

Code Course title Credits O/V *) Credits pr. semester   S1(A) S2(V) S3(A) S4(V) 4301 Natural Science Methods 10.00 O 10       4302 Genetics 10.00 O 10       4307 Applied Microbiology 10.00 V 10       4313 Biotechnology 10.00 O   10     4315 Bio Computer Science 10.00 V   10     4321 Interaction between Chemicals and Biological Injury 10.00 V   10     4323 Applications in Water Science 10.00 V 10       4316 Special Syllabus 10.00 V   10     4317 Master’s Thesis 60.00 O     30 30 Total: 30 30 30 30 *) O - Mandatory course, V - Optional course

Obligatory courses
4301 Natural Science Methods is an obligatory course in methods. A foundation in statistics equivalent to 10 ECTS credits is desirable. If this is not included in the admission application, the student should take a course in statistics, either independently or as part of the Master’s degree programme (see below “Approval of Bachelor’s degree courses”).

Elective subjects
Please note: In order for an elective subject to be offered, a sufficient number of students must sign up for the course. This is evaluated for each separate course. If too few students have signed up, the course may be postponed until the following academic year. Under special circumstances, an elective course may be discontinued. Such decisions will be taken up with the students so that the quality of the programme is maintained.

Post-graduate courses from other institutions may be accepted if they are relevant. We encourage students to take advantage of student-exchange arrangements with foreign universities and colleges.

Approval of Bachelor’s degree courses

Up to 10 ECTS credits of Bachelor’s degree level courses may be approved as part of a Master’s degree, if the Master’s degree supervisor recommends this in order to strengthen the subject profile of the thesis. Normally, such approval concerns courses from the third year of a Bachelor’s degree. However, mandatory courses from Bachelor’s degree programmes which are included in a student’s application to the Master’s degree will not be approved.

The programme is structured as follows:

Obligatory part, 30 ECTS.

Elective part, 30 ECTS.

Master’s thesis, 60 ECTS.

Master’s study programme plan
At an early point in the study programme, each student’s plan of study will be drawn up. The plan will define the composition of the student’s study programme, the topic of his/her Master’s thesis and other possible conditions that concern the individual student. The Master’s plan must be written on a separate form, which is available on the Department's homepage. It should signed by the student, the main supervisor, and possibly other supervisors and the Head of the Department. Please refer to the following web page: http://www.hit.no/main/af/natur_helse_miljoevern/studieinformasjon/skjema_for_masterplan_13_02_2006

Master’s thesis/presentations

Each student will make two presentations of his/her Master’s thesis for the student group and the student’s supervisor. The thesis questions and the plan of progress must be drafted at an early point in the Master’s degree studies, and the results and conclusions will be presented towards the end of the course.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Practical teaching
The programme puts great emphasis on laboratory and field-oriented teaching. Students are also expected to work independently to a large extent, because much of the teaching in based on presentations, problem-solving and problem-based learning.

Teaching in periods

As far as possible the teaching of the individual courses will be based on module-weeks. It provides a more flexible study situation for students in relation to working on assignments and if necessary combining with a student’s job. Study material will be available on the university college’s homepage and may be accessed using a password.

Absence
Legitimate absence (sick leave) of as much as 20% of the obligatory part of a course will be accepted. A student’s absence for more than 20% of the obligatory course will not be approved, and the student will not be eligible for preferential treatment with regard to applying for a place on the field/laboratory course the next time the course is given.

Assessment Methods

Final oral examination
Master's degree courses will be awarded individual grades which will be entered on the diploma. Please refer to the individual course descriptions for assessment criteria. When the Master's thesis has been submitted and evaluated, a final oral examination related to the student’s thesis will be held. The mark for the thesis will be adjusted after the oral examination, and a final grade will be shown on the diploma/transcript. Students who have set up a special syllabus for themselves will submit a written assignment. In this case, a separate grade will be entered on the diploma.

In addition to the Master’s degree thesis the final examinations for the Master’s degree courses will be assessed individually using an external examiner and a supervisor from the Department of Environmental and Health Studies.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean