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Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management MSc in Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management

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.   

As a student you will attend lectures 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.  

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 - mastersprogramme
Level: Master
Language: English
Programme scope: 2 year, 120 credits
Next start: Autumn semester 2023

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

First semester: SEK 70000
Total: SEK 280000

Application deadline for international students: 2023-01-16
Application deadline for Swedish students: 2023-04-17

Study location: Umeå
Pace of study: Full-time
Teaching form: On-campus
Number of admission places: 20
Application code for Swedish students: 81069
Application code for international students: 81068

Requirements:

Admission to the master´s programme Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management,

• general entry requirements: a Bachelor´s degree (equivalent to a Swedish kandidatexamen) from an internationally recognised university.
• specific entry requirements: specialisation on 60 credits in one of the following subjects/disciplinary domains:

- Forest science
- Forest management
- Biology
- Natural resource management
- Environmental science
- Soil science
- Physical geography

Furthermore is required knowledge equivalent to upper-secondary school´s course English 6.

Grading requirements: In the above course is required lowest the grade Pass.

This is fulfilled by the one that has a first-cycle qualification from a Swedish higher education institution of 180 credits. For applicant from nordic countries and certain English-speaking countries, special rules apply.

Requirements of specific entry requirements as above can be fulfilled also of them that have equivalent knowledge through foreign qualification or about equivalent knowledge has been acquired in a different way.

Programme is given in English.

For admission to the various courses included in the programme, specific entry requirements defined for each individual course must be fulfilled.

Degree:

Degree awarded on completion of the programme

Master´s (120 credits) programme Forest´s ecology and sustainable maintenance aims to a general Degree of Master (120 credits) in the main field of study Forest sciences or Biology. Additional qualifications can be possible about requirements for these are fulfilled. See SLU´s local System of Qualifications.

Student who fulfils requirements for qualification obtain on request a degree certificate. To degree certificate are linked description Degree of Master (120 credits) with main field of study forest science or biology (degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Forest Science or degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Biology).

Degree requirements

Degree of Master (120 credits) within the main field of Forest sciences is achieved on completion of the course requirements (passed courses) about 120 credits (credits), of which at least 90 credits at second cycle level with the following requirements:

  • at least 30 credits courses with specialised study in the main field forest sciences (A1N; A1F),
  • at least 30 credits in independent project (degree project) in main field of study forest science (A2E).

Degree of Master (120 credits) within the main field of Biology is achieved on completion of the course requirements (passed courses) about 120 credits (credits), of which at least 90 credits at second cycle level with the following requirements:

  • at least 30 credits courses with specialised study in the main field biology (A1N; A1F),
  • at least 30 credits in independent project (degree project) in main field of study biology (A2E).

In addition, requirements of taken Degree of Bachelor, professional qualification of at least 180 credits or the equivalent foreign qualification are set.

 

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. The last date to apply is 16 January 2023. SLU strongly encourage all international students to apply in this first admission round.

 

SLU offer courses and programmes taught in English in the second admission round - often when there are still places available after the first round.

EU/EEA/Swiss students are welcome to apply to this round, but there are a few things to consider:

  • many courses and programmes taught in English are no longer available for application
  • the admissions decision comes in July, providing less time to prepare to move to Sweden
  • non-EU/EEA applicants who require a residence permit won't have time to apply for and receive one
  • The second admission round is only open in Swedish language. You will need an English guidance to apply for a programme or course at SLU in the second admission round. Short guide how to apply in Swedish at Antagning.se.

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 Forest Science, or with a Major in Biology.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Year 1

Year 2

SYLLABUS

Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management - mastersprogramme

Programcode:
SM007

Requirements

Admission to the master´s programme Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management,

• general entry requirements: a Bachelor´s degree (equivalent to a Swedish kandidatexamen) from an internationally recognised university.

• specific entry requirements: specialisation on 60 credits in one of the following subjects/disciplinary domains:

  • Forest science

  • Forest management

  • Biology

  • Natural resource management

  • Environmental science

  • Soil science

  • Physical geography

Furthermore is required knowledge equivalent to upper-secondary school´s course English 6.

Grading requirements: In the above course is required lowest the grade Pass.

This is fulfilled by the one that has a first-cycle qualification from a Swedish higher education institution of 180 credits. For applicant from nordic countries and certain English-speaking countries, special rules apply.

Requirements of specific entry requirements as above can be fulfilled also of them that have equivalent knowledge through foreign qualification or about equivalent knowledge has been acquired in a different way.

Programme is given in English.

For admission to the various courses included in the programme, specific entry requirements defined for each individual course must be fulfilled.

Goals

General objectives

The general objectives for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes are specified in the Swedish Higher Education Act (Chapter 1, Sections 8–9).

Objectives for a Degree

In accordance with the appendix to the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, for a Degree of X, the student shall have:

Exam

Degree awarded on completion of the programme

Master´s (120 credits) programme Forest´s ecology and sustainable maintenance aims to a general Degree of Master (120 credits) in the main field of study Forest sciences or Biology. Additional qualifications can be possible about requirements for these are fulfilled. See SLU´s local System of Qualifications.

Student who fulfils requirements for qualification obtain on request a degree certificate. To degree certificate are linked description Degree of Master (120 credits) with main field of study forest science or biology (degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Forest Science or degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Biology).

Degree requirements

Degree of Master (120 credits) within the main field of Forest sciences is achieved on completion of the course requirements (passed courses) about 120 credits (credits), of which at least 90 credits at second cycle level with the following requirements:

  • at least 30 credits courses with specialised study in the main field forest sciences (A1N; A1F),
  • at least 30 credits in independent project (degree project) in main field of study forest science (A2E).

Degree of Master (120 credits) within the main field of Biology is achieved on completion of the course requirements (passed courses) about 120 credits (credits), of which at least 90 credits at second cycle level with the following requirements:

  • at least 30 credits courses with specialised study in the main field biology (A1N; A1F),
  • at least 30 credits in independent project (degree project) in main field of study biology (A2E).

In addition, requirements of taken Degree of Bachelor, professional qualification of at least 180 credits or the equivalent foreign qualification are set.

Content and Structure

Courses in the programme

Main fields of study

SG=Forest science, BI=Biologi

Course

Academic Year 1

Forest history: forest use and vegetation dynamics, 15 credits, BI/SG, A1N

Forestry ecosystem ecology, 15 credits, BI/SG, A1N

Silviculture - disciplinary foundation, 15 credits, SG/BI, A1N

Sustainable administration of boreal forest, 15 credits, SG/BI, A1F

Academic Year 2

Elective courses * A1N/A1F

Independent project, 30/60 credits, SG, A2E

Independent project, 30/60 credits, BI, A2E

Changes in range of courses offered can happen during education´s time. Decision if range of courses offered is grasped in good time before future academic year. *Final range of elective courses at SLU is established before autumn semester 2019.

For each course´s in programme is a course syllabus that state what specifically apply for the course. Detailed information about when courses are given is on SLU´s studentwebb

Transition regulations and other regulations

Other rules

This syllabi is up dated, due to a general decision in the University board for Education (UN), regarding the maximum of basic level credits that can be included in a master degree. Before only 15 credits in basic level where possible to include, after decision in fall 2018, up to 30 credits in basic level can be included.

Other Info

General regulations for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes

For more information on semester dates, examination and credit transfer, see the Regulations for education at Bachelor´s and Master´s level available on the SLU student web.

Possibilities for further studies

Students who complete the master´s programme Forest Ecology and Sustainable Management and are awarded a degree have the possibility to continue their studies at doctoral level.

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Marie Spohn is a professor of the biogeochemistry of forest soils. Watch the film and get to know her and her work better.

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