Resource hub for Master’s students in Biosciences

• Register for your first-semester courses before the deadline 1st September 

• Choose electives based on your interests and programme relevance. 

• See the List of Courses at IBV. 

Finding three courses without schedule conflicts can be tricky — this schedule planner can help. 

The results of the course admission will become visible in StudentWeb after the applications have been processed. Make sure to attend the first lecture - also applies to those on wait-list

We encourage you to leave your last semester free for your thesis work.

Pay the semester fee

• Deadline for fall semester: 1 September
• Deadline for spring semester: 1 February

For more information go to this website: registration and semester fee

• You must attend the orientation meeting at the start of the semester. 

• If you are prevented, inform the Study Administration in advance. 

You can either: 

• Choose from published projects – see available projects here. 

• Or find your own project. 

NB! If your project is outside IBV or NHM: 

• Your main supervisor must arrange an internal co-supervisor from IBV or NHM. 

• The topic and scope must be approved by your internal co-supervisor. 

• It is your resposibility to learn about your master’s programme structure and requirements. 

• Familiarize yourself with the different sections at the Department of Biosciences (IBV). 

Deadline: 1 December 

• Study Plan Agreement form

• Complete the HSE self-declaration form. 

What is the Study Agreement?

The Study Agreement is a formal agreement between you and your supervisors that outlines your master's project and how it will be carried out.

The purpose of the agreement is to ensure that you and your supervisors have a shared understanding of the project's content, scope, and expected progress, and that the necessary preparations are in place before you begin your work.

What must be included in the Study Agreement?

1. Project description

A description of your master's project, including its objectives, research questions, and planned methods.If you found your project advertised on our website, you may use the project description provided there, as long as it accurately reflects the project you and your supervisors have agreed upon.

2. Project timeline

A preliminary timeline outlining when you plan to complete the different stages of your master's project.

You and your supervisors should develop this timeline together, discussing how to allocate your time and establishing realistic expectations for the project's progress.

The timeline can be as general or detailed as you prefer. For example, you may:

• Provide a semester-by-semester overview of the main project activities.
• Divide the project into quarterly milestones.
• Create a more detailed monthly plan outlining specific tasks and goals.

The timeline does not have to be final. We understand that research projects evolve and that plans may change along the way. The purpose is to ensure that you and your supervisors have discussed the workload, established a realistic plan, and agreed on what should be accomplished at different stages of the project.

3. Health, Safety and Environment (HSE)

You must also complete the required HSE form as part of your Study Agreement. This ensures that relevant health, safety, and environmental considerations have been assessed before you begin your master's project.

If your project is at IBV: 

• You must upload a risk assessment in the HSE form (provided by your supervisor)

• Upload the reference number from your submitted HSE form to your study agreement. 

If your study agreement isn’t ready by December 1st: 

• Inform the Study Administration. 

• Give them a new estimated submission date. 

• Do not start working on your project until your internal supervisor has approved it. 

Making chances to your study plan? 

• Form for adding or making changes to the Study Plan after the December 1 deadline: Form for Submitting Changes to Your Study Plan Agreement.

• Follow this link to see published 30 credit projects
• The deadline for submitting the master’s thesis is normally May 15 in the 10th semester.

Make sure to check the exam date, which can be found in the course description. Select the correct term and then navigate to the exam section. It is your responsibility to ensure that your exams do not conflict with one another. If a conflict occurs, contact the student administration as soon as possible.

• Form for submitting the Study Plan Agreement: Study Plan Agreement form

• Form for adding or making changes to the Study Plan Agreement: Form for Submitting Changes to Your Study Plan Agreement.” 

• General information for Master's students at the Faculty og Mathematics and Natural Sciences
• HSE Self-Declaration

• Application form for special syllabus

   

• Your thesis must be submitted in Inspera by the official submission deadline of 15 May (4th semester).

How to submit your thesis

• Submit your thesis in Inspera by the submission deadline.
• Send the final version of your thesis to both the internal and external examiners, with your supervisors and studieinfo@ibv.uio.no copied on the email. The version sent to the examiners must be identical to the version submitted in Inspera.
• Failure to submit your thesis by the deadline will result in termination of your admission to the master's programme without further notice.
• All master's theses are subject to plagiarism screening.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• If you have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your thesis, this must be declared. The Centre for Teaching and Learning in Science (KURT) has developed a template for declaring the use of generative AI.

You may choose to print your thesis through the UiO Graphic Centre.The Department of Biosciences (IBV) covers the cost of up to 15 printed copies, in either black and white or colour, up to a maximum of NOK 1,000.

When placing your order, use:

• Cost centre: 15550000
• Project number: 102420154

Although printing is optional, it is recommended, as some examiners prefer to read a printed copy. Download the standard thesis cover page from the Graphic Centre.

After submitting your thesis, you will complete a master's examination consisting of a presentation followed by an oral examination. The examination is normally held 3–6 weeks after the submission deadline.

All courses included in your degree must be passed before the master's examination can take place.

Before the examination

The candidate must:

• Submit the thesis in Inspera.
• Email the final version of the thesis to both examiners, copying your supervisors and studieinfo@ibv.uio.no.
• Prepare for the presentation and oral examination.

The supervisor must:

• Appoint one internal examiner employed at UiO and one external examiner.
• Ensure that the external examiner has not been employed by UiO within the previous two years.
• Schedule the examination in consultation with the examiners.
• Notify the Study Administration by completing this form

The Study Administration must:

• Arrange the contract for the external examiner.
• Book a room for the examination (if held in Kristine Bonnevies Hus).
• Publish the examination announcement.
• Send practical information to everyone involved.

The Study Administration does not provide individual career guidance.

For information about career opportunities, job searching, and career planning, we recommend visiting the University's career services.

• Career services
• Hvor jobber biologer?

The Department of Biosciences does not administer the CAREiN course.If you want to enroll for this course all questions regarding the theoretical part of the course should be directed to the University of Bergen (UiB). Questions regarding the practical training at UiO should be directed to the Faculty of Medicine (MedFac).

Guide for how to apply to the theoretical part of CAREiN