Nord University

The study programme gives practical, job-related knowledge on developing digital products, services and games for different target audiences. It focuses mainly on developing digital content like online services, games and products related to training, events, entertainment, advertising and such. The candidate will get a solid foundation in programming, traditional art, game design, ludology, and 3D game asset creation. All teaching is in English. The candidate will learn computer programming and use advanced computer software and tools to create exciting games and online interfaces (2D and 3D), mobile services, online sites and custom-made units for entertainment and information. Students will learn fundamentals within art, sound, game design and programming in the first year. From semester 2 throughout 6 there are several project courses, and in the 3rd semester students can choose between a number of elective courses. GoalsThe main goal of this study programme is to teach how to create digital products—like apps, presentations, and games—that can be used on mobile devices, in training sessions, at events, or for entertainment. The candidate gains skills from many areas, including computer programming, game design, art, building user interfaces, teaching methods, simulations, and how to develop, publish, manage, and share these digital systems. ContentThe study programme offers courses that provide the knowledge and skills to develop services, presentations and games: game design and developmentgame programming and animations (in 2D and 3D)mobile and wireless technologies, and databasesproject management, innovation and entrepreneurshipethics and professional practice project courses Game design and developmentDuring the first year the candidate will learn about design principles for game development and how to develop games for web or mobile deployment. These are the basis for further development of more advanced games created in courses in the 2nd and 3rd year. Classes also focus on skills like storytelling and drawing. The ethical and cultural aspects of making video games for a global audience are also addressed. Game programming and animations (in 2D and 3D)Some courses will give the candidate deeper understanding of programming and animation in a 2D and 3D setting. Additionally they will learn skills and gain knowledge in developing, managing and documenting games with the proper functionality and interface to give users a good experience. Mobile technologies and databasesDeveloping modern video games also requires understanding of data storage and information management and how to utilize this when creating games and exchanging data across the internet. Knowledge and skills regarding databases, video game engines and communication networks’ functionality are also an important part of the programme. Project management, innovation and entrepreneurshipThe study programme focuses throughout all terms on projects and teamwork, with several production and project courses. In this programme, project management, innovation and entrepreneurship is an integral part of several courses.. Ethics and professional practice Game development also requires knowledge in ethics in the field, as well as learning to know the industry, both historically and of today. Critical thinking and reflections are important parts of several courses. Project coursesTwo production courses are courses in collaboration with the Bachelor's programmes in CG Art and Animation and Bachelor in Film & TV Production, where students can work in interdisciplinary projects, developing artefacts, focusing on storytelling and virtual production. The students will have specified roles in the team. Later in the study programme, the students can develop their own work in a specialized subject area or engage in an interdisciplinary project. In the bachelor project the students can work alone or in teams to develop research-driven solutions to real-world problems.

This study programme provides basic knowledge in biological topics such as ecology, evolution, biodiversity, cell biology, and genetics, as well as basic chemistry, ethics, scientific methods, and statistics. These are keys to understanding everything from how variations in global climate will change nature in the years to come, why some individuals are more sexually attractive than others to why the dinosaurs never really died out. The first two years consist of mandatory courses. In several courses the students participate in mandatory laboratory exercises and field excursions.The last year of the programme consists of elective courses so that students may tailor their degree according to their own interests. Advanced level elective courses are offered, including marine research methods, molecular cell biology, aquatic microbiology, bioinformatics, advanced ecology, and marine mammals. In addition, it is possible to write a bachelor's thesis, complete 15 weeks of work experience in Norway or abroad, take a semester or two abroad at a partner university, or take courses at the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS). A completed BSc in Biology programme qualifies the student to apply for our Master in Bioscience, or to master programmes at other universities in Norway. The language of instruction is English. The study programme requires physical attendance.

The creative economy is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing. At the heart of this economy are the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) including the arts, film, music, theatre, dance, and the heritage sector. With this growth comes an increasing need for specialisation and interdisciplinarity. The CG Art & Animation programme will educate students to create digital artistic content and animation within the creative economy and develop professional skills that are transferable across many other sectors. Students will begin by establishing a foundation set of competencies, intended to give a wider perspective of the discipline, which they will then have the option to study in greater depth through elective courses that are representative of specialisms within the creative industries. Alongside expert guidance and support, students benefit from a learning environment that is designed to emulate professional practice through collaborative, interdisciplinary projects that put students’ skills to the test in a production context. CG Art & Animation students are part of a vibrant community, including film, games and music students, offering the chance to experience and explore the diversity within the creative economy. Furthermore, students are encouraged and given the opportunity to spend a semester studying abroad at a partner university or complete an internship with the creative industries. Just as we emulate professional practice, we also work with industry-standard tools in facilities equipped with the latest technologies for digital art, animation, filmmaking, game development and interactive media. As the creative industries are continually changing and developing, new skills and businesses are emerging. The CG Art & Animation programme will examine the wider context of the subject area, providing a theory-based foundation for creative and technical skills, and promote lifelong learning, innovation and entrepreneurship. Though our research and development work and links to industry, students have opportunities to apply their skills within a range of contexts helping them to launch a career in an incredibly exciting sector. Whether working in the artistic or commercial worlds, graduates will be tasked with considering their impact on the environment and society. Sustainability is a primary objective in a wide variety of industries and the ability of art and visual communication to convey what is difficult to say is why it is such an important part of sustainability. The wider application of digital artistic content as a communication strategy is an exciting area where competence is becoming increasingly in demand. Graduates of CG Art & Animation will possess skills and strategies, with a toolkit that combines the creative and the technical, to enable them to overcome visual communication problems in a range of professional contexts. The programme encourages students to be ambitious, curious and reflective.

A Master in Biosciences provides you with in depth knowledge within a chosen biological field, but will also improve your critical thinking and analytical skills. During the project phase of the programme you will be a part of a local scientific research group, conducting an original piece of scientific research. Master students can investigate the marine, terrestrial, and anthropogenic environments, gaining proficiency in the use of analytical tools in areas such as statistics and genomics. This flexible study programme provides advanced knowledge in biosciences with specialisations available in the following five fields: aquaculture, genomics, marine ecology, terrestrial ecology, and animal science. A Master of Biosciences will give you a competitive edge in the job market, and ability to choose a range of potential career paths. Students must have completed a safety course before they can use special rooms, special equipment or perform procedures that involve increased risk Master of Biosciences has five specialisations: Aquaculture Genomics Marine Ecology Terrestrial Ecology and Nature Management Animal Science Specialisation in Aquaculture: Aquaculture is the breeding, rearing, and harvesting of plants and animals in all types of aquatic environments. Aquaculture is probably the fastest growing food-producing sector globally, currently supplying almost 50 percent of the fish consumed worldwide. This specialisation will give students an in-depth knowledge of selected areas of aquaculture. You will be a part of a research team studying different aspects of aquaculture such as nutrition, physiology, health, and welfare. The master project can make use of the University's research station at the Bodø campus, or can be run in close cooperation with the regional industry. This specialisation prepares you for a career in research, consulting, or industry. Specialisation in Marine ecology: Study of functioning ecosystems and how organisms interact within marine environments is becoming increasingly important as human activity continues to exploit and affect marine ecosystems. Life under water is fascinating, but challenging to study. In this specialisation, you will be part of a research team studying different marine environments from various perspectives: using molecular techniques to study evolutionary processes, molecular population ecology, conservation biology, dynamics of diversity and communities, and modelling of hydrodynamical regimes. An understanding of these areas is essential to those sustainably managing marine resources in the future and, therefore, this programme prepares you for a career in research, consulting, industry or environmental authorities. Specialisation in Genomics: Defined as the study of structure, function and evolution of genomes, genomics is at the forefront of modern biology. Technological breakthroughs over the past decade have revolutionised the area and all related fields of biosciences. Master projects in genomics target a range of organisation levels in biology, from the molecular level to that of populations, via cells and organisms. Exciting research questions that were previously intractable can now be addressed. You will gain knowledge on how to collect, analyse and interpret large data sets using bioinformatics. Projects in genomics are often interdisciplinary, relating to a wide range of biological disciplines, such as ecology, reproduction, development, physiology, evolutionary biology, toxicology, and ethology. A specialisation in genomics prepares you for career opportunities in biotechnology, medicine, management, or academia. Specialisation in Terrestrial Ecology and Nature Management: Sustainable, responsible use of natural resources is a challenge and critical to ensure the human population in the future. It includes use of natural resources and land areas of the Earth that secures biodiversity and healthy ecosystems, as recognised by the Brundtland Commision some 25 years ago. To meet the challenges we need people with knowledge and skills in this field of scientific research and management who are able to communicate and find innovative management solutions. This programme prepares you for a career in nature management and research through familiarisation and deep knowledge of the tools available to secure sustainable use of nature resources. This specialisation prepares you for careers in conservation biology, ecological consultancy, management policy, or academia. Specialisation in Animal Science: A specialisation offering scientific and professional training that provides the knowledge and skills required to pursue a top career within livestock industries, scientific research and education, or consultancy services. Satisfying future demands of food quality, quantity and security can be solved by development and implementation of innovative concepts and ideas by well-qualified postgraduates driving developments in livestock science. Specifically, animal welfare, climate footprint, biodiversity, OneHealth, and rapidly developing high-tech and robotisation are all areas that the livestock sector must relate to. The specialisation in Animal Science offers opportunities to work with such issues and learn more about challenges for the livestock industry in the future.

The programme presents a unique exploration of the political, socio-economic, environmental, and cultural conditions of the Arctic and Nordic regions. This one-year programme comprises two semesters: the autumn semester focuses on politics and governance while the spring semester focuses on social, environmental, and cultural aspects of the Arctic and Nordic regions. The autumn semester offers an examination of the historical development of the Barents region and the Svalbard archipelago, and it delves deep into the political systems of the Nordic states. At the international level, the programme probes the Arctic policies of regional and extra-regional states such as the US and China, shedding light on the intricate web of inter-state relations in the Arctic. The spring semester focuses on a social organization and cultural exploration with a dedicated focus on indigenous peoples of the Arctic. Understanding their way of life and the challenges they face in today’s world is pivotal to our curriculum. Additionally, in the face of rapid environmental changes, our programme addresses the fundamental questions of resource development, justice, and sustainability. We aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills to address the pressing issues that the region faces today and in the future. Join us on this fascinating journey through the Arctic and the Nordic regions. The programme can be taken as an independent unit for those who wish to learn more about the region. The courses can also be chosen as electives by bachelor students from other programmes. It is offered in English and online. Some courses can be taken physically on-campus.