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Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management MSc with a major in Forestry Science or Biology

Do you want to study Forest Ecology at the university ranked as number one in forestry science? Then look no further - this is the Master’s programme for you.

PROGRAMME INFORMATION

Forests worldwide play a key role in the bio-based economy; and this pressure to provide multiple products and services is putting forests under increasing pressure. Forests must also be maintained and developed, which requires knowledge of conservation ecology and sustainable forest management. The courses in this Master’s programme cover precisely these subjects, making this the ideal degree if you’re aiming for a career in applied forest ecology, silviculture and/or forest management.   

The lectures are carried out in close cooperation with research in ecology and forest management. The courses focus on the northern coniferous forest and you will learn about forest ecology and management of this ecosystem, as well as understand the complexity of issues such as global change and the many diverse roles of the forest.  

As a student at the program you have the opportunity to apply, in competition, to the exchange program TRANSFOR-M for your second year of program studies. Within TRANSFOR-M, you have the opportunity to study for a year at one of three partner universities; University of British Columbia, University of Alberta or Lakehead University. After completing your studies, you meet the requirements to apply for a double degree, one from SLU and one from the Canadian university. 

After graduation, your specialist knowledge will make you an attractive employee in the job market, qualified to work as a specialist or advisor at a governmental authority, municipality or forestry company. Furthermore, you will be well prepared to continue your studies in a PhD programme.

FACTS & REQUIREMENTS

Name: Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management (MSc)
Level: Master
Language: English
Programme scope: 2 year, 120 credits
Next start: Autumn semester 2024

Tuition Fees: Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland are required to pay application and tuition fees.

First semester: SEK 76000
Total: SEK 304000

Application deadline for international students: 2024-01-15
Application deadline for Swedish students: 2024-04-15

Study location: Umeå
Pace of study: Full-time
Teaching form: On-campus
Application code for Swedish students: 81069
Application code for international students: 81068

Selection: Högskolepoäng

Requirements:

To be admitted to the Master’s programme Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management, the following criteria must be met:
General entry requirements: first-cycle qualification comprising at least 180 credits or a corresponding qualification from abroad
Specific entry requirements: specialisation comprising at least 60 credits in one of the following subjects/disciplinary domains:
- Forestry Science
- Forest Management 
- Forest Science
- Biology
- Soil Science
- Environmental Science
- Natural Resource Governance
- Physical Geography
and 15 credits in ecology.
In addition, knowledge equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6 is required. This requirement is met by those holding a Degree of Bachelor (180 credits) from a Swedish higher education institution. There are specific rules for applicants from certain English-speaking countries.
The specific entry requirements stated above can also be met by someone who has obtained equivalent knowledge through a corresponding qualification from abroad, or in some other way.

There are specific entry requirements for each course included in the programme. These are described in the relevant course syllabus.

Degree:

Degree awarded upon completion of the programme

The Master's (120 credits) programme in Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management leads to a Degree of Master of Science with a major in Biology, or, alternatively, the Degree of Master of Science with a major in Forestry. A Degree of Master is a general qualification. 

Students who fulfil the qualification requirements for a Degree of Master will be issued a degree certificate on request. The degree certificate will specify the qualification as Degree of Master (120 credits) with a major in Biology, or alternatively, Forestry science. (Degree of Master of Science with a major in Biology or, alternatively, Degree of Master of Science with a major in Forestry Science)

Other qualifications may be awarded provided that the requirements for them are fulfilled. See SLU’s system of qualifications.

The programme contains courses which, depending on choice of courses and combination with previous studies in forestry at first-cycle level, may enable students to fulfil the requirements for the professional qualification Degree of Master of Science in Forestry, 300 credits. The outcomes for a Degree of Master of Science in Forestry are stipulated in the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The requirements for a Degree of Master of Science in Forestry are defined in SLU’s system of qualifications.

Degree requirements

The Degree of Master of Science with forestry science as the main field of study will be awarded once 120 credits have been obtained, of which 90 must be from second cycle courses that meet the following requirements:

  • a minimum of 30 credits from courses of specialised study within the main field of study forestry science (A1N; A1F); 
  • a minimum of 30 credits from an independent project (degree project) with forestry science as the main field of study (A2E).

The Degree of Master of Science with biology as the main field of study will be awarded once 120 credits have been obtained, of which 90 must be from second cycle courses that meet the following requirements:

  • a minimum of 30 credits with biology as the main field of study (A1N; A1F); 
  • a minimum of 30 credits from an independent project (degree project) with biology as the main field of study (A2E).

Additionally, students must have successfully completed a Degree of Bachelor, a professional qualification comprising a minimum of 180 credits, or have an equivalent qualification from abroad.

The Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) may contain a maximum of 30 credits from first-cycle courses, provided these credits were not included in a Degree of Bachelor or its equivalent. All courses included in a degree must be at university level, have been successfully completed and may not overlap/have similar content.

 

Admission: There are two admission rounds for this Master's programme. The first admission round is open to all international applicants at www.universityadmissions.se. SLU strongly encourage all international students to apply in this first admission round.

CONTENT

This Master’s programme is aimed at Swedish and international students looking to have a professional or academic career in applied forest ecology, silviculture, or forest resource management. It is tailored to deepen students’ knowledge of forest ecosystems and their responses to management activities and global change factors; and ultimately to develop strategies to attain sustainable forest management.

The programme equips students with a comprehensive skills set in ecology and management. Students will develop a deep and comprehensive understanding of forest ecosystem properties and processes. They will learn how management activities affect the provision of forest products and ecosystem services and acquire a vast set of practical and professional skills needed for evidence-based forest management decisions for achieving multiple forest-use objectives.

Students will practise specific skills and work with tools frequently used in forest-related research and industries, such as data analysis, modelling, problem identification and solving, decision-making, communication, and writing. The programme also emphasises interactions between students, academic researchers, and professionals within the Swedish forestry and land-management sectors and government.

The backbone of the programme consists of four courses in forest history, forest ecosystem ecology, silviculture and sustainable management of boreal forests. These are recommended programme courses and can also be taken as freestanding courses by students not registered on the Master’s programme.

During the two-year programme, students are also able to select from a wide range of elective courses and interact with leading researchers at the Faculty of Forest Sciences, our sister university Umeå University, and the prestigious Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC).

The electives are a way for students to broaden their knowledge of forest ecology and management in soil science, hydrology, experimental plant biology, conservation biology, and tropical forest management. They can also develop their skills in using tools and applications such as GIS, remote sensing, statistical modelling, field methods or mapping.

Visit the student pages to find out more.

CAREER

Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management graduates are highly competitive in the job market and will have the necessary qualifications for pursuing doctoral studies.

During the two years of the programme, students will learn advanced topics in forest ecology and sustainable management for multiple objectives, practical skills, and professional development. Students will interact with academics, private industries, and public agencies through lectures, field excursions, symposiums, and workshops. As an international programme, we will create an active social network around the world.

Degree awarded

Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a Major in Forestry Science, or with a Major in Biology.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Year 1

SYLLABUS

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