Wageningen University

Wageningen University is a leading European university in Life Sciences. Researchers and students at Wageningen University focus on the fields of nutrition, health, nature and the living environment. For a general description of Wageningen University, visit the website http://www.wageningenuniversiteit.nl/UK/

MSc European Forestry studies at Wageningen University

After completing the first year of the MSc European Forestry, students can choose to continue their second year of MSc European Forestry studies at Wageningen University . In such case, students will enroll during their second year at the Forest and Nature Conservation study programme, carrying out the Courses and the Master Thesis. Students that successfully complete their studies will be granted the MSc European Forestry double-degree by the University of Joensuu and Wageningen University.

Forest and Nature Conservation study programme

The study programme Forest and Nature Conservation aims at the understanding, management and policy for forest and nature areas within all climatic zones, including the tropics.

Forest and nature areas are complex land use systems under increasing ecological, social and economic pressure. On a local level, exploitation of biological resources changes in hydrological and other environmental conditions and different stakeholder interests, affect the sustainability. On a global level, sustainability is affected by climate change, deforestation, resource degradation and the demand for biodiversity and ecotourism.

It will be a major challenge to maintain the economic viability of forest and nature areas, while at the same time ensuring that it provides the non-market goods and services that are increasingly in demand. Therefore we will need to increase our understanding on functioning and processes in forest and nature areas, so that they can be utilized and conserved in a sustainable manner.

There are three specializations: (A) Policy, (B) Management and (C) Ecology.

The Forest and Nature Conservation specialization A 'Policy' addresses the whole of formulation, implementation and evaluation of policies and plans for the conservation and sustainable management of forests and natural areas from the local to the international level. Central study objects are the dynamics between people, organizations and institutions in processes of policy making and policy innovation (often referred to as 'governance' ) relative to forest and nature conservation issues in time and space. The specialization critically addresses the entire policy cycle: formulation, design, implementation of forest and natural areas from the local to the global level.

In specialization B 'Management' it is evaluated if the proposed management solutions are scientifically sound, realistic and feasible for nature and people. What for instance is the best option for wildlife conservation: do populations need to be managed or not? How to determine a 'desired' population level? How to evaluate the effects of various management activities? How to deal with the different perceptions of people? Which research is needed? It is possible to specialize in forest management, wildlife resource management, and management of ecosystems and landscapes.

The central objective of specialization C 'Ecology' is the generation of knowledge on ecological processes. The specialization aims at developing competencies in the fields of analysis and design of sustainable and efficient management of silvicultural systems and protected areas, within the ecological, economical and social preconditions. The understanding and study of ecological processes in various ecosystems are the point of departure for the analysis and prediction of the short and long-term effects on natural processes of management measures. They are also a point of departure for understanding the changes in biological, physical or spatial environment on the ecological communities concerned.

Furthermore, attention is paid to the recovery of forest and natural areas that are damaged and to favouring forest and nature development in addition to other land use systems.

Programme structure

After successful finishing the first year of MSc European Forestry (60 ECTS or more) a double degree title of MSc Forest and Nature Conservation can be achieved by doing a number of courses (24-30 ECTS) and a thesis (36 ECTS). The courses to be selected depend on your competencies, the requirements for the specialization (yearly update in March) and your own ideas. The exact programme will be made together with the study advisor and is subject to approval by the examination committee. Slight changes in course names and contents are possible due to the yearly update of the programme.

COURSES

Relevant courses specialization A (all 6 ECTS):

• RDS-33306 Methods, Techniques and Data analysis for Field Research
• MAT-22306 Quantitative Research Methodology and Statistics
• FNP-31306 Community based Conservation and Rural Development
• FNP-32306 Economic Aspects of Forest and Nature Conservation
• FNP-31806 Forest and Nature Policy: Theoretical Perspectives
• FNP-21306 Business Management for Forest and Nature Conservation
• FNP-21806 Forest and Nature Policy: Models and Trends

Relevant courses specialization B (all 6 ECTS):

• MAT-22306 Quantitative Research Methodology and Statistics
• REG-31806 Ecological Methods I
• FNP-32306 Economic Aspects of Forest and Nature Conservation
• FNP-31806 Forest and Nature Policy: Theoretical Perspectives
• REG-32306 Wildlife Resource Management
• FEM-30306 Forest Ecology and Forest Management

Relevant courses specialization C (all 6 ECTS):

• INF-31806 Models for Forest and Nature Conservation
• REG-31806 Ecological Methods I
• REG-32306 Ecological Methods II
• FEM-30306 Forest Ecology and Forest Management

For all specializations:

• REG-31306 Trends in Forest and Nature Conservation
• FNP-22303 Forest and Nature Products
• FEM-22803 Agroforestry
• FEM-22306 Forest Resources and Sustainable Management Systems

See for a description of the programme and contents of the courses: http://www.mfn.wur.nl

Check the scheduling and description of all Wageningen courses at the Study Handbook.

THESIS

The research part of the Masters program consists of 26 weeks (36 credits) of research. This research is usually conducted under supervision of a staff member of one of the participating groups in the Forest and Nature Conservation programme. You have to decide in consultation with the MFN study advisor and Thesis advisor about the topic of your research. Usually the subject originates from subjects that are proposed by one of the groups or come from your own research interest. The research is concluded with a written thesis. You also have to present your results in a colloquium in Wageningen and for your fellow European Forestry students.

For present thesis topics look at http://tip.wur.nl/index.php You have to choose the relevant chairgroup:

• Forest and Nature Conservation Policy Group (FNP) for specializations A (Policy) and B (Management), www.fnp.wur.nl, Professor: bas.arts (at) wur.nl .

• Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group (FEM) for specializations B (Management) and C (Ecology), www.fem.wur.nl, Professor: frits.mohren (at) wur.nl .

Or (only if you had already specific knowledge and competencies before start of MSc European Forestry) for specializations B and C:

• Nature Conservation and Plant Ecology Group (NCP)

• Resource Ecology Group (REG)

For more information:

- study advisor MSc Forest and Nature Conservation: hans.jansen (at) wur.nl ; (after July 2008: wim.braakhekke (at) wur.nl )

- contact person Wageningen University : gerrit.epema (at) wur.nl