University of Freiburg

Founded in 1457, the University of Freiburg is one of the oldest German universities, and is now one of the nation's leading research and teaching institutions.

Building on the original disciplines of Theology, Jurisprudence, Medicine and Philosophy, it cherishes its inherited mission to pass on the classical cultural heritage to new generations, linking into the southern German liberal tradition. At the same time, the university defines and resources new research areas and strategically promotes the interweaving of the Natural and Social Sciences with the Humanities. For more information on the University, check the following webpage: http://www.uni-freiburg.de/index_en.php

MSc European Forestry studies at the University of Freiburg

The Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences of the University of Freiburg offers, within the MSc European Forestry Erasmus Mundus programme, the specialization on Forest Ecology and Management. Thus, MSc EF students can join the Forest Ecology and Management study programme during their second year of studies, carrying out the Elective Courses and Master Thesis. Upon satisfactory completion of the studies, a MSc European Foresty double-degree from the Universities of Freiburg and Joensuu will be granted.

Forest Ecology and Management study programme

This specialization focuses on the sustainable management of natural resources, with a particular focus on forested landscapes. In a world, where both the environmental conditions as well as the aspirations of society for itself and future generations are highly dynamic, our environment cannot be managed according to fixed recipes. Adaptive management, a fundamental concept of ecosystem management, addresses this uncertainty. Based on a sound understanding of fundamental properties and processes of ecosystems, students will learn to assess, manage and monitor forests and other natural resources according to the principles of ecosystem management

Students will have to complete during the academic year a total 60 ECTS, which corresponds to a Master Thesis and Courses.

Courses generally yield for 5 ECTS credits each, with a duration of three weeks. A course usually comprises lectures, practicals, tutorials, preparation, reading, independent learning and assessment. See below a list with the name of some of the courses:

• Global Environmental Change
• Tree Structure and Function
• Statistics
• Managing Human Environment Interactions
• Eco-Informatics
• Natural Hazards and Risk Management
• Forest Resources and Wood Production
• Gender roles in environmental management
• International Concepts of Nature Conservation
• Tropical Forests and Sustainability

Studies at the University of Freiburg are structured in 2 semesters; a winter semester (approximately from October 23rd to February 17th) and a summer semester (approximately from April 16th to July 21st).

More information on the Forest Ecology and Management study programme can be found at the link below, or contacting the German MSc European Forestry coordinator Professor Heinrich Spiecker.

http://www.msc-forest-ecology-management.uni-freiburg.de