Hav och samhälle, masterprogram

The ocean is under increasing pressure from human activities such as fishing, coastal development and pollution, and marine resources are deteriorating at an increasing rate, resulting in conflicts and loss of biodiversity. To understand and manage the complexity of these issues, integrated knowledge from different disciplines is needed. To address this challenge, the University of Gothenburg offers the international, interdisciplinary master's programme in Sea and Society to educate a new generation of students and professionals with a uniquely broad training for a career in e.g. marine/maritime authorities, industry, environmental courts, and multidisciplinary marine sciences.

The programme aims to give a comprehensive analysis of the interactions between the marine ecosystem and socioeconomic systems of human society. It will further provide students with an understanding of the complexity of many of the problems that currently challenges a sustainable development of humans' use of the sea and new tools to meet this challenge.

More about the programme

Education

The programme has four mandatory courses in the first year, which all have a strong interdisciplinary profile with teachers from five different faculties and from marine and maritime industries, authorities, and agencies in Sweden. Each course consists of lectures complemented with exercises, group discussions, seminars, group or individual project works, and written reports.

• The Sea and Society Relationship; Historical Perspectives, Present Status and Future Challenges
• Blue Economy and Sustainable Use of Marine Resources
• European Marine Directives and Policies - an Interdisciplinary Perspective
• Seascape Governance in Times of Global Change

During the first semester of the second year, students can choose among a large number of relevant courses at the University of Gothenburg (UG) and are also encouraged to take courses at other universities in Europe or overseas. The programme ends with a 30-credit master thesis project that could be carried out within academia (at UG or another university) or in collaboration with marine and maritime authorities or industry, pending a local supervisor from UG.

Students will get help setting up an individual study plan that will match their academic background and interest.

Why Gothenburg?

The University of Gothenburg is Sweden's most complete environment for marine and maritime research and education with a unique breadth spread out over six faculties, including the Faculty of Science, Social Science, Arts, School of Business, Economy and Law, and Academy of Design and Crafts. Having access to unique marine infrastructures such as research vessels and two marine research stations, the university enjoys excellent conditions for addressing future challenges within marine research and education.

Career area

The program will provide students with a uniquely broad and interdisciplinary education that will give them an understanding of other disciplines, and provide them with tools to address the complex challenges that face the marine environment today. It will prepare them for a career in different fields where interdisciplinary work is needed, including international and national marine authorities, agencies, and environmental courts, working with e.g. environmental management and policy, and marine and coastal planning. The education will also prepare the student for a career in the marine/maritime industry and consultancy with tasks related to e.g. shipping, fishery, aquaculture, and coastal management. Finally, the program will prepare students for a career within academia in interdisciplinary marine research.