Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology (M.Sc.)
Features
Looking at the forest from various perspectives: forest management, conservation and timber – you can specialise 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 programme qualifies the student for a career in forestry and wood management as well as in the areas of environmental protection and conservation.
- Name:
- Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology
- Degree:
- Master of Science
- Teaching language:
- German
- Standard period of studies:
- 4 semesters
- Start of studies:
- Winter and summer semester
- Admission:
- Restricted
(Application to the faculty) - Orientation events:
- Orientation events are offered
Get to know us
Details
Sustainable Management, ecology and nature conservation as well as the role of the forest for recreational activities are integrated components of modern forest management. The mitigating effects of forests contribute essentially to climate protection. Also, wood is an important renewable resource, which is more and more employed in bio-technological processes. In the combination of all these factors consists the great challenge of today’s forest management. Due to this development, the areas of responsibility and possible professions for university-educated foresters have become broader and more diverse.
In the Master Programme the students specialise in a field of choice. There are three specialization fields (programmes) the students can choose from:
- Forest Management and Utilisation
- Forest Conservation
- Wood Biology and Wood Technology
The studies convey scientific contents and methods as well as professional skills for subsequent occupational activity. These skills comprise competences in problem solving, capacity for teamwork, know how with project management and interdisciplinary thinking and working.
Study contents are quite different, depending on the specialization field. In addition to the programme-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.
Master programme “Forest Management and Utilization”
The Master Programme “Forest Management and Utilisation” conveys required knowledge and abilities for the implementation of a sustainable, multifunctional and efficient forest utilization and protection within the framework of modern forest management. In addition to the basics of forestry and modern methods of forest enterprise management, the programme teaches resource management, marketing and policy, silviculture, harvesting, and forest protection. The programme enables graduates to take up leading positions in management and administration of not only forest enterprises, but also within related industries.
Master programme “Forest Conservation”
The Master Programme “Forest Conservation” covers most topics required for careers in biological aspects of bio-ecology and nature conservation, but also gives an explicit insight in the ecology and function of forests as part of the landscape. Good knowledge of local fauna and flora are substantial.
Master programme “Wood Biology and Wood Technology”
This multifaceted programme covers topics around the processing of wood and renewable resources. Technologies for the manufacturing and processing of wood into sawn timber, engineered wood products and wood composites are especially given attention. Students are also introduced into methods of wood bio-technology and the energy recovery of wood.
In addition students from this programme visit the production sites of many well-known wood and paper technology companies. Students have the possibility to produce paper, plywood, medium density fibreboards and chipboards themselves in the laboratories of the university.
The programme endows the students with the knowledge required for employment in companies and agencies of the wood industry, and in wood science research.
Depending on the area of specialization, the programmes qualify and enable students to pursue a professional career in the following fields:
- Public and private forest administration and enterprises
- Timber trade and wood industry
- Consultancy and planning agencies (forest planning, nature conservation)
- Nature conservation agencies and organizations
- Universities and research institutes
- International organizations
- International development cooperation
- Forest services and freelance work
Consecutive/graduate Programmes
Consecutive/graduate Programmes
Related programmes
Specialization
You will be completing a total of 120 C, 90 C by taking courses and 30 C by writing the Master’s thesis.
You have three foci to choose from: Forest Management and Utilisation, Forest Conservation, and Wood Biology and Wood Technology.
Structure
The following illustrations refer to the start of studies in the winter semester.
Forest management and exploitation
Semester 1
- Forest Business Administration and Management
- Work Science and Forest Technology
- Forest governance
- Forest nature conservation and environmental law
- Elective module
Semester 2
- Forest Management
- Forest growth and forest planning
- Forestry location and forest protection
- Forest inventory and data analysis
- Elective module
Semester 3
- Project: Forest ecosystem management
- Forestry and timber markets and timber use
- Elective module
- Elective module
Semester 4
Forest Conservation
Semester 1
- Forest nature conservation and environmental law
- Ecological and planning principles of forest nature conservation
- Genetic Resources and Physiology of Woody Plants
- Biodiversity
- Elective module
Semester 2
- Remote Sensing and GIS
- Climate and soil protection
- Registration and monitoring of wildlife
- Function and protection of biodiversity
- Elective module
Semester 3
- Project: Forest nature conservation and specialized forest ecology
- Methods and management in nature conservation
- Elective module
- Elective module
Semester 4
Wood Biology and Wood Technology
Semester 1
- Physics and chemistry of wood
- Wood biology
- Wood biotechnology
- Renewable raw materials
- Elective module
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Regulations and module directory
Application
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 or Economics in the scope of at least 60 ECTS, including:
- at least 24 ECTS in Forestry
- Verification required of academic performance in Forestry or Environmental Sciences, Resource or Ecosystem Management, Life Sciences or Economics in the scope of at least 60 ECTS, including:
Language requirements
- If German is not your first language, you must provide proof of proficiency in German at level of the DSH-2.
Contact
Academic Advising
Jutta Hohlstamm
Faculty of Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology
Büsgenweg 5
37077 Göttingen
Phone: + 49 (0)551 39 29999
E-Mail:
jutta.hohlstamm@forst.uni-goettingen.de