MSc Programme in Forest and Nature Management
The programme is organised in accordance with Danish Ministerial Order no. 814 of 29 June 2010 on bachelor and master’s programmes (candidatus) at universities (the ministerial order of the study programmes). The programme is offered under the Natural Science Study Board.
Graduation from the programme confers the degree Master of Science (MSc) in Forest and Nature Management.
In Danish: cand.silv. (candidatus/candidata silvinomiae).
Chapter 1. The programme’s objective and competence profile
1. 1 The programme’s objective
The objective of the programme is to educate graduates who are capable of conducting research into, develop and control the human use of forests, nature and green areas in a professional and balanced way. The main focus area is planning and sustainable use of forest and nature areas in society – in the private as well as in the public arena, e.g.:
- Forests for commercial production of timber, hunting and other green benefits as well as nature conservation and recreation
- Nature areas for nature protection and outdoor recreation as well as commercial utilisation, e.g. tourism
- Green areas in and in the vicinity of cities for recreational, teaching and tourism purposes
The typical future for a person holding an MSc in Forest and Nature Management is as a planner and as an implementing player – e.g. in a company or an organisation operating within frames set by society. For an MSc in Forest and Nature Management, the predominant method is that of financial and ecological planning and optimisation.
1.2 The programme’s general profile
The programme evolves around finding the balance between the sustainability of organic systems and human requirements. The programme is based on three areas: 1) Knowledge and understanding of the function, the productive opportunities and the ecological sustainability of biological systems; 2) knowledge of economics, financial management and optimisation as well as methodologies for planning and considering interests; 3) knowledge of, tools and skills for handling ‘the human dimension’ – general management, project management, negotiation and conflict management. Knowledge within these three areas will enable the graduate to develop professionally sound solutions that can be put into action in a complex world of conflicting aims and interests.
The programme is characterised by strategic work with a long-time perspective. The long-time perspective is necessary for utilisation of forests and natural areas. At the same time, the utilisation must be socially acceptable and in line with developments in society. Because of the long time perspective, sustainability naturally becomes a general and controlling concept. Through the compulsory courses, the graduate gains an insight into a number of general tools to help do this and applies these in connection with case studies on forest and natural resources. These aspects and tools are equally relevant to strategic management within private companies in other lines of business.
1.3 The programme’s employment prospects
The programme appeals to students who wish to take a holistic perspective and work long-term and strategically with economics, nature and people. The programme covers everything from idea to action – both internally in a firm or in an organisation and externally when organisations act in society. Graduates are in general employed in the private as wella s in the public sector. Many graduates work with forestry and with nature and landscape management in the public sector or with research and education. Many graduates hold positions in Danish or foreign forests (typically as forest supervisors or consultants), work as forest and wood traders and as investment brokers or in the wood and furniture industry. Some hold positions in private companies of other kinds, e.g. larger industries in the energy or biomedical sector and typically work within general management, project management, planning, investment, consultancy or product development. Others work in international aid organisations or vocational interest groups.
The programme provides students with a number of central control and management tools and a broad range of economic, ecological and social competences. This forms a good foundation for a possible management career in the private or public sector. The programme is typically aimed at positions as academic employees or as managers in private, commercial companies, in national or international organisations relating to the utilisation of forests and other natural resources, or in a public authority office/agency/company working with area management.
1.4 Competence profile for the programme
During the MSc programme, the student will acquire the following knowledge, skills and competences. In addition, the student will acquire a number of individual qualifications through elective courses and by writing an MSc thesis. After completion of the programme, a person holding an MSc in Forest and Nature Management should be able to:
1.4.1 Knowledge
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Describe the structure, development and variation of ecosystems as well as understand the causes and effects in a scientific perspective
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Identify possibilities/limitations and the ecological tolerance in relation to people’s utilisation of forests and nature
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Explain the principles of sustainable utilisation, protection and stewardship of forests and other semi-natural areas
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Summarise economic theory and demonstrate general knowledge of the planning tools utilised in the economic management of forests and nature
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Reflect on the societal and commercial consequences of legislation, regulations and principles of operation in national and international contexts
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Explain key theories and methodologies for management, planning, negotiation and conflict management on the basis of the opinions, interests and values of people
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Reformulate theories, principles and research findings to independently form hypotheses and theories
1.4.2 Skills
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Develop, quantify and apply theoretical and practical models for the productive functions of forests and natural resources – material as well as immaterial
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Apply economic theory and utilise planning tools to analyse and model the welfare and business economic value production of forests and natural resources
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Assess the possibilities and limitations of theories and methodologies
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Develop long-term strategies, operational targets and concrete plans for sustainable utilisation and protection of forests and other green resources while bearing in mind social, ecological and economic objectives and limitations
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Practise economic, dynamic and holistic management planning
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Formulate, plan and implement projects
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Incorporate negotiation and conflict resolution strategies and models in the role as manager, consultant or facilitator
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Communicate professional problems and solutions – both orally and in writing – to different target groups
1.4.3 Competences
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Turn demands on our natural surroundings into concrete actions and projects based on a natural science foundation
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Transfer theories and principles to new situations and assume independent and professional responsibility
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Manage operations and development tasks in the framework set out by society (legislation, regulations, realities)
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Design decision-making, negotiation and collaboration processes that bear in mind the power and interests of the players. Lead and manage such processes based on knowledge of the interactions in relation to negotiation and conflict
- Collaborate constructively with others in interdisciplinary and intercultural contexts
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Independently evaluate and structure own learning processes and assume responsibility for own professional development with a view to life-long learning
Chapter 2. Degree programme content
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Compulsory courses and thesis |
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Elective courses |
2.1 Content
The programme is set at 120 credits. The following courses are compulsory:
| LTEK10157 |
Natural Resource Sampling and Modelling |
7.5 credits |
| LOJK10208 |
Applied Forest and Natural Resource Economics |
7.5 credits |
| LNAK10055 |
Thematic Course: Sustainable Forest and
Natural Resource Management Planning |
15 credits |
| LNAK10064 |
Thematic Course: Ecology and Management of Forests and
other Semi-natural Terrestrial Ecosystems |
15 credits |
| LFKK10265 |
Conflict Management |
7.5 credits |
| LFKK10278 |
Project Management* |
7.5 credits |
| LFKA10285 |
Business Development and Innovation* |
7.5 credits |
*) One of the two courses must be passed
The programme is completed with a thesis of 30 or 45 credits within the disciplines of the programme. In connection with a thesis of 45 credits, experimental work must be included.
The compulsory courses and the thesis constitute the core subjects of the programme (at least 90 credits).
There are at least 15 credits for elective courses and other study activities.
The programme may include LFKK10387 Erhvervsprojekt/LFKK10387E Project in Practice.
Chapter 3. Admission requirements and admission
3.1 Admission requirement
BSc graduates in Natural Resources with core module courses in Nature Management (Nature and Society), Environmental Science or (Environmental) Economics as well as Forest and Landscape Engineers are automatically accepted in the programme.
The following BSc degrees from the Faculty of Life Sciences qualify students for the MSc programme, but only if additional requirements are fulfilled:
- BSc graduates in Natural Resources with the core module course in Plant Science: An additional requirement for 7.5 credits within ‘Society’ (e.g. LNAB10015 Natur- og landskabspolitik, LOJF10260/LOJF10261 Miljø- og planlovgivning (natur og by el. natur og vand) or LNAB10020 Tema: Natur, miljø og samfund).
- BSc graduates in Natural Resources with the core module course in Animal Science: An additional requirement for 7.5 credits within ‘Society’ (e.g. LNAB10015 Natur- og landskabspolitik, LOJF10260/LOJF10261 Miljø- og planlovgivning (natur og by el. natur og vand) or LNAB10020 Tema: Natur, miljø og samfund).
- BSc graduates in Landscape Architecture (both core module courses): An additional requirement for 7.5 credits within ‘Economics’ (e.g. LOJB10225 Indledende økonomi, LOJA10250 Skov- og naturforvaltningsøkonomi, LOJB10259 Mikroøkonomi or LOJF10249 Investering og finansiering).
- BSc graduates in Farming Economy: An additional requirement for 7.5 credits within ‘Ecology’ (e.g. LOJK10258 Naturressourcer og økologi or LBIB10127 Dyrs og planters diversitet).
- BSc graduates in Biology – Biotechnology: An additional requirement for 7.5 credits within ‘Economics’ (e.g. LOJB10225 Indledende økonomi, LOJA10250 Skov- og naturforvaltningsøkonomi, LOJB10259 Mikroøkonomi or LOJF10249 Investering og finansiering) and 7.5 credits within ‘Society’ (e.g. LNAB10015 Natur- og landskabspolitik, LOJF10260/LOJF10261 Miljø- og planlovgivning (natur og by el. natur og vand) or LNAB10020 Tema: Natur, miljø og samfund).
In order to be eligible for admission, other BSc graduates must have completed a BSc programme containing elements from all three dimensions: economics, ecology and society, enabling the applicant to understand and handle the whole and the consequent considerations.
In practice, there is a minimum requirement for the number of credits within each of the three academic areas:
- Economics – at least 7.5 credits
- Ecology – at least 7.5 credits
- Society – at least 7.5 credits
Ecology: The applicant must have scientific competences within and knowledge of the structure and function of forests and other ecosystems. Relevant academic areas include e.g. botany, zoology, soil science, system ecology, plant physiology, cytology and bio-geo-chemistry.
Economics: Economics has been separated from the other social scientific courses because financial calculation, optimisation and planning form such a central part of the programme. The applicant must possess knowledge of the financial way of thinking and financial theories – at both micro- and/or macrolevel (business economics or economics).
Society: The applicant must have social scientific and/or humanistic competences and knowledge of society and people, e.g. within sociology, political science, law, cultural geography, anthropology, organisation, management or psychology.
3.2 Admission
Students are admitted to the MSc in Forest and Nature Management twice a year - on 1 September and on 1 February.
Transfer Agreement 2007-2008
Students enrolled before 1 September 2008 who have not passed LNAA10046 Thematic course: Ecology and Management of Forests and Nature Resources must pass LNAK10064 Thematic course: Ecology and Management of Forests and other Semi-natural Terrestrial Ecosystems.
Furthermore, for the above mentioned students it is optional to write in either Danish or English.
Camilla Volden Van, - siden er sidst opdateret d.3. februar 2012