Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Graduates of the Masters programme will be internationally qualified for a wide range of positions in public and government institutions, administrative environmental agencies, consultancy companies and industry. Furthermore, there is an increasing need for competence within the area of risk assessment (REACH).
If you are interested in pursuing a career in research at an academic institution or in industry, you can continue with PhD studies here at NTNU, at another Norwegian institution or an institution abroad.
Competitive advantages
Through this programme you will be part of a large international scientific and industrial network. The candidates in environmental toxicology can after five years of work experience apply to become a “European Registered Toxicologist”.
Examples of where Graduated Students have been/are working:
Public sector
- Norwegian Environment Agency
- Ministry of Climate and Environment
- County Governor, Climate and the environment
- Local government, Environment
- Norwegian Food Safety Authority
- Education
- Research
- Universities
- Research institutes (Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Sintef)
Private sector
- Oil industry (Statoil, Shell)
- AVINOR
- Åkerblå
- Pharmacological industry
- Internationally consultancy companies
- Akvaplan-niva
- COWI
- Grupo OHL
- NGI
- Norconsult AS
- Pride AS
- Rambøl
- Sweco
Examples of Graduated Students' Careers
Spending time outside
Halvor Saunes graduated in Environmental Toxicology, and works as an Environmental consultant in COWI, an internationally consultancy firm.
Here he has had the opportunity to work with different types of projects within his field. –As an "outdoorsy" person I really like to spend time in the field taking samples and not just being in the office.
Halvor Saunes graduated in Environmental Toxicology, and works as an Environmental consultant in COWI, an internationally consultancy firm.
Here he has had the opportunity to work with different types of projects within his field. –As an "outdoorsy" person I really like to spend time in the field taking samples and not just being in the office.
I am very satisfied with my education at NTNU. The program has given me a strong biological foundation that I benefit from in my daily work here at COWI.
Halvor earned his Master's in Environmental Toxicology after completing bachelor's degree in biology at NTNU. -I started to study biology because I have always liked the outdoors, says Halvor. During his Bachelor period he heard about the Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry programme, from some of his fellow students. - I was interested in pollution and the potential effects pollution has on humans and nature, so I found the profile of this master program very exciting. Halvor's master's involved investigation of biological effects of heavy metals on Common eider at Svalbard. In the last half of the master program he started applying for jobs and discovered that his biological knowledge was attractive for a lot of different employers. – Our curious, investigative minds are useful in all sorts of careers, not only in the science sector, says Halvor. One month prior to his final examination he got a job offer from the Norwegian Climate and Pollution agency, where he worked before he moved to COWI.
Making a difference
Anja Johansen Haugerud graduated in Environmental Toxicology, and works as an Environmental coordinator in Statoil.
"One of the best parts of my job is to see that my advice yields concrete results. I really feel that I am making a difference in environmental issues"
Anja Johansen Haugerud graduated in Environmental Toxicology, and works as an Environmental coordinator in Statoil.
"One of the best parts of my job is to see that my advice yields concrete results. I really feel that I am making a difference in environmental issues"
Anja decided to study biology due to her profound interest in natural science, especially marine biology. During her bachelor she had a semester at UNIS on Svalbard where she took courses in Arctic biology and pollution in the Arctic. -I really enjoyed being in an Arctic environment, says Anja. - A part of the reason why I chose to follow the Environmental toxicology programme was that I could pursue the studies at UNIS and take a closer look at environmental issues and pollution in a remote area like Svalbard. In her master's thesis she studied effects from organic pollutants on hormones in Glaucous Gulls breeding on Svalbard. -The work with my thesis has been very relevant to my present occupation as it has given me a clear example of the effects harmful chemicals can have when distributed in an ecosystem.
-My education from NTNU comes in handy every day in my work at Statoil. Especially my ability to acquire new knowledge and my awareness of the precautionary principle in environmental approach has proven valuable. The two years at the Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry program have been an exciting and valuable time for me, and I am truly convinced that many of my fellow students will play an important role in future environmental science and environmental management.
A versatile work day
Pernille Bechmann graduated within Environmental Chemistry, and works as an environmental consultant in Norconsult AS.
"The work is very versatile and exciting. I get to do both fieldwork and write reports".
A versatile work day
Pernille Bechmann graduated within Environmental Chemistry, and works as an environmental consultant in Norconsult AS.
"The work is very versatile and exciting. I get to do both fieldwork and write reports".
"I chose the MSc in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry because the program seemed interesting with the opportunity of cooperation with Statoil and SINTEF.
Also, my bachelor degree in analytical and environmental chemistry from NTNU pointed me in this direction" Pernille says. The topic of Pernilles master project was mapping and monitoring of heavy metals in oil sand areas. She collected water samples in Statoil's oil sand area in Alberta, Canada to document concentrations of metals before the production of oil started. In addition she worked on developing a procedure for measuring arsenic in water with an electrochemical method.
"I learned to handle large reports and to work with a complex analytical method". Today Pernille works as an environmental consultant in Norconsult AS. "The work is very versatile and exciting. I get to do both fieldwork and write reports".
Do you have passion for research?
If you want profound knowledge within one field of interest, maybe a PhD is something for you?
Paid education: With a degree in MSc in Biology you can choose among the different PhD programmes offered by the Faculty of natural sciences and technology.
The PhD programmes educate independent scientists on an international level in cooperation with both national and international research environments.
Read more about the relevant PhD-programmes