Master's degree (2 years)
Full time
Genome Sciences

Are you interested in how genetic and epigenetic variations in genome affect the evolution of species? Are you curious of new genome technologies and how genome science can be used to improve sustainability in food production?

Apply here

Application deadline:

April 15th
International applicants:
December 1st

Start of Studies:

Autumn

Requirements:

Bachelor degree or equivalent qualification in biology, animal and plant sciences or equivalent education. The degree must include bioinformatics, genomics and laboratory practicals in molecular biology/genetics.

Requirements in detail
Bachelor degree or equivalent qualification in biology, animal and plant sciences or equivalent education. The degree must include bioinformatics, genomics and laboratory practicals in molecular biology/genetics.
A motivation letter is mandatory for the admission process, and must follow your application. This should include a list of the specific courses you have taken that are relevant to the Admission requirements which are : a Bachelor’s degree in biology, biotechnology, animal and plant sciences, or equivalent education, that includes statistics/bioinformatics, genetics/genomics and laboratory practicals.
A weighted, average grade of minimum C (from the Bachelor's degree) is required at NMBU to be qualified for applying to Master's degrees.
Applicants must demonstrate English language ability in accordance with the NMBU regulations.

To meet the increased use of genomics in different sectors of society, a new master program in Genome Science has been established. The master in Genome Science consists of 3 main pillars:

Genetics/Genome Biology
Bioinformatics/statistics
Genome technologies

Students will investigate real biological questions in environmental and life sciences and learn how this new technology can be used to improve sustainable food and plant production.

Download detailed education plan for Master in Genome Science 2024-2026

Teacher Matthew Kent talks about the Master in Genome Science (video)
Genome technologies are being used increasingly in important areas of society, such as food production, environmental monitoring and the biotechnology industry. Kent tells about the opportunities in the study, and about the subjects you need to have in your bachelor’s degree to be admitted to the master program.

Jenny is studying for a master's degree in Genome Science (video in Norwegian). After a bachelor's degree in molecular biology, Jenny Heyerdahl Bryhn chose a master's degree with a lot of practical work in the lab. Both sequencing, or reading 'reading', DNA. bioinformatics for processing and interpreting the data generated is on the timetable. So does the topic of genome editing. In her master's thesis, Jenny uses CRISPR technology, or a slightly different version, called Prime Editing, to see if it is a good tool to use to explore the functions of genes.

Career opportunities

After completing the programme, students have a sufficient theoretical basis to be able to continue with a doctoral program or work within education, public administration or industry. You will get opportunity to work both nationally and internationally and will be qualified to work within: breeding companies for fish, animals and plants the biotechnology industries governmental, communal or private sectors as a manager, adviser/consultant PhD-student researcher lecturer (by adding 1 year of pedagogic).

Graduate careers:

Thea Marie Låstad - Popular in the job market

Learning outcomes
A candidate who has completed the programme is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in competence, knowledge and skills:
Knowledge:
- Gain knowledge about how genomes are organised and regulated, as well as knowledge about different applications of Genome Science.
- Learn methods for generating and analysing genomic data.
- Learn methods for CRISPR genome editing in a wet-lab environment.
- Learn about legal and ethical aspects concerning genomic data.
- Learn to solve biological questions by project work and master theses that are integrated in research and industry applications across Campus Ås.
Skills:
- The students will be able to generate and analyse big data sets containing different types of genetic and genomic data and evaluate methods and tools for both wet-lab and bioinformatics analysis independently and critical.
- The master thesis works will make the students able to plan and perform a small-scale research project by using relevant scientific methods to solve problems, think critically, analyse, interpret and present gathered information and apply academic knowledge in an independent way.
General competence:
After completing the program, the students have sufficient theoretical basis in order to proceed with a doctoral program and can communicate and collaborate professionally in an international study or work context.
Exchange possibilities
Up to 30 credits can be completed abroad. NMBU has exchange agreements with several relevant universities.
Program structure
The Master`s degree comprises 120 credits (ECTS). For all areas of study this must include at least 30 credits at the 300 level and a compulsory thesis of 30 or 60 credits. Students must set up an education plan in consultation with the study advisor or in consultation with the thesis supervisor. Students must ensure that they have the prerequisite knowledge needed to take compulsory courses.
More about the program
- Societal relevance
  Genome Science has revolutionized our understanding of living organisms over the last decades and the fast development of new and highly efficient technologies in this field has made genomics an indispensable tool in many areas of biological research, public administration and industry. Forefront competence in analysis and interpretation of genomic data are therefore critical in important sectors of society. The new study program in genome science at NMBU will unify strong research groups in a common framework to offer an exciting and timely master program within different aspects of genome biology.
- Learning activities
  In this study, theory and practice are combined to develop good problem-solving skills. The study is a combination of lectures, teaching in laboratory, seminars, group work and independent work.
- Examination
  Evaluation through the established systems for the individual courses, which includes compulsory assignments, written reports, presentations and oral and written exams.
- Information for students from partner universities
  The program is given in English, and is consequently open for international students. The 2. autumn in the program is without any obligatory courses, allowing students to stay abroad for some months, either for taking some courses or work on their master thesis in an international group. NMBU has over 150 exchange agreements with partner institutions from all over the world.