Master's degree (2 years)
Full time
Nuclear and Environmental Sciences

Would you like to develop solutions for the safe handling of radioactivity in energy production, medicine, and the construction industry? You will gain specialized expertise through hands-on experience in the field, in the laboratory, and through nuclear emergency preparedness exercises.

Apply here

Application deadline:

Norwegian, Nordic, EU/EEA and Swiss citizens: 15th of April.

Students outside EU/EEA/EFTA: 1st of December.

Start of Studies:

Fall semester

Number of students:

Required points:

Alle kvalifiserte

Requirements:

Relevant Bachelor's degree required. Admission grade point average of C.

Requirements in detail
A relevant bachelors degree, where you need to have achieved an average of admission level C.
General information about admission to NMBU can be found here:
www.nmbu.no/en/studies/application-procedures-study-programmes-taught-englishhttps://www.nmbu.no/en/studies/application-procedures-study-programmes-taught-english
Admission to the study programme requires a Bachelors degree from a university or university college, or equivalent, where you have gained a minimum of 180 that includes:
Basic knowledge in natural sciences such as mathematics and/or statistics, biology, chemistry, physics where at least 60 ECTS credits have been gained.Specialisation of at least 80 ECTS credits in one or more of these subjects: geology/groundwater, chemistry/environmental chemistry/radiochemistry, biology/ecology, nature management/resource science, ecotoxicology/radioecotoxicology and risk and mitigation assessment.
Applicants must demonstrate English language ability in accordance with NMBU's regulations for programmes taught in English. To read more about the english language requirements see: www.nmbu.no/en/studies/language-requirements-programmes-taught-english-nmbu

This study programme falls under the regulations of export control. NMBU evaluates each applicant individually, and in some cases, applicants must be able to pass a security clearance by the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) during the admission process.

Som student får du praktisk erfaring i felt og på lab

Norway needs candidates with knowledge in nuclear sciences (the study of atomic nuclei, radiation, and radioactivity). This master’s program will provide you with solid skills required for a career both nationally and internationally where nuclear expertise is essential.

You will learn about the effects and consequences of radioactivity in the environment and gain insight into radioactive contamination alongside other types of pollution in nature. In addition, you will develop an understanding of radiation protection principles and how Norway’s nuclear emergency preparedness system operates.

There is a growing focus on nuclear power as an energy source, while Norway is simultaneously decommissioning its old research reactors. This requires knowledge of cleanup processes and the potential recovery of radionuclides (unstable atoms that emit radiation) for various purposes.
Nuclear accidents have demonstrated the need for national preparedness. Today, expertise in nuclear emergency preparedness also addresses challenges related to conflicts in regions with nuclear facilities and the threat posed by nuclear weapons.

Natural radioactivity is also present in Norway’s bedrock, creating challenges for several industries such as oil and mining. It also leads to high levels of radon in homes.

The knowledge you acquire will be applicable across many areas of applied science. From protecting health and the environment to nuclear emergency preparedness and the safe decommissioning of nuclear installations. This master’s program aims to meet current and future needs for nuclear expertise.

The program is taught in English.

See the full overview of the program structure and all courses

Career opportunities

The job market within nuclear sciences in industry, public administration, and research is extensive, and expected to grow significantly in the near future. Our former students now work in a wide range of positions, from research institutes to industry and government agencies.

Tasks you will be qualified to perform:

Conduct risk assessments and impact analyses within nuclear and environmental sciences, radiation protection, and nuclear emergency preparedness.
Plan and carry out field sampling.
Perform analysis of various radionuclides and inorganic substances.
Prepare professional recommendations, decision-making documents, and action plans for preventive and emergency measures.
Handle case processing, reporting, and quality assurance in accordance with current laws and regulations.

Who are typical employers?

There are many potential employers, both in the public and private sector. At the state level, typical employers include the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), the Norwegian Environment Agency, Norwegian Nuclear Decommissioning (NND), the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, and the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE). In the private sector, relevant companies include Multiconsult, Veidekke, Lindum, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), and the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE).

Can I continue with research?
With a Master’s degree in Nuclear and Environmental Sciences, you will also be qualified to pursue a Ph.D. program. Read more about our PhD student Aleksander, who is researching radioactivity in water. He previously wrote his master's thesis on the toxicity of uranium at the MINA faculty.

Learning outcomes
A candidate who has completed this study programme is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:
- Knowledge of basic properties of atomic nuclei and knowledge of the main types of ionising (radioactive) radiation.
- Knowledge of applications of radioactivity in research and technology.
- In-depth knowledge of the interaction in nature with special emphasis on radioactive pollution, human impact, sustainability and climate change.
- Good insight into how to make risk and vulnerability assessments of environmental influences from different nuclear and non-nuclear sources, and can assess corrective measures.
- In-depth knowledge of the dispersion of radioactive and other substances in the environment from various sources.
- Good insight into how radioactive substances behave in the environment and how they can affect different ecosystems and hence the environment's vulnerability to human activity and the spread of radioactive and other substances in the environment from different sources.
- Comprehensive understanding of biogeochemical processes in terrestrial and aquatic environments and the influence of mobility and toxicity of radioactive substances and other substances.
- Can analyse complex and interdisciplinary issues in nuclear sciences and environmental science.
Skills:
- Experience from working in a laboratory, andapply radiation protection procedures in practice.Plan, carry out and evaluate sampling and analyses according to professionally relevant methods for identifying radioactive substances in soil, rocks, water or biota.
- Use relevant analytical, numerical, and experimental methods to investigate issues within source identification, radioactivity in the environment, and risk assessment.
- Transfer knowledge from basic research to applications in emergency preparedness, management, and industry.
- Apply already acquired methods to new problems.
- Structure and analyse scientific data.
- Assess the risk and vulnerability effects of ionising radiation on humans and in the environment and formulate corrective action.
- Critically analyse, structure and inter-relate to various sources of information and scientific literature in the field.
- Carry out a limited project in an independent manner in accordance with ethical norms.
General competence:
- Apply knowledge and skills in new areas to carry out independent research projects.
- Ability to independently familiarise oneself with problems and carry out practical and theoretical problem solving,
- Master communication, teamwork, and cooperation in an international academic environment.
- Communicate larger independent work.
- Use appropriate Norwegian and English terminology in the subject area.Consider health, safety, and environmental aspects for your own work.
Exchange possibilities
Within the study programme it is envisaged that elective nuclear courses can be taken at the University of Oslo, or at other educational institutions internationally. Students may also have the opportunity to participate in the ERASMUS+ MINDER collaboration course portfolio. Here you have the opportunity to take the first semester at NMBU, and in the entire second semester you can study at an establishment where you can specialise in decommissioning and environmental remediation.
Program structure
The MSc programme in Nuclear and Environmental Sciences is integrated into an international and interdisciplinary academic environment where you will solve complex problems in radiochemistry, environmental chemistry, radioactivity in the environment, decommissioning, radiation protection, impact and risk analysis and emergency preparedness.
The study programme covers a number of different topics within nuclear sciences and environmental sciences, particularly focussing on these topics:
Radiochemistry covers everything from radioactivity, radiation protection, traditional measurement methods such as alpha, beta and gamma spectrometry and the use of radioactivity in research, diagnosis, therapy, etc.Radioecology links radionuclides in the environment with impact and risk assessments based on radiochemistry and radiation protection.Environmental pollutants, including radioactive substances, and ecotoxicology link knowledge about condition, transport and availability of contaminants to biological effects.Radioecotoxicology links radioactivity in the environment with biological effects seen in conjunction with other toxic substances.
The program has a holistic attitude, where students will learn about the sources of radioactivity, transport in different ecosystems, exposure of humans and the environment, biological effects and risk assessment, and nuclear preparedness and radiation protection.
Depending on whether one has a BSc in nuclear sciences or not, the master's programme adds up to 15-45 compulsory credits in nuclear subjects depending on compulsory subjects taken in BSc, 15-30 credits nuclear specialisation subjects and 0-45 freely chosen credits. Flexibility in compulsory courses and specialisation subjects makes it quite possible to take all nuclear subjects in the two-year master's degree if one does not have nuclear courses in one's BSc degree, but then elective credits are reduced. The programme concludes with a master's thesis worth 45 or 60 credits.
Compulsory nuclear subjects are:
RAD300 Decommissioning and Environmental RemediationRAD210 Radioactivity and Radiation ProtectionRAD320 Radionuclide Transport and Fate in the EnvironmentRAD325 Experimental radioecologyRAD310 Radiochemistry and Analysis of Radionuclides
RAD200, RAD205 og RAD210 are taken during the BSc programme in nuclear sciences at NMBU but taken as part of the MSc if coming from another BSc programme.
Other courses are:
MILJØ360 Assessment of health and environmental riskRelevant courses at UiO.
It is also possible to take a semester at the partner university in ERAMSUS+ MINDER if you want to specialise in nuclear decommissioning and environmental remediation. If desired, the first semester of the master's degree will be taken at NMBU and the second semester will be taken at another MINDER educational institution. To take this specialisation in the second semester at another educational institution, one must have taken the compulsory subjects at NMBU by the end of the first semester of the MSc.
static02.nmbu.no/mina/studier/M-RAMI.php?sprx=e&aarx=2024You will find an overview of the programme structure here.
More about the program
- Societal relevance
  For many years there has been a decline in the number of people with nuclear skills and qualifications, not only in Norway, but throughout Europe. Norway is surrounded by nuclear-powered countries that plan to develop new nuclear power to ensure stability in their energy supplies. Recently, the possibilities for investing in nuclear power in Norway have also been hotly debated. In addition, natural radioactivity in Norwegian bedrock is a problem for Norwegian road and tunnel construction.
  The closure of the experimental reactors at Kjeller and in Halden also highlights the need for knowledge about treatment, storage and final disposal of radioactive waste and safe dismantling of nuclear facilities. Norway also has significant activity in radiopharmaceuticals (research, innovation, development and production).
  We must therefore have professional communities that have knowledge of, and can assess and handle the possibility of, nuclear power as an energy supply, incidents involving the spread of radioactive substances that may affect Norway, emergency preparedness and radiation protection and safety, as well as knowledge in the disposal of nuclear instillations and safe handling of waste.
- Learning activities
  In addition to lectures (theory), field and laboratory teaching (practice) are central to the programme. Sampling, processing and analysis are followed by interpretation of data. Processed data can be used to assess various measures and illustrate the relationship between state form and transport, biological uptake, exposure and effect.
  Furthermore, data processing can provide a basis for quantifying the significance of different processes (modelling) and directly be included in risk assessments. Efforts are made to achieve a good balance between independent work and work in groups, with presentation of results both in writing and orally. The master's thesis will constitute an independent work of 45 or 60 ECTS credits.
- Examination
  Courses with a large proportion of practical field and laboratory exercises will largely have portfolio assessment both in groups and individually. Semester assignments can constitute either all or parts of several courses included in the master's programme. Many of the courses at 300 level have a final test (oral or written) in addition to independent work and submission of laboratory reports or term papers.
  The master's thesis is presented and discussed with internal and external examiners. The grade for the master's thesis is determined jointly by the examiners.
- Information for students from partner universities
  All courses in the Master's programme will be offered in English to make student exchanges easier. All Master's courses will be available to students from other institutions who want to specialise in our subjects.

Study advisor(s):

Marte Lise Lægreid

Advisor

Tel. 67231924

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