Information about the degree program
The master's degree program in Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning prepares students for challenging tasks in their careers through a specifically selected range of modules. The focus is not only on well-founded scientific and ecological knowledge of habitats and species, but also on planning instruments for nature conservation, legal principles and the skills required in the implementation of nature conservation measures. Key topics are the implementation of the European nature conservation objectives NATURA 2000 and the European Water Framework Directive, innovative concepts for the renaturation and management of habitats and the improvement of the promotion of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. The program also teaches important financing instruments in nature conservation and essential basics of project management.
The lecturers of the degree program work on current nature conservation issues in numerous projects in cooperation with practice partners. The degree program Students have many opportunities to participate in these research and development projects, for example, as student assistants or by writing theses for academic qualification. This also provides students with the chance to establish contacts with future employers while they are still studying.
The master's degree program in Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning includes transnational aspects in many modules and involves students in international research projects. Therefore, graduates have good employment opportunities worldwide.
In view of the increased demands for efficient nature conservation strategies, there is a considerable need for increasingly specialized specialists in the professional field of Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning. Graduates must be able to apply existing instruments on a scientific basis, modify them, adapt them to new tasks or even develop new ones.
The Master's degree program in Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences aims to train qualified actors who are able to manage these complex tasks for the protection of nature and landscape on the basis of sound ecological knowledge in the context of social requirements on a scientific basis. Students receive in-depth training in
- ecological,
- floristic-vegetation science,
- faunistic and
- landscape planning.
Due to its application-oriented and at the same time scientific focus specifically on the instruments of Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning, this consecutive degree program, which builds on a corresponding Bachelor's degree, is unique in the entire German-speaking world.
The central study contents of the master's degree program Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning are as follows:
- sound scientific and ecological knowledge and field survey methods
- in-depth knowledge of natural/natural and anthropogenically modified habitats,
- extensive knowledge of species, with the opportunity to specialize in selected taxa and thus the ability to carry out independent scientific work in this field,
- Methods for evaluation and nature conservation credits, including the ability to modify/develop corresponding methods according to current requirements,
- in-depth (landscape) planning skills, in particular for the independent management of new instruments,
- in-depth knowledge of (nature conservation) law, particularly with regard to European legal provisions,
- skills in official enforcement, taking current aspects into account,
- the ability to independently manage nature conservation projects (from application and fundraising to organization, presentation and scientific publication),
- skills in moderating nature conservation problems and communicating with other land users and public relations work,
- the ability to work independently with geographic information systems, including new problem-solving approaches, and
- European and worldwide ecological and nature conservation knowledge as prerequisites for solving complex global and current tasks and/or potential work abroad.
Students are enabled to work independently in a scientific and planning capacity (also as project or team leaders), e.g:
- nature conservation mapping and scientific analysis and credits,
- landscape planning tasks (landscape program, landscape framework plan, landscape plan,
- green structure plan, impact regulation, EIA, and in particular SEA, FFH management planning and impact assessment etc.),
- Biotope network and connectivity planning,
- protected area planning and designation procedures,
- Strategies for sustainable landscape management,
- Conception and implementation of species and biotope protection programs,
- nature conservation monitoring and
- nature conservation and environmental education.
Thematic specializations can be chosen according to inclination. The curriculum includes both compulsory and elective modules. The ability to choose from a total of 13 elective modules gives students sufficient freedom to acquire or develop additional skills in specific areas.
In terms of content, the modules are tailored to the study objective (focus on job-specific skills and specialist knowledge, imparting social skills and methodological competence), practical orientation (excursions, involvement of practice partners, internship) and also to the interdependence within the degree program (interdisciplinarity, modular character of the study program). The essential content is set out in module descriptions and summarized in a module handbook.
When drawing up the examination and (degree) program regulations, attention was paid to a balanced concept that familiarizes students with different types of examinations. Oral examinations, written examinations, term papers and projects are all required. Projects end with a project defense (colloquium).
The final thesis (Master's thesis) is to be designed as the culmination of studies in accordance with the standard procedure at Department 1 of Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. It must be defended in a public colloquium, which consists of a presentation and discussion.
The teaching content is application-oriented on a scientific basis. The types of instruction are tailored to the respective module content and can be found in the module description handbook.
Furthermore, students are given tasks for time spent independently studying. Individual consultation with the lecturers concerned is also possible when completing these tasks.
Today, nature conservation can be seen as a promising growth factor for the future.
The scientific and at the same time application-oriented, practical training (including research and planning projects, committee work) ensures constant feedback to the expectations and requirements of the job market.
Occupational fields in which graduates of the Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning degree program
work and can work in the future include
- Institutions of science and research (for example at the UFZ Leipzig/Halle),
- Federal and state nature conservation administrations (e.g. BfN, state offices and numerous UNBs),
- large protected area administrations (e.g. various national parks and biosphere reserves),
- national and international environmental and nature conservation organizations,- nature conservation associations (e.g. BUND Foundation),- expert, planning and engineering offices and
- consulting firms/environmental departments of various companies (e.g. in the field of geographical information processing).
The international orientation of the degree program is not only expressed through the corresponding classes, but is also reflected in the professional field of the graduates. For example, graduates are active in the implementation of Natura 2000 in the new EU accession countries (e.g. Romania), but also successfully in Austria or - as a result of many years of cooperation - in South Africa and Botswana, to name just a few examples.
