Master Course

ITES is responsible for the Major Forest and Landscape Management in the D-USYS Master in Environmental Systems Science.

Major in Forest and Landscape Management

Landscapes and terrestrial ecosystems provide a large number of goods and services to humanity. The challenge of the current generation is to ensure a sustainable use of ecosystems that enables the long-term provision of goods and services in the face of continuous changes in society, economy and environment. This major provides the knowledge and skills that enable graduates to tackle these issues. It is addressed to students who are interested in analyzing ecosystem dynamics and current management issues, and want to engage in resolving issues relating to the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

The programme is structured into five modules, three of which convey advanced skills in systems knowledge (ecological processes), goal knowledge (policy, economics and decision making) and transformation knowledge (ecosystem management). This is complemented by a module on state-of-the-art methods for data gathering and analysis and by a module with a transdisciplinary approach offering project-related work that is developed in close collaboration with cantonal authorities. This module serves as a focal point for joint teaching of the various ITES groups.

This major programme – as well as the preparatory BSc specialization "Forests and Landscapes" – tends to attract a disproportionately large number of students. Also, the feedbacks we receive from the supervisors of the half-year internship, which is an integral component of the UWIS MSc curriculum, are very positive regarding the skills and suitability of our students for problem solving in real-world situations.