Pole star
Fisheries college offers academic excellence within the Arctic circle
The Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NCFS) in Tromso has a particular responsibility for the development of expertise within all areas of fisheries and aquaculture research in Norway. NCFS – part of the Arctic University of Norway – is also responsible for educating candidates for employment in the fishing industry and fisheries management.
The NCFS has around 100 employees, including researchers and technicians/administrative staff, and covers a broad spectrum of marine research. It also coordinates one of the university’s Centres for Research based Innovation (SFI).
It offers several programmes that are relevant for the aquaculture industry and management. This autumn, 119 students will start their BSc in fisheries and aquaculture science, 24 will begin the degree programme in aqua-medicine and 15 will begin a BSc in biotechnology.
Marine programmes are not the most popular courses in Norway, judging by student numbers, but they have increased year by year since 2010. We have stretched our capacity this year in order to make room for as many students as possible.
Bachelor and master in Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
These programmes apply a multi-disciplinary approach to sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. The bachelor programme gives a broad overview of the main elements of the marine
sector from different angles, including biology, technology, law, economics and social science.
After three semesters, the students choose an area of specialisation. The programme has four paths: a) seafood science (nutrition, quality and so on); b) aquaculture (mostly biology, but also elements of technology and management); c) resource management (mostly fisheries related, but it also includes coastal zone management, for instance); and d) market and management.
In addition to their specialisation, students have work practice (such as a short trainee period) during their bachelor programme.
In the master’s course, the students continue with the same specialisation. Some students choose to write their thesis in cooperation with the industry or management bodies.
MSc in International Fisheries Management
The master’s degree programme in International Fisheries Management (IFM) applies a multi-disciplinary approach to the management of marine and freshwater resources, including aquaculture.
It has similarities to the programmes mentioned above, but this one strives to have a more global focus. The IFM programme has educated almost 200 candidates from 39 countries.
The programme emphasises knowledge of scientific theory and methods, and offers students experience in the use of these. By facilitating reflection and using case studies from various parts of the world, the programme will develop the students’ understanding of how fisheries and aquaculture are managed.
The courses are designed to offer a basic understanding of fisheries biology, technology, economics and management.
There is also a course where the various subjects are bound together, offering a multi-disciplinary view on a number of selected fisheries and aquaculture cases.
Professional degree programme in aquamedicine
The professional degree programme in aquamedicine is a five-year Master of Science programme which confers the legally recognised title of aquamedicine biologist.
Authorisation entitles an aquamedicine biologist to diagnose and treat diseased fish (authority to prescribe medicines) on a par with veterinary surgeons.
The study of fish health is a scientific discipline that trains practitioners in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of fish and aquatic invertebrates.
The curriculum contains special topics in infectious diseases, pathology, parasitology, epidemiology, pharmacology, immunology, vaccination, physiology and animal welfare. These topics provide the scientific basis for disease prevention and treatment of farmed fish.
The study programme provides the students with an insight into the environment, technology and operation of an aquaculture installation as a basis for sustainable production and development in the aquaculture industry.
Authorisation as an aquamedicine biologist confers exclusive rights as a practitioner, and statutory obligations regarding fish health management. In consequence, the curriculum contains courses that provide information on legislation related to food, aquaculture, environment and disease prevention. The programme places emphasis on the role of veterinary practice in the field as an integrated part of the course.
Bachelor and master’s in Marine Biotechnology
Important innovations in aquaculture, but also in areas such as medicine, food processing, agriculture and environmental technology, are more and more based on biotechnological expertise. These programmes provide a scientific basis to take part in this exciting development and are designed to give students the relevant competence in developing products and methods based on tissues and cells of animals, plants and micro-organisms.
While the bachelor programme is a more general biotechnology course, the master’s programme particularly focuses on marine natural resources.
“Marine programmes in Norway have increased year by year 2010” since