Coastal Ecology - An Ocean of Possibilities

Do you want to know more about conservation science and the effects of climate change on coastal nature? Are you interested in understanding how one can cultivate delicacy seaweed with a taste of truffles and other innovative marine industries? What about getting a unique insight in the special collaboration project among ocean industries, gastronomy and tourism supporting Europe’s first underwater restaurant – UNDER Lindesnes? 

Close collaboration on a new Master’s programme

Next fall, the University of Agder will launch an new international Master’s programme in Coastal Ecology. 

The study programme is co-hosted  by UiA, the regional industries and the leading research environments connected to the Centre for Coastal Research (CCR). The Master’s programme will focus on marine ecology and management, sustainable marine business and innovation. The study programme opens up many exciting opportunities for students in the job market. In the same way as marine biologists, coastal ecologists study life in the ocean, but in addition they see ocean and land, rivers and fjords, humans and coastal nature in one context.

 “After completing a Master’s Degree in Coastal Ecology, there are many work possibilities. You can choose to continue working with coastal management, teaching or joining one of the related industries. Another possibility is to take a PhD as I did, so you can keep researching the wildlife and nature of coastal areas,” says PhD Research Fellow Susanna Huneide Thorbjørnsen at the Centre for Coastal Research (picture).

National priority

Norway has more than 100 thousand kilometres of coastline, the world’s second longest after Canada. How can we exploit the coast in a sustainable way that secures both the economy and our natural resources for future generations? Aquaculture, fishing and fish farming are political priorities in Norway, and the government has set aside NOK 65 billion in 2018 for research and innovation in the “Blue Industries”. The commitment is meant to multiply over the next ten years, which means there will be a great need for professional expertise on all levels of the value chain, also in research and management. Even Moland, researcher at CCR (pictured), sees a clear need for more Coastal Ecologists in the times to come.

“The Master’s programme at UiA provides a fantastic opportunity to work on exciting research in a region that is nationally leading  the testing of new ways to manage and preserve the coastal nature,” he says.

The aquaculture in the Lister region is also directly involved in shaping the study programme and wants to connect with engaged Master’s students who wish to learn more about the further development of the industry. The industry depends on sustainable development, making it essential that key people have knowledge on how nature is affected and how to lower the negative effects of human activity.

Strong research environment

Through its coastal research centre (CCR), UiA collaborates with world leading actors, such as GRID Arendal, Institute of Marine Research, Norwegian Institute for Water Research and the University of Oslo. In addition to 100 years of research data, they have immediate closeness to a particular part of the Skagerrak coast. Researchers are really looking forward to welcoming the new Master’s students to the field.

“At UiA we are close to marine national parks and marine conservation areas. It is also possible to research how conservation areas can be used to protect species and ecosystems,” says Susanna Huneide Thorbjørnsen.

If you have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in biology or ecology, you can apply for the new Master’s programme in Coastal Ecology at UiA starting this fall.