Landscape Ecology (Master’s)

Management of Ecological Dynamics in a Changing World


Strong in science and international

Landscape ecology studies the dynamics of biodiversity and ecosystems and answers pressing questions posed by global environmental changes. In this English-language program, students learn about the relationships between biodiversity, climate, soils, and land use. The program includes field, laboratory, and computer practicals and emphasizes project and team-based work.

  • Collaboration in highly topical research projects
  • Understanding of the scientific basis of environmental management and nature conservation
  • Strategies for solving ecological challenges
  • Reasons to Choose Hohenheim

Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
4 semesters
120 credits
Language
English
University places
20
Location
Stuttgart
1st Semester 2nd Semester 3rd Semester 4th Semester
Landscape Ecology
(7.5 Credits)
Semi-Elective Module
(7.5 Credits)
Elective Module
(6 Credits)
Master Thesis
(30 Credits)
Community and Evolutionary Ecology
(7.5 Credits)
Semi-Elective Module
(7.5 Credits)
Elective Module
(6 Credits)
Conservation Biology
(7.5 Credits)
Semi-Elective Module
(7.5 Credits)
Elective Module
(6 Credits)
Plant Ecology
(7.5 Credits)
Intensive Course Landscape Ecology
(7.5 Credits)
Elective Module
(6 Credits)
Elective Module
(6 Credits)
Compulsory Module  Semi-Elective Module  Elective Module  Credits 

More information about the individual modules can be found in the module descriptions.

In the first year of studies,
students get deeper knowledge in landscape, community, evolution, and plant ecology as well as conservation biology. There is also a concentration on quantitative ecology, in particular on statistical ecology and planning ecological experiments and studies.
Courses on ecological modelling and prediction, geographical information systems (GIS), and remote sensing are also offered. Project and teamwork together with numerous excursions, outdoor, laboratory, and computer courses are the focus of this degree program.

In the second year of studies,
students can choose from a wide variety of elective modules, for example from the areas of animal and microbial ecology, limnology, population genetics, soil sciences, agricultural sciences, and biology of global change.

Students also have the opportunity to spend a semester at a partner university abroad.

The Master's thesis can be completed as part of an ongoing research project in Germany, Europe, or elsewehere.

Students acquire the ecological knowledge, quantitative skills, and practical experience to study ecological dynamics in changing environmental conditions. This enables them to assess the effects of environmental changes on biodiversity and ecosystems and to develop concepts for the sustainable use of natural resources.

This Master's program enables graduates to answer fundamental and applied research questions in modern ecology creatively and in a scientifically sound manner:

  • How can we preserve biodiversity in times of global climate change?
  • How can we maintain ecosystem services that are important to people?
  • How can we sustainably use natural resources in a changing environment?

Students also learn:

  • to work in a team in a structure and goal-oriented manner,
  • to lead teams, and
  • to systematically work through problem-solving approaches.

Graduates of this program are qualified for professions requiring ecological understanding, quantitative knowledge, analytical thinking, and the ability to work independently.

Possible career fields include:

  • Research on ecology and biodiversity
  • Agencies and organizations dealing with nature and environmental protection at the regional, national, or international levels
  • Companies and organizations that work on the sustainable use of resources, geographical analysis, and landscape planning
  • Research communication and environmental education

Award-winning teaching, good career prospects, and the most beautiful campus in the state are only three of the many good reasons to study in Hohenheim.

Here we have collected several reasons why other students have decided to study at the University of Hohenheim.

 

 

 

First Place not Once but Three Times: The current Global Universities Ranking from U.S. News & World Report, the renowned NTU ranking, QS World University Ranking, and dathe Center of World University Ranking put University of Hohenheim’s agricultural research in 1st place in Germany.

In the agricultural university ranking from top agrar, the agricultural students at the University of Hohenheim give the grades 1.5 to 2.0. According to the ranking 2016, 88% of the students surveyed would recommend the University of Hohenheim for agricultural studies.

The University of Hohenheim puts great importance on quality teaching, which is demonstrated by several award-winning reform projects.

These projects include for example mobile teaching (German e-learning innovation and young scientists award (d-elina) in the category “Campus” at the BITKOM) or the ethics module, developed by the student group FRESH and awarded by the UN.

Students acquire the knowledge necessary for understanding ecological dynamics and managing these dynamics under global change. They learn how to address fundamental and applied ecological questions in a scientifically sound and creative way.

The vision of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences is a global agricultural system which is productive, environmentally-friendly and socially-minded, and which is in harmony with society’s demand for a multi-purpose orientation.

Agricultural research at the University of Hohenheim is focused on four areas:

  • Food for all: Security of global food supply
  • Hazard prevention: Climate change and scarcity of resources
  • Beyond fossil fuels: Bioenergy and bio-based value-creation networks
  • Diversity instead of monoculture: Genome Diversity in Agriculture

There are no easy answers to these kinds of questions. That is why agricultural researchers at the University of Hohenheim work across disciplinary boundaries, collaborating with colleagues in the natural sciences, business administration and economics, and the social sciences, for instance in bioeconomics, a field of research and teaching that will become even more important in the future. That collaboration also has an impact on teaching.

Number 1 in internationalization: In the current EU ranking U-Multirank, the University of Hohenheim has a top spot in internationalization.

The basis for this placing is the decades-long, global commitment of the Agricultural Sciences. Especially our tropics research with 10 professorships has made the University known around the world.

International opportunities for students:

  • 80 partner institutions worldwide (40 of which are in the Erasmus+ program)
  • Member of the Euroleague for Life Sciences - the network for Europe’s best
  • scholarship programs for travel, research, and exchange
  • Worldwide alumni network
  • Studies according to international standards for excellence and international competitiveness of graduates

Professors of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences are in high demand.

The top experts include:

Chair of the scientific advisory council

Prof. Dr. Martina Brockmeier
Field of expertise: International agricultural trade and world food economy

The German Council of Science and Humanities is considered the highest-ranking advisory committee on topics of science in Germany. Its scientific members are appointed by the Federal President.

In the Bioeconomy Council

Prof. Dr. Regina Birner
Department of Social and Institutional Change in Agricultural Development

The Bioeconomy Council is an independent advisory committee for the German federal government. The goal: to establish a cross-sectoral and bio-based economy in Germany that uses as few fossil raw materials as possible.

Further members in important commissions and expert lists

  • Prof. Dr. Iris Lewandowski and Prof. Dr. Joachim Müller are members of the BMBF scientific advisory council "Agricultural Systems of the Future”
  • Prof. Dr. Enno Bahrs is member of the BMEL scientific advisory council for biodiversity and genetic resources
  • Expert lists on various agricultural topics

Scholarship and awards for studies, final theses, travel, and attending conferences: Thanks to many supporters, the University of Hohenheim has an unusually extensive scholarship culture.

Around 100,000 Euros is the total amount of all scholarships and awards that are presented each year at the Dies academicus.

More offers from the scholarship organizations for students by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research

More than 700 hectares of test area: Among German universities, the University of Hohenheim owns the largest amount of property. For students, this means a lot of room for their own experiments, research, and a great deal of hands-on experience.

Also directly on campus: State institutes for transferring science into practice, the Hohenheim Gardens, and the German Agricultural Museum.

The future lack of experts and managers in the area of agriculture / nutrition / horticulture means students of agricultural will have good career prospects. This was shown by a 2015 study by the Bundesverband Agrar Ernährung Umwelt (VDL).

The University of Hohenheim is a university with a long tradition. You will experience a truly unique university atmosphere enriched by the Baroque palace, the historic gardens and parks, and modern architecture: In 2009, the University of Hohenheim  was declared the most beautiful campus university in the state.

In 2017, Hohenheim's President Stephan Dabbert was chosen by the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV) as the most popular president in Baden-Württemberg for the third year in a row. He was ranked second in all of Germany.

This jewel is located south of the state capital Stuttgart. Because it is close to Stuttgart, you have all the opportunities available in a big city. The University of Hohenheim is only a few minutes away from the airport, the Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre, and the autobahn and is easily reached with public transportation.

Unique party atmosphere: The historical Thomas-Müntzer-Scheuer, an old barn with a new purpose, is the party center of Hohenheim.
The University ball in the pompous palace rooms is the social event of the year.

Because the last year of studies can be designed very flexibly, the credits completed during an exchange semester can be transferred as elective modules. As a result, students who choose to study abroad do not have to repeat semesters at their home universities.

The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences cooperates with 80 partner institutions in research and teaching, 40 of which are universities in ERASMUS-programs.

The Office of International Affairs at the University of Hohenheim offers information and advice on studying abroad and scholarships.


Semester fees, rent, costs of living - How much will studying cost you and how can you finance it? We have collected the most important information. more

If you choose to study in Hohenheim, you will have to look for a room or an apartment in the region. We can help you with this. more

Start of the application period
Non-EU citizens: Mid-November of the year before the program starts
German, EU citizens: Mid-April
Application deadlines
1st subject-related semesterOnly possible for the winter semester!
German, EU citizens: 15 July
Non-EU citizens: 15 March

Higher subject-related semesters

For the winter semester:
German, EU citizens: 15 July
Non-EU citizens: 15 March

For the summer semester:
All applicants: 15 January
Requirements
Formal requirements
  • Above-average Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology, Landscape Planning, or a related program at a university in Germany or abroad or at a university of applied sciences with a standard period of study of at least 3 years or an equivalent degree.
  • Proof of English language skills
Content requirementsWe require basic understanding of ecology and good fundamental knowledge of statistics and computer applications. We also require the ability and willingness to work in intercultural teams.
Language skillsEnglish language proficiency required
Pre-study internshipno
Selection procedure
Selection criteria
  • Grades and ranking in previous studies
  • Letter of recommendation from professors
  • Stay abroad lasting 3 months or longer
  • Letter of motivation
Additional points are given for vocational training, an intern examination, or proven two years of professional experience related to the degree program.
Selection interview-

Accreditation

The quality of the degree program is checked regularly.

Learn more about our quality management