MSc In Ecology and Sustainable Development
Linköping, Sweden
DURATION
4 Semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2024
TUITION FEES
SEK 252,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* only to students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland
Introduction
In a world facing complex environmental problems, ecological understanding and a systems perspective are fundamental to finding sustainable solutions. If you are interested in nature and want to address global challenges, this program is the right choice.
By applying ecological theories and quantitative methods, you will learn how to identify crop management strategies for biological control, evaluate the preservation status of nature reserves, and analyze regional ecosystem services and how they interplay with social and economic systems.
Collaborative research
Ecology courses at LiU have a research perspective and are based on cases where you work closely with fellow students, teachers, and researchers in a collaborative atmosphere. As a student, you take part in outstanding research in, for example, conservation ecology and sustainable development. You will sharpen your skills in experimental design, theoretical thinking, modeling, systems analysis, and scientific communication.
Internship and one-year thesis
During a six-week internship and in your one-year thesis project, you will have the opportunity to go deeper into areas of your interest and to establish a professional network for your future working life. Possible thesis subjects include biodiversity, species interaction in food webs, and nutrient cycling.
Syllabus
Purpose
The Master’s program in Ecology and Sustainable Development aims to provide the students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for a professional in the field or for further postgraduate studies. The program meets both national and international needs from universities, industry, and society in general. The education intends to provide in-depth knowledge in ecology and its applications in nature conservation and environmental management.
Students graduating from the Master's program in Ecology and Sustainable Development shall:
- be well prepared for advanced scientific communication with different target groups.
- be able to contribute to the sustainable development of society.
- be well prepared for further postgraduate studies, but also for advanced positions in the national or international labor market.
Aim
Disciplinary knowledge and reasoning
Graduates from the Master's program in Ecology and Sustainable Development demonstrate theoretical knowledge and understanding of ecology, including a broad knowledge of the area and considerable in-depth knowledge in certain parts of the area. The graduates are also acquainted with current research in the field.
The program builds upon a Bachelor's education in Biology, where fundamental knowledge in the area has been acquired. Entry requirements include at least 5 ECTS credits in Ecology.
Graduates from the Master's program in Ecology and Sustainable Development have acquired advanced knowledge in ecological theory and analysis. Also, the graduated student knows how this theory can be applied within e. g. nature conservation, biological pest control, and wetland design for water purification. The program covers current theories in population, society, and systems ecology in a broad sense, but also gives in-depth knowledge in certain areas. A graduate from the Master's programme in Ecology and Sustainable Development has gained:
- knowledge in current issues in the field of environment and natural resource management
- ability to identify how ecological skills can be used to contribute to the development of a sustainable society, including how to prioritize between different areas of development
- awareness of current ecological theories
- ability to plan and implement ecological studies in the field and in the laboratory
- ability to evaluate and interpret data from environmental monitoring software and experiments
- ability to carry out ecological risk assessments
- ability to use mathematical and statistical tools and models for structuring and analyzing complex ecological problems, and familiarity with current software for this purpose.
The Master's programme in Ecology and Sustainable Development is conducted in close collaboration with strong research environments, which gives the students insight into current research and development within the areas of ecological networks and species extinction, the spread of infection, food safety, and recirculation of nutrients in the socioecological context, biodiversity, nature conservation, and landscape ecology. During the Master's thesis work, the student can work for a full year with a research group, a company, or a public authority, getting very well acquainted with research findings within one of the areas. The graduated student is also able to design a scientific study and is skilled in critically reading relevant research literature.
Personal and professional skills and attributes
Students who graduated from the Master's programme in Ecology and Sustainable Development have achieved the individual and professional skills and attitudes required to be able to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyze and evaluate complex issues even with limited information. The graduates can also take responsibility at work or during post-graduate studies concerning work ethics, reliability, and respect for the expertise of other professionals. Students from the program can make relevant judgments regarding scientific, social, and ethical aspects.
Interpersonal skills: Teamwork and communication
Students having graduated from the Master's programme in Ecology and Sustainable Development can collaborate with other people. This requires the ability to actively participate in a project with designated roles, tasks, and responsibilities. The graduates can also initiate, plan, lead and evaluate larger projects. Students who graduated from the programme are skilled in written and oral communication. The students can present information, problems, and solutions in a structured way with relevant techniques, in English or in their native language, to different target groups.
Planning, execution, and presentation of research or development projects with respect to scientific and societal needs and requirements
Students who graduated from the Master's programme in Ecology and Sustainable Development shall have knowledge about the natural scientist and the role of natural science in society. The graduates also understand the social and economic conditions in the field and in the related research area. They can initiate, conduct and present advanced development projects with established methods.
Teaching and working methods
The program comprises four semesters of full-time studies and leads to a Master of Science (120 credits) in Biology. The teaching language is English. The included courses are found in the curriculum. Courses are mainly organized around case studies that are solved individually or in groups. This often involves independent planning of a more or less extensive task that is to be reported orally or in writing. This achievement is supplemented with compulsory laboratory work, seminars, and field studies.
The Master thesis work 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 related areas, or more in-depth courses in the same field.
In the curriculum, it is specified which courses are mandatory (m), elective (e), or voluntary (v). Also, the notation m/e could be found, which means that one of a group of courses should be selected. Courses not included in the curriculum must be approved by the program board after consultation with the study counselor. The courses should be relevant to the program.
Research
Sustainable nutrient and energy management
Natural resources are the building blocks of any ecosystem. Understanding where these resources are, how they flow on our landscapes, and why we see these use patterns are key questions to inform more sustainable management.
Conservation Ecology Group
The management of species-rich grassland and deciduous forests has changed drastically over the last 80 years. Many species have become rare and endangered as the resources and habitat decrease. We study what is needed to preserve diversity.
Ecological networks and community ecology
We use ecological networks and other modeling approaches to address a variety of community ecology questions.
Theoretical Biology
The research in the division of Theoretical Biology is based on mathematical modeling. Using this approach we study the structure and dynamics of different kinds of large-scale biological systems, such as ecological and epidemiological systems.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships
Linköping University (LiU) offers a limited number of scholarships to outstanding international students. For some programs and nationalities, it is also possible to apply for a scholarship through the Swedish Institute. There are also other funding opportunities for studies in Sweden.
LiU International Scholarship
The LiU International Scholarship is aimed at supporting international master's degree students with significant academic potential who are required to pay tuition fees. The tuition fees for a student awarded a LiU International Scholarship are reduced by 25, 50, or 75%. We offer a limited number of these scholarships to new students.
Am I eligible to apply?
Students who have applied for a master’s program at Linköping University and who meet all the following conditions are eligible to apply for a scholarship:
- you applied by the deadline for the first admission round
- you submitted all the required documents by the deadline
- you chose a master’s program at Linköping University as your first priority (ranked as number 1 of 4)
- you have been admitted to your first choice in the First Notification of Selection Results (usually early April)
- you are required to pay tuition fees.
Scholarships for studies in Sweden
Swedish Institute scholarships
The government agency the Swedish Institute (SI) offers a variety of scholarships depending on the level of study, the country where you come from, and the purpose of your studies. The application period for the SI scholarships varies. Read more about the SI scholarships and how to apply on their webpage.
Other scholarships
Many associations, foundations, and other organizations offer scholarships or travel grants for studies in Sweden. The official StudyinSweden.se website has collated a list of resources, where you can look for scholarships open to students of many countries or from your country specifically.
Curriculum
Semester 1 (Autumn 2024)
Period 1
- NBID73 --- Methods in Ecology --- 7.5
- NBID74 --- Population Ecology: Theories and Applications --- 7.5
Period 2
- NBID75 --- Modelling of Biological Systems --- 9
- NBID79 --- Ecosystem services in CSR and conservation --- 6
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
As a graduate, you can work with environmental and nature conservation issues such as the management of ecosystems, ecological communities, and populations to conserve life on land and below water. You may find employment with consultancy firms, government agencies, forestry companies, or international environmental organisations. You will also be well prepared for further postgraduate studies towards a doctoral degree.