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Landscape Ecology - Master's Programme
Orientation and Goals
The Landscape Ecology master programme offers a practice and research-oriented education which seeks to foster competencies necessary for future employment. This programme pairs technical skills (e.g. application of theoretical knowledge and methodological expertise) with soft skills needed for teamwork, ultimately preparing students for independent work in ecological research and in the field of environmental protection. In order to achieve the educational objectives outlined above, students develop their expertise in several disciplines, learning to record, measure, and model data, analyze test results, and perform environmental assessment and planning.
Students have the opportunity to specialize in several fields, including functional ecology, restoration ecology, plant and animal ecology, soil and hydrogeology, aquatic ecology, environmental planning, and nature conservation.
Graduates of this programme will be prepared to enter various fields, such as nature conservation, landscape planning, impact regulation, ecosystem restoration, management of protected areas, soil and water protection, environmental informatics or nature and environmental education.
Students have the opportunity to specialize in several fields, including functional ecology, restoration ecology, plant and animal ecology, soil and hydrogeology, aquatic ecology, environmental planning, and nature conservation.
Graduates of this programme will be prepared to enter various fields, such as nature conservation, landscape planning, impact regulation, ecosystem restoration, management of protected areas, soil and water protection, environmental informatics or nature and environmental education.
Study Design and Contents
The Landscape Ecology master course has a duration of four semesters and comprises 120 credit points (CP):
Up to 30 credit points can be chosen from another, relevant M. Sc. Programme (e.g. Biology, Marine Environmental Sciences, or Environmental Modelling at the University of Oldenburg, ecology or planning oriented programs at the Universities of Bremen, Osnabrück or Groningen (NL)).
The core curriculum courses (Data Modelling, Ecology, Geological Processes, Environmental Planning, and Geographic Information Systems) review and supplement familiar concepts and form the foundation of knowledge for the rest of the course of studies. Methodological techniques, theory, and practical knowledge are reviewed. After meeting core curriculum requirements, students have the opportunity to choose specialization modules.
The interdisciplinary specialization modules train students in key competences used in excursions, lab or field internships. The program provides students with the opportunity to choose modules based on individual interests and their desired future field of employment, allowing students to strengthen their research competences in realistic conditions.
- Elective courses (min. 60 KP, 1. to 3. semesters)
- Master thesis and defense (30 CP, 4th. Semester)
Up to 30 credit points can be chosen from another, relevant M. Sc. Programme (e.g. Biology, Marine Environmental Sciences, or Environmental Modelling at the University of Oldenburg, ecology or planning oriented programs at the Universities of Bremen, Osnabrück or Groningen (NL)).
The core curriculum courses (Data Modelling, Ecology, Geological Processes, Environmental Planning, and Geographic Information Systems) review and supplement familiar concepts and form the foundation of knowledge for the rest of the course of studies. Methodological techniques, theory, and practical knowledge are reviewed. After meeting core curriculum requirements, students have the opportunity to choose specialization modules.
The interdisciplinary specialization modules train students in key competences used in excursions, lab or field internships. The program provides students with the opportunity to choose modules based on individual interests and their desired future field of employment, allowing students to strengthen their research competences in realistic conditions.
Teaching and Learning
An important principle of this programme concerns learning course contents through independent projects. In general, groups of students work together to find solutions to current environmental problems. The available projects are diverse and change from semester to semester. The programme is further enhanced through seminars, lectures, method-oriented internships and excursions.
Foreign Language Skills
In order to study this course at the University of Oldenburg as a student from outside of Germany, you need an adequate knowledge of German.
German Language Proficiency
You can proof your German language proficiency with the following language certificates:
German Language Proficiency
You can proof your German language proficiency with the following language certificates:
- DSH: Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (Level 2)
- TestDaF: Test – Deutsch als Fremdsprache (with level 4 in all four areas)
English Language Proficiency see admissions regulations
- Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Level B2 or
- if applicants have a university degree obtained in English
The proof of language proficiency must be presented for the enrolment and must not be older than 5 years. Applicants who need a preparatory German course before commencing their studies must present their knowledge of English with their application.
For other proof possibilities see: Language requirements
Careers and Areas of Employment
Graduates find employment in the following fields:
Due to legislation which outlines environmental protection as a legal requirement, there is constant demand for environmental scientists who are familiar with and can independently implement the requirements of environmental protection legislation as well as environmental researchers who can help overcome deficits in existing research, including prediction and prevention of environmental problems. The latter can occur both in universities or other research institutions. Students interested in pursuing a PhD are able to develop a PhD project together with their lecturers.
Some of the many careers students pursue after course completion are in planning offices, public verwaltung, political advisory, and nature and environmental NGOs.
Find out more about the professional field of Biology and Environmental Science (in German).
- ecological research
- conservation and landscape planning as well as environmental disturbance evaluation, ecosystem restoration and conservation area
- management
- land and water conservation
- environmental IT, i.e. software development for environmental planning
- nature and environmental education
Due to legislation which outlines environmental protection as a legal requirement, there is constant demand for environmental scientists who are familiar with and can independently implement the requirements of environmental protection legislation as well as environmental researchers who can help overcome deficits in existing research, including prediction and prevention of environmental problems. The latter can occur both in universities or other research institutions. Students interested in pursuing a PhD are able to develop a PhD project together with their lecturers.
Some of the many careers students pursue after course completion are in planning offices, public verwaltung, political advisory, and nature and environmental NGOs.
Find out more about the professional field of Biology and Environmental Science (in German).
Target Group/Admission Requirements
Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in Environmental Science or from prior studies in a closely related, engineering scientifical field (specialist skills see admissions regulations).
Application/Admission Procedures
This course of studies accepts a limited number of applicants, and application is only possible in the winter semester.
The application deadline for the winter semester is 15 July.
International applicants: There are different application procedures
The application deadline for the winter semester is 15 July.
International applicants: There are different application procedures
Further Information
Website for Landscape Ecology
http://www.landeco.uni-oldenburg.de/22373.html
http://www.landeco.uni-oldenburg.de/22373.html