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Master's degree (2 years)
Full time
Animal Science

The world’s population is expected to increase, and this will challenge current global food production and agriculture systems. Are your interested in animal breeding and genetics, nutrition, feed technology, ethology and animal welfare? 

Apply here

Application deadline:

April 15th
International applicants:
December 1st

Start of Studies:

Autumn

Requirements:

Bachelor degree in Animal Science or equivalent 

  • Requirements in detail

    Applicants must hold a Bachelor degree in Animal Science or equivalent education that includes basic knowledge in statistic/mathematics, chemistry, physiology/cell biology, genetics/breeding, nutrition and ethology/animal welfare.

    The following compulsory requirements must be in place for the application to be considered:

    • A motivation letter specifically aimed at the program
    • A weighted, average grade of minimum Norwegian C (from the Bachelor's degree) is required at NMBU to be qualified for applying to Master's degrees
    • English language ability in accordance with the NMBU regulations

    Applicants who have already completed a master degree will not be prioritized.

Bente Aspeholen Åby
Cows at Ås farm, NMBU.

Then a Master in Animal Science at NMBU might be something for you.

A two-year Master in Animal Science degree focus on the biology of production animals within the areas of breeding and genetics, nutrition, feed technology, ethology and animal  welfare.

The goal is to train students to be able to solve current and future challenges related to animal science in a national and global context.

Career opportunities

Candidates with a Master in Animal Science are qualified for work as advisors, administrative management positions within different areas in the agricultural organisations, private business activity or public administration - nationally and locally. Working as a teacher is also possible. There is a lot of international cooperation within research, also with developing countries. The degree can qualify for PhD studies.

  • Learning outcomes

    A candidate who has completed his or her qualification should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

    Knowledge:

    • Deep knowledge within one or more of the disciplines animal breeding, nutrition and ethology and animal welfare applied to production animals and/or sport and companion animals.
    • Broad knowledge on how the different disciplines integrate and are important for both the farm animal and companion animal production sector.

    Skills:

    • The ability to go into depth within one discipline.
    • How to write a master thesis based on own experiments, available data and/or available literature.

    Competence:

    • Knowledge of how to combine theory and practice to meet the challenges in animal production and in society.
    • Understands how economic and political frameworks as well as nature given conditions are influencing the Norwegian farm animal production sector.
  • Exchange possibilities
    Students are recommend to go on exchange. NMBU has many relevant partner universities. The exchange must be preapproved by the Faculty.
  • Program structure

    Students may choose one of three specializations: animal breeding and genetics, animal nutrition or ethology and animal welfare. At least 50 credits in animal science courses and 5 credits in statistics, in addition to the master thesis is required. At least 35 credits must be at the 300 level. A least 25 credits of these must be from the 300 level within the subject area. The master thesis is 30, 45 or 60 credits. The remaining credits can be chosen from any 200- or 300-level courses.

  • More about the program
    • Societal relevance
      Norway wants to have a growing and sustainable population of domestic animals. The programme aims at providing advanced knowledge on a high international level of effective production which takes care of both the important productions and the growing diversity of animal production. The aim is to increase the students knowledge so that they can contribute to animal science and animal production in Norway in the future.
    • Learning activities
      The programme applies a wide range of teaching methods, such as lectures, excursions, independent studies, exercises and seminars by students.
    • Examination
      Oral or written examination, portfolio assessment, combined assessment or assignment.
    • Information for students from partner universities
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Study advisor(s):

Stine Telneset

Senior Advisor
Gisken Trøan

Gisken Trøan

Senior Advisor