Educational Opportunities at the Agricultural University of Norway

Higher education and research focused on the interaction between the natural sciences, technology and social sciences Finding solutions to challenges within agricultural production, environment, land use management and entrepreneurship Accredited by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) Institutional Objectives

Established in ,650 students 1,200 Bachelor 1,200 Master 250 PhD 870 staff including 440 teaching & research staff 12 Bachelor and 30 Master programmes Total budget (2003) approx. 100 mill USD (667 mill NOK)

Research Strong link between research and education Long-term basic research Focal areas: Environment Food production Biotechnology Aquaculture Entrepreneurship

Campus Ås A total of 1,926 staff including 891 research & teaching staff. Total budget (2003) close to 200 mill USD (1,223 mill NOK). Campus Ås

Alliances with Other Institutions Food Alliance Aquaculture Alliance Triple Alliance Alliance for Development Cooperation Collaboration with the Institute of Aquaculture Research Collaboration with cooperative farmers’ organisations

The Norwegian Degree System 3-year Bachelor 2-year Master 5-year Master 3-year PhD

Credit System A full-time year of study at the Bachelor or Master level is equivalent to 60 study points 3-year Bachelor = 180 study points 2-year Master = 120 study points 5-year Master= 300 study points 1 study point = 1 ECTS = 30 student work hours Study points can be earned from course work, individual papers and theses

The Academic Year The academic year (10 months) consists of two semesters Fall semester: August - December Spring semester: January - June Each semester begins with a 3-week block where students take one course (5 study points) In the following 14 weeks students take 2-4 courses (25 study points total)

Bachelor Degree Programmes Aquaculture Biotechnology Mapping Science Animal Science Mathematics and Natural Sciences Food Science Environment and Natural Resources Plant Science Forest, Environment and Industry Studies Ecology and Nature Resource Management Business Administration Economics and Resource Management

2-year Master Degree Programmes (Norwegian) Aquaculture Applied Mathematics and Statistics Bioinformatics Biotechnology Physics Animal Science Domestic Animal Biology Farm Animal Buildings Chemistry Food Science Microbiology Plant Science Environment and Natural Resources Management of Natural Resources Ecology Forestry Forestry Business Business Administration Economics and Resource Management Nature-based Development and Innovation

5-year Master Degree Programmes (Norwegian) Technology – Applied Informatics and Environmental Modelling Technology – Geomatics Technology – Physics, Computer Science and Mathematics Technology – Construction Technique and Architecture Technology – Water- and Environmental Technology Technology – Environmental Physics Technology – Machinery- and Process Technology Landscape Architecture Spatial Planning, Property and Land Law Teacher Education in Natural Sciences

2-year Master Degree Programmes (English) Management of Natural Resources and Sustainable Agriculture Tropical Ecology and Management of Natural Resources Development and Resource Economics Development Studies Agroecology Biosystem Engineering Intensive Fish Farming Feed Manufacturing Technology

NLH – an International Campus 10% of students are non-Norwegian, including 50 PhD students 30% of students study abroad 30% of topics are offered in English NLH collaborates with approx. 80 universities abroad

An Inclusive Student Environment Easy to meet other students Guest students are offered housing on campus (self-catered) Student Union facilities Several cafeterias 70 different associations and clubs Football- and sports field, indoor sports centre Lighted ski trail National rowing facility Safe and beautiful rural campus 30 min. train ride to Oslo

Economic Aspects Tuition costs are covered by the Norwegian Government in accordance with national educational policy Cost of living is estimated at $11,500 (NOK 80,000) per year Minimum student budget per month: Accommodation $330 (NOK 2,300) Food/household $430 (NOK 3,000) Books $115 (NOK 800) Clothing $100 (NOK 700) Phone $60 (NOK 400) Local transport $30 (NOK 200) Membership fees and leisure $85 (NOK 600) Student counselling and support through the International Office, Student Information Centre and Social worker

Ideas for integrating educational activity with collaborative research projects and researcher exchange in a 5-year perspective

Joint Chair / Professorship Possible functions: Administer and lead the development of the collaboration as a whole Work with collaborating institutions to develop synergies and strengthen the network of co-operative research and education Spearhead teaching and research activities within at least 1 project, in which the Joint Chair has top competence Rotating Chair would provide bredth and balanced input from collaborators

Bilateral Student Exchange at Master and PhD Level Provide stipend support for student coursework and thesis research (travel, tuition, living expenses, research expenses) Recruit Master- and PhD students for collaborative research projects Appoint joint supervisory committees to make optimum use of competence and stimulate exchange of ideas Publication of student research will often be co- authored with collaborators Develop institutional bilateral agreements for credit transfer, fees, services, etc. based on reciprocity

Development of new and innovative courses Review existing courses/sets of courses related to the 6 project topics that are suitable for Master- and PhD exchange students Provide support for course revision and/or development of new graduate-level courses/sets of courses -collaborative development -focus on international and comparative aspects -focus on new developments in the field -learning materials developed for this group -flexible, net-based teaching modes -propose to start with 2 of the 6 areas

In a more long-term perspective: Joint degrees University of Minnesota Agricultural University of Norway