These study options are important contributions to our new strategy, which states “The education programmes at the Faculty shall attract the most academically motivated students at all levels. We shall contribute to ensuring that the entire field is made available to a multitude of students, while providing at the same time special offers to students with a particularly high learning ability. The Faculty shall attract students who wish to cultivate their talent and achieve their goals in an engaging learning environment”.
The Honours Programme
The interdisciplinary Honors Programme (only in Norwegian) is the first of its kind in Norway. It is a bachelor’s degree and focuses primarily on the most academically motivated students with a particularly high learning ability and work capacity. In collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities, we have developed a bachelor programme of 210 credits (normally it consists of 180 credits) where ten applicants will be admitted to studies in humanities with specialization in philosophy, linguistics or musicology, and ten will be admitted to studies in science and technology with specialization in physics and astronomy or mathematics with informatics.
In addition to the specialized subjects, the students will also be taking joint Honours courses of 30 credits. From autumn 2019, the Honours theme is artificial intelligence. The students will learn about data science, modelling and scientific methods from the various subject areas. In addition, they will participate in a research project that gives them competence in reporting and communication.
From 2020 we hope to increase the number of students to 20 for each of the programme options. Furthermore, we hope to expand the science and technology programme option and also include social science as a new field of study. As my colleague at the Faculty of Humanities and I wrote in Khrono before Christmas: The time has come for offering studies to the most academically motivated students (only in Norwegian).
Two year Master’s Programme in Renewable Energy Systems
I am very happy to announce that our youngest department - Department of Technology Systems – is now establishing its own master’s programme - a two year Master's Programme in Renewable Energy Systems! The programme focuses on the use of renewable energy systems in society, and is particularly suitable for students who are looking for jobs in the energy sector. The way energy is distributed, generated, controlled and regulated are central areas in this programme. The Department of Technology Systems collaborates closely with the neighboring research institutes at Kjeller: Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU) and Akershus Energipark. The close connection to business and industry gives this study programme a unique range and system perspective.
One-Year Unit in Informatics
The one-year unit in Informatics (only in Norwegian) is a new and sought after study option for students who want additional expertise in informatics or a broader understanding of the subject, but who do not want to take an full bachelor’s degree. The one-year unit is a good supplement to candidates who wish to strengthen their expertise. It includes an introduction to programming and informatics and offers a variety of courses to choose from. We are very optimistic for this offer from the Department of Informatics!
Thank you!
I would like to thank everyone who have contributed and who continues to contribute to these new study programmes: academic and administrative employees at our departments and at the Faculty Administration, our good colleagues at the Faculty of Humanities as well as external collaborators. Developing and establishing new programmes of study is hard work, but it is a must to fulfil the Faculty strategy’s high ambitions: “The education programmes at the Faculty shall maintain a high international standing at all levels and be closely connected to research, both academically and pedagogically”.