Studieplan og emnebeskrivelse
for mastergradsstudiet i akvamedisin
ved
Norges veterinærhøgskole
Study plan for the master study – Master of aquatic
medicine
Norwegian School of Veterinary Science
Class 2008
Study year 2008/2009
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Content
Study plan
Duration, scope and level of study
Acceptance criteria
Study objectives
Post-graduation employment possibilities
Organization of the study
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Module 1: Basics in aquatic medicine
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Module 2: The research process and introduction to biostatistics
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Module 3: Treatment and prevention in aquaculture
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Master thesis
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_____________________________________________
Definitions
Module responsible:
Exam responsible:
Hippocampus and It’s learning:
The person organising and administrating semester 1-4.
The person organising and administrating the exam
during all semesters.
Intranet pages for the teacher and the students.
___________________________________________________________________________
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Study plan
Duration, scope and level of study
The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science (NSVS) is an academic institution that works to
promote ethics in bioproduction, including marine bioproduction, healthy animals and food
products of high safety standards of the end product.
The master of aquatic medicine is a study that will result in the title: master of aquatic
medicine. The study is of 2 years duration over 4 semesters. The study points generated are
120 ECTS of which 60 are course related and 60 points are constituted by the master thesis.
Acceptance criteria
The general requirements apply for 120 ECTS point master studies as specified in ”forskrift
om krav til mastergrad”. In concert with what is stated, to be accepted as a student the
applicant would have to document a background of either:
-
bachelor
cand.mag.
other relevant background or a working experience of minimum 3 years
an education that would be in accordance with § 3-4 in ”Lov om universiteter
og høgskoler”
Within each of the different education programs indicated above, the requirement is
-
A minimum of 80 ECTS acquired
Integrated training of minimum 120 ECTS within the area that this master
study covers
Applicants of foreign countries will have to document that they fulfil the requirement as
specified for universities and scientific colleges in Norway (Forskrift om opptak til
grunnutdanninger ved universiteter og høyskoler).
Study objectives
After completion of the Master of Aquatic Medicine the student shall have a good basis for
understanding and practicing fish health management and disease control. The introductory
courses of the first module “Basics in aquatic medicine” will give the candidate an
introduction to fish anatomy and fish pathology, fish nutrition including nutritional-based
diseases, fish genetics, and infectious diseases (bacterial, viral and parasitic) of aquaculture
fish.
The second semester builds on the first semester module and is a continuation and more indepth presentation of methods of treatment and prevention of diseases in aquaculture. The
courses include disease control through vaccination, infectious disease epidemiology,
diagnostic methods used for diagnosis and control, treatment by antibiotics and anti-parasitics,
and a final field course where everything is compiled and discussed under practical
conditions.
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Post-graduation employment possibilities
The Master of aquatic medicine will give the candidate a strong basis for acting as a
competence provider to a global and growing industry – marine bio-production. The main
focus and the majority of the examples used under theoretical and practical training of the
students will emanate from aquaculture of salmonids and Atlantic salmon in particular. The
principles are however general and can be applied also to other fish species.
Organization of the study
The first year of the study which is based on lectures, discussion groups, laboratory courses
and field courses and all are theoretically oriented. It is structured in such a way that the
students will experience a gradual development in complexity of the topics presented. The
students will clearly benefit from following all courses during the fall semester for their
second semester lectures and courses.
Having completed year 1, the students are well prepared to start their master thesis studies.
The institutes at NSVS offering master thesis study programs are as follows;
NSVS and the National Veterinary Institute (NVI) have signed a collaboration agreement
where NVI will accept Master students at relevant sections, up to 3 students in total.
The study starts on August 25th and lasts for 17 weeks. The spring semester starts 2nd week of
January and lasts for 22 weeks.
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Study plan for the Master of Aquatic Medicine
The main outline of the studies is as follows (more details are found in the semester plan)
Introduction to master studies
Introductory meeting with Department of Academic Affairs and Research
Administration
Fall semester (15 weeks)
Module 1
Compulsory course:
Basics in aquatic medicine, Part 1 (20 ECTS):
 Introduction to aquaculture
 Anatomy/Pathology combined with field course
 Infectious diseases of aquaculture animals
Written exam – 6 hours. Grade A-E
Basics in aquatic medicine, Part 2 (10 ECTS):
 Basic principles of nutrition
 Introduction to fish genetics
Written exam – 4 hours. Grade A-E
Spring semester (22 weeks)
Module 2
Compulsory courses:
 The research process. Introductory course to Biostatistics (Master Thesis)
Submitting protocol (Study requirements)
 Introduction to biostatistics (10 ECTS)
Written exam 5 hours Grade A-E
Module 3
Treatment and prevention in aquaculture:
Treatment and prevention in aquaculture, compulsory models (13 ECTS)
compulsory modules (unless otherwise stated)
 Basics in fish immunology
 Diagnostic principles and procedures
 Veterinary drugs in aquaculture
 Field course
Written exam – 6 hours Grade A-E
Treatment and prevention in aquaculture, elective modules
Alternative 1:
 Vaccinology in disease control in aquaculture (elective) (5 ECTS)
Group task exam Grade A-E
And
 Infectious disease epidemiology (2 ECTS)
Individually task exam Grade A-E
Alternative 2:
 Introduction to epidemiology (elective) (10ECTS)
Individually task exam Grade A-E
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TOPICS:
Fall semester:
Module 1: Basics in aquatic medicine (17 weeks)


Basics in aquatic medicine, Part 1 (20 ECTS)
- Introduction to aquaculture, Anatomy/physiology, Infectious diseases and
Pathology
Basics in aquatic medicine, Part 2 (10 ECTS)
- Nutrition and genetics
Objectives
The objective of the first semester is to give the students an introduction to basic disciplines in
aquatic medicine, including overview of global aquaculture, give an introduction to anatomy
and physiology through a field course/practical training programme, present histopathology
nutrition, genetics including principles of breeding, and finally an introductory course in
infectious diseases.
Learning objectives
At the completion of the module the students shall:
- know which fin fish species are important in aquaculture operations in
different parts of the world including know the main principles applied in fish
farming in the Nordic countries
- know the relative amount of the different species produced and their economic
importance (regionally and internationally)
- understand the development trends in different markets.
- explain the basic principles of genetics
- explain and assess the principles used in practical breeding of fish
- explain and present important aspects of nutritional physiology in fish
- know the basic principles regarding estimation of nutrient requirements
(energy, essential fatty acids/amino acids and minerals) of fish (herbivorous,
omnivorous and carnivorous)
- explain feed evaluation
- know fish feed ingredient characteristics
- explain the close relationship between feeding and health in fish
- recognize and know the name of internal organs of fish and their anatomical
localisation, and gross appearance (form, size, colour) and recognize the organ
from histological slides.
- recognize important fish diseases in sections
- explain the aetiology and describe and characterize pathological findings and
differentiate them from similar diseases
- understand and describe different techniques used to differentiate between
cells, tissues and diseases.
- know the disease-causing agents for the major viral, bacterial and parasitic
diseases affecting cold-water fish
- basic understanding of virulence mechanisms including bacterial antibiotic
resistance
- explain the basic principles of international fish disease legislation
- perform, by computer, molecular characterization of disease causing organisms
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Content
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Introduction to aquaculture
Anatomy and pathology of fishes, including a field study trip
Basic principles of nutrition
Introduction to fish genetics
Infectious diseases of aquaculture animals
Teaching form and approaches
- Lectures and colloquia
- Group work
- Field trip
- Laboratory courses
Text books
Fish nutrition (Halver and Hardy)
Biotechnology and Genetics in Fisheries and Aquaculture (Beaumont and Hoare)
Study requirements
Mid-term exam in Nutrition “Nutrient requirements and utilization”
Students should pass the mid-term exam in order to present themselves for the final exam at
the end of the semester. Grading is pass/not pass.
Students that do not pass or that have a legal reason for not presenting themselves for the midterm exam will have a second chance by end of the course. Students that have not passed the
mid-term exam prior to the final exam can present themselves for final exam but it will not be
approved until the mid-term exam is passed.
Compulsory teaching
Field study
The field course will be arranged the third week of the fall semester. The field course includes
visit to hatcheries, grow-out sites and a brood fish station (as times allows). The field course
may be arranged under the NOVA umbrella and include collaboration with Norwegian and
Nordic universities (University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway; Technical University,
Copenhagen, Denmark etc) and will be arranged in one of the Nordic countries.
During the field course, students will be given small tasks (individual or in groups) and
present their findings and results.
The NOVA University will cover accommodation and travel costs will be covered by NSVS.
The module responsible and the NSVS will arrange travel and accommodation for the
students. Any students requiring visa will be notified by the study administration at NSVS
and cost incurred for visa application will be covered by NSVS.
Students will not get any daily allowance and will have to cover their daily cost (food etc.).
The field course is mandatory and students prevented from attending will have to complete
the course the 2nd year of their study. The students not attending the first year of the study can
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present themselves for the exam at the end of the 1st semester but final approval of the exam
will be given until the field course has been completed.
Laboratory course in “Infectious diseases of aquaculture animals”
Laboratory courses are mandatory. This will also be stated in the timetable. No more than
10% absence of the mandatory courses will be accepted. Depending on the reason for
absence, individually adapted courses may be arranged in certain cases. If a student does not
pass the course because of absence he/she will have to repeat the course the following year.
It will be required that the students bring a laboratory coat. The student will work with live,
contagious agents in the laboratory. How to deal with such agents in the laboratory, including
general hygienic principles and how to avoid spread of agents will be demonstrated.
Basic knowledge requirements
Bachelor level in biology/biological disciplines.
Exam
Written exams:
 One covering Part 2, nutrition and genetics, will be held in October: 4 hours duration.
Graded exam, A (best) to E (lowest score). F is given for candidates not passing the
exam. No helping aids are allowed.
 One covering Part 1 the remaining courses of the fall modules, at the end of the
semester: 6 hours duration. Graded exam, A (best) to E (lowest score). F is given for
candidates not passing the exam. No helping aids are allowed.
Students will be notified within 3 weeks after the exam.
Responsible
Module responsible: Øystein Evensen
Teaching responsible: Beate Thu, BasAM
Department Head Basam: Mona Alexandersen
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Spring, semester 2 (year 1):
Module 2:

The research process, establishing a research protocol (2 weeks)
Overall aim
The course is an introduction to the research process, and presents the students basic
aspects of scientific reasoning and research planning. Further, the student is expected to
establish a dialogue with his/ her supervisor(s) in writing a preliminary study protocol.
Study objective
Through the course the students are expected to reach the following platforms
Knowledge
 Understand basic aspects of theory of science and scientific integrity
 Know the basics of research planning in epidemiological and laboratory studies.
Skills
 Be able to formulate a clear research idea and describe to some detail the
experiment or study to be conducted in a preliminary study protocol.
Course contents
The course brings the students the necessary starting platform to start her/ his research
planning:
 Theory of science/ causality
 How to write a preliminary study plan
 Short introduction to the thinking behind different research approaches
Teaching material
Some handouts will be given to the students during the course. Lectures will be
available as .pdf files on It's Learning. Additional files are available through the net.
Competence platform
To participate in the course, a biological training corresponding to the 1st semester of
the Master courses is necessary.
Equipment
Access to a PC is essential for writing the protocol. Those who do not have a laptop
may use the student PC room.
Rules of study
The course is a compulsory part of the training for the Master students. However, the
lectures are not compulsory as such, but it is strongly recommended to participate as the
handouts alone will not be able to reproduce the dialogue during the course.
Evaluation and credits
Each student has to submit their study protocol for evaluation. When submitting the
protocol via It's Learning, a signature sheet has to be signed by student and
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supervisor(s). The protocol will then be presented by the student and comments given
by other students and lecturers.
The course is linked to the research project and the protocol must be accepted before the
research project starts. The course is an integrated part of the ECTS credits given to the
research part and does not give separate ECTS credits.
Course responsible
Eystein Skjerve Eystein.Skjerve@veths.no
Responsible department
Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology
Head of Department: Gudmund Holstad Gudmund.Holstad@veths.no

Introduction to biostatistics (10 ECTS)
The course is a basic course offered for all Master or PhD students at NVH without
formal training in biostatistics.
Overall aim
The course aims at establishing the necessary starting platform to understand research
planning and some competence in statistical analysis. The course or equivalent is
necessary to follow further courses in statistics/ research design at NVH.
Study objective
Through the course the students are expected to reach the following platforms:
Knowledge
 Know the main principles of applied biostatistics.
 Know properties of important probability distributions
 Understand main principles behind estimation theory and statistical hypothesis
testing.
Skills
 Be able to describe statistical patterns using tabular and graphical techniques.
 Be able to establish a confidence interval and formulate and perform testing of
hypotheses in specified situations
Contents
The course focuses on the following topics:
 Probability theory
 Random variables and probability distribution
 Special important probability distributions in Medical Research
 The Central Limit Theorem
 Estimation and demands to Estimators
 Interval Estimation
 Formulation of hypotheses
 Testing hypotheses in Binomial and Poisson model, in continuous parametricand nonparametric models as well as in Contingency Tables
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Teaching material
Handouts covering all lectures are available as .pdf files on It’s Learning, but will also
be available in print before the course starts. Exercises etc. are also found on It’s
Learning
Competence platform
There are no formal requirements for background in statistics, but necessary skills in
biology and some (high school level) mathematics is required.
Equipment
Access to a computer, preferably a laptop is needed. The software JMP will be made
available for students.
Rules of study
Lectures are not compulsory, but it is recommended that the students follow the
lectures and participate in the exercises/ group work.
Evaluation and credits
A written exam is given at the end of the course. Grades A-E (F) are based upon the
written exam. The course gives 10 ECTS.
Course responsible
Stig Larsen Stig.Larsen@veths.no
Responsible department
Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology
Head of Department: Gudmund Holstad Gudmund.Holstad@veths.no
Module 3: Treatment and prevention in aquaculture (16 weeks)
Objectives
The module Treatment and prevention of diseases in aquaculture introduces the
students to basic principles of immunology, vaccinology, epidemiology of infectious
diseases, principles of diagnostics, treatment of diseases, and a field course.
The courses include:
1. introduction to basic principles of immunology and fish immunology
2. principles of fish vaccination (vaccinology) with emphasis of
immunoprophylaxis in disease control
3. introduction to diagnostic principles and procedures used in diagnosis of fish
diseases
4. veterinary drugs in aquaculture
5. field course including visits to hatcheries and fish farms
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Learning objectives
The students should:
- know how to carry out a routine sampling of material for diagnostic
examination following an autopsy
- understand how to preserve samples for different diagnostic procedures
- know the limitations as regards the possibility for identification of
disease causing agents
- explain basic principles of immune responses in general and fish in
particular
- know methods of immune assessment
- know methods collection of fish blood and preparation of serum
- describe solutions and strategies used for vaccination of farmed fish
under different production settings
- know the basic principles of development, documentation and use of
biologicals (vaccines) in aquaculture
- explain the importance of immunoprophylaxis in controlling infectious
diseases
- know the basic principles concerning absorption, distribution,
metabolism and excretion of drugs in fish
- be familiar with the indications for use and modes of action of the most
commonly used groups of veterinary drugs intended for fish
- know and understand the basic concepts of a toxicological risk
assessment
- know and understand how ADI-, MRL-values and withdrawal times are
determined
- know about the most important legislation concerning drug residues in
food and feed, both international and national
- know about surveillance programmes for drug usage and drug residues
in fish
- know about the general legislation regulating the use of experimental
animals
- know about animal welfare considerations when using fish as
experimental animals
- explain common experimental techniques, as handling, injections,
sampling
- know about the most common marine biotoxins affecting aquaculture
and aquaculture products
- know about common toxic algae and their effects on fish
- explain the basic biological mechanisms of disease transmission in
natural populations
- know basic concepts of infectious disease epidemiology
- understand the basics for deterministic disease models
- construct and use a simple epidemic model (Reed-Frost) in a spreadsheet
- know the production chain for Atlantic salmon production, explain
bottlenecks in production and know and be able to identify key clinical
traits of the major disease problems at different stages of production
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Content
1. Comparative immunology
2. Infectious disease epidemiology
3. Veterinary vaccinology (elective)/Epidemiology (elective)
4. Diagnostic principles and procedures
5. Veterinary drugs in aquaculture
6. Field course
Teaching form and approaches
- Lectures and colloquia
- Group work
- Field trip
- Laboratory courses
Text books
Immunobiology (Janeway, Travers, Walport & Shlomchik)
Study requirements
Self-tests will be available for the students and they are not mandatory. It is
recommended however that each student should answer at least 3 of the tasks (out of
6).
Colloquia will be arranged to discuss selected topics.
Compulsory teaching
Completed laboratory report for “Diagnostic principles and procedures”
Field course
Laboratory courses are mandatory. This will also be stated in the timetable. No more
than 1 day of absence (out of 5) of the mandatory courses will be accepted. Students
with absence above the given limit can present themselves for the final exam, however
it will not be approved until the course has been completed and approved by the
module responsible.
The field course will be arranged in May/June. The field course includes visit to
hatcheries, grow-out sites and a brood fish station (as times allows) and students will
travel to the islands of Hitra and Frøya for these visits.
During the field course, students will be given small tasks (individual or in groups)
and present their findings and results.
NSVS will cover accommodation and travel costs. The module responsible and the
NSVS will arrange travel and accommodation for the students.
Students will not get any daily allowance and will have to cover their daily cost (food
etc.).
The field course is mandatory and students prevented from attending will have to
complete the course the 2nd year of their study. The students not attending the first year
of the study can present themselves for the exam at the end of the 2nd semester but
final approval of the exam will be given until the field course has been completed.
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Required knowledge
This module builds on the module Basics of Aquatic Medicine
Evaluations:
Compulsory modules (13 ECTS):
 Comparative immunology
 Diagnostic principles and procedures
 Veterinary drugs in aquaculture
 Field course
Written 6 hour exam at the end of the semester. Graded exam, A (best) to E (lowest
score). F is given for candidates not passing the exam.
Responsible
Module responsible: Øystein Evensen
Teaching responsible: Beate Thu
Department Head BasAm: Mona Aleksandersen
Elective modules:
Alternative 1:

Infectious disease epidemiology (2 ECTS)
See description under Introduction to Epidemiology with infectious disease
epidemiology, b. Infectious disease epidemiology.
Individually task exam Grade A-E
And

Vaccinology in disease control in aquaculture (5 ECTS)
Vaccinology is an elective module with a separate written exam in the form of task work
where students will be split into groups of 3-4 and present a vaccine proposal on a defined
topic. Vaccinology will be given a separate grade (on the curriculum).
Group task exam Grade A-E
Responsible
Module responsible: Øystein Evensen
Teaching responsible: Beate Thu
Department Head BasAm: Mona Aleksandersen
Alternative 2:

Introduction to epidemiology with Infectious disease epidemiology (5 weeks, 10
ECTS)
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The module consists of two separate courses; Introduction to Veterinary Epidemiology
and Infectious disease epidemiology.
Evaluation and credits
During the course Introduction to veterinary epidemiology, each student has to submit a
set of assignments and a full study protocol. Evaluation of the course Infectious disease
epidemiology is by a submitted case. Total grades A-E (F) will be given based upon
assignments (25%) study protocol (50%) and Infectious disease epidemiology case
(25%). The whole course gives 10 ECTS credits.
a. Introduction to veterinary epidemiology
Overall aim
The course aims at establishing the necessary competence for design of epidemiological
studies and analysis of data from epidemiological studies.
Study objective
Through the course the students are expected to reach the following platforms:
Knowledge
 Know the basic theoretical fundament of planning and analysis of
epidemiological studies.
Skills
 Write a full study protocol for own study
 Ability to perform basic analysis of data from epidemiological studies
Contents
The course is a mix of theoretical introductions (before lunch) and independent work on
reading / assignments after lunch. Lecturers will be available for questions every
afternoon. Most assignments are from the textbook, where also suggested solutions are
given. Throughout the course, each student will develop a full study protocol for his/her
study, based upon a standard protocol made available at the course. The following
topics are covered:
 Using Stata
 Causal concepts
 Questionnaire design
 Sampling
 Measures of disease
 Introduction to observational studies
 Cohort design
 Casus control studies
 Hybrid study design
 Diagnostic test properties and test evaluation
 Measures of association
 Validity in observational studies
 Confounder bias: analytic control and matching
 Linear regression
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Teaching material
The course is based upon the first 14 chapters (Ch 11 excluded) of the textbook
Veterinary Epidemiological Research by Dohoo, Martin and Stryhn. In addition to this
book, handouts and assignments will be available on the web. Throughout the course,
Stata version 10 will the software used in teaching and assignments, and basic training
in the use of Stata is integrated in the course. A course licence if Stata will be available.
Competence platform
The course assumes a competence platform similar to Introduction to biostatistics or
similar courses.
Equipment
Access to a PC, preferably a laptop is necessary to follow the course.
Rules of study
Theoretical lectures are not compulsory, but working with and submitting assignments
is compulsory. The study protocol is compulsory and has to be submitted and presented
for discussion during the course.
Course responsible
Eystein Skjerve Eystein.Skjerve@veths.no
Responsible department
Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology
Head of Department: Gudmund Holstad Gudmund.Holstad@veths.no
b. Infectious disease epidemiology
Overall aim
The course will present basic elements of infectious disease epidemiology with an
emphasis on disease control in populations.
Study objective
Through the course the students are expected to reach the following platforms:
Knowledge
 Understand the basic biological mechanisms of disease transmission in natural
populations
 Know basic concepts of infectious disease epidemiology
 Understand the basics for deterministic disease models, simple difference and
differential equation based models
Skills
 Construct and use a simple epidemic model (Reed-Frost) in a spread-sheet
 Establish a graphical infectious disease model
Contents
The following topics are covered:
 Introduction to infectious disease epidemiology; Definitions
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








Introducing mathematical models for epidemics, R0
Difference and differential equations
Outbreaks; Surveillance
Measuring infectivity
Natural history of infectious diseases
Sero-epidemiology
Contact patterns, social networks
Infectious or non-infectious?
Geographical Information systems, GIS
Teaching material
The textbook Giesecke J: Modern Infectious Disease Epidemiology. 2 ed. Arnold
Publishers. (Chapters 1-4; Chapters 11-18) covers most of the topics at the course, and
is available at the NVH bookstore. Lectures and handouts will be made available as .pdf
files on It’s Learning.
Basic epidemiological models (Reed Frost) will be established in Excel. Software for
dynamic (SIR) models and GIS models will be demonstrated during the course.
Competence platform
A basic competence in biostatistics and epidemiology is necessary for attending the
course, similar to the PhD courses Introduction to biostatistics and Introduction to
veterinary epidemiology.
Equipment
Access to a computer, preferably a laptop is necessary for following the course.
Rules of study
Theoretical lectures are not compulsory, but working on and submitting a case is
compulsory.
Course responsible
Eystein Skjerve Eystein.Skjerve@veths.no
Responsible department
Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology
Head of Department: Gudmund Holstad Gudmund.Holstad@veths.no
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Master thesis
1 year
60 ECTS points
The master thesis work will be carried out during the 3rd and 4th semester of the master study
(2nd year). Topics for the master thesis will be presented by research groups and scientists at
the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science and the National Veterinary Institute and will be
selected by the students during the first part of the 2nd semester. For further information
please confer the regulations set forward for the Master study at NSVS.
Content
The structure and the content of the master thesis are described in the regulation for the
master thesis at NSVS.
Evaluation
The Master thesis will be subject to evaluation with two independent examiners (1 external).
For further information please confer the regulations set forward for the Master study at
NSVS.
The thesis will be graded as: pass/not pass or graded from A-E (Class 2007 students can
select evaluation form). Graded from A-E for class 2008 students
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