Nuclear and Environmental Sciences
Are you interested in working with challenges related to radioactive pollution, radiation protection, nuclear preparedness, or analysis of radioactive substances in the environment, as well as risks and consequences of releases of radioactive material to the environment? If so, then this is for you as Norway, the Nordic countries and Europe in general need such expertise.
Norway needs graduates possessing skills and knowledge in the nuclear sciences. The Master programme in Nuclear and Environmental Sciences will provide you with fundamental and solid skills required for your future careers – both nationally and internationally – in research, management, and business where nuclear competence is required.
You will learn about the effects and consequences of radioactivity in the environment, radioactive contamination along with different types of pollutants in nature, and sources of such materials. You will also gain an understanding of the important principles of radiation protection and how Norway's nuclear preparedness and response system works, as well as risk and impact analysis.
Globally, there is an increasing focus on nuclear power as an ‘green’ energy source for the future; at the same time Norway also has to decommission and remediate its shut-down research reactors. This requires knowledge about the remediation and disposal of material contaminated with radioactivity, and the possible recovery of valuable radionuclides for various purposes.
The nuclear accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima have demonstrated the need for nuclear preparedness in Norway; additionally, knowledge in nuclear preparedness is also directly applicable to issues related to conflict in areas with nuclear facilities and the ongoing threat posed by the use of nuclear weapons.
In addition, the presence of natural radioactivity in Norwegian bedrock is a challenge for road and tunnel construction in Norway and gives rise to some of Europe's highest radon levels.
The knowledge you acquire will be applicable in many areas of applied science from the protection of health and the environment to nuclear preparedness and the decommissioning of nuclear installations. The Masters programme in Nuclear and Environmental Sciences will contribute to securing current and future needs for nuclear expertise in the Norwegian public sector and industry.