Master’s Thesis at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Would you like to be the main supervisor for a master’s thesis for students from other faculties at NMBU? If so, we encourage you to submit your thesis proposal to the relevant faculty by October 1st in the academic year prior to the start of the thesis work.
Submission of Master's Thesis Proposal to Faculties at NMBU
Below you will find the submission form/email for proposing master's thesis topics to each relevant faculty at NMBU. The deadline for submission is October 1st, 2025 for master's theses starting in autumn 2026/spring 2027.
Faculty of Biosciences (BIOVIT)
Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science (KBM)
Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA)
Information for Supervisor(s) and Student
It is important that all parties familiarize themselves with the general information about master's theses at NMBU and the deadlines set by the faculty to which the student belongs.
Master’s Thesis Contract
Once you have found your supervisor(s) and clarified the research topic, you must complete the Master’s Thesis Contract form together with your supervisor(s). The contract must be submitted and approved before you begin working on the thesis. A new contract must be completed if you apply for a postponed submission of the master’s thesis and there are significant changes. The contract should be submitted to the student advisor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
Registration for Master’s Thesis
Once the contract has been approved, you must apply for instruction in the master’s thesis course at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. If the contract is approved, the instruction will be granted, and you must then register yourself for assessment. It is not possible to withdraw from the assessment of the master’s thesis.
The course code for master's thesis subjects at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine corresponds to the number of credits (30, 45, or 60 ECTS).
M30-VET, M45-VET or M60-VET
External Master’s Thesis at a Company or Other Institution
If you choose to write your master’s thesis at a company or another institution, you must arrange for two on-site (external) supervisors and one internal supervisor employed in a scientific position at NMBU. The internal supervisor at NMBU is considered the main supervisor with regard to the thesis contract.
Completion of the Master’s Thesis
Main Supervisor’s Responsibilities:
- Find and submit examiner proposal for approval via online form
- Agree on examination date with the student
- Book a room for the examination
- Register the grade in WISEflow in consultation with the external examiner
Student’s Responsibilities:
- Ensure that the assessment registration for the master’s thesis and any special syllabus is in order
- Submit the master’s thesis in WISEflow in accordance with NMBU’s procedures
- Prepare for the oral presentation and discussion of the master’s thesis, and any special syllabus if applicable
On the Examination Day:
- If there is a special syllabus: the examination begins with an assessment of the special syllabus. The supervisor responsible for the special syllabus leads this part.
- Presentation of the master’s thesis: The candidate presents the thesis and provides an overview of their work. Duration: 20–30 minutes.
- Discussion of the master’s thesis: The candidate discusses the thesis with the examiners and responds to any questions from the audience. Duration: 20–30 minutes.
Who is responsible for what when writing a master’s thesis at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (VET)
What is expected of the student in the master’s thesis?
- Should be able to work independently and take initiative after receiving thorough practical training
- Must familiarize themselves with relevant literature and make it a habit to stay updated in the field
- Should invest time in reading and searching for relevant information to foster a sense of ownership of the project from the beginning
- Should collaborate with other master’s students on study plans, schedules, syllabus (study groups), and any challenges that may arise
What is expected of the supervisor(s)?
- Should provide academic and moral support to the master’s student throughout the thesis work, especially during the initial phase
- Should give the student information about relevant literature early on to help them get started quickly
- Should provide thorough practical and theoretical training in the relevant techniques
- Should, together with the student, write a project outline that defines the background of the project, sub-goals and main goals, as well as the main techniques to be used
- Should not micromanage the development of the work; the student should be guided to work independently. It is important that all master’s students have the freedom to work autonomously
- Should encourage the student to start writing early and may assist in setting up an outline for the thesis
- Should read through/correct the thesis before submission. Note that one read-through should be sufficient
- The student must critically evaluate what is submitted for review; the final product should primarily reflect the student’s own thoughts and conclusions. Discussions with the supervisor along the way are both necessary and important, but it is the student who must write and take responsibility for the thesis.
Number of Supervision Hours
From NMBU’s Academic Regulations, Chapter 44: Master’s Theses and Research Track Thesis, Supplementary Provisions:
44-1-2 Supervision and Supervisors (3) The total number of supervision hours also includes the supervisor’s contribution to the assessment of the master’s thesis. The student is normally entitled to the following number of supervision hours:
- Master’s thesis worth 30 ECTS credits: 40 hours
- Master’s thesis worth 45 ECTS credits: 60 hours
- Master’s thesis worth 60 ECTS credits: 80 hours
What is expected of the internal supervisor for an external master’s thesis?
1. The internal supervisor at NMBU is responsible for ensuring the quality of the thesis and the external supervisors:
- Evaluate a brief project description for the thesis, written by the external supervisor. This should include some background on the project, literature references, and an overview of the techniques to be used
- Assess the external supervisor’s CV/academic background; the person must have at least a master’s degree in the relevant field. Ideally, there should be a minimum of two external supervisors if possible
- Sign the master’s contract and other relevant agreements
- Arrange a meeting with the student and external supervisor to clarify expectations and responsibilities before the thesis work begins
- At least one meeting during the process is recommended to ensure satisfactory progress. The thesis may be adjusted as needed
2. Supervise the student in the writing process and participate in the examination. The external examiner is appointed jointly by the external and internal supervisors.
Important Deadlines
Deadlines follow the faculty to which the students belong. They can be found on each faculty’s webpage. The overview below shows what is general at NMBU and what is specific to the faculties.
Tidspunkt Innleveringer Varies depending on which faculty the student(s) belong to and the scope of ECTS credits. Submission of contract, collaboration agreement, agreement with external party, agreement on delayed publication/confidentiality. 15 May (spring) / 15 December (autumn) Deadline for submitting grades in Wiseflow 15 September (autumn) / 1 February (spring) Registration deadline for thesis courses for the student. If the work begins in the autumn and the submission is in the spring, the deadline is 15 September.