Studieprogram

Programme structure

Showing programme structure for students starting 2019

Study year: 1

Semester: autumn

Programme variant: Compulsory Courses
Emne	ECTS
Introduction to the Master Program in Nature-Based Tourism	10	Compulsory Course
Tourism Management	5	Compulsory Course
Management Accounting	5	Compulsory Course
Environmental Governance and Law	5	Compulsory Course
Innovation Enterprise	10	Compulsory Course

Semester: spring

Programme variant: Compulsory Courses
Emne	ECTS
Nature Conservation and Management in Norway	5	Compulsory Course
Nature Interpretation	5	Compulsory Course
Social Science Research Methods in Nature-Based Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resource Management	5	Compulsory Course

Study year: 2

Semester: autumn

Programme variant: Compulsory Courses
Emne	ECTS
Strategic Landscape Planning - Module 1	10	Choose at least one Course (id:1)
Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship	10	Choose at least one Course (id:1)
Project analysis and project management in forestry, energy and natural resources	10	Choose at least one Course (id:1)
Strategic Landscape Planning	20	Choose at least one Course (id:1)
Nature-Based Tourism	10	Compulsory Course

Semester: spring

Programme variant: Compulsory Courses
Emne	ECTS
Master's Thesis	30	Compulsory Course

Detailed description

Social relevance:

Tourism is growing on a global scale, and in the Nordic countries, experiences and activities in nature are important reasons for traveling. The Norwegian government has decided to promote tourism based on the potentials for value creation, the advantages of attractive natural environments in Norway, and the importance tourism may have for regional economies. The tourism strategy recognizes added values and productivity, solid year-round businesses and qualitative experiences as three main goals. There are also expectations that tourism should be better integrated in management of protected areas. The master program at NMBU will contribute to these goals by educating candidates that recognizes the economic opportunities in rural tourism, have knowledge of sustainable development and understand how experiences are created. A multi-disciplinary research based training is necessary to understand, manage and develop nature-based tourism.

Learning outcomes:

A candidate, who has completed the education, is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, competence and skills:

Knowledge:

The candidate...

- has knowledge within the fields of tourism, management of natural resources, entrepreneurship, business administration, community development and research methods.

- has insights of the special features of nature-based tourism, including industry organizations, business structures and external factors

- has knowledge of the history of the industry, traditions and role in society, as well as trends and other factors that impact the development of this sector and study area.

- is able to relate nature-based tourism in Norway with Nordic and international contexts.

Competence:

The candidate...

- is able to undertake structured analyses of nature-based tourism with topical skills and through critical use of different information sources

- can work with communication, product- and business development within nature-based tourism using research-based theories and methods

- is able to evaluate environmental impacts, social circumstances and economic potential in nature-based tourism development, and has the skills necessary to minimize negative effects on sustainable development

- can provide advice and supervision to businesses and public agencies about nature-based tourism.

General competence (skills):

The candidate...

- is able to do a comprehensive analysis of opportunities, challenges and conflicts related to nature-based tourism development, particularly within Norwegian and Nordic contexts

- is able to contribute with knowledge on nature-based tourism in multi-disciplinary projects and cooperate with people from other disciplines

- can communicate relevant problems, analyses and conclusions with different stakeholder groups

- can contribute with new ideas and creativity in projects and processes.

Qualifications after graduation:

The interdisciplinary nature of this program will qualify for positions in business development and management of natural resources for tourism in both the private and public sectors. This may include promotion and/or planning of tourism in municipalities, counties, national agencies or organizations. Other opportunities could be to start a private business or work with consulting, environmental interpretation or destination development. The program also qualifies for admission to PhD studies.

Contents and structure:

Central subject areas in the study will be: tourism, management of natural resources, nature interpretation, environmental law, entrepreneurship and business administration. The program consists of 100 compulsory credits, and concludes with a Master`s thesis of 30 credits (included in the 100 credits). Remaining credits consist of optional courses, and sample study plans are available to facilitate course selection.

Evaluation:

The program includes many courses that may have different learning and evaluation strategies. Many of the courses will be evaluated by continuous assessment of written papers, possibly in combination with a final examination. The Master`s thesis makes up 25% of the degree. It is evaluated as independent work/group work and defended orally.

Cooperation with other institutions:

The program is a collaborative effort between the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Landscape and Society and School of Economics and Business at NMBU. This cooperation provides students with a unique and highly demanded competence that combines courses in an optimal way, which is not available elsewhere.

Arrangements, incoming exchange students:

NMBU has a broad spectrum of subjects taught in English, on a regular basis or upon request from students.

Admission requirements:

The applicants must have obtained a Bachelor¿s degree or equivalent with emphasis on one of the following subjects: tourism, outdoor recreation, natural resource management, forestry, environmental studies, geography, economics, innovation and entrepreneurship, or other subjects upon individual assessment.

Applicants must have obtained a minimum grade point average (GPA) of C (in Norwegian scale) or equivalent from the specialization in their degree.

Learning activities:

Learning activities include lectures, seminars or colloquies, group work, projects or exercises, individual assignments and excursions. There is extensive contact with business operators and nature management officials during lectures and excursions.

Studies abroad:

Students have the possibility to do an exchange semester in another country. NMBU has a number of agreements with various universities globally. Sample plans are available for exchange with University of Alaska, Fairbanks, USA, University of Iceland, Reykjavik and Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Semester: autumn

Semester: spring

Semester: autumn

Semester: spring

Social relevance:

Learning outcomes:

Qualifications after graduation:

Contents and structure:

Evaluation:

Cooperation with other institutions:

Arrangements, incoming exchange students:

Admission requirements:

Learning activities:

Studies abroad:

NMBU

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Studieprogram

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Semester: autumn

Semester: spring

Semester: autumn

Semester: spring

Social relevance:

Learning outcomes:

Qualifications after graduation:

Contents and structure:

Evaluation:

Cooperation with other institutions:

Arrangements, incoming exchange students:

Admission requirements:

Learning activities:

Studies abroad:

NMBU

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NMBU - Norges miljø- og biovitenskapelige universitet