Marine and Offshore Technology - Master of Science Degree Programme


Study programme description for study year 2024-2025

Facts

Credits (ECTS)

120

Studyprogram code

M-OFFSYS

Level

Master's degree (2 years)

Leads to degree

Master of Science

Full-/Part-time

Full-time

Duration

4 Semesters

Undergraduate

No

Language of instruction

English

The Marine and Offshore Technology master's programme is a two-year master's degree programme. Our graduates acquire skills and competence in marine and offshore technology through rigorous academic training and practical project work. They will have a solid background in mathematical science and general engineering subjects and be able to apply the relevant knowledge within their areas of specialisation.

Our students learn about the design, operation and management of marine structures and subsea equipment. They take up modules that cover design and analysis methods and tools applied during the design, production and maintenance phases. Students are also exposed to various design software tools commonly utilised in the industry.

There is a high level of involvement from the industry in the form of joint-thesis work, adjunct professors from the industry, company visits and internship opportunities. This allows the industry to impart the latest technological developments, best practices and regulatory requirements to the students.

Our graduates have specialised knowledge in marine and offshore technology systems, subsea production, offshore aquaculture, offshore renewable energy and fjord crossings. Our graduates are well-equipped to participate in the development of new technology, methods and best practices for the marine, offshore and subsea industries. They will also be in demand for many attractive job opportunities in other high technology industries.

The master's programme is an international study programme, and hence all courses are taught in English.

Programme content, structure, and composition

Consisting of 120 ECTS, the master's programme is composed of:

  • basic methods courses which consolidate and continue the mathematical and scientific foundation of the bachelor's programme, mandatory courses
  • technical specialisation courses giving the students a broad and common platform in marine and offshore technology and complementing and expanding subjects from the bachelor programme
  • elective courses
  • non-science/technological course, e.g. economics, language, ethics, project management, green transition
  • master thesis

Recommended semester abroad is 3rd semester. This semester has 25 ECTS specialisation courses and 5 ECTS elective courses. When studying abroad, these 30 ECTS can be replaced by other courses, which must be approved before leaving.

The Faculty will offer a list of recommended elective courses. The students themselves must check that they have the necessary basic knowledge to handle these courses. Other courses must be approved by the Department, but the students will have considerable freedom in putting together their own study plans depending on personal interests and qualities.

The master's thesis may be performed either with faculty staff or in cooperation with the industry. The Department has good contacts with offshore companies in the region. In order to be assigned a topic for a master's thesis, satisfactory progression must be demonstrated as cited in Regulations for Bachelor - and Master's thesis.

Marine and Offshore Technology focuses on systems and operations in offshore field developments. The programme combines general mechanical and structural engineering subjects within marine and offshore technology. Knowledge of systems and operations related to installation, operation and maintenance is covered.

UiS aims to offer all courses as planned, subject to the availability of teaching resources and sufficient student enrolments. In addition, the contents and scopes of all study courses are continuously improved to include new technological development and industry trends.

The course consists of lectures, project assignments, exercises and laboratory work. The course descriptions provide further information on:

  • Course outline
  • Course material and exercises
  • Continuous assessment
  • Exams

UN SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

You will learn to:

  • Develop technologies for offshore renewables such as offshore wind, wave and tidal energy system
  • Develop technologies for offshore carbon capture systems
  • Develop technologies for greener and more sustainable offshore and subsea energy resource exploitation

UN SDG 14: Life below water - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

You will learn to:

  • Develop technologies for sustainable fishing and aquacultures
  • Develop technologies for ocean waste management

Learning outcomes

After having completed the master's programme in Marine and Offshore Technology, the student shall have acquired the following learning outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills and general competencies:

Knowledge

K1: The candidate has advanced knowledge of marine and offshore technology. The candidate can combine mechanical engineering, structural engineering and marine technology to give specialised insight into systems and operations.

K2: The candidate has thorough knowledge about the safety and environmental aspects of his/her academic field and knows how to implement this knowledge in his/her professional work by developing technical solutions suited to the best of society and individuals.

K3: The candidate can apply knowledge to new areas within the academic field.

K4: The candidate can analyse academic problems based on the history, traditions, distinctive character and place in the society of the academic field.

K5: The candidate has knowledge about general ethical aspects in the engineering discipline.

Skills

S1: The candidate can analyse and use existing theories, methods and interpretations in the field and work independently on practical and theoretical problems.

S2: The candidate can use relevant methods for research and scholarly work in an independent manner.

S3: The candidate can analyse and deal critically with various sources of information and use them to structure and formulate scholarly arguments. The candidate can identify state of the art for technology and relevant national and international standards within relevant disciplines.

S4: The candidate can carry out an independent, limited research or development project under supervision and according to applicable research ethics norms.

General Competence

G1: The candidate can analyse relevant academic problems and be qualified to participate in developing and implementing new technology, methods and principles for the marine, offshore and subsea industries.

G2: The candidate can apply knowledge and skills in new areas to carry out advanced assignments and projects and has the relevant knowledge, in general, of marine, offshore and subsea projects.

G3: The candidate can communicate extensive independent work and master the language and terminology of the academic field.

G4: The candidate can communicate about academic issues, analyses, and conclusions in the field, both with specialists and the general public.

G5: The candidate can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes.

Career prospects

The Marine and Offshore Technology master's programme at the University of Stavanger prepares its graduates holistically for challenging and rewarding careers in all activities in the marine, offshore and subsea industries. The supply of marine, offshore and subsea equipment and services is currently Norway's second largest industry after oil and gas export. More than 1 250 companies supply goods and services for all stages of the value chain in Norway. This includes floating offshore structures, drilling rig equipment, equipment for the shipyard industry, advanced offshore supply and service vessels, and subsea technology. Norwegian companies are key industrial players in all international markets for subsea and deep-water technologies. The offshore activities off the Norwegian coast and in the arctic regions are also expected to grow significantly.

Our graduates are highly sought after in a broad spectrum of companies covering:

  • Oil and gas exploration and production companies
  • Ocean renewables energy (incl. offshore wind) companies
  • Ship and offshore structures construction companies
  • Subsea production equipment manufacturers
  • Subsea installation service providers
  • Specialized design houses
  • Classification societies

Candidates can also work at research institutes.

A completed master's degree may qualify for admission to relevant engineering PhD programmes, e.g. Mechanical Engineering, Offshore Structures, Marine Technology and Civil Engineering.

Course assessment

The schemes for quality assurance and evaluation of studies are stipulated in the Quality System for Education.

Study plan and courses

  • Compulsory courses

    • MARMAS: Master's thesis in Marine and Offshore Technology

      Year 2, semester 3

      Master's thesis in Marine and Offshore Technology (MARMAS)

      Study points: 30

  • 3rd semester at UiS or exchange studies

  • Compulsory courses

    • MSK560: Fluid Dynamics

      Year 1, semester 1

      Fluid Dynamics (MSK560)

      Study points: 5

    • OFF505: Oceanography

      Year 1, semester 1

      Oceanography (OFF505)

      Study points: 5

    • OFF516: Offshore Field Development

      Year 1, semester 1

      Offshore Field Development (OFF516)

      Study points: 10

    • OFF585: Engineering mathematics and dynamics

      Year 1, semester 1

      Engineering mathematics and dynamics (OFF585)

      Study points: 10

    • MSK530: Mechanics of Solids, Advanced Course

      Year 1, semester 2

      Mechanics of Solids, Advanced Course (MSK530)

      Study points: 10

    • OFF580: Marine Technology and Design

      Year 1, semester 2

      Marine Technology and Design (OFF580)

      Study points: 10

    • MARMAS: Master's thesis in Marine and Offshore Technology

      Year 2, semester 3

      Master's thesis in Marine and Offshore Technology (MARMAS)

      Study points: 30

  • Recommended electives 2nd semester

    • BYG530: Plastic Analysis of Structures

      Year 1, semester 2

      Plastic Analysis of Structures (BYG530)

      Study points: 5

    • IAM510: Smart Operations and Maintenance

      Year 1, semester 2

      Smart Operations and Maintenance (IAM510)

      Study points: 10

    • MSK500: Offshore Materials Technology

      Year 1, semester 2

      Offshore Materials Technology (MSK500)

      Study points: 5

    • MSK600: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

      Year 1, semester 2

      Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) (MSK600)

      Study points: 5

  • Courses not related to mathematics and natural sciences

    • IND520: Decision Analysis in Excel

      Year 1, semester 2

      Decision Analysis in Excel (IND520)

      Study points: 10

    • IND550: Project Cost Estimation and Risk Analysis

      Year 1, semester 2

      Project Cost Estimation and Risk Analysis (IND550)

      Study points: 10

    • RIS525: Risk Assessment, Economic Evaluation and Decisions

      Year 1, semester 2

      Risk Assessment, Economic Evaluation and Decisions (RIS525)

      Study points: 10

    • IND500: Investment Analysis

      Year 2, semester 3

      Investment Analysis (IND500)

      Study points: 5

    • IND510: Project Management

      Year 2, semester 3

      Project Management (IND510)

      Study points: 5

  • 3rd semester at UiS or exchange studies

    • 3rd semester at UiS

      • Compulsory courses 3rd semester

      • Recommended electives 3rd semester

        • BYG570: Life Extension of Structures

          Year 2, semester 3

          Life Extension of Structures (BYG570)

          Study points: 5

        • OFF610: Offshore Wind Turbine Engineering

          Year 2, semester 3

          Offshore Wind Turbine Engineering (OFF610)

          Study points: 5

    • Exchange studies 3rd semester

Student exchange

Schedule for the exchange

Students can study abroad during the 3rd semester of the master's programme in Marine and Offshore Technology.

Students who study abroad must receive approval for courses abroad which can replace the mandatory courses. The remaining ECTS can be chosen among courses similar to the master's programme specialization during the exchange semester. The Department must approve the courses you want to take abroad. It is important that the subjects/ courses from abroad do not overlap with subjects you have already taken. Some advice is to think about your specialisation and your field of interest. Please note that you must have passed at least 5ECTS non-science/technology courses within your second or third semester. If you did not fulfill this requirement in your second semester, you must choose a non-science/technology in your exchange semester.

For courses abroad, please contact the study program leader.

More opportunities

In addition to the recommended universities listed below, UiS has several agreements with universities outside Europe that apply to all students at UiS, provided that they find a relevant subject offering. Within the Nordic region, all students can use the Nordlys and Nordtek networks.

Find out more.

Contact your Study Adviser at the Faculty if you have questions about guidance and pre-approval of courses:

Iselin Torland Tjensvold

Cathrine Hofker Tønnessen

General questions about the exchange:

Go to the exchange guide in the Digital student service desk

Student exchange

  • All countries

    Aalto University

    Chalmers tekniska högskola

    Tenker du på utveksling til Sverige har Chalmers tekniska högskola i Gøteborg mye å tilby. Chalmers er et teknisk universitet i Göteborg med rundt 10.000 studenter og fokus på forskning og utdanning innen teknologi, naturvitenskap og arkitektur.

    Politecnico di Milano University

    Politecnico di Milano er Italias største tekniske universitet med om lag 40.000 studenter og er høyt rangert på en rekke internasjonale rankinglister.

    University of Bologna

    The origins of the University of Bologna go way back, and it is considered to be the oldest university in Italy. Its history is intertwined with that of the great names of science and literature; it is a keystone and a point of reference for European culture. Apply and enjoy Italy's fascinating and rich culture for one semester!

    University of Lisbon (ULisboa)

    Enjoy a semester abroad in beautiful Portugal! Explore one of the oldest cities in the world and study at the largest technical School in Portugal while enjoying the Mediterranean climate!

    University of Strathclyde

    The University of Strathclyde is a leading technological university based in the heart of Glasgow city centre, one of the UK's leading cultural, historical and scenic cities.

  • Finland

    Aalto University

  • Italia

    Politecnico di Milano University

    Politecnico di Milano er Italias største tekniske universitet med om lag 40.000 studenter og er høyt rangert på en rekke internasjonale rankinglister.

    University of Bologna

    The origins of the University of Bologna go way back, and it is considered to be the oldest university in Italy. Its history is intertwined with that of the great names of science and literature; it is a keystone and a point of reference for European culture. Apply and enjoy Italy's fascinating and rich culture for one semester!

  • Portugal

    University of Lisbon (ULisboa)

    Enjoy a semester abroad in beautiful Portugal! Explore one of the oldest cities in the world and study at the largest technical School in Portugal while enjoying the Mediterranean climate!

  • Storbritannia og Nord-Irland

    University of Strathclyde

    The University of Strathclyde is a leading technological university based in the heart of Glasgow city centre, one of the UK's leading cultural, historical and scenic cities.

  • Sverige

    Chalmers tekniska högskola

    Tenker du på utveksling til Sverige har Chalmers tekniska högskola i Gøteborg mye å tilby. Chalmers er et teknisk universitet i Göteborg med rundt 10.000 studenter og fokus på forskning og utdanning innen teknologi, naturvitenskap og arkitektur.

Admission requirements

A bachelor’s degree within one of the following disciplines or equivalent degree is required: Mechanical engineering, civil/structural engineering, marine engineering, offshore engineering, subsea engineering, process engineering, materials engineering, energy- and petroleum engineering.

Applicants must have the equivalent of 25 ECTS credits in mathematics, 5 ECTS credits in statistics and 7,5 ECTS credits in Physics.

Admission to this master's programme requires a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (according to ECTS Standards) in your bachelor's degree. Applicants with a result Second-class lower Division or lower are not qualified for admission.

Contact information

Faculty of Science and Technology, tel (47) 51831700, E-mail: post-tn@uis.no

Study Advisers:

Iselin Torland Tjensvold

Cathrine Hofker Tønnessen