Department of Biological Sciences

Department of Biological Sciences is one of 5 departments at NTNU Ålesund and one of eight departments under the Faculty of Natural Sciences. We host about 300 students with a faculty of 30. We offer the following degrees:

• Bachelor of Biomarine innovation
• Bachelor of Biotechnology
• Bachelor of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences (leads to a Norwegian authorization as health care personnel)

The Bachelor’s degree programs offer hands-on and applied education that is sought after in the industry and healthcare on a local, national and global level. The department has a close connection to external partners and is adaptable to needs from the industry. The department offers a close teaching and learning community between students and the lecturers, as the department practices an “open door” policy. Our students are members of the student organization “Symbiosen”, which organizes both social and more academic gatherings for the students at our department.

Please check the prerequisites listed in the course descriptions below. We offer these courses in English:

Fall semester 2025

BIA2003 External practice 1 (7,5 ECTS)

BIA3003 Introduction to research methods (7,5 ECTS)

BIA3004 Aquaculture research topics (7,5 ECTS)

MB301712 Applied biotechnology (15 ECTS)

Spring 2026

BIA1001 Marine Raw Materials (7,5 ECTS)

BIA2003 External practice 1 (7,5 ECTS)

BIA3001 External practice 2 (7,5 ECTS)

BTA2004 Basic biotechnology (7,5 ECTS)

HBIOA2007 Applied bioinformatics (7,5 ECTS)

BIA3002 Bachelor thesis (15 ECTS)

Other courses

• Norwegian for foreign exchange students (7.5 ECTS)  - offered both Autumn and Spring. 
• It is possible to combine courses from other departments, provided compatible class schedules and student is qualified.

Other information

Scandinavian/Nordic students with sufficient understanding of Norwegian language might take courses taught in Norwegian. However, special permission is required.