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Institute of Technology at Linköping University

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Year: 2015
 
Master’s Programme in Ecology and the Environment, 120 hp
 
Aim/Vision
The aim of the programme in Ecology and the Environment is that the students shall acquire the knowledge, skills and scientific approaches that are necessary for a professional in the field and for postgraduate studies. The programme corresponds to needs within this field from universities, industry and society both on a national and an international level. The education is based on the related bachelor programme and intends to provide an in-depth knowledge in ecology and its applications in nature conservation and environmental management.

The students leaving the master programme in Ecology and the Environment shall:

  • be prepared for advanced scientific communication with different target groups.
  • The students leaving the master programme in Ecology and the Environment shall be able to contribute to a sustainable development of society.
  • The students leaving the master programme in Ecology and the Environment shall be well prepared for postgraduate studies, but also for advanced positions in the national or international labour market.
 
Programme goals
Mathematical, scientifical and technical knowledge ans reasoning
The students from the master programme in Ecology and the Environment shall demonstrate theoretical knowledge and understanding in ecology and its applications in e.g. nature conservation, management of shallow waters and treatment wetlands, and biological pest control. The programme covers current theories in population, society and system ecology. This includes a broad knowledge in the area in general, with in-depth knowledge in some specialities

The graduates from the master programme in Ecology and the Environment shall on an advanced level have gained:

  • knowledge in current issues in the field of environment and natural resource managment and how ecological skills can be used in professional activities in this sector
  • awareness of current ecological theories and ability to plan and implement ecological studies in the field and in the laboratory
  • knowledge in ecological field methods and experimental design
  • ability to evaluate and interpret data from environmental monitoring programmes and experiments
  • ability to carry out ecological risk assessments
  • ability to use mathematical tools for structuring and analysing complex ecological problems, and familiarity with current software for the purpose.

Personal and professional skills and attributes
Students graduated from the master programme in Ecology and the Environment have achieved the individual and professional skills and attitudes which are demanded to be able to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyze, judge and handle complex issues even with limited information. The graduates shall also be aware of and take responsibility for their own parts in work or post graduate studies concerning ethics in work, responsibility and reliability. Students from the programme shall be able to make relevant judgements regarding scientific, social and ethical aspects.

Interpersonal skills: Teamwork and communication
Students graduated from the master programme in Ecology and the Environment shall be able to collaborate with other people. This requires the ability to actively participate in a project with clear roles, tasks and responsibilities. The graduates can also initiate, plan, lead and evaulate large projects. The students shall have good skills in written and oral communication. The students can present information, problems and solutions in a structured way with relevant techniques, in English or in the native language, to different target groups.

Conceiving, designing, implementing and operating scientific projects in the enterprise and social context
Students graduated from the master programme in Ecology and the Environment shall have knowledge about the natural scientist and the role of natural science in society, both from a historical and a current perspective. The graduates shall also understand the social and economic conditions in this field and in the related research area. They shall be competent in initiating, working in and leading advanced development projects with established methods. The graduates shall also have skills in planning, implementing and presenting their work. The graduates will have an understanding of how research results can be transformed into industrial use and commercial business.

 
Common rules and information about student service
Common rules and information about student service at LiTH are available in sections b1-b6.
 
 
Programme Organisation
The programme comprises four semesters and leads to a Master of Science in Biology within the programme Ecology and the Environment. The teaching language is English. The range of courses is found in the curriculum. Normally the content of the programme is presented at lectures, seminars, laboratory work and field studies. Some extensive projects or assignments are parts of the courses and will be reported orally and/or in written reports. Laboratory work, seminars and field studies are compulsory.
The Master thesis is mainly performed during the second year and comprises 30, 45 or 60 högskolepoäng (equivalent to ECTS credits). This means that the student may choose a less extensive master thesis and combine this with further course studies in other areas, or more in-depth courses in the same field.

Courses may contain compulsory elements that mean extra costs for the student.

Courses in the major subject Biology are marked in yellow in the curriculum.

Programme Contents
The programme consists of courses within the area of ecological theories and their applications in e.g. conservation biology, management of shallow waters and grasslands, and biological pest control on an advanced level. These courses are combined with a seminar course focused on scientific literature. There are possibilities to change some of the courses to other courses from different areas within biology, or study complementary courses in different areas such as mathematics, chemistry, physics, medicine or economics. The Master thesis can be carried out at the university or in cooperation with companies or local authorities and is regarded as a good introduction to post graduate studies.
The programme ends with the course Communicating Science where the students use their master thesis to develop their skills in oral and written communication to different target groups.
 
Thesis Work
The thesis work should be of scientifically high quality and be carried out in close contact with the research groups involved in the programme and in the area of the profile chosen by the student. If possible, the work should be presented orally at the minisymposium arranged by the Division of Biology and all students are supposed to be present. In this case, the requirement of prior attendance at final thesis seminars is disregarded.
 
Degree Requirements
The programme is designed to give the Master's Degree "Naturvetenskaplig masterexamen i biologi" translated to "Master of Science with a major in Biology".

The requirements are the following:

  • a Bachelor's degree as specified in the entrance requirements.
  • course requirements for a total of 120 ECTS credits from courses from the curriculum of the programme, or after special decision from the programme board, and thesis work.
  • passed the requirements for all compulsory courses.
  • courses on advancement level A (advanced) 90 ECTS credits including:
    • at least 30 ECTS credits courses from the major subject Biology.
    • at least 30 ECTS credits Master's Thesis in the major subject Biology.
  • a Master's thesis presented and passed as per Linköping Institute of Technology degree regulations.
Courses overlapping each other regarding contents are not allowed to be included in the degree. Courses used for the Bachelor's degree can never be included in the Master's degree.

Entrance requirements

See general rules and regulations for master programmes at LiTH.

 

Institute of Technology at Linköping University


Informationsansvarig: TFK , val@tfk.liu.se