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2011
MASTER'S PROGRAMME IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT 120 ECTS credits
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 education 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, as well as to prepare for postgraduate studies.
- 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 treats current theories in population, society and system ecology. This includes a broad knowledge in the area with in-depth knowledge in some specialities The graduates from the master programme in Ecology and the Environment have on an advanced level gained
- knowledge in current issues in the field of environment and natural resource managment area 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 and to be able to carry out ecological risk assessment
- 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 responsible 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 on and leading advanced development projects with established methods. The students 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.
Disposition of the Programme
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.
Content of the Programme
The programme consists of courses within the area of ecological theories and their applications in e.g. conservation biology, management og 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 totally different areas such as mathematics, chemistry, physics, medicine or economics.
The Master's 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.
Master's Thesis
The thesis should be based on a high quality scientific content and carried out in close contact with the research groups involved in the programme and in the area of the profile chosen by the students.
Requirements for a degree
The programme is designed to give the Master's Degree "Naturvetenskaplig masterexamen i biologi" translated to "Master of Science (2 years) 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 for 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.
- a 30 ECTS credits Master's Thesis in the major subject.
- 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.
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