The world’s oceans are under increasing pressure from human activities such as fishing, coastal development and pollution, and marine resources are being deteriorated at an increasing rate, resulting in conflicts and loss of biodiversity. To understand and manage the complexity of these issues, integrated knowledge from several different disciplines are needed, including e.g. of history, social sciences, economy, law, and natural sciences. Addressing this challenge, the University of Gothenburg will start a new international, interdisciplinary master program (Master in Sea and Society) in 2019 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 over time and into the future. 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. The programme has a strong multidisciplinary profile and integrates different disciplines in all the four mandatory courses of the first year of studies. The Sea and Society Relationship; Historical Perspectives, Present Status and Future Challenges, Bluegreen economy and sustainable use of marine resources, European Marine Directives and Policies – an Interdisciplinary Perspective and The spatial dimensions of marine ecosystems and their governance.More about the programmeEducationThe 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, and seminars, as well as a group or individual project works and written reports.The Sea and Society Relationship; Historical Perspectives, Present Status and Future ChallengesBluegreen economy and sustainable use of marine resourcesEuropean Marine Directives and Policies – an Interdisciplinary PerspectiveThe spatial dimensions of marine ecosystems and their governanceDuring the first semester of the second year, students can choose among a large number of relevant courses given 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.Each student will get help setting up an individual study plan that will match the academic background and interest of the student.
