Environmental Modelling (M.Sc.)
Environmental Modelling (M.Sc.)
Modules of study programme
An overview on the aims of qualifications, contents and courses of all modules from the
master programme Environmental Modelling is given here.
| Module Introduction to Environmental Modelling | |
| Semester | 1st semester |
| Module type | compulsory |
| Qualifikation aims | The students have basic knowledge of environmental modelling. They have a first glimpse of the involved working groups and their current research topics. They know key fields of environmental modelling from the perspective of various experts and methods they use. They have learned to deal with scientific issues independently and critically. |
| Courses | Lecture series 'Introduction to Environmental Modelling' Praktical to 'Introduction to Environmental Modelling' |
| Content (Examples) | In this lecture series, lecturers of the participating working groups, and if applicable visiting lecturers, give a lacture based on their field of research. |
| Learning method | Lecture, practical |
| CP | 6 |
| Module Basic Skills | |
| Semester | 1st semester |
| Module type | Individual compulsory |
| Qualification aims | The students have closed their knowledge gaps from their different bachelor degrees and are well prepared for the remaining courses of the study course Environmental Modelling. They have the Required basic knowledge in mathematical modelling and are able to use the computer including programming. |
| Courses | Java Programming Course |
| Contents (Examplespiele) | basics of programming and computer science, hypothesis + sampling + analytical method + interpretation, uni/bi/multivariate data, regression, correlation, discriminant/cluster analysis, analysis variables depending on space and/or time, Bernoulli-equation; abiotic conditions of marine environment, determination of microbial biomass, species composition, sedimentation and fate of organic/anorganic material, population ecology, ecosystems, water cycle, soils |
| Learning method | Lecture, practical |
| CP | 18 |
| Profile Module: Environmental systems and Biodiversity | |
| Semester | 1st and 2nd semester |
| Module type | Optional compulsory |
| Qualification aims | The students have the required advanced knowledge about environmental systems and biodiversity to model various problems on their own. |
| Courses | Ecology of Plants in Landscapes |
| Contents (examples) | Habitat models, plant ecophysiology, physics of oceans and atmosphere, limnological principles, eutrophication, water acidification, abiotic conditions of marine environment, pelagic and bentic communities, carbon and nitrogen cycle |
| Learning method | Lecture, practical, seminar |
| CP | 12 |
| Profile Module: Energy Systems | |
| Semester | 1st and 2nd semester |
| Module type | Optional compulsory |
| Qualification aims | The students have the required advanced knowledge about energy systems to model various problems on their own. |
| Courses | Computational Fluid Dynamics I + II |
| Contents (Examples) | Navier-Stokes-Equations, turbulent flow, incompressible & compressible flow; processes in the atmosphere, Physical modeling of atmospheric radiative transfer, Solar spectral irradiance, Solar radiation measurements; Dynamics of Horizontal Flow, Atmospheric Flow Modeling; aerodynamic aspects of wind energy conversion, design of wind turbines; Photovoltaics, Solar thermal collector |
| Learning method | Lecture, seminar |
| CP | 12 |
| Profile Module: Environmental and Resource Economics | |
| Semester | 1st and 2nd semester |
| Modultyp | Optional compulsory |
| Qualification aims | The students have the required advanced knowledge about environmental and resource economics to model various problems on their own. |
| Courses | Environmental Economics |
| Contents (Examples) | Environmental problems, instruments of environmental policy, ethical principles, welfare theory; renewable energies, non-renewable resources, coal/oil/gas/electricity market; instruments of climate policy, economic growth, poverty and international distribution, international development and climate policy |
| Learning method | Lecture, practical, seminar |
| CP | 12 |
| Specification: Module Process- and System-Oriented Modelling | |
| Semester | 2nd and 3rd semester |
| Modul type | Optional compulsory |
| Qualification aim | The students possess a comprehensive overview over modern methods of process- and system-oriented modelling. They are able to develop models of different complexity for various environmental problems and to implement them on the computer on their own. Besides simulation methods, they are capable of using sophisticated tools to analyse the models. They are able to get quickly into new scientific questions in environmental science and to propose solutions upon the basis of models. They have learned to think in an interdisciplinary way and to put environmental systems into the context of earth system science as a whole. |
| Courses | Models in Populations Dynamics |
| Contents (Beispiele) | prey-predator interactions, competition, food webs, linking of lung biological and physical processes, evolutionary game theory, introduction to bifurcations / chaos theory; hydrodynamic equations, perturbation theory, solar radiation balance, interaction atmosphere ocean, circulation in shelf sea and coastal area, complex climate models, models of biodiversity, rank-abundance curve, competition models, diversity-stability debate, Navier-Stokes equation, Reynolds-equation, turbulence models. |
| Learning method | Lecture, practical, seminar |
| CP | 18 |
| Specification: Module Statistical and Stochastic Modelling | |
| Semester | 2nd and 3rd semester |
| Module type | Optional compulsory |
| Qualification aims | Students are able to evaluate environmental data using descriptive processes and statistics. In addition to theoretical comprehension of methods of analysis, they have practical experience with algorithmic methods of analysing statistics and numeric simulation of stochastic environmental systems. Hereby they learn the use of the free statistic software R. Students are able to plan the collection of environmental data, statistically evaluate it, and apply to stochastic models for the purpose of forecasting. |
| Courses | Statistical Ecology |
Contents (examples) | probability theory, stochastic processes, estimation of process descriptors, regression analysis, discriminant analysis, principle component analysis, cluster methods, variable selection, model validation; methods of the exploratory statistics and statistical tests related to ecological data: study design, exploratory data analysis, distribution tests, data transformation, Chi²test, Anova, Kruskal-Wallis test, t-test and U-test, multiple comparisons, post hoc tests, habitat modelling, geostatistics, Software R |
| Learning method | Lecture, practical, seminar |
| CP | 18 |
| Specification: Module Modelling Large Systems | |
| Semester | 2nd and 3rd semester |
| Module type | Optional compulsory |
| Qualification aimse | The Students possess the capabilties to work in a team on the development of large software systems, to develop algorithms and implement them using their knowledge of software engineering and finally to use these software systems to analyse large network models for energy networks and environmental studies. They know how to use environmental information systems as well as environmental management systems. |
| Courses | Software Engineering |
| Contents (Examples) | Software development, software design, interfaces, software specification, quality assurance; data structures, process of data mining, process of decision support; sustainability paradigm, Environmental Management Information Systems, numerical methods of theoretical physics; process of computer simulations; complex networks |
| Learning method | Lecture, Practical |
| CP | 18 |
| Specification Module: Practical Seminar on Modelling Studies | |
| Semester | 3rd semester |
| Module type | compulsory |
| Qualification aims | Students can independently conduct a comprehensive research project under guidance. They can understand current scientific literature and incorporate it into their work. They can prepare, carry out, present in written form and publicly defend a scientific project. |
| Courses | Interdisciplinary research project, generally conducted by a student, preferably guided by two lecturers from different areas of study at the location of practical training and also meet regularly, must be completed in the major area of study. |
| Contents (Examples) | The research project must pertain to the major area of study. Contents vary and relate to current research questions which are carried out interdisciplinarily by work groups participating in this course of study. Students participate in workgroup seminars, where they present the results and conclusions of their project. This seminar serves the purpose of discussing all research projects from a cohort, so that students receive an interdisciplinary perspective in all of the different topics being worked on. |
| Learning method | Lecture, practical, seminar |
| CP | 6 |
| Module Supplementary Area | |
| Semester | 2nd and 3rd semester |
| Module type | Compulsory |
| Qualifikation aims | see above |
| Courses | The students can choose between the following modules for expanding their knowledge in a field which is not already part of their specification: |
| Contents (examples) | see above |
| Learning method | Lecture, practical, seminar |
| CP | 18 |
| Module Internship / Research Project | |
| Semester | 3rd semester |
| Module type | Compulsory |
| Qualification aims | Students can independently conduct an interdisciplinary research project under guidance. They can understand current scientific literature and incorporate it into their work. They can prepare, carry out, present in written form and openly defend a scientific project. |
| Courses | Interdisciplinary research project, usually done by one student, preferably supervised by two lecturers from different disciplinary areas with regular discussions at the internship location. |
| Contents
| Contenst vary and relate to current research questions which are carried out interdiscipinarily by work groups participating in this course of study, or developed in the context of application at another institution outside of the University of Oldenburg. One of the lecturers may also be located outside of the university. Students participate in the seminar on two occasions, firstly presenting the aims and secondly the results and conclusions of their project. This seminar serves the purpose of discussing all research projects from a cohort, so that students receive an interdisciplinary perspective in all of the different topics being worked on. |
| Learning Method | Practical, seminar |
| CP | 12 |
| Final Module: Master Dissertation | |
| Semester | 4th semester |
| Module type | Compulsory |
| Qualification aims | Students can independently conduct a comprehensive research project under guidance. They can understand current scientific literature and incorporate it into their work. They can prepare, carry out, present in written form and openly defend a scientific project. |
| Courses | - |
| Contents | Contents vary and relate to current research questions which are addressed at a high scientific level. |
| Learning method | Master thesis, seminar |
| CP | 30 |