Master's degree (2 years)

Full time

International Environmental Studies

The M-IES programme is interdisciplinary and uses a socio-ecological approach, with courses that focus on both natural science and social science aspects of the environmental challenges of our time.

The programme provides an in-depth understanding of the relationship between social and natural processes, and how governance and economic structures influence current trends. The programme has an international scope, with a curriculum that covers topics that are relevant for countries across the globe and utilises research-based knowledge from a wide set of geographical contexts.

Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge regarding the characteristics of environmental challenges and their drivers at different scales: global to local
• In-depth understanding of key concepts, frameworks and tools for understanding sustainability problems and creating solutions
• Comprehensive insights regarding complexity and interrelated social and ecological processes occurring across temporal, spatial, and organisational/political scales

Skills:

• Ability to engage in management and policy formulation for sustainable development
• Capacity to analyse complex environmental problems and governance issues in an interdisciplinary way
• Learn about and critically assess academic advancements within the field of environmental and sustainability studies, as well as new policy developments
• Capacity to create and evaluate solutions to environmental problems, acknowledging the dynamics between ecological and socio-political processes
• Competence in planning and conducting field research, project management and development work.
• Ability to use various frameworks and methods in the study of socio-environmental issues in the field.
• Develop writing skills and learn to evaluate and use primary and secondary sources of data in the writing of papers, including the correct use and presentation of references.
• Develop a critical perspective on power relations, ethical issues and conflicts of values related to environmental change and policy.

General competence:

• Plan and carry out independent research, develop relevant research questions and engage critically in policy formulation and project development.
• Solve theoretical, methodological and project/policy problems independently.
• Apply insights and knowledge in development or environment management, teaching or business
• Engage in public debates, media, voluntary organisations, community meetings, popular dissemination and in meetings with policy makers
• Build research teams and inter-personal communication across cultures and across academic fields.

The Master Programme in International Environmental Studies requires a total of 120 ECTS over two years.

The first year consists of course work covering environmental studies theory, interdisciplinary research perspectives, research methodology, and an excursion that introduces new students to practitioners in the field. In addition, students can choose up from a wide range of core and elective courses. Students can choose elective courses offered in the M-IES program, but also more broadly at NMBU.

During the first semester, students design an individual study plan for their M-IES degree allowing to specialise within topics such as political ecology, sustainable agri-food systems, environmental governance, or green economy.

The second year comprises an individually designed combination of electives, field course and internship. Students are encouraged to spend a semester on exchange at a university abroad or in an internship with a national or international organization. Students are encouraged to write their Master Thesis based on field research and may locate their study in a variety of geographical contexts. The Master Thesis is normally written in the final semester.

Year 1:

Semester: Autumn

Compulsory Courses:

• Introduction to International Environmental Studies (5 ECTS)
• Sustainability Science: Ecological, Social, and Economic Dimensions (10 ECTS)
• Research Methods (15 ECTS)

Elective courses include:

• Climate Change and Society (10 ECTS) (Core course*)
• Global Political Economy (10 ECTS)
• Linking Ecological and Social Resilience (10 ECTS)
• Global Environmental Changes (5 ECTS)
• Global Food Systems and Food Security (10 ECTS)

Semester: Spring

Compulsory course:

• Research Methods (continued)

Elective courses:

• Political Ecology (10 ECTS) (Core course*)
• Global Environmental Governance (10 ECTS) (Core course*)
• Agroecology and Development (10 ECTS) (Core course*)
• Ecological Economics and Degrowth (10 ECTS)
• Energy and Society (5 ECTS)
• Governance of Plant Genetic Resources and Seeds: Laws, Policies and Practices (5 ECTS)
• Practicum (practice-based field course)

The availability of electives may vary between years, and space limitations apply.

* Students must choose 20 ECTS among a set of core elective courses.

Year 2:

Semester: Autumn

Elective courses:

• Internship

Exchange: Erasmus exchange in Europe | NMBU

Exchange outside of Europe

Faculty specific exchange

• Students can also choose elective courses offered in the M-IES programme, at Noragric or other Faculties at NMBU. Course Catalogue.

Sample of Elective courses often taken by M-IES students:

EDS225 Linking Ecological and Social Resilience

EDS260 Global Environmental Changes

EDS285 Global Food Systems and Food Security

EDS315 Governance of Genetic Resources and Seeds

EDS348 Global Environmental Governance

EDS349 Energy and Society

EDS379 Global Political Economy​

Semester: Spring

Master thesis

A 30 ECTS Master Thesis is normally written in the Spring Semester of the second study-year.

A 60 ECTS Master Thesis is normally written in the Autumn and Spring Semester of the second study year.