Study at University of Bergen 2015/16

STUDY AT UNIVERSITY OF BERGEN

HUMANITIES

LAW

HEALTH SCIENCES

NATURAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY

PSYCHOLOGY

SOCIAL SCIENCES

CONTENTS

About UiB

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Welcome �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������7 Norway �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8 Bergen �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������9 The University of Bergen ���������������������������������������������������������� 12 Research profile ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13 Global outreach �������������������������������������������������������������������������� 15 The University of Bergen: Facts and figures ���������������������� 16 Studying at UiB ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18 Student welfare ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 20 Student life ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 24 Academic system and requirements ������������������������������������ 26 Exchange and cooperation programmes �������������������������� 29 Undergraduate and postgraduate courses ������������������������ 31 Master’s programmes ���������������������������������������������������������������� 31 Contact information ������������������������������������������������������������������ 62

Academic Guide 33 Interdisciplinary courses

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Norwegian Language Courses ���������������������������������������������� 34 Education in a Changing Society ������������������������������������������ 34 Scandinavian Area Studies ������������������������������������������������������ 35

Humanities 36 Digital Culture ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 38 Old Norse ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 38 Music ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 39 Linguistics �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 39

Law 40

Psychology 54

Energy and the Environment �������������������������������������������������� 42 EU and EEA Law ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 42 Social Rights and the Welfare State �������������������������������������� 43

Medical Health Psychology ���������������������������������������������������� 56 Cognitive Psychology ���������������������������������������������������������������� 57

Health Sciences

Social Sciences

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Global Health �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 46 Medicine ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 46 Master in Biomedical Sciences ���������������������������������������������� 47

Natural Sciences and Technology

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Marine Research �������������������������������������������������������������������������� 50 Climate Research ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 51 Functional Genomic Studies �������������������������������������������������� 52 Energy and Technology ������������������������������������������������������������ 52

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Democracy, Equality and Welfare ����������������������������������������� 60 Climate and Environment �������������������������������������������������������� 60 Development Research ������������������������������������������������������������ 61

WELCOME Much like the city of Bergen, the University of Bergen has had an international profile since its foundation.

We take great pride in this, and we hope you will ­consider our university and the city of Bergen as a place to evolve academically, culturally and socially.

both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Over 60 master’s programmes are today open to Englishspeaking students in areas such as natural sciences and technology, health sciences and social sciences and the humanities.

UiB’s priority areas are marine research and global development research. We are also in the process of making climate change a priority area. We offer ­research-based teaching in all academic disciplines.

Bergen is Norway’s second largest city and was founded in the year 1070. The university is located in the heart of the city; providing the students with a broad range of opportunities to take part in Bergen’s rich cultural life. Bergen also offers easy access to the beautiful fjords and mountains of Western Norway.

Today we have students from over 100 different countries, and staff from 75 different countries. 30 percent of our PhD candidates are international. We offer a large number of courses taught in English at

We hope to see you at our university and in our city.

You are most welcome.

DAG RUNE OLSEN, RECTOR

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NORWAY Path to the North

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Official name: The Kingdom of Norway Capital city: Oslo Population: Approximately 5 million

Norway is comprised of the western parts of the S­ candinavian Peninsula and Jan Mayen, and the name “Norway” is thought to mean “Path to the North”. However, despite ­being ­situated in the far north, Norway has a surprisingly mild climate in winter, due to the Gulf Stream.

Norway is a unitary constitutional monarchy and has a democratic parliamentary system of government. Parlia­ mentarism was introduced in 1884. Today the King has ­little real political power, however he still serves an important symbolic function as the Head of State.

Area: The Kingdom of Norway: 385,155 sq. km Religion: Protestant Christianity Currency: Norwegian kroner, NOK

Norway is a welfare state, and an active policy of social ­distribution has been implemented as a means of sharing the ­nation’s wealth. This policy has led to increased ­income equalisation, irrespective of geography, gender, age or ­profession, and it has helped to create a more fi ­ nancially and socially cohesive society with very low crime rates.

Most ­Norwegians have a good command of English and communication is therefore easy even if you do not speak ­Norwegian.

BERGEN Bergen, renowned as “the city between seven mountains” and “the gateway to the fjords”, is the ­ second largest city in Norway with approximately ­ 275,000 inhabitants. Here you find it all: the amenities of urban life, a vibrant cultural scene and breathtaking nature.

Nature and surroundings Located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, the ­history and development of Bergen are closely linked to the sea, both as a resource in itself and as a means of trade and constant interaction with the outside world. ­Bergen is ideally located if you would like to explore the natural surroundings in more challenging ways, for e­ xample glacier climbing, skiing and kayaking. For those less ­inclined to extreme ventures, there are hiking trails to suit everyone within easy reach of the city centre.

The Cultural scene The cultural scene in Bergen is vibrant and dynamic, and greatly influenced by the large number of students and young people residing in the city. The city’s music scene in particular is well known. Here you can find everything from opera and classical string quartets to late night concerts in what is arguably Norway’s best rock venue, Hulen. In addition, Bergen is regarded as the birthplace of black metal music.

Bergen regularly hosts festivals and popular events for people interested in all kinds of music and for those who like film, theatre, art, food and dance.

1. Norway is regarded as the birth place of modern skiing. The

Students in Bergen word “ski” is Norwegian and simply means “piece of wood” Bergen is the administrative and educational centre of or “cleft of wood”.

Western Norway. During thepiece academic year, the city of Bergen is home to about 30,000 students, or about 1.

11 per cent of the city’s population. Around 15,000 of these are students at the University of Bergen (UiB).

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IMPRESSIONS OF BERGEN 1. The student centre is l­ocat­ed at Nygårdshøyden. Here you find many of SiB’s student welfare services as well as the ­international help desk.

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Edvard Grieg is probably Norway’s most famous com­ poser of all time. Both the main concert hall in Bergen and the UiB department of music are named after him.

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Bergen has plenty of green areas and parks, suitable for ­ reading or relaxation. This ­picture was taken at Skansen.

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4. Bergen seen from Stoltzen. The hiking track leading up to this panorama is very steep and ­famous among locals as a good recreational challenge.

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5. Fond of skiing? In Kvamskogen, a short bus ride east of Bergen, you can find several ski resorts and opportunities to engage in both cross country and downhill skiing.

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View towards Mount Fløyen and Mount Ulriken from Lille Lungegårdsvann in the city centre.

7. Koengen, the biggest outdoor concert venue in Bergen can accommodate approximately 23,500 people. World famous artists like the Rolling Stones, Rihanna and Bruce Springsteen have played here in recent years.

8. The architecture in Bergen comprises of many small wooden houses and narrow streets that contribute to the city’s warm ambience and charm.

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THE UNIVERSITY OF BERGEN The University of Bergen is a research university with an international profile that emphasises basic research, research-based teaching and the continuous development of academic disciplines.

The University of Bergen was established in 1946, but its academic and institutional roots date back to the foundation of the University Museum in 1825. The museum remains an important centre for research in the region and is still the main building of the university. As a part of the university’s early history, there is also the work of renowned Norwegian pioneers such as the polar explorer and oceanographer Fridtjof Nansen, the inventor of modern meteorology, Vilhelm Bjerknes, and Gerhard Armauer Hansen, who discovered the leprosy bacterium in 1873.

We believe that solid basic research is the most important component for quality in university education, and a prerequisite for the research community’s ability to p ­ rovide significant responses to current challenges and to

­ ngage in public debate over national and international e issues. The university encourages an environment of free expression and openness, in which everyone can engage in knowledge-based and critical reflection while con­ tributing to the advancement of knowledge.

The University of Bergen has earned a reputation as Norway’s most international university with over 30 years of experience in building relationships and cooperating with universities in many parts of the world.

More than 1,700 international students from all over the world are currently studying at UiB, representing roughly 11 per cent of the total student population.

In addition, the university sends students to more than 50 different countries each year.

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RESEARCH PROFILE The University of Bergen offers study and research opportunities in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, psychology, medicine, dentistry and law. We have a particularly strong tradition within the fields of marine, climate and development research.

Marine research

The University of Bergen is a northern cornerstone of European marine ­science. Situated on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, the university is ­ideally located to conduct studies in various areas of the marine sciences. The u ­ niversity collaborates closely with other specialised, national ­marine ­research institutions located in the Bergen region through the Bergen M ­ arine R ­ esearch Cluster. Prioritised areas of research are marine biology, the impact of climate change undersea, and the exploration and exploit­ation of oil and gas.

Read more at bergenmarine.no/en Development research The term “development research” encompasses a broad spectrum of research on local and global challenges affecting development and people’s lives in low-income countries. More defined thematic research areas within the field include, for example, poverty, governance and human rights, environmental issues and international health studies. Over the past 35 years, UiB has earned a distinguished reputation both in Norway and abroad for solid result-driven collaboration with research partners in developing countries within development research.

Read more at uib.no/research

Climate research The University of Bergen has a long tradition in interdisciplinary research on climate. The Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research (BCCR) at UiB is the largest climate research centre in the Nordic countries. The centre has an ­international­profile with cutting-edge expertise within climatology, ­climate ­modelling and scenarios for future climate changes. BCCR focuses mainly on Northern E­ urope and the Polar regions, and is a key provider of first-rate knowledge on climate change to policy makers, industry, and the general public.

Read more at uib.no/en/bjerknes

National Centres of Excellence

Doctoral education and research schools

The University of Bergen currently has four national research Centres of Excellence.

The University of Bergen offers doctoral programmes in all its faculties. Both interdisciplinary and d ­ isciplinary doctoral-level studies are offered.

1. The Centre for Cancer Biomarkers (CCBIO) concentrates on the identification of new biomarkers (cancer markers) as a tool in personalised patient treatment. They study how cancer cells are affected by the supporting tissue in tumours.

2. The Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health (CISMAC) estimates the effects of interventions intended to improve the health and survival of mothers and children in low and middle income countries.

3. The Centre for Geobiology (CGB) is also a designated centre, focusing on the extreme environments found in the deep seafloor, deep biosphere, and the roots of life.

4. The Birkeland Centre for Space Science (BCSS) brings together an internationally leading group of scientists from the fields of atmospheric, ­ionospheric and magnetospheric research, in order to make progress on scientific gaps in our understanding of how Earth is coupled to space.

The doctoral programmes are conducted in active research environments in the UiB departments or at our partner institutions. The research environment may be organised as a research group, a research school or a combination of the two. In Norway, the standard ­duration of doctoral training is three years, ­comprising one semester of coursework and five semesters of research during which the PhD candidate writes a dissertation.

International recruitment of scientists is a high priority at UiB. Roughly 30 per cent of our PhD students come from abroad, and the percentage is even higher for­ post-doctoral positions. Also worth mentioning, is the fact that more than half of our PhD students are women. The university runs a targeted recruitment programme at postdoctoral level through four-year grants aimed at developing young research leaders for the future.

For more information see uib.no/phd/en

GLOBAL OUTREACH The University of Bergen is heavily involved in international cooperation in research and education with universities, research institutions and academic centres of excellence in all parts of the world. We see ­international cooperation as an important resource for our academic environments at all levels.

International networks and relations The University of Bergen has partnerships with some of the most prestigious universities in the world and is a member of several university networks and international organisations, such as the Coimbra Group, the Utrecht Network and the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), comprising 18 research-intensive institutions spanning 5 continents, a network where UiB Rector Dag Rune Olsen currently holds a position on the steering board. The university is also an active ­member of Nordic University Centres in Shanghai and Delhi, and of the SANORD network, a partnership of higher education institutions from all the Nordic ­countries and southern Africa.

Student mobility is an integral part of both our undergraduate and postgraduate study programmes.

The Bergen Summer Research School The Bergen Summer Research School is an­­oppor­tunity for PhD candidates from around the world to meet across their respective disciplines, to discuss, and exchange ideas. The initiative is a joint venture between the University of Bergen and other institutions of ­research and higher education in the region.

For more information and this year’s theme, see

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An obligation to development UiB has a special commitment to cooperation with developing countries and has established several exchange programmes and joint programmes with universities in low-income areas, with a particular ­focus on the areas of health, poverty and resource ­management. An example is the University of Bergen’s collaboration with Makerere University in Uganda and CISMAC, one of our Centres of Excellence. Many UiB researchers are also involved in the NORHED programme, which aims to build capacity at universities in developing countries.

Student mobility and exchange cooperation Student exchange programmes such as ERASMUS+, NORDPLUS and more than one hundred bilateral agreements with non-European universities resulted in over 800 incoming international exchange students in 2014, over 600 of whom were Erasmus students. The proportion of incoming and outgoing international students makes UiB the most international university in Norway. uib.no

The UiB Magazine is the University of Bergen’s annual research and education magazine.

To read the latest edition, please visit uib.no/news

THE UNIVERSITY OF BERGEN: FACTS AND FIGURES ORGANISATION AND LOCATION

STUDENTS PER FACULTY

The university’s 15,273 s­ tudents and 3,500 staff, across 6 faculties, 39 departments and c­ entres, the University Museum of Bergen and the University Library, t­ ogether form a broad and diverse organisation in which each group supports and complements the other.

The University of Bergen is Norway’s urban university, intricately woven into the geographical, historical and cultural framework of the city. Most of the university premises are concentrated at Nygårdshøyden, in the heart of the city centre.

The exception is the university health campus which­ is situated at Årstadvollen, just outside the city ­centre, and close to Haukeland University Hospital.

Faculty of Social Sciences 3,203

Faculty of Humanities 3,365

Faculty of Psychology 1,738

Total 15,273

Faculty of Law 2,125 Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences 2,925

Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry 1,917

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EDUCATION

STUDENTS BY GENDER

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Norway is considered to be one of the world’s most gender equal countries. This is also reflected in h ­ igher education. In 2014 more than 60 per cent of our ­student population were women.

64 bachelor’s degree programmes 93 master’s and professional study programmes More than 1,900 courses Approx. 250 doctorates are conferred every year 29 research schools at PhD level

Students:

Bachelor’s Degree 5,784

Master’s Degree 4,939

Professional Degree 1,448

International Students 1,724

60%

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INTERNATIONAL RANKING

RENOWNED SCHOLARS

The University of Bergen has climbed up international ranking lists during the last couple of years. According to the QS World University Ranking, the University of Bergen is currently the 56th most quoted university in the world when it comes to citations per faculty, and is also ranked as the 155th best university in the world.

56 place th

68th place

2014

Gerhard Armauer Hansen Pysician who discovered the b ­ acterium­ that causes leprosy in 1873 and put ­Bergen on the world science map.

Vilhelm Bjerknes Physicist and meteorologist who is ­considered the founder of modern weather forecasting.

Knut Fægri One of the world’s leading botanists in the twentieth century, he received the Millennium Botany Award in 1999.

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TOP 10 NATIONALITIES 1.

Germany (157)

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Sweden (72)

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France (71)

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Spain (71)

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Poland (49)

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Denmark (45)

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Italy (44)

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Russia (41)

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USA (40)

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China (36)

Stein Rokkan Leading researcher, organiser and ­administrator in national and inter­ national organisations in the political and social sciences.

Ida Blom Pioneer in women’s and gender studies and founder of Europe’s first centre for gender studies in the humanities in 1985.

Fredrik Barth Founder of the Department of Social Anthropology at UiB and known for his study of microeconomics and entrepreneurship.

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STUDYING AT UiB The University of Bergen is proud of its inclusive and supportive learning environment, where opinions can be freely shared, and where students can engage in unbiased and open debate.

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The Introductory Programme

The Mentor Week

The aim of the Introductory Programme is to give all new international students an introduction to various aspects of student life in Bergen and Norway. During the first week you will be guided through all the formalities and practical aspects pertaining to your studies in Norway.

You will receive a personal “welcome information” envelope and a detailed “Semester Startup” brochure. The Introductory Programme is also an excellent opportunity to meet other newly arrived international students.

The Mentor Week is held during the autumn semester.

It is arranged by students in each faculty and aims to include all new students in the social life and cultural environment of the university. You will meet both Norwegian students and foreign students during a fun-filled week of get-togethers and activities. There is no official mentor week during the spring semester, but UiB’s international student organisations arrange several different social activities for new students at the beginning of the semester.

Tandem Language Learning

Learning environment

UiB’s Tandem language learning programme simply reflects language exchange through communication and interaction between two students speaking different languages. The programme is open to both Norwegian and international students. The Tandem partners decide themselves how often they meet and how they wish to practise their languages. After the registration deadlines, UiB reviews the registration forms and matches Tandem partners according to their preferred languages.

We place great emphasis on the principle of academic autonomy, critical reflection, creativity and p ­ ersonal­ development for the individual student. Teaching is ­research-based, which means that you will meet professors who are active researchers, some of whom at the forefront of international research in their respective fields. Since egalitarian values are a cornerstone of Norwegian culture, the relationship between lecturers and students is informal and defined by mutual respect, not by distance. It is not uncommon for students to address professors by their first names, and students are generally encouraged to raise critical questions during lectures.

1. A warm welcome During the Introductory Week, your mentor will provide you with all the information you need to find your feet in Bergen.

2. bioCEED In 2013, bioCEED, the institute of biology at UiB, was recognized as a national Centre of Excellence in Education, the third centre of its kind in Norway.

3. Research-based teaching Our lecturers are not only teachers, but also active researchers, and in tune with recent developments within their fields.

The University Library (UB)

Computer and internet access

The University Library (UB) has a large collection of printed ­materials and extensive digital services. The printed collections include over 1.8 million volumes of books and periodicals, as well as newspapers, photographs, maps and other documents. A large number of information databases and more than 20,000 full-text online journals are also available.

The library also runs Bergen Open Research Archive (BORA), the digital repository for registration and dissemination of scientific and research-related material from the University of Bergen. There are branch libraries at all faculties.

We provide public computers on campus so that you will always have access to the Internet, the university’s network and a range of software and public printers. We strive to use technology to make information resources such as academic journals and e-literature as easily accessible to our students as possible. The most important channels of information between you and the university are your UiB e-mail account, your personal pages “My Space”, and the web. More information will be provided at the Introductory Programme and in the “Semester Startup” brochure.

STUDENT WELFARE

We know that being a student involves infinitely more than merely reading and pursuing academic achievements. We care about your well-being, and we cooperate with student organizations – in particular with the Student Welfare Organisation in Bergen (SiB) – to make sure that you have access to the help and support you need as an international student at the University of Bergen. As a member of SiB, you have access to a broad range of free or subsidized welfare services, such as health care, counselling, child care, student housing and various sports activities.

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You automatically become a member of SiB when you pay the semester registration fee (NOK 550) at the beginning of the semester. Erasmus+, Nordplus and bilateral exchange students are a­ utomatically members through their exchange agreement and do not have to pay the fee.

For more information, please visit the Bergen Student Welfare Organisation homepage: sib.no/en

HEALTH CARE If you need a doctor while you are in Bergen, SiB has an agreement with two healthcare centres; 7 Fjell Medical Center and Legene på Høyden. 7 Fjell Medical Center is located just outside the city centre at Danmarksplass, and Legene på Høyden is located in the city centre. They are all general practitioners and also offer emergency treatment to students who do not have a regular doctor in Bergen. SiB also organizes a dentist service, a health care centre and mental health service. Read more about this at sib.no/health It is important that EEA/EU students bring a European Health Insurance Card that is valid for their entire period of study in Norway. If this document is not available, you must present alternative documentation proving that you have adequate medical insurance in your home country. International students from non-EEA/EU countries who register at the University of Bergen and plan to study for a period of between three and twelve months may apply for health insurance at their local Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) office.

STAY IN SHAPE SiB operates several sports centres in Bergen. For a very low fee, you have access to a swimming pool, modern training equipment, climbing walls, bouldering rooms, ­spinning, various aerobic and dance lessons and changing rooms with saunas and solariums – and all in good condition. The student sports club, Bergen Studentidrettslag (BSI), also has a lot to offer students who like to stay active. Scuba diving, dance, football, badminton, ­handball, sailing, basketball and fencing are only a few of the activities BSI ­offers.

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FOOD, BEVER AGES AND LITER ATURE There are several cafeterias on campus offering hot and cold meals. Some of them serve dinner. The SiB cafés offer student-friendly prices and a varied selection of menus, including hot meals, vegetarian and healthy food on campus. The necessary books and study materials can be purchased at Akademika, the academic bookstore, also located in the student centre.

COUNSELLING As a student you may encounter different challenges in your everyday life. To be able to focus on your studies, you may need someone to talk to. SiB offers individual ­counselling regarding any matter you would like to discuss. All counsellors have a duty of c­ onfidentiality, and the service is free of charge.

COST OF LIVING 22

Foreigners may find Norway expensive, especially when it comes to food prices. H ­ owever, it is possible to make do on a relatively modest student budget. The rent for the student hostels is inexpensive compared with many private alternatives, and students under 30 years of age are entitled to reduced fares on public transport. Most ­museums are free of charge and most social events on campus are either free of charge or ­offered at ­ student-friendly prices. The average university student’s budget for 2014/2015 is ­estimated to be NOK 9,440 per month. This amount should be enough to cover all monthly expenses, including housing, food, clothing, study materials/books, transportation and social activities.

There are no tuition fees at the University of Bergen, except for the semester fee of NOK 550. Please note that the University of Bergen provides no direct student funding and cannot assist students financially.

STUDENT RIGHTS Student democracy at the University of Bergen is organized at all levels of the organization, from members of the Student Parliament to student representatives at institute level. Norwegian law ensures that students have 20% of the members on boards and committees. The International Student Union (ISU) also has a local branch in Bergen.

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Please visit sib.no/en/housing to see application deadlines for housing

Most international students, representing some 80 nationalities, live at Fantoft. Fantoft is located right outside the city centre and the newly built Bergen Light Rail has a designated stop for this student housing complex, making transportation both convenient and affordable.

ACCOMMODATION A safe and decent place to live is important if you are to enjoy life as a student. All registered students can apply for student housing, which is owned and operated by SiB Bolig. SiB guarantees accommodation for international students provided you apply for a room within the application period using the reservation code issued by UiB, and you intend to occupy student housing for a minimum of one semester.

SiB has more than 4,300 accommodation units. The units are mainly single or double rooms with a shared bathroom and kitchen. The housing is comfortable and conveniently near the campus. It is usually less expensive to rent a unit from SiB than on the private market. The monthly rent for a room varies from NOK 2,000–4,700.

You can find more information about student accommodation in Bergen and application procedures by visiting sib.no/en/housing

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STUDENT LIFE The university boasts a truly vibrant student life with more than 160 student organizations, societies, clubs and associations covering all fields of interest, from politics to underwater rugby.

There are approximately 30 000 students in Bergen.

They are a familiar feature of the urban landscape, and contribute greatly to the cultural life of the city.

We strongly encourage our students to be actively involved in student culture. Regardless of whether you are interested in the arts, sports, volunteering for student media or student politics, our experience is that ­students who also set aside time for leisure ­activities are happier, less stressed and often do better in their exams than those who merely study constantly.

Student venues Det Akademiske Kvarter, or “Kvarteret”, is the epicentre of student culture in Bergen, hosting over 2,200 events every year. Kvarteret functions as a meeting space, ­cinema, concert venue, debate scene, theatre, bar, ­gallery and much more. Everything is organized and run by students for students. At any given time about 400 students work as volunteers at Kvarteret.

Another important arena for student life in Bergen is the concert venue Hulen. Hulen translates as “the Cave” and is located in an old bunker close to the ­Student Centre. Hulen is one of the oldest concert scenes in Bergen and portrays itself as a “cultural s­helter” for students,­hosting concerts several nights a week.

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International student organizations Some of the student organizations in Bergen are specifically aimed at international students or run by 足international students themselves. The following are a few examples: The International Student Union (ISU) has as its main objective to help foreign students acclimatise to a new environment. ISU also works to foster better understanding between Norwegian and foreign 足students and arranges various cultural and social events throughout the year.

Erasmus Student Network (ESN): The Erasmus Student Network in Bergen arranges parties, trips and activities for exchange students in Bergen.

Buddy Bergen is a six week programme that seeks to 足better integrate international students in Norwegian student society. As a participant in the programme you will be paired with a Norwegian student who can 足answer your questions about everyday life and help you get acquainted with Bergen.

Study Bergen is not a student organization in the strict sense, but a joint initiative from the institutions of higher education in Bergen. Study Bergen hosts a number of subsidised events for students in Bergen every semester, including skiing trips, a student fjord cruise, classical concerts and excursions to museums and other worthwhile destinations in the Bergen area.

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ACADEMIC SYSTEM AND REQUIREMENTS For more general information about studying in Norway and the Norwegian system of higher education, please visit studyinnorway.no

One-year programme 1 year/60 ECTS

B

M

PhD (doctoral programmes)

3 years/180 ECTS

Proffessionally oriented degrees 6 years/360 ECTS

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The degree system

Working methods and assessment

Norway follows the guidelines from the Bologna Process in European higher education and the system based on bachelor’s (3 years), master’s (2 years) and PhD degrees ­ (3 years), as well as the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). Adapting to the European standard has made it easier for students attending Norwegian institutions to obtain recognized equivalency for their qualifications achieved in other countries.

The University of Bergen offers a variety of courses, ­involving­ different working methods and means of assessment. Some courses have compulsory assignments and attendance­while others have a more flexible structure. In any case, a­ ttending lectures is an excellent way of becoming familiar with the course material. Some courses also offer lab work, field trips, seminars and discussions which put knowledge and understanding into practice. Detailed course information, schedules and curriculums will be published at uib.no/education

Academic calendar The academic year is divided into two semesters, and one semester’s full workload amounts to 30 ECTS credits.

Autumn semester: Mid August–late December Spring semester: Early January–late June

Students admitted to a study programme will receive ­regular guidance and monitoring as well as an Individual ­Education Plan to which both parties must agree, detailing the student‘s and the institution’s mutual commitments.

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Rights and obligations

Language requirements

The legal rules and regulations and the University of Bergen’s service statement are available on UiB’s website.

We offer a wide variety of courses in English as well as ­language and literature courses in Spanish, German, French and Italian. The courses offered in English are for the most part aimed at our international students.

Course numbering Each of our courses is assigned a three-digit number:

• 100-courses are introduction courses and may only be included at undergraduate level.

• 200-courses involve some specialisation, and in some cases may be included at both undergraduate level and post­graduate level.

• 300-courses involve a higher level of specialisation.

Grading scale Grades are typically awarded according to a graded scale from A (highest) to F (lowest), with E as the minimum pass grade.

Some examinations are assigned simply a pass/fail mark.

Please note however, that the main teaching language at the University of Bergen (UiB) is Norwegian, and that good command of Norwegian or another Scandinavian language therefore is a prerequisite for most of our undergraduate study programmes.

Residence permit All international students from outside the EU/EEA need a residence permit during their stay in Norway. The process of being granted a residence permit/visa for study purposes may take 8-12 weeks if all necessary documents are enclosed in the application.

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GRADING SCALE Symbol

Description

General, qualitative description of evaluation criteria

A

Excellent

The candidate demonstrates excellent judgement and a high degree of independent thinking

B

Very good

The candidate demonstrates sound judgement and a very good degree of independent thinking

C

Good

The candidate demonstrates a reasonable degree of judgement and independent thinking in the most important areas

D

Satisfactory

The candidate demonstrates a limited degree of judgement and independent thinking

E

Sufficient

The candidate demonstrates a very limited degree of judgement and independent thinking

F

Fail

The candidate demonstrates an absence of both judgement and independent thinking

EXCHANGE AND COOPER ATION PROGR AMMES The University of Bergen participates in a broad range of bilateral exchange agreements and international ­cooperation programmes, and continuously works towards strengthening our agreement portfolio to make it as easy and safe as possible for our students to study abroad and for students from other countries to come to Bergen.

The Erasmus+ Programme

The Erasmus+ programme offers student exchange opportunities within the European Union and the EEA. European students have left their mark on university life and the city of Bergen since the 1990s.

The University of Bergen also participates in several joint Erasmus Mundus master’s programmes.

Bilateral exchange agreements

The University of Bergen has bilateral exchange agreements with more than 400 universities worldwide, covering both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Depending on the specifics of the agreement, bilateral exchange students may spend one or two semesters at the University of Bergen as part of their degree.

Nordplus/Nordlys

Nordplus is a mobility programme for students at institutions of higher education in the Baltic and Nordic regions. Students from Nordic institutions that do not have a Nordplus agreement with a counterpart at the University of Bergen may apply through the Nordlys exchange network.

EEA and Norwegian Grants Programme

The EEA Financial Mechanisms Programme offers study-abroad scholarships for students from selected countries in Eastern and Southern Europe. Students who have been granted a scholarship through the EEA Grants/Norway Grants programme and whose home institution has entered into an exchange agreement

with UiB may apply for an exchange stay at UiB. The scholarships are administered by local authorities in each eligible country, and application processes differ. To find out if you can apply for an EEA scholarship, please contact the international office at your home institution.

The NORHED Programme and CERN-network

The University of Bergen has formal collaboration agreements with institutions in many countries through the CERN-network and the NORHED programme. For an updated list of collaborating universities, please visit uib.no/education The Fulbright Programme

The Fulbright Foundation for Educational Exchange offers study grants for graduate students from the USA who wishes to study in Norway. Projects can be either full-time study or a combination of independent research and advanced courses or seminars.

Science without Borders (SwB)

The Science without Borders (SwB) programme offers study abroad scholarships for one or two semesters for students from Brazil. The scholarship is funded by the Brazilian government and primarily covers fields within science, technology, mathematics and engineering.

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Visit uib.no/education for an overview of application deadlines.

Please note that students from countries outside the EU/EEA area should apply well before the deadline in order to allow sufficient time for visa processing.

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UNDERGR ADUATE AND POSTGR ADUATE COURSES As an exchange student at the University of Bergen, you may choose from around 400 different courses taught in English. We also offer Norwegian language courses and courses within the field of Scandinavian Area Studies.

International exchange students In this context, “exchange students” are individuals who ­reside permanently outside Norway and who are admitted to the University of Bergen through an exchange a­ greement, network or programme. Exchange students are granted limited admission for a maximum period of one academic year.

Language requirements Even though we offer individual courses taught in English both at bachelor’s and master’s degree levels, we currently

do not offer any bachelor’s programmes taught in English.

Please note that all full bachelor’s programmes at UiB require a very good command of the Norwegian language, and that documentation of proficiency in Norwegian (or Danish/ Swedish) and English is required for direct admission.

Nordic citizens Nordic students who speak a Scandinavian language may a­ pply for courses from the university’s entire course catalogue. Students from the Nordic countries may be ­ ­admitted to the University of Bergen as exchange students (Nordplus or Erasmus+), or they may apply for admission to regular undergraduate studies through the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service, “Samordna opptak“: www.samordnaopptak.no/info/english

MASTER’S PROGR AMMES The University of Bergen offers more than 30 master’s programmes taught in English and also participates in several international joint degrees.

Please note that some master’s degree programmes may have additional admission requirements. Please refer to the website of each programme for more information.

Joint degrees/joint study programmes In addition to regular master’s programmes taught in English, the University of Bergen participates in several ­ joint degrees/joint study programmes where students can follow an organized study plan that involves studying at ­several different international institutions. UiB participates in ­programmes in the fields of chemistry, system dynamics, geoscience and music.

European citizens Applicants from the EU/EEA and Switzerland may apply for regular admission, together with Nordic applicants and applicants with a valid residence permit in Norway.

These programmes are run by a consortium of institutions, and admissions are through the consortium directly. Admission requirements and deadlines vary. An overview can be found at uib.no/education Admission requirements Normally, applicants from countries outside Europe must have a first degree/bachelor’s degree of four years’ duration or the equivalent. The degree must i­nclude courses equi­ valent to 1–1½ years of full-time study in a subject relevant to the programme applied for. Please note that the number of study places is limited at master’s level, and the competion for admission can be strong.

Language requirements Proficiency in the English language is required for admission to the programmes offered to international students. We ­refer to our website for information about different ways of meeting the language requirements. To see the required minimum scores for the most frequently used language tests, please go to: uib.no/en/education.

Documentation of finances If you are covering your own living expenses, please be aware that you need to document access to adequate funding in order to obtain a student residence permit in Norway.

It is critical that you provide proof of your financial means when you submit your application.

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ACADEMIC GUIDE The University of Bergen offers more than 400 courses in English within a broad range of s足 ubjects, from Biomedicine to Electronic Literature and Oceanography. On the following pages you will find an introduction to the main academic fields at the University of Bergen and selected areas of study.

For a full list and description of the courses available, please visit uib.no/en/education

NORWEGIAN LANGUAGE COURSES We offer Norwegian language courses for international students at various levels.

Levels 1, 2 and 3 of the Norwegian Language courses are equivalent to half a semester’s workload (15 ECTS).

Alternatively, you can take an accelerated progress course, which combines either level 1+2 or 2+3 (total of 30 ECTS per semester), or a shorter Introductory Course in Norwegian of 10 ECTS. For students with advanced Norwegian language skills we can offer a level 4 course (10 ECTS) as well as a specialized course in Norsk Nynorsk (5 ECTS).

Application deadlines are 15 May and 15 October.

Please note that there are a limited number of admissions to all Norwegian courses. Students who apply after the deadline cannot expect to be admitted.

More information: norskkurs@uib.no uib.no/education

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EDUCATION IN A CHANGING SOCIETY What are the challenges facing education in our contemporary society? How can we understand the relationship between global and national/Norwegian educational ­policies?

Education in a changing society focuses on the function and role of educational institutions in a contemporary context.

The course provides different perspectives, both historical and sociological, on the relationship between educational institutions and society. An important theme is how societal changes influence both educational policy and educational practice, locally as well as in national and global settings.

A central aim is to enable students to develop an understanding of education as a means of exercising citizenship and democracy.

More information: advice@psyfa.uib.no

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SCANDINAVIAN AREA STUDIES The Scandinavian area covers Norway, Sweden and ­Denmark. Worldwide Scandinavia is known for the Vikings, their welfare model, the Nobel Peace Prize, Henrik Ibsen, IKEA, Pippi Longstocking, monarchy, Ingmar Bergman, Edward Munch and skiing, to mention but a few things.

Are you curious and want to learn more?

The University of Bergen offers a wide range of courses on topics relating to Scandinavia. The courses cover topics such as Scandinavian and Norwegian society, politics, geo­graphy, history, media, language, literature and culture. ­ Several of these courses are organised especially for exchange ­students, although Norwegian students are also allowed to enrol. The courses are taught in English.

The following is a list of Scandinavian Area Studies courses we offer:

Courses offered in autumn

Courses offered in spring

Geography: Environment and Society

Introduction to Media Studies and the Norwegian Media System

Norwegian Culture and History Norwegian Art, Theatre and Cultural Studies Sámi Religion Scandinavian Literature: 19th century Scandinavian Politics and Government

Norwegian Language Political Economy and the Welfare State Scandinavian Literature: 20th Century Scandinavian Politics and Government You can find more information about the courses at uib.no/education

HUMANITIES Changes may occur.

See uib.no/education for an updated overview of all courses and master’s programmes.

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Need advice? advice@hf.uib.no

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Everyday life at the university gave me practical knowledge I couldn’t have gained anywhere else. For example, I have learnt to use Norwegian language naturally in a conversation.

“

Agnieszka, Poland

The Faculty of Humanities comprises a number of disciplines. Many of these, such as history studies, have long traditions within academia, while others reflect the contemporary world, for instance, natural language processing. This diversity gives our students the opportunity to take many varying approaches to their particular field of interest.

We offer various courses and master’s degree programmes in English (or other relevant languages) in the following main fields: Undergraduate and postgraduate courses: Digital Culture Studies History Studies Language and Literature Studies Norwegian Language Studies Philosophy Studies Scandinavian Area Studies Old Norse Studies One-year programme in: International Diploma in Performance or Composition Joint master’s programme in: The Religious Roots of Europe

Master’s programmes: Digital Culture English French German Linguistics Music Performance or Composition Natural Language Processing Nordic Languages and Literature Old Norse Studies Philosophy Spanish Language and Latin-America Studies

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DIGITAL CULTURE What new aesthetic genres are emerging online? How should we think about privacy and surveillance in a ­digital age? How can we use digital methods in humanities ­research? What happens when literature, art and games become digital? How does big data influence the ways in which we think about humans? Why are selfies both ­immensely popular and widely reviled?

Digital Culture is the study of the relationship between techno­logy and our culture. All our courses are taught in English, and we welcome exchange students. Depending on which courses you choose you can learn how aesthetic genres such as literature, art and games develop in relation to today’s technologies, learn web design or explore how broader changes in society and culture are connected to technology.

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Within the study of digital genres we have a particular emphasis on electronic literature, but the study of digital art and computer games is also part of our domain. Many of our courses are practice-based. You will have the opportunity to create websites, digital art or electronic literature, and to work with digital research methods.

OLD NORSE Would you like to learn more about Old Norse? Work with international specialists across a range of fields in Old Norse linguistics, literature and culture? Develop your analytical and translation skills? Widen your perspective of medieval and early modern culture?

ALTAR FRONTAL FROM NEDSTRYN CHURCH (CA. 1300)

Old Norse offers a broad field of studies, from runic inscriptions and early medieval eddic and skaldic poetry, to the high medieval Icelandic sagas and learned and religious ­literature. In our rigorous classes, you can specialise in, for example, mythological and heroic poetry, the medieval reception of the Viking Age, the mapping of the medieval world, or electronic editing and textual scholarship. By critically engaging with a variety of texts, you will hone the skills needed to work with Old Icelandic and Norwegian language, manuscripts and literature at an advanced level. Old Norse is a highly international field, mirrored by our international staff and scope, and our numerous international students.

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MUSIC Would you like to learn more about musical traditions in world cultures? Perhaps you have a particular interest in historical interpretation of, for instance, baroque ­ensemble repertoire? Do you want to specialize in a ­certain ­composer or repertoire through a master’s degree?

As a music student at the Grieg Academy you will ­develop your skills through close, personal guidance, daily practice, and cooperation with other students. The instruction given allows you to develop an individual profile. By studying at our institution you will therefore lay the foundation for your career as a musician. The Grieg Academy employs prominent musicians and educators who represent various artistic profiles. In addition, the curriculum is linked to international music circles through master classes and seminars.

The Grieg Academy offers performance studies in c­lassical music, jazz or composition. Relevant fields of study include baroque ensemble, ­music in world cultures and accompaniment.

LINGUISTICS What do all languages have in common, and how can we explain the differences? How can we detect new words and expressions from the web? Can we use language to communicate with computers?

These are only a few of the relevant questions for scholars in linguistics and language studies, for which the University of Bergen offers multiple perspectives. General Linguistics aims toward achieving a better understanding of human languages, their structure and use in communication. Computational linguistics and language technology aim toward precise models of language constructed with the use of computers. Other linguistic fields are within Scandinavian studies, foreign ­l­anguages and cultures, and Norwegian as a second language. Linguistics at UiB also have a project within reading and writing called CATO, where the focus is on the writing process for people with dyslexia and second language writers. The project is in cooperation with the reading centre at the University of Stavanger.

Dimitry Ricard, France

Home University: Université de Strasbourg Subjects: Scandinavian studies, Norwegian language Duration of stay: One year Why did you choose to study at the University of Bergen?

I wanted to do an Erasmus year in Norway and there were not many choices for my department. I had heard about Bergen’s Germany-bound history, which reminded me of my region, and I was glad to be accepted here - and to be near the ocean is just wonderful!

How is your impression of Bergen compared to what you expected?

I didn’t have any particular expectations, except for the size of the city maybe. It is not too big, which is a feature I like. Also, it is nice being able to flee the urban landscapes for the mountains or some nearby little islands.

The ­Bergeners are also quite nice people to be around!

Except if you get in their way while they are running up and down the mountains.

What are the main differences between your home country and Norway with regard to being a student?

It seems to me that students are more involved here than in France, either in or out of the courses. Students here have fewer hours of lectures and must therefore work more often on their own. Also, most of the students I’ve met volunteer somewhere — and so do I now. It’s an awesome way to get to know people, to improve your communication skills, and to get to discover things you might like, out of your usual field of studies.

LAW Changes may occur during the year.

See uib.no/education for an updated overview of all courses.

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Need advice? advice.jurfa@uib.no

�

At the University of Bergen, I had lectures with students from many different countries. This allowed us to realize the crucial role that culture and the history of nations play in the creation of the Law.

“

Maria Segovia del Moral, Spain

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The city of Bergen has traditions in internationalisation and law dating back to the Middle Ages. Bergen was a busy international port in medieval times and it was here that the Norwegian National Code of 1274 was compiled. Firmly rooted in its history and traditions, the Faculty of Law is nonetheless forward-looking and dynamic.

We offer various courses in English in the following fields: Human Rights Energy Law Commercial Law Company Law Legal Philosophy

Constitutional Law Criminal Law Private Law Copyright Law Arbitration

EU/EEA Law Law and Economics Comparative Law Civil Procedure

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT Who owns energy resources? How should energy production and distribution be organized in order to secure ­effective and sustainable energy supply and increase the use of renewable energy resources?

Norway is a small country rich in natural resources. ­Hydro-­­­power from the waterfalls and the petroleum re­­sour­ ces on the continental shelf have given Norway a unique position in global and European energy supply, and the country has a key-role to play in the development from fossil based energy to renewable and climate neutral energy production.

The courses in Energy Law will give students a fundamental understanding of the terms, problems, basic principles and legal concepts used in petroleum and energy law.

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The course on Comparative Energy Law focuses on international models for energy production and energy markets and on renewable energy resources. The Energy Law course is more focused on petroleum law. Students will learn about the regulatory frameworks for energy production and distribution as well as the international rules concerning jurisdiction and ownership of energy resources and EU regulation of the energy sector.

EU AND EEA LAW

The Faculty of Law offers its students a comprehensive EU and EEA law package, consisting of four courses specializing in commercial, competition, state aid and public procurement law. These courses aim to provide students with both practical and theoretical insights into the very core of substantive EU and EEA law. Uniquely, the courses cover both the EU and EEA perspectives. With the Norwegian economy being amongst the top ten in Europe, the EEA Agreement – which provides the legal basis for integrating three of the EFTA-states (including Norway) into the EU’s internal market – is not only of significant importance to Norway, but also increasingly for the EU and its Member States.

Each of the courses may be taken separately or combined.

Some of the courses will run concurrently, thereby allowing students to increase their knowledge through analyses of various cross-policy aspects – particularly concerning the relationship between the Four Freedoms, state aid and competition rules.

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SOCIAL RIGHTS AND THE WELFARE STATE

Aleksei Kolbeshev, Russia

Home University: Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad.

Subjects: Energy Law, Introduction to Copyright Law, International Business Contracts and Arbitration Theory and Practice.

Duration of stay: 1 semester Are social rights real human rights?

The Nordic countries are recognized as well-developed ­social democratic welfare states protecting not only civil and political rights but also economic, social and cultural rights, in accordance with the view that all human rights are universal, interrelated and interdependent. The state is responsible for establishing necessary public services such as education, healthcare and social security.

Several of the senior researchers at the Faculty work in the field of human rights and various aspects of the highly complex welfare state law. The Faculty offers two courses in E­ nglish which provide insight into essential social rights and welfare state dilemmas: Human Rights Law focuses on a broad range of social rights with particular focus on vulner­ able groups (e.g. indigenous peoples, illegal i­mmigrants) and in the context of poverty, conflict and economic globali­­ sation. This course has an international outlook which goes b ­ eyond the European and Nordic contexts. Health and ­Human Rights in the Welfare State provides a more indepth understanding of health and human rights. Especially vulner­able groups (e.g. psychiatric patients, older or disabled persons, children) are in danger of violations of their right to proper care and/or individual autonomy in the context of welfare state regulations.

How have you been received in Bergen?

The welcome in Bergen was definitely organized on a high level. Before coming here I received all the instructions – how to get to the city, what I should know before, where I could get the keys for my room. So it was almost impossible to get lost or feel lonely.

How is your impression of Bergen compared to what you expected?

I have actually been in Bergen before, so I already knew what to expect. But when I came here this time, I was totally amazed again. This place is incredibly ­beautiful – and I am already in love with the nature and everything that surrounds me.

What is the most important academic outcome you have gained from your time in Bergen?

The University of Bergen offers courses that I do not have at my home faculty. I think the knowledge I get here will help me in my future law career. Also, I like foreign languages and I started to learn Norwegian here. That is very interesting! And last but not least, I can improve my English because I use it daily.

What are your future plans?

I want to get a Master’s degree specializing in Energy Law.

HEALTH SCIENCES Changes may occur during the year.

See uib.no/education for an updated overview of all courses and master’s programmes.

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Need advice? advice@mofa.uib.no

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Studying in Bergen is the combination of being supervised by doctors who are exceptionally dedicated to teaching, and never being too far away from breathtakingly beautiful nature.

“

Aqsa Adil, Germany

The scientific research in the field of health sciences is striving towards finding new and better treatments that will improve quality of life for individuals as well as large groups of people. We also have a strong emphasis on preventive and public health, and we aim to benefit the health situation in low- and middle income countries through our research, education and leadership development.

We offer various courses and Master’s degree programmes in English in the following main fields: Undergraduate and postgraduate courses: International Health Biomedicine Laboratory Animal Science Medicine Child Welfare Health Sciences Nutrition

Master’s programmes: Biomedical Sciences International Health Oral Sciences

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GLOBAL HEALTH For decades, global health has been a strong, strategic interdisciplinary field at the University of Bergen.

At UiB we focus on local health problems in a global context as well as on high quality intervention research. Interdisciplin­ ary research groups have been established with researchers from different fields, including, for ­example, epidemiology, health systems research, clinical and biomedicine, psycho­ logy, anthropology and economics as well as research groups linked to the areas of oral health and occupational health. Research projects are carried out in cooperation with local partner institutions, for the most part in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

The main research clusters are: • Mother and child health and nutrition.

• HIV and tuberculosis.

• Research priority setting, health economics and culture.

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Students from all over the world are ­recruited to master’s, MPhil and PhD programmes in International Health. They are prepared to return to their home countries with a­ dvanced ­research skills and the ability to contribute towards ­improved health in their country of origin.

MEDICINE The University of Bergen offers courses in gynaecology/ obstetrics and paediatrics taught in English.

• Courses are taught in both autumn and spring.

• Medical students from cooperating institutions may apply.

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MASTER IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES Anselme Siméon Sanou, Burkina Faso

Home University: Centre MURAZ Subjects: International health, epidemiology Duration of stay: 4 years, combined master’s and PhD programme Why did you choose to study at the University of Bergen?

Are you interested in how the human body works? How human cells develop and communicate? Do you want to understand more about the processes that cause disease?

If so, the master’s programme in Biomedical Sciences will ­interest you. Biomedical research is the cornerstone of medical progress and a master’s degree in biomedical sciences will enable you to take part in basic and medical research and thereby allow you to contribute to such things as the ­development of new diagnostic modalities or new therapies.

Students in the master’s programme in Biomedical ­Sciences are integrated into active research groups and carry out original research projects under supervision. The student group is international and we provide unique possibilities for exchange to a Nordic partner university through the network NordBioMed (www.nordbiomed.net).

I chose to study at the University of Bergen because it offers international experiences and all my courses are taught in English. Another reason is that there is collaboration between the Centre for I­­nternational Health, University of Bergen and Centre Muraz to train young researchers for capacity building in health research in Burkina Faso.

How have you been received in Bergen?

I was surprised to find wonderful class mates coming from different part of the world (Europe, Asia, Africa, USA and Australia). They are so nice and ready to help. I feel like our class is a family with brothers and sisters.

What is the most important academic outcome you have gained from your time in Bergen?

My skills in epidemiology and medical statistics have been strengthened. Combining the theory and the practice during the courses is useful. I benefited a lot from my teachers, who are experienced.

What are your future plans?

My plans are to finish and then go back to Burkina Faso. There is a real need for experts back home and I would like to contribute to the development of the health and research sector.

NATURAL SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY Changes may occur during the year.

See uib.no/education for an updated overview of all courses and master’s programmes.

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Need advice? advice.mnfa@uib.no

The best things about my time studying at UiB are the relationships that I have built. I have met new friends, both from Norway and from all over the world.

“

”

Davide Illiano, Italy

The city’s local natural surroundings and geographical location in western Norway provide the basis for much of the research in natural sciences and technological disciplines at the University of Bergen. Our marine research rivals the best in the world, however there are still many scientific problems that remain to be solved. We are well on our way to discovering the secrets of this mysterious world and the many species found in the sea, on the seabed and beneath it.

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We offer various courses and master’s degree programmes in English in the following main fields: Undergraduate and postgraduate courses: Biology and Marine Biology Chemistry Earth Science Informatics Mathematics and Statistics Meteorology and Oceanography Molecular Biology Physics Petroleum and Process Technology Master’s programmes within: Applied and Computational Mathematics Biology, including Marine and Fisheries Biology Chemistry

Earth Science Informatics Mathematics Meteorology and Oceanography Molecular Biology Physics Programme Development International Joint Master’s Degree within: Chemistry Geoscience

MARINE RESEARCH How do exploitation and other external factors influence the living resources in the sea? How can aquaculture studies help us improve the farming of fish species?

The modern world is facing several environmental ­challenges­that can be met with the help of marine ­sciences.

Studies within marine research can provide answers as to how exploitation and other external factors influence the living resources in the sea. Aquaculture studies can help to ­optimise and improve the production of marine fish species.

The ­marine sciences comprise oceanographic studies in the broad sense, including physical, geological, chemical and mole­cular processes and the interaction between the solid earth, the ocean and the atmosphere.

This area also includes applications relating to mapping and exploiting resources, as well as studies of climate and environmental issues. Industries based on knowledge of marine resources, and the exploitation and sustainable management­of these, are essential to the future of mankind. A multidisciplinary Centre of Excellence in Geobiology investigates extreme environments, such as those found in the deep seafloor, while the Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology explores evolutionary aspects of several marine organisms. The University of Bergen also cooperates closely with the Institute of Marine Research and the N ­ ational Institute of Nutrition and ­Seafood Research. The wide range of cutting edge research in marine sciences at the University of Bergen forms the basis for a similarly wide range of study options in this area.

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CLIMATE RESEARCH

Daniel Hitchcock, Australia

Study programme: Master’s in biology, Environmental Toxicology Duration of stay: 2 years Why did you choose the University of Bergen?

What are the consequences of the melting of the polar ice? How does pollution affect the climate? How can we ­develop reliable climate models and produce scenarios for future climate change?

If you are interested in these and related questions, you will find similar minds at the University of Bergen. As a student of m ­ eteorology and oceanography, mathe­matics, chemistry, biology, earth science and physics, you will ­ be able to delve deeper into climate research. Students in these fields also come into c­ ontact with our research on ­climate understanding and ­modelling at the Bjerknes ­Centre for Climate research.

As a student at the University of Bergen, you have the ­option of participating in courses at the University ­Centre in Svalbard (UNIS). This is the world’s northern-most ­higher e ­ ducational institution, located in Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen at 78°N. UNIS offers high quality c­ ourses at ­undergraduate, ­graduate and postgraduate levels in Arctic biology, Arctic geology, Arctic geophysics and­ ­ Arctic ­technology.

The University of Bergen offered a programme in ­Environmental Toxicology which sounded exciting and closer to my interests compared to what was offered in Australia. Bergen also looked like a rather scenic city with plenty of outdoor space, so I thought it would make the perfect home for a budding biologist.

How have you been received here?

Within the first fortnight of moving to Bergen, I was introduced to other master’s students at the intro­ ductory programme meeting for biology. The people I first met there have become lifelong friends. One friend even invited me back home to spend Christmas with his family, to whom I am very thankful.

In your opinion, what is the most important a ­ cademic outcome you have gained?

What I like about master’s programme in Bergen is that it helps you improve academically through coursework and also technically through research. I have been able to enrol in courses that have given me breadth and ­allowed me to look at science in a broader context.

What are your future plans?

I really enjoy research as a master’s student and I also enjoy living in Norway, so I have been thinking about applying for a PhD position here if a position becomes available. My overall experience in Norway has been so great that I don’t think I’m ready to go back to Australia just yet!

FUNCTIONAL GENOMIC STUDIES How does the expression of one gene affect other genes?

How can we make sense of the vast amount of data ­collected from genome sequencing projects?

Functional genomic studies use data produced through genomic projects to describe gene functions and interactions by focusing on dynamic aspects such as gene ­transcription and translation. Functional genomic s­tudies are facilitated by close collaboration between molecular ­biology and bioinformatics. The University of Bergen hosts a cluster of national facilities in functional genomics research, including technology platforms in proteomics, imaging technologies, micro-array and bioinformatics. As a student of microbiology, molecular biology and bioinformatics, you will benefit from the expertise of the National Functional Genomics Cluster. The areas you can study include sequence and structure analysis, molecular evolution, genome annotation and micro-array data analysis.

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ENERGY AND TECHNOLOGY When will our fossil reserves run out? How do we capture and store carbon dioxide? What new, and renewable, ­energy sources can be developed for the future?

These and other questions can be answered only through interdisciplinary activities and research in the g ­ eosciences, mathematics, statistics, computer science, physics and chemistry. We offer courses in several energy- and technology o ­ ­riented fields, including petroleum and ­process technology, renewable energy, computer techno­ logy and nanotechnology. We are proud to host the Centre for ­Integrated ­Petroleum Research, a leading international centre for d ­ eveloping fundamental knowledge aimed at maximising recovery and increasing recoverable reserves in existing oil and gas fields.

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PSYCHOLOGY Changes may occur during the year.

See uib.no/education for an updated overview of all courses.

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Need advice? advice@psyfa.uib.no

At the University of Bergen I was asked questions that made me think outside the box.

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Jasmine Pani, Italy

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At the University of Bergen we aim to teach some of the most important developments in psychology, with a primary focus on the understanding of human behaviour.

We offer various undergraduate and postgraduate courses in English in the following fields: Cognitive Psychology Health Psychology Social Psychology Methods in Psychology

Work and Organisational Psychology Developmental Psychology Cognitive Neuroscience

MEDICAL HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY How can psychological processes influence health-related behaviour, traditional psychosomatic conditions, psychosomatic problems and subjective health complaints?

Unexplained symptoms or subjective complaints w ­ ithout objective findings, or situations where complaints do not seem to correspond to the objective findings, are frequent reasons for contacting one’s general ­ practitioner and ­frequent reasons for patients receiving sickness benefits.

Traditional medicine seems to have little more to offer than new diagnoses and new labels. Complaints appear to remain the same, with muscular pain, unspecified gastrointestinal complaints, fatigue, dizziness and slight mood changes being among the most frequent. The prevalence is very high in the general population. Since there are few, if any, objec-

tive ­findings, the patients are often referred to psychiatric treatment. The condition has an impact on the behaviour and mood of the patient. Psychiatric findings, however, are modest. Behavioural treatment programmes may improve the condition, or at least facilitate interpretation of the ­complaints.

As a psychology student, you will have an opportunity to ­ investigate the relationship between stress, coping, ­sensitisation and health problems, as well as the effects of traumatic stress. Medical health psychology seeks to ­understand the epidemiology and treatment of subjective health problems under different labels. As a student, you will also become familiar with the ­connections between illness, psychosomatic problems, somatisation and hypochondria.

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COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Claudia Plawecki, Poland/Germany

Home University: SWPS-University of Social ­Sciences and Humanities in Warsaw Subjects: Medical Health Psychology; Culture, Positive Development and Health; Behaviour, Health and Nutrition; Norwegian Language Course.

Duration of stay: 1 semester Why did you choose to study at the University of Bergen?

Why and how do we decode perceptual information from our environment? Why do we fail to see things that are right in front of us? Why and how do we select the information we choose to focus our attention on? Why and how do we remember or forget? When we solve problems or make decisions, what kinds of shortcuts do our minds tend to take?

The conceptual frameworks and methodological tools of cognitive psychology provide fascinating and ­useful insight into the human mind. We first address basic cognitive processes, such as perception and categorisation of information, attention and memory, including relationships between normal and abnormal cognitive function. We then present how cognitive psychology has contributed to an understanding of higher mental processes, such as the extent to which our thinking is rational and how we solve problems, make decisions or evaluate risk. The course assumes basic knowledge of cognitive psychology and explores specific themes from this field in some depth, rather than attempting to provide a shallower overview of the entire area. In some lecture modules, the information processing approach that underlies cognitive psychology will be supplemented by a cognitive neuroscience approach.

The University of Bergen is one of the only Nordic countries that have psychology as its own separate department. There is the opportunity to study high quality courses such as Medical Psychology, Cross-Culture Psychology and Positive Psychology, particularly based on the Norwegian Culture. And where else can you study with stunning unique sights of nature, the possibility to do hiking, skiing and maybe see the northern lights?

What are the main differences between Poland and Norway with regard to being a student?

I would say it’s quite similar, particularly the interaction with professors. One difference is how they organize group work. It was an amazing experience to work with people from medicine and psychology studies with different specializations and different points of view on one subject.

What is the most important academic outcome you have gained from your time in Bergen?

I improved both my English and Norwegian skills. In addition, I got a better cross-culture perspective in psychology studies and learned to identify the influence of culture on psychology, which is immensely important for a psychologist.

SOCIAL SCIENCES Changes may occur during the year.

See uib.no/education for an updated overview of all courses and master’s programmes.

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Need advice? advice.svfa@uib.no

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There are lots of cheap or free activities in Bergen for students.

You can do a lot of things in such great nature without spending money.

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Orçun Demir, Turkey

At the University of Bergen, you can study social sciences from both local and global perspectives, ranging from studies of the Nordic welfare state to development studies.

We offer various courses and Master’s degree programmes in English in the following main fields: Undergraduate and postgraduate courses: Administration and Organisation Theory Economics Geography Information Science and Informatics Media and Communications Political Science / Comparative Politics Social Anthropology Sociology System Dynamics * Admission in even years.

Master’s programmes: Anthropology of Development* Public Administration Development Geography System Dynamics International joint master’s degree: EMSD – European Master’s programme in System Dynamics. See europeansystemdynamics.eu for further information.

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DEMOCR ACY, EQUALITY AND WELFARE How does poverty influence international migration ­patterns? Is this a challenge for modern democracies and welfare states?

Studies of democracy concern political institutions and their organization, participation and performance, how political actors behave, how regimes change, and how states, nations and groups adapt to the regional or global political environment. Students will find topics covering development of democratic and non-democratic political systems, consti­tutional theory and the role of courts as political actors, the relationship between the state and the economy and issues concerning political processes and public admini­ stration in different cultures. The empirical focus ranges from ­political regime development in Latin America, constitutional and democratic change in Africa and the Middle East to ­challenges to established democracies in Europe or America.

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Due to particular features of the Nordic welfare states, including high employment rates, gender equality, universal education and health benefits, they remain a source of inspiration for policy-makers worldwide. Through courses on politics, government and public institutions students will be introduced to studies of the welfare state, political parties, state and nation building and the relationship between the Nordic countries and the EU.

Questions of equality do not only concern economic equal­ ity or poverty, but also gender equality and inequality within and between social groups. How do political processes ­affect the distribution of goods and burdens in society? And how is international migration linked to global/local structures of inequality?

CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT In what way can we meet the challenges concerning climate, environment, urbanization and migration on a local, n ­ ational and global scale?

Topics cover a range of climatic and environmental issues from a social, economic and regional perspective. This includes ­natural resources, climate and environmental management issues, processes and effect studies, environmental management and conservation, the dynamics of the natural and ­cultural landscape, energy, food security and industrial production. Our research and teaching cover geographical contexts from Norway and different countries around the globe.

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DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH

Jamilatu Issifu, Ghana

Home University: University of Ghana Study Programme: Master’s Degree in Public Administration Duration of stay: Two years Why did you choose to study at the University of Bergen?

How can we better understand the unequal distribution of rights and resources in a global perspective? How can research contribute to the implementation of more ­adequate development policies?

Development research is one of three strategic areas of ­research at the University of Bergen. In the course of the past 35 years, the university has earned a distinguished reputation both in Norway and abroad for its excellent, result-­ driven collaboration in research and education with universities and other research partners in developing countries.

The term “development research” spans a broad range of ­research efforts on local and global challenges affecting the lives of underprivileged people in less developed societies.

Opportunities for and constraints on development related to these challenges are at the core of development research.

In this respect it is therefore important to explore solutions from the perspective of the interface between development research and more defined thematic research areas such as poverty, good governance, human rights, welfare, gender relations, health and the environment.

My primary reason for choosing University of Bergen is that it offers a Master’s Degree in Public Admini­ stration. The University of Bergen has also been re­ commended by professors at my home university for its good reputation of integrating international ­students.

How have you been received in Bergen?

So far my experience in Bergen has been remarkable.

The introductory programme at the start of my studies was a morale booster. I appreciated the detailed account on what to expect in Bergen as a student. I am also very much impressed with my department’s ­special initiative to get international and Norwegian students involved in extracurricular activities, since there are separate classes.

How is your impression of Bergen compared to what you expected?

Other than to study and attain my master’s degree, I came to Bergen prepared for whatever it had to offer and of course it offered a lot of rain! My first impression of Bergen was its peaceful ambience, its beauty and closeness to nature. Even though I am not so much of a hiking person, I have so far hiked one (Mount Fløyen) of the seven mountains of Bergen. The view of the whole city from the mountain top is just breathtaking.

It was worth the hike!

CONTACT INFORMATION

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Practical information and application forms: uib.no/education

PUBLISHER: Division of Student Affairs, University of Bergen GRAPHIC DESIGN: Division of Communication, University of Bergen PHOTO: Eivind Senneset (cover, p. 4/5, 7, 10, 11, 13, 17, 18, 24, 25, 28, 30, 34, 39, 43, 47, 50, 53, 54, 57, 61, 62) • Paul Sigve Amundsen (p. 18, 19, 32, 40, 44, 48, 58) • Marianne Røsvik (p. 10–12) • Emil Weatherhead Breistein (p. 10, 11, 14, 36, 60) • iStockphoto (p. 10, 11, 13, 51) • Frode Ims (p. 13, 61) • SiB (p. 23) • Christian Irgens (p. 18) • Endre Hilleren (p. 20) • Svein Ove Skare, University Museum of Bergen (p. 38) • Sandra Ječmenica (p. 47) • colourbox.no (p. 9, 34, 35, 38, 42, 43, 46, 52, 56, 57, 60) PRINT: Bodoni AS, Bergen, Norway NUMBERS PRINTED: 3,500 PAPR: G-Print (115 g/250 g)

UiB has chosen the Eurasian eagle owl for its logo.

The owl is traditionally regarded a symbol for knowledge and wisdom, and thus chimes in well with the stated goals of a higher research institution. The University Museum of Bergen used the eagle owl as a symbol as early as the 1830s. UiB adopted this logo when the university officially opened in 1948.

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