Introduction

The study programme provides students with practical skills, knowledge, attitudes and experiences related to nature, the environment, culture and outdoor activities. The main emphasis will be on acquiring a solid grasp of basic skills in simple outdoor activities in a variety of natural environments; on gaining practical experience with pedagogical problem-approaches associated with teaching; and acquiring specialised insight into topics related to outdoor activities, society, culture, nature and the environment.

Target Group and Admission Requirements

The target group includes applicants who meet general admission requirements and who are seeking a professional education in subjects related to nature, the environment and outdoor activities. The programme provides students with an interdisciplinary education which will primarily provide the skills necessary for jobs associated with nature, the environment and outdoor activities. The programme may, in combination with other studies, provide a background for work in schools; voluntary organisations; the public sector; the travel industry; health, rehabilitation and social work and other fields.

The students must have completed a Red Cross first-aid course or the equivalent (of at least 15 hours’ duration), before undertaking their initial independent expedition in the programme. This must be prior to course number 1211. Students who can document that they have completed the first-aid course or its equivalent in the last 3 years will receive credit for the course.

Students must meet general admission requirements.

Aim of the Programme

The study programme aims to provide students with an interdisciplinary education in nature, health, environment and outdoor activities. Students will develop an understanding of the relationship between living organisms and environmental conditions, and especially humankind's place in nature. The study programme will provide students with solid practical skills in outdoor activities. It lays the foundation for an active commitment to nature and outdoor activities, with particular focus on outdoor activities as a phenomenon, their history, development and management. Students will acquire extensive skills to prepare them for work related to the mediation of outdoor activities, natural sciences topics and cultural traditions. The programme will provide students with the necessary foundation to study at Master’s degree level in the subject area of outdoor life; pursue a Master’s degree in Physical Education, Sport & Outdoor Life Studies at the Department of Sports and Outdoor Life Studies; or enrol on programmes in the subject area of natural sciences at the Department of Environmental and Health Studies.

Learning outcome

After completing the study programme, the candidate should have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

- Common plant and animal species in the Norwegian natural environment and important biological processes

- Geological processes and how these have shaped the landscape

- The various factors that can affect climate

- The environmental problems caused by anthropogenic emissions into the atmosphere

- Ethics and the philosophy of science

- Outdoor activities and guiding, outdoor life history and development, and the management of Norwegian outdoor recreation

Skills

- Botany and the general theory of species

- Winter outdoors activities

- The second selected outdoor life specialization course concerning different habitats in different seasons

General competence

- Is able to communicate central topics in the discipline, different values ​​and experiences in writing and orally, both to the public and the academic community

- Has achieved an improved ability in evaluating his/her outdoor skills and is able to choose an outdoor tour according to ability for different types of groups.

- The candidate is also able to reflect on attitudes and experiences related to outdoor recreation, society, culture, nature and people

Curriculum and structure

BA Nature & Outdoor Studies Code Course title Credits O/V *) Credits pr. semester   S1(A) S2(V) S3(A) S4(V) S5(A) S6(V) 4014 Biology and the Environment 10.00 O 10           4006 Climate, Energy and the Environment 10.00 O 10           4016N Natural Sciences and Views on Nature 10.00 O 10           4013 Mathematics and Biostatistics 10.00 O   10         4015 Botany and Zoology 10.00 O   10         4009 Geology and Landscape 10.00 O   10         Her må studentene velge mellom Friluftsliv, jakt og fiske og Matematikk for økologar. Dersom man ønsker å bytte over til bachelor i økologi og naturressurser eller forurensing og miljø, vil vi anbefale at studentene velger Matematikk for økologar. Total: 30 30 0 0 0 0 *) O - Mandatory course, V - Optional course

Code Course title Credits O/V *) Credits pr. semester   S1(A) S2(V) S3(A) S4(V) S5(A) S6(V) 1452 Forests, Mountains and Water 10.00 O     10       1450 Nature, Culture and Management 15.00 O     10 5     1451 Outdoor Life Pedagogy 15.00 O     10 5     1453 Winter 1: Forests and Mountains 10.00 O       10     1459 Crafts and the Joy of Being Creative in Nature 10.00 V       10     1456 Kayak: Practical Specialisation 10.00 V       10     1454 Canoe: Practical Specialisation I 10.00 V       10     1455 Climbing: Practical Specialisation I 10.00 V       10     1458 Experiencing Nature and Quality of Life 10.00 V       10     1457 Sailing: Practical Specialisation I 10.00 V       10     Her skal studentene velge én av seks mulige praktiske friluftslivsfordypninger. Det tas forbehold om at alle ikke tilbys hvert år. Det er plassbegrensninger på fordypningene og studentene blir tatt opp med utgangspunkt i karakter i emnet 1451 Skog, fjell og vann. 3. årsstudenter har prioritet. Total: 0 0 30 30 0 0 *) O - Mandatory course, V - Optional course

Code Course title Credits O/V *) Credits pr. semester   S1(A) S2(V) S3(A) S4(V) S5(A) S6(V) 1462 Glaciers: Foundation Course 5.00 O         5   1461 Culture, Society and Management 10.00 O         5 5 1460 Pedagogy, Guidance and Leadership 15.00 O         10 5 1466 Glaciers: Practical Specialisation I 10.00 V         10   1459 Crafts and the Joy of Being Creative in Nature 10.00 V         10 10 1456 Kayak: Practical Specialisation 10.00 V         10 10 1454 Canoe: Practical Specialisation I 10.00 V         10 10 1455 Climbing: Practical Specialisation I 10.00 V         10 10 1458 Experiencing Nature and Quality of Life 10.00 V         10 10 1457 Sailing: Practical Specialisation I 10.00 V         10 10 1464 Winter II: Steep Terrain 10.00 V           10 1465 Winter II: Expedition Style 10.00 V           10 1463 Winter II: Mountains and Moors 10.00 V           10 1470 Mountain Sports: Practical Specialisation II 10.00 V           10 1468 Sea Kayaking: Practical Specialisation II 10.00 V           10 1467 Canoe White Water: Practical Specialisation II 10.00 V           10 1469 Sailing: Practical Specialisation II 10.00 V           10 Studentene velger en ny praktisk fordypningsmodul på nivå I i 5. semester. Her er også Bre kommet til som en valgmulighet. I 6. semester skal studentene ta et vinteremne på nivå II. Normalt vil studenter på Bachelor i Natur, miljø og friluftsliv få tildelt plass på Vinter II, fjell og vidde, men det er i spesielle tilfelle mulig å søke spesielt om opptak på bratt eller ekspedisjonsstil. Opptak vil bli gjort på bakgrunn av ferdigheter og erfaring. Normalt er plasser på disse fordypningene forbeholdt de som går 3. år på Bachelor i friluftsliv, kultur og naturveiledning. I 6. semester velger man en praktisk fordypning til. Her kan man velge en av de man ikke har valgt tidligere eller å ta praktisk fordypning II innenfor noe man har fordypning 1 i fra tidligere. Opptak til hvert emne i første studieår gjøres på grunnlag av karakterer i emnene 1452 Skog, fjell og vann. Tredje års studenter vil ha prioritet i de tilfellene emnene er tilgjenglig som valgemner for dem. Total: 0 0 0 0 30 30 *) O - Mandatory course, V - Optional course

The study programme provides students with practical skills, knowledge, understanding and experience related to nature, the environment, culture and outdoor activities. The main focus of the first year of study is on themes from the subject area of natural sciences, while the second and third years primarily emphasise outdoor life themes, with the possibility of combining with topics from natural sciences and environmental subjects. The main emphasis is placed on acquiring solid basic skills in simple outdoor life activities in a variety of environments; gaining broad experience of educational issues related to teaching; and gaining in-depth insight into themes related to outdoor life, culture, nature and the environment.

Within the course 1263 Outdoor Life Pedagogy with Practical Specialisation, students must choose between coastal or inland waters as their area of practical specialisation.
Within the course 1264 Outdoor Activities with Guide Training II: Mountains/Glaciers with Optional Specialisation, students may choose between coastal waters, inland waters and mountains/glaciers.

Internationalization

An exchange period (30 ects/one semester) abroad may be accepted as part of the degree. For more information, please visit: http://www.hit.no/eng/HiT/Student/Student-Exchanges

Teaching and Learning Methods

Throughout the entire course of study, teaching and learning methods will include outdoor teaching in the form of guided and individual trips, field and laboratory teaching, lectures, practical training, group and seminar work.

Assessment Methods

Students’ knowledge is evaluated through portfolios, oral and written examinations. In order to be awarded a diploma students must complete the obligatory parts of the study programme and have their portfolios and reports approved.

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