Masters Degrees in Environmental Sciences, Germany

About the Program

In order to cover the need for environmental specialists, the program "Master of Science in Environmental Sciences" at the University of Koblenz-Landau (Landau Campus) provides a research-oriented, unique blend in the core disciplines of natural sciences (including environmental chemistry, landscape and applied ecology) complemented by selected aspects of social sciences such as environmental economics. You can acquire advanced methodical skills, a profound understanding of environmental problems across different scales from molecules to landscapes, and the capacity to develop solutions for these complex, interdisciplinary problems. The job-related training in soft skills (e.g. oral and written presentation) and the experience in interdisciplinary teamwork will enable you to efficiently communicate findings and solutions to scientists and the public.

The master's program in Environmental Sciences is offered by the Institute for Environmental Sciences. Find out more about the structure of the institute under: https://www.uni-koblenz-landau.de/en/campus-landau/faculty7/environmental-sciences/environmental-sciences

Program Structure

All students take the six required modules (Compulsory part). Afterwards, students personalize the program by choosing two of the eight Specialty Areas and completing four modules in each, with an additional module of their choice. An external internship and the Master Thesis with colloquium round out the 4-semester program. The 6-week internship can be performed at an external university or governmental or industrial research institute in Germany or abroad.

Specialty Areas

Environmental Analysis
Applied Ecology
Socioeconomics & Environmental Management
Aquatic Systems
Soil Systems
Landscapes & Scales
Modeling
Chemicals in the Environment

You can also find more information and an overview of the module structures per each semester under:
https://www.uni-koblenz-landau.de/en/campus-landau/faculty7/info-prospective-students/master-environmental-sciences

Employment outlook

Due to the interdisciplinary structure and individual choices of the Master of Environmental Sciences program, graduates have many employment opportunities in environmental research and management in Germany and beyond.

Potential Employment Areas:
Research institutes
Industry and environmental consulting firms
Planning and engineering companies
Government, public relations, environmental education
Professional organizations and societies, foundations, NGOs, political organizations
Environmental protection and conservation, media and publishers
The degree also qualifies students for acceptance into doctoral programs.

“The Environmental Sciences Program in Landau is varied. You are exposed to information from all the natural sciences that, for me personally, was fun and very interesting. This interdisciplinarity is a huge advantage for a scientific career. As a polar researcher, the training has helped me to quickly adapt to new environments and take on new challenges daily.” Christian Wolf (Graduate, doctoral student at Alfred-Wegener-Institute)

Internationally Networked

The Institute for Environmental Sciences is globally connected through international research projects and student exchange programs. The international nature of the Program is achieved through numerous international research and teaching staff, regular seminars from guest lecturers from abroad, and possible internships all over the world.

You can find a map which displays the locations of our cooperation partners worldwide under:
https://www.uni-koblenz-landau.de/en/campus-landau/faculty7/info-prospective-students/master-environmental-sciences/international-network

Read less

About the Program

An increasing number of chemicals is used by society today, which are also released into the environment. Ecotoxicology is concerned with their potential impacts on the ecosystem. It aims to investigate and discover effects of chemicals on biological systems in order to develop methods for risk management, as well as to predict ecological consequences.

The international "Master of Science program in Ecotoxicology" integrates concepts of Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology and Ecology and includes Social Sciences and Economics as well. Due to its interdisciplinary and applied approach, the Program enables its graduates to analyze complex problems and to develop practical solutions.

As environmental problems reach far beyond national borders, an international approach is necessary and the situation in developing countries needs special solutions.

The Master in Ecotoxicology is carried out under the Institute for Environmental Sciences.

For the latest news about our Institute of Ecotoxicology you can also check our Ecotox-Blog under:
http://www.master-ecotoxicology.de/ecotox-blog

Program Structure

All students take the 9 required modules, as well as a 10-week Research Project Course and an Applied Module at External Organisations of 8 weeks to obtain a deep knowledge in the field of Ecotoxicology. Afterwards, studentes personalize the Program by choosing 2 Modules of the 5 Specialty Areas. The Master Thesis with colloquium round out the 4-semester Program.

Specialty Areas:

Applied Environmental Chemistry & Environmental Physics,
Chemistry,
Applied Ecology,
Geoecology and
Socioeconomics & Environmental Management

Applied Module at External Organizations (AMEO)

The module AMEO is an 8-week internship, which can be performed at an external university or a governmental or industrial research institute in Germany or abroad. Students become familiar with working practice, requirements of the job market and career opportunities and can establish business contacts. They apply, confirm and expand knowledge and competences achieved during their study.

Following an introductory discussion with the supervisors, the students perform the (research) work on their own and discuss the obtained results regularly with their supervisors. The content depends on the actual research questions in the selected research organizations. Topics or possible positions will be suggested by the staff of the Institute for Environmental Sciences or maybe suggested by the students. The topics should be directly related to applied problems relevant in these external organisations and should ideally offer the students opportunities to apply their knowledge and skills in areas, which are not the particular research areas at the Institute for Environmental Sciences in Landau. They include, but are not restricted to the following areas:

Engineering aspects (e.g. hydrology, mitigation techniques)
Multimedia modelling
Food web modelling
Fish, bird or mammal ecotoxicology and risk assessment
Agricultural sciences
Socioeconomics
Specific aspects in regulatory ecotoxicology
Risk communication, economic or societal aspects

Research Project Course (RPC)

The students work independently on a research topic of the university for a total time of about 10 weeks. The topics depend on the actual research conducted in the various research groups. However, all topics do have an interdisciplinary character covering at least two different disciplines (e.g. chemistry and ecology, or physics and risk assessment). The students submit proposals for topics selected from a list provided by the teaching staff including a time and resource planning as well as an independently conducted literature search. Following an introductory discussion with the supervisor, the students perform the research work on their own and discuss the obtained results regularly with their supervisor. Following the practical work, the students write a report including the theoretical background, the methods used, the results obtained and a discussion of the results based on the relevant scientific literature. The students present and defend the outcome of their work at an oral presentation. Following successful completion the students are able to plan a scientific work package, conduct the work, evaluate the results based on the relevant literature and present the outcomes.

The content depends on the actual research questions in the research groups associated with the Institute for Environmental Sciences. They include, but are not restricted to the following areas:

Chemical experiments in the lab
Environmental colloid chemistry
Environmental organic chemistry
Physical transport or transfer processes of environmental chemicals
Ecotoxicological lab tests
Ecotoxicological field studies
In situ or monitoring work in the field
Molecular genetics
GIS data analysis
Literature reviews
Exposure, effect or landscape modelling
Assessment or management of risks

More information on the program structure and contents can also be found under:
https://www.uni-koblenz-landau.de/en/campus-landau/faculty7/info-prospective-students/master-of-science-ecotoxicology/aims-and-contents

Employment outlook

The Program enables the graduates to conduct independent scientific work and prepares in particular for independent and leading positions in the numerous emerging fields of Ecotoxicology. The graduates are able to take responsibility in a professional manner in: Scientific facilities and research institutes, Authorities, public offices and ministries with a regulatory role, Non-governmental organizations, Industry and consulting enterprises. The international orientation of the program qualifies graduates for a global job market. In addition, the Master program prepares for a PhD study.

“I value very much the excellent education and the close individual support from the teaching staff during my studies that allowed me to pursue own research ideas and to find my field of interest. A cooperation of the university with the German Federal Environment Agency enabled me to gain experience in the environmental risk assessment of pesticides. I qualified for a traineeship in the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and am now working in the field of pesticide risk assessment.” Klaus Swarowsky (Master Ecotoxicology, EFSA)

Internationally Networked

The Institute for Environmental Sciences is globally connected through international research projects and student exchange programs. The international nature of the Program is achieved through numerous international research and teaching staff, regular seminars from guest lecturers from abroad, and possible internships all over the world.
You will find a map which displays the locations our cooperation partners under:

https://www.uni-koblenz-landau.de/en/campus-landau/faculty7/info-prospective-students/master-of-science-ecotoxicology/aims-and-contents#network

Read less

Why study Integrated Climate System Sciences in Hamburg?

The MSc program in Integrated climate system Sciences (ICSS) offers courses in all fields of climate system sciences. At present, the program allows the specialization in one of following three tracks:

• physics of the climate system;
• biogeochemistry of the climate system;
• climate related economics and social sciences.

All courses are held in English. Class size is limited to 20 students. Our research oriented study program has been accredited by ASIIN in 2010.

Six good reasons to apply at SICSS

• Be part of the Cluster of Excellence CliSAP at KlimaCampus Hamburg and study all aspects of the climate system.
• Benefit from a structured study program.
• Take the advantage of having the choice to give your study program either an "in-depth" or an "interdisciplinary" focus.
• Have access to an exciting environment conducive to science and education, and use the extraordinary resources at the KlimaCampus.
• Make use of our support program and prepare yourself for your chosen career field.
• Feel at home in an international atmosphere and enjoy living in Hamburg.

Curriculum for Integrated Climate System Sciences

Your curriculum for the two-year ICSS master`s program is subdivided into four semesters with mandatory courses, elective courses for specialization and the preparation of your master’s thesis. The curriculum starts from a firm basis in climate physics (and in particular climate modeling) but adds the equally important aspects of global and regional biogeochemical cycling and puts all this into a broader context, including economic as well as societal implications. SICSS courses comprise a wide range of atmospheric, hydrospheric, cryospheric, pedospheric and biospheric sciences, as well as introductions and specializations into economics, social geography, media sciences and conflict research to shed light on climate system science from different perspectives.

You will start your studies with mandatory courses in research skills, as well as natural and social science foundation courses in climate system sciences.
The main goal of the second semester is to broaden your knowledge across the climate science disciplines. You will choose courses from at least two of the three possible program tracks.
The third semester features the Climate Study Project, which includes an integrated seminar and a scientific writing course to prepare you for the master thesis. You will find your personal supervisor and work closely together with a CliSAP research group.
The fourth and final semester is reserved for the master’s thesis.

Please find more information on the curriculum on our website: http://www.clisap.de/grad-school/msc-program/your-curriculum/.

Your future career

Become a climate expert! Depending on your personal interests, you will be well prepared and equipped for an international career in both applied and fundamental research, as well as for positions in government or business.

After graduation our students successfully work as:
• researchers in the fields of natural, social and economic sciences, while maintaining a strong focus on the climate system and its past, present and future changes.
• consultants in the public service and private business sectors, and in non-governmental organizations.
• experts in national and international organizations working in the field of development cooperation.

Start your studies

The SICSS Office is your main contact for information and will support you with a comprehensive and practical “welcome service” by assisting with enrollment, visa application, health insurance, registration with local authorities, opening of a bank account and support in finding accommodations.

As an incoming master’s student you will receive support from a personal buddy. This personal buddy is one of the MSc ICSS students and will accompany you from the start of your travel and study planning to your arrival and during your first days in Hamburg. SICSS also offers an Orientation Week for all new first semester students, including information on your study program and excursions to climate-related institutions and sites.

Tuition fees and other costs

There are no tuition fees at the Universität Hamburg and foreign students who are enrolled do not pay tuition. However, there are other fees. The semester fee at the Universität Hamburg is currently 305 Euros. Upon receipt of the semester fee the university will issue your semester documents, including a pass for the public transport system in Hamburg. Upon your request, the SICSS Office will provide information about living expenses in Hamburg and Germany.

Read less

As Latin American and Caribbean Countries (LAC) experience economic development, concerns on environmental degradation and contamination continue to grow. The region faces serious challenges such as climate change and natural disasters; and under conditions of population growth, social conflict, urbanization and industrialization efficient environmental policies and programs are required to sustainably manage the natural resources.

The objective of the double degree master program is to qualify professionals and experts in the field of environmental and natural resources management with the necessary skills, tools and methods in the context of international cooperation with a clear focus on German/European Latin American cooperation. Graduates are able to analyze and solve complex environmental problems in their specific socio-cultural and political contexts, given the technical and economic potentials of both regions.

The ENREM program is based on the curricula of the two accredited master programs:

• “Maestria en Ciencias Ambientales”at the Programa Multidisciplinario de Posgrado en Ciencias Ambientales (PMPCA) at University San Luis Potosí (UASLP) in Mexico and
• “Natural Resources Management and Development” at the Institute for Technology and Resources Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (ITT) at TH Köln - University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

The ENREM Master program targets professionals of different academic backgrounds with experience related to the natural resources sector. They seek to deepen their knowledge in Environment and Resources Management and wish to acquire management and leadership skills as well as regional and intercultural competences within the context of international – especially German-Latin American cooperation – and at the same time provide their work experience and regional knowledge to the mutual learning and intercultural environment.

In an interdisciplinary learning environment, students diversify their knowledge and build the capacity to think transdisciplinarily and laterally, as well as team and leadership skills, among them intercultural abilities. These competencies shall equip the graduates with the ability to analyze, characterize and solve complex problems of environmental and natural resources management and well as foster sustainable development, all in line with the SDGs agenda.

Contents

The double degree master program runs for four semesters and starts in winter term (august) of each year. The first two semesters will take place in San Luis Potosí (Mexico), the third in Cologne (Germany) and the last semester is exclusively for the development of the master thesis project either in Mexico, another Latin American Country or Germany depending in the thesis topic.

Courses in Mexico are mainly implemented in Spanish while the official teaching language at ITT is English.

The course is structured through mandatory and elective modules, and is accompanied by practical experiences, exercises, team projects and seminars throughout the program.

The mandatory modules are organized in Core Modules and Project Modules, these modules provides the student with a general overview of different disciplines relevant to natural resources. The elective modules in the second and third semester are organized into two blocks, one in their area of “specialization elective related to the topics of natural resources management” and the other from the “Methods and Tools”.

Each of the two partner universities has a different focus related to the following areas:
• UASLP, Mexico: Prevention and Control, Environmental Assessment, Renewable Natural Resources, Environmental Management, Environmental and Health.
• TH Köln, Germany: Environmental and Land use Management, Urban and Regional Management complemented by Integrated Water Resources Management and/ or Renewable Energy Management

Tuition

Basic course fees for field trips, conference participation and course material,
Registration fees at both universities

Funding

The limited numbers of scholarship for covering living expenses are provided by:
• The Mexican national Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT): partial scholarship
• The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): full scholarship

There is no additional application required to apply for the scholarships. Acceptance to the master’s program does not guarantee a scholarship.

Read less

Global population, economic growth and on-going environmental deterioration are increasing the pressure on existing natural systems. Their ability to provide natural resources such as food, water and energy is at risk and waning. Under conditions of globalization, these processes are most forceful in developing countries and emerging economies with high growth rates, low awareness, loss of existing traditional knowledge bases and weak governance structures. This calls for specialists and leadership in order to develop and employ managerial, economical, governance, and technical solutions – in short, professionals with lateral understanding and trans-disciplinary approaches for a sustainable development.

The objective of the program is to form such experts. Participants are provided with appropriate knowledge and skills to analyze current problems related to the usage and management of natural resources.

Target groups of the program are recently graduated professionals with working experience in public or private institutions, authorities and enterprises of the natural resources sector. The applicants should be active in or dealing with natural resources management and have an interest in learning and working in an intercultural and multidisciplinary environment.

The master program “Natural Resources Management & Development” (NRM) provides a practice oriented and skills-based learning experience in which students develop their capacity for critical thinking, and creative problem solving. It addresses bachelor’s degree holders principally of Engineering, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences, who aim to deepen their knowledge in Natural Resources Management and wish to acquire management and leadership skills as well as regional and intercultural competences. These experts ought to be able to assess natural resources and develop appropriate solutions considering the complex linkages with economic, social and ecological aspects.

Contents

The program consists of basic modules, including “Management of Natural Resources Systems”, “Natural Resources Economics and Governance”, ”International Cooperation and Development” and “Project and Business Management” with the aim of providing an overview on natural resources management, economics, project management and the regional and institutional context. In addition, the participants select 10 specialized electives related to topics of natural resources management emphasizing the particular situation.

The fourth semester will focus on the preparation of the master thesis. Internships and research stays if possible together with a local institution or company guarantee the practical orientation of the master research. Tutors pay particular attention that the knowledge acquired in the first three semesters is applied in the individual projects.

Tuition

Semester contribution fees, additional fees for field trips, conference participation and course materials. For more information on the semester contribution fees: https://www.th-koeln.de/en/academics/fees_5908.php

Funding

Applicants may receive one of the limited numbers of scholarships. Available are full time scholarships from the DAAD EPOS Program for applicants from DAC-list countries.

Read less

Water resources, indispensable basis for development, food supply and health, become ever scarcer and more polluted. The concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) offers solutions to the water crisis in linking water to other vital resources. It regards the whole water cycle in connection with human interventions as the basis for sustainable water management. Worldwide, there is a high and growing demand for experts adequately trained in the concepts of IWRM. Next to the technical and managerial knowledge related to water resources, these experts should also be familiar with the practices of project funding and international cooperation. Projects between Europe and Arab countries need experts who are familiar with the culture, language and politics of both sides and are well trained in intercultural communication.

The objective of the program is to form such experts and to promote the concept of IWRM within the context of European-Arab cooperation. Target groups of the program are recently graduated professionals with working experience in public or private institutions, authorities and enterprises of the water sector. The applicants should be active in or dealing with water or natural resources management and have an interest in learning and working in an intercultural and multi-disciplinary environment.

The profile of the Master’s program is application-oriented. Besides providing the participants with an overview on the water sector in general, the aim is to educate experts in the field of Integrated Water Resources Management. This requires a diversification of their knowledge and leads to the capability of cross-linked thinking. The answer to complex environmental and water related problems requires economic and managerial competencies more than classical technical knowledge. The consolidation of different disciplines has not only a methodological dimension, but a cultural and a human component as well, because interdisciplinary team work requires knowledge sharing and effective communication.

Contents

This master is a cooperation between the University of Jordan and TH Köln (University of Applied Sciences)

Some of the core modules covered in this master include: Management of natural resources systems, International Cooperation and Development, Economics and governance. These are complimented by regional modules in Jordan, such as: Water and agriculture in the MENA region, Sanitation and public health, Water supply and Water system analysis. Parallel to these modules, you will learn Methods and Tools such as using the Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing, environmental monitoring and Statistics, and learn to apply the knowledge in Projects.

Tuition

Basic course fees for field trips, conference participation and course material
Registration fees in Jordan and Germany
Tuition fees in Jordan for non-scholarship holders

Funding

Applicants may receive one of the limited numbers of scholarships. Available are full time scholarships from the DAAD EPOS Program for applicants from DAC-list countries.

Read less

Global population, economic growth and on-going environmental deterioration are increasing the pressure
on existing natural systems. Their ability to provide natural resources such as food, water and energy is at risk and waning. Under conditions of globalization, these processes are most forceful in developing countries and emerging economies with high growth rates, low awareness, loss of existing traditional knowledge bases and weak governance structures. This calls for specialists and leadership in order to develop and employ managerial, economical, governance, and technical solutions. Next to technical and managerial knowledge, they should also be familiar with the practices of projects between Europe and Vietnam and well trained in intercultural communication, language, culture and politics.

The objective of the program is to form such experts in the field of NRM and related concepts and methods within the context of European-Vietnamese cooperation. Participants are provided with appropriate knowledge and skills to analyze current problems related to the usage and management of natural resources. The program targets graduated professionals with working experience in public or private institutions, authorities and enterprises of the natural resources sector. The applicants should have an interest in learning and working in an intercultural and multidisciplinary environment.

The master program “Natural Resources Management & Development - South East Asia” (NRM SEA) provides a practice oriented and skills-based learning experience in which students develop their capacity for critical thinking, and creative problem solving. It addresses bachelor’s degree holders principally of Engineering, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences, who aim to deepen their knowledge in Natural Resources Management and wish to acquire management and leadership skills as well as regional and intercultural competences. These experts ought to be able to assess natural resources and develop appropriate solutions considering the complex linkages with economic, social and ecological aspects. The consolidation of different disciplines has not only a methodological dimension but a cultural and a human one, because interdisciplinary team work requires knowledge sharing and effective communication.

Contents

The program consists of basic modules, like “Management of Natural Resources Systems”, “Natural Resources Economics and Governance”, ”International Cooperation and Development” and “Project and Business Management” with the aim of providing an overview on natural resources management, economics, project management and the regional and institutional context. In addition, the participants select 10 specialized electives related to topics of natural resources management and tools emphasizing the particular situation. The first and second semester will be conducted in Hanoi at the Vietnam Academy for Water Resources while in the third semester the student will study at TH Köln, Germany.

The fourth semester will focus on the preparation of the master thesis. Internships and research stays if possible together with a local institution or company guarantee the practical orientation of the master research. Tutors pay particular attention that the knowledge acquired in the first three semesters is applied in the individual projects.

Tuition

Tuition fees in Vietnam, basic course fees for field trips, conference participation and course material

Funding

Applicants may receive one of the limited numbers of scholarships. Available are full time scholarships from the DAAD “Sur-Place” Program for Vietnamese and foreign applicants.

Read less

Water resources, indispensable basis for development, food supply and health, become ever scarcer and more polluted. The concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) offers solutions to the water crisis in linking water to other vital resources. It regards the whole water cycle in connection with human interventions as the basis for sustainable water management. Worldwide, there is a high and growing demand for experts adequately trained in the concepts of IWRM. Next to the technical and managerial knowledge related to water resources, these experts should also be familiar with the practices of project funding and international cooperation.

The objective of the program is to form such experts and to promote the concept of IWRM. Participants are provided with appropriate knowledge and skills to analyze current problems related to the usage and management of water and related resources.

Target groups of the program are recently graduated pro-fessionals with working experience in public or private institutions, authorities and enterprises of the water sector. The applicants should be active in or dealing with water or natural resources management and have an interest in learning and working in an intercultural and multidisciplinary environment.

The profile of the Master’s program is application-oriented. The aim is, besides providing the participants with an overview on the water sector in general, to educate experts in the field of Integrated Water Resources Management. This requires a diversification of their knowledge and leads to the capability of cross-linked thinking. The answer to complex environmental and water related problems requires economic and managerial competencies more than classical technical knowledge.

The consolidation of different disciplines has not only a methodological dimension but a cultural and a human one, because interdisciplinary team work requires knowledge sharing and effective communication.

Contents

Basic Modules: Water Science Principles of IWRM Water Economics Management Water Governance Water System Management International Cooperation Team Project Elective Modules: Technology Water Demand Management Tools

At TH Köln (University of Applied Sciences)

Current global trends such as population and economic growth as well as climate change exert increasing pressure on water resources worldwide, which are the basis for food production, urban and industrial water supplies and hydropower. Experts are needed who understand that multiple problems of water resources management can only be addressed through a holistic approach considering both technical and socioeconomic problems of resources use. These experts should also have knowledge of the practices of project funding and international cooperation.

Tuition

Semester contribution fees, additional fees for field trips, conference participation and course materials. For more information on the semester contribution fees: https://www.th-koeln.de/en/academics/fees_5908.php

Funding

Applicants may receive one of the limited numbers of scholarships. Available are full time scholarships from the DAAD EPOS Program for applicants from DAC-list countries.

Read less

Adequate availability of clean water is indispensable for food supply and health and hence key for the development of societies worldwide. However, pressure on water resources is increasing due to fast demographic and socioeconomic growth and unsustainable water uses. The concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) combined with current climate change adaptation best practices offers solutions to deal with these challenges by assessing and managing this precious resource in space and time considering other related sectors. Worldwide, there is a high and growing demand for experts adequately trained on the concepts of IWRM. Next to technical and managerial knowledge, they should also be familiar with the practices of projects between Europe and Vietnam and well trained in intercultural communication, language, culture and
politics.

The objective of the program is to capacitate such experts in the field of IWRM and related concepts and methods within the context of European-Vietnamese cooperation. The program targets graduated professionals with working experience in public or private institutions, authorities and enterprises of the water sector. The applicants should be active in or dealing with water or natural resources management and have an interest in learning and working in an intercultural and multidisciplinary environment.

The profile of the Master program “Integrated Water Resources Management - South East Asia” (IWRM SEA) is practice oriented. The aim is, besides providing the participants with an overview on the water sector in general, to educate experts in the field of Integrated Water Resources Management. This requires a diversification of their knowledge and leads to the capability of cross-linked thinking. The answer to complex environmental and water related problems requires economic and managerial competencies more than classical technical knowledge. The program addresses bachelor´s degree holders which wish to acquire management and leadership skills and develop appropriate solutions considering the linkages of water with economic, social and ecological aspects. The consolidation of different disciplines has not only a methodological dimension but a cultural and a human one, because interdisciplinary team work requires knowledge sharing and effective communication.

Contents

The program consists of basic modules, like “Water Science”, “Principles of IWRM”, “Water Economics”, ”Water Governance” and “Project and Business Management” with the aim of providing an overview on water resources management, economics, project management and the regional and institutional context. In addition, the participants select 10 specialized electives related to topics of water resources management and technology tools emphasizing the particular situation. The first and second semester will be conducted in Hanoi at the Vietnam Academy for Water Resources while in the third semester the student will study at TH Köln, Germany.

The fourth semester will focus on the preparation of the master thesis. Internships and research stays if possible together with a local institution or company guarantee the practical orientation of the master research. Tutors pay particular attention that the knowledge acquired in the first three semesters is applied in the individual projects.

Tuition

Tuition fees in Vietnam, basic course fees for field trips, conference participation and course material.

Funding

Applicants may receive one of the limited numbers of scholarships. Available are full time scholarships from the DAAD “Sur-Place” Program for Vietnamese and foreign applicants.

Read less

The Master's degree in Sustainability Studies offers an academically grounded education in sustainable development research. Our goal is to provide the theoretical, methodological, organisational and communicative skills needed to conceive, implement and critically reflect upon the interdisciplinary projects and research that define sustainability studies. In addition, the degree programme aims to train students to become agents for change in the economic, scientific, political and civil organisations, so that they can promote, manage and evaluate how these organisations make a transition toward sustainable policies.

Read less

The Master in Global Energy Transition and Governance aims to give a deep understanding of the complexity of the current energy transformations in Europe and worldwide. The programme offers a unique, multidisciplinary approach which distinguishes it from other Master’s courses in the field of energy studies: It analyses the links between the different levels of energy governance, from an international to a local level, offering problem-focused learning at the crossroads of theory and practice. The one-year Master’s programme stretches over three terms and takes place in two study locations: Nice and Berlin.

Overview of the year

Nice

The first term in Nice encompasses classes on the basics of the four energy modules (International energy governance, Economic energy governance, the EU energy governance and Energy and territories). Each module is complemented by seminars dealing with current energy issues. An academic or professional expert is invited for each event.

Berlin

For their second term students move on to Berlin where teaching in the four modules continues in the form of workshops. Each module organises a half-day workshop with an expert. Students prepare the workshops in group work delivering papers on themes linked to the topic of the seminar (climate negotiations, energy stock exchange, the role of the EU interconnections in the European energy market, the EU funds and the territorial energy policy). To better understand the local energy challenges in the framework of the German Energy Transition Field, visits will also be organised in co-operation with local institutions and companies. Another focus of this term will be put on the methodology classes, one dedicated to the research work and the Master’s thesis, the second one to project management.

Nice

In April students return to Nice. The third term aims at deepening their knowledge on the four energy modules. A special focus is also given to the methodological support for the students’ work on their thesis including individual meetings with the academic supervisors. In the two simulations the participants will forge their negotiation techniques with regard to the construction of wind farms at local level and work out of a strategy for an international energy cooperation. Written and oral exams in June will conclude this term.

During this term students will finalise their work on their thesis in close contact with their academic supervisors. The thesis will be delivered in mid-June and defended at the end of June.

Curriculum

International energy governance

This module delivers the theoretical knowledge on the main international energy related issues and conflicts (resource curse, neoinstitutionalism, developmentalism, weak/strong States etc.).
It also provides the participants with concrete examples of the emergence and regulation of energy conflicts worldwide in order to analyse better how they exert pressure on the security and diversification of the energy supply. (10 ECTS)

Economic energy governance

Economic and market fundamentals are applied to the energy sector in order to understand the current multiple national, regional, and local low carbon energy pathways in the world.
The module examines how the different markets are regulated and how they influence the transitions from fossil fuels to renewable energies. The economic perspective will highlight the role of liberalisation, privatisation and regulation of the sector. (10 ECTS)

European energy governance

The aim of this module is to highlight the EU priorities and its decision-making process regarding clean energy transition in Europe, thus helping to understand political economy factors that both inhibit and accelerate it.
While focusing on how the different EU policies challenge institutional architectures and multilevel governance schemes, the module provides an insight into issues currently facing European policy makers such as social acceptance, sustainability of renewable energies as well as rapid advancement in clean energy technologies. (10 ECTS)

Energy and territories

Participants will examine how EU regions and cities and more generally territories develop their own low carbon strategy at the crossroads of many policies (housing, waste management, transport, fuel poverty, environment and energy) and in the framework of a multilevel governance system.
Concrete examples of local and regional strategies will be delivered in order to analyse the levers and obstacles for more decentralisation. (10 ECTS)

Methodology modules

Students will acquire skills in research methodology, energy project management and the elaboration of energy strategies. They will concretely experiment different methodological tools: first of all through the research work for their thesis, second thanks to the methodological tools of project management. Students will be involved in a simulation game in which they will have to decide on the construction of a wind park in a territory. In a negotiation game, participants will have to elaborate a common strategy in the perspective of international energy cooperation. (20 ECTS)

Thesis

For their Master’s thesis participants will carry out a profound research work on an energy issue, chosen and elaborated in regular coordination with their supervisor.
The thesis will require the application of the methodological tools which the students have acquired during the programme.
The academic work will involve in-depth desk research, possible interviews with external partners and the writing of a thesis of approximately 17,000 words. Candidates will defend their thesis in an oral exam. (30 ECTS)

Applications and Scholarships

Candidates can submit their application dossier by using the form available on the Institute’s website. They should also include all the relevant documents, or send them by post or e-mail. An academic committee meets regularly in order to review complete applications.
A limited number of scholarship funds can be awarded to particularly qualified candidates to cover some of the costs related to studies or accommodation. The deadline for applications is: 15 August

Please do not hesitate to contact us for any enquiry.

Read less