M.Sc. Forest and Ecosystem Sciences

Looking at the forest and forest ecosystem from various perspectives: ecosystem analysis and modeling, ecosystems sciences, and tropical forestry – you can specialize in one of these three foci as your individually chosen forestry topic. In addition to the compulsory modules, you can extend your course of studies thanks to a large set of options, internships, and international visits. This degree program qualifies the student for an international career in forest and ecosystems management as well as in the areas of environmental protection and conservation.

Program Description

Study contents provide hands-on approaches to tackle burning current issues such as global change, climate warming, land-use change, species loss, and biodiversity treats. The studies cover ecosystem analysis and modeling with in-depth training in advanced programming, data analysis as well as theoretical ecology, and practical conservation management. Research-based training on terrestrial ecosystems functions from molecules to landscape-level and laboratory methods in ecosystems sciences and sustainable management of tropical and international forests where students together prepare an interdisciplinary management plan on-site. Throughout their studies, students will take part in cutting-edge research activities on these topics in an interdisciplinary and international environment.

Goals

In the Master Program, the students specialize in a field of choice. There are three specialization fields (programs) the students can choose from:

• Ecosystem Analysis and Modelling
• Ecosystem Sciences
• Tropical and International Forestry

The specializations convey scientific contents and methods as well as professional skills for subsequent occupational activity. These skills comprise competencies in problem-solving, capacity for teamwork, know-how with project management, and interdisciplinary thinking and working.

Content

Study contents are quite different, depending on the specialization field. In addition to the program-specific compulsory courses a number of optional courses, covering 30 credit points, can be selected from course offerings by the Faculty of Forestry, by other faculties of the University of Göttingen, and from international partner universities.

Specialization: “Ecosystem Analysis and Modelling”

• By understanding methods of ecosystem analysis and modeling, students will be able to analyze complex systems, e.g., regarding the consequences of climate change and of new ecosystem regulation and management practices. This includes competence in problem-solving by simulation and statistical modeling, as well as in presenting results using the latest media formats. These quantitative skills are applied to analyze ecosystems with a focus on forest ecosystems.
• The topics in the compulsory courses include: Introduction to ecological modeling; ecosystem theory, including analysis of structures and processes; biodiversity; macroecology and biogeography; soil sciences and bioclimatology, conservation; methods from computer science; individual- and agent-based modeling; advanced statistical data analysis with R; functional-structural simulation modeling; spatial modeling.

Specialization: “Ecosystem Sciences”

• Terrestrial ecosystems provide essential functions and services to society. Understanding and maintaining these complex functions in the light of global change are some of the greatest challenges humanity is facing. Students of the M.Sc. focus Ecosystem Sciences will gain critical thinking skills, learn modern concepts as well as the latest field and laboratory methods and get strong quantitative training, in theory, measurement and application.
• The interdisciplinary program is part of the Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, however, students have the unique possibility to specialize in many subjects that cross traditional disciplines. The compulsory courses cover topics such as biodiversity and community ecology, ecosystem analytics, molecular ecology and genetics, applied ecology, soil sciences and climatology, data handling, and analysis in the software R.

Specialization: “Tropical and International Forestry”

• This course focus on options for ecologically sound management of different tropical forest types. By understanding the most important ecological and economic processes, the broader context of forest utilization, and the key policies related to forestry, students will be able to analyze and monitor the ecological consequences of the utilization of the forest and to design well-adapted silvicultural systems taking their economic and long-term consequences into consideration.
• The topics in the compulsory courses include: Introduction to tropical forest ecology and silviculture; international forest policy and economics; monitoring of forest resources; forest utilization and wood processing; soil science; bioclimatology; analysis and monitoring of resources and different silvicultural systems; biometrical research methods; project planning and evaluation and project work to in a multidisciplinary group to develop a forest region.
• In the third semester, the TIF students collaborate on the Students' Project. After an intercultural and technical preparation in Göttingen, we travel to the host country for field research. The students deepen their knowledge in a specific field and create an interdisciplinary management plan together. The research regions of recent years have been Uganda, Laos, and Myanmar.

Study tracks

You will be completing a total of 120 credits, 90 credits by taking courses, and 30 credits by writing the Master’s thesis.

You have three study tracks to choose from: Ecosystem Analysis and Modelling, Ecosystem Sciences, or Tropical and International Forestry.

Program structure

Ecosystem Analysis and Modelling

Semester 1 (30 Credits)

• Introduction to Ecological Modelling
• Biodiversity Measurement
• Soil Hydrology
• Ecosystem-Atmosphere Processes
• Statistical Data Analysis

Semester 2 (30 Credits)

• Advanced-Data Analysis with R
• Ecological Simulation Modelling
• Functional Structural Models
• Modern Concepts and Methods in Macroecology and Biogeography
• Elective

Semester 3 (30 Credits)

• Project: Forest Ecosystem Analysis and Information Processing
• Elective
• Elective
• Elective

Semester 4 (30 Credits)

• Master's thesis

Ecosystem Sciences

Semester 1 (30 Credits)

• Ecosystem Analytics
• Biodiversity Measurement
• Soil Hydrology
• Ecosystem-Atmosphere Processes
• Statistical Data Analysis

Semester 2 (30 Credits)

• Community Ecology
• Modern Methods in Ecology
• Soil Physical and Biochemical Processes
• Experimental Bioclimatology
• Elective

Semester 3 (30 Credits)

• Project: Ecosystem Sciences
• Elective
• Elective
• Elective

Semester 4 (30 Credits)

• Master's thesis

Tropical and International Forestry

Semester 1 (30 Credits)

• Tropical forest ecology and silviculture
• International forest policy and economics
• Monitoring of forest resources
• Forest utilization and wood processing
• Elective

Semester 2 (30 Credits)

• Ecopedology of the tropics and subtropics
• Project planning and evaluation
• Biometrical research methods
• Environmental Biotechnology and forest genetics
• Elective

Semester 3 (30 Credits)

• Project: Development of a forest region
• Elective
• Elective
• Elective

Semester 4 (30 Credits)

• Master's thesis

Application

Deadline

• Non-EU citizens: February 1st to March 15th
• EU citizens: May 1st to June 15th

Previous education

• Bachelor's Degree in Forestry or related subject with a total of at least 180 ECTS credits
• At least 150 ECTS at the time of application
• Eligibility:
  • Verification required of academic performance in Forestry or Environmental Sciences, Resource or Ecosystem Management, Life Sciences and Applied Computer Science in the scope of at least 60 ECTS

Language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide proof of proficiency in English at a level of at least B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Application documents

After completing the online application, the following documents must be uploaded:

• The Diploma(s) of the applicant in certified German or English translations if the originals are not in English or German; if a diploma is not yet available, a certificate stating the work performed, the credits, and the provisional average grade must be submitted (you are asked to upload a degree document, a final/provisional transcript of records as well as a grading scale showing the minimum and maximum passing grade);
• A Curriculum vitae in table form in English with a meaningful presentation of the educational background. Please use the Europass CV format;
• An indication of the intended major field of study;
• Proof of sufficient language skills or evidence of such skills (see "Language requirements" );
• If applicable, proof of special knowledge, skills, and experience or subject-related achievements that are conducive to the successful completion of the Master program;
• A statement of whether the applicant has so far successfully, unsuccessfully, or not yet completed a Master Program of closely related subjects;
• The application form (an automatically generated PDF that summarizes the online application entries, which is sent to your email address);
• Only applies to applicants from China, Mongolia, and Vietnam: APS Certificate;
• Additional attachments if applicable. It is possible to improve your application result by various achievements (see below). Please upload the following documents if available and relevant to the application:
  • Proof of scholarships or academic prizes
  • Proof of a study-related stay abroad
  • Proof of Internship, related to your studies, minimum 8 weeks, outside the university
  • Proof of professional training, related to your studies
  • Proof of participation in a research project (minimum 8 weeks)
  • Proof of participation in university boards (minimum 1 year)
  • Proof of co-authorship of a journal with peer-review-system

Please note: We reserve the right to check the authenticity of your documents in individual cases.