Environmental Sciences

["The MSc course in Environmental Sciences deals with various aspects of the analysis of environmental change and its impacts on natural systems and human societies as well as with the development of measures to mitigate existing problems and prevent future ones. Aspects of Global Change and its effects on wildlife and biodiversity are covered, as are new approaches towards a sustainable bioeconomy, developing new biomaterials and making more effective use of bioenergy.Students can choose betweenfour English-taught majors(and one German major):Climate Change Ecology:In this major, students will study the impact of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems at local, regional and global scales. Hands-on laboratory and field-based approaches are used to quantify stress-induced changes in plants and ecosystems. The aim is to gain in-depth knowledge on alterations of important ecosystem processes, such as carbon or water cycles. Finally, an introduction to earth system modelling approaches addresses these processes at larger scales.Wildlife and Biodiversity:Understanding the ecology and conservation biology of wildlife and biodiversity with a focus on terrestrial ecosystem is the aim of this major. It targets ecological research in a conservation context, but it is also aimed at students interested in the interface between science and its application. Therefore, module contents range from theory and research methods to field work, data analysis and scientific writing.Environmental Modelling and Data Sciences:Environmental Modelling and Data Sciences aims at equipping the students with a wide and relevant range of computer-based skills to address research and application challenges in environmental science. Ever-larger data sets from automatised data collections (remote sensing, omics) and large research and public data collections (weather stations, iNaturalist, ebird) require appropriate data science and modelling competences. As these methods are in constant flux, the profile Environmental Modelling and Data Sciences (EMDS) develops fundamental skills in statistics and programming and combines them with concrete studies and analyses.Sustainability Assessment and TransformationThis major is a new interdisciplinary track for students who want to build a solid scientific basis for addressing sustainability questions in organisations, communities and societies. You will become an expert in cutting-edge sustainability assessment tools, including material and energy flow analysis, cost benefit analysis, life cycle assessment (LCA), and legal analysis! You will engage in world-class training in systems thinking, critical thinking, and analytical thinking on the above questions. You will learn how to apply models and develop indicators to evaluate innovative business, technical, infrastructural, regulatory, policy, and behavioural solutions for a sustainable future."]