European Forestry

1ST YEAR STUDIES

COMMON OBLIGATORY COURSES

Introductory Course

The Introductory course (IC) has a duration of 4 intensive weeks and consists of an introduction into European forestry topics. The course consists of several blocks, each of which is taught by one of the partner universities. Emphasis will be on Policy Analysis, Social Dynamics, Business Management, Market and Trade, Legislation and Taxation, Aspects of Cultural Diversity, Resource Management, Ecology and Biodiversity. Problem solving in groups is an important teaching method.

Applied Period

The Applied Period (AP) consists of 12 ECTS of work assignment at appropriate active supranational organisation in Europe (Institutions, National Boards, Companies...). The AP is project based, and a topic of the work assignment is agreed upon in cooperation with the hosting
organization, the supervisor, and the student. The AP is supervised by a lecturer from one of the participating universities. The student is required to write a report on his AP.

Seminar period

MSc thesis writing, poster presentation, power point presentation and CV writing.

Ethical Approach to Forestry: Introduction to basic concepts of Forest ethics and ethical conflicts in global forests. Seminars on various facets of forest ethics including the importance of the four dimensions of
sustainability (environmental, social, cultural, and economic), as well as the ethical responsibility of various forest stakeholders.

Research Methodology

Introduction to experimental science, theory and concepts, research definition and research design, formulating theses problems, qualitative methods, survey methods and questionnaires, concepts in data analysis and statistic inference, interpretation of results, model and
experiments, and presenting scientific data.

Problem Oriented Course

Introduction to the Effect of international forestry accords on communities
Forestry as Climate change mitigation option – Introduction, UNFCCC & Kyoto Protocol, CDM and JI, Risk Management, Carbon trade.

European Forestry Field

Intensive field course including forest and cultural visits, lectures, seminars and presentations. The students are required to carry out group work and discussion on given topics, as well to prepare an individual report.

ELECTIVE COURSES

• Orientation in Academic Studies for International Students
• Production and Energy Use of Wood Biomass
• Bioenergy Markets and Policies
• Biotechnology in Forestry
• Boreal Forests, Their Functioning and Management
• Introduction to Forest Protection in Finland
• Forest Protection Literature Review
• Field Course in Forest Protection
• Introduction to European and Finnish Environmental Law
• Environmental Law in the European Union (literature)
• European Forest Related Policies
• Introduction to the Finnish Environment and Global Environmental Problems
• Social Forestry
• Forestry in Changing Societies in Europe

2ND YEAR STUDIES

Elective courses

During the second year of studies, which is spent at one or more partner universities of the consortium, the students must complete the total amount of courses that, together with the Master thesis, equal to 60 ECTS. Prior to beginning the second year studies, the students must compile a study programme, which has to be approved by the responsible universities in order to fulfil the requirements for the degree at the home university. Course requirements may include written examinations, practical exercises, class participation, a term paper, an oral presentation, seminar working, etc... or combinations of these.

Thesis

The thesis is one of the main areas of the MSc EF. It consists of the preparation of a thesis with an explicit European dimensions at one of the universities members of the consortium of the MSc EF. Working on the thesis is supplemented by a course programme. The student will have to contact with a department of the preferred university. Selection of the university and the supervisor is based on the preference of the student. It is also suggested to have another supervisor from a University different that the Thesis host one.

Period: 2Jahre

Date of Application

Wintersemester: 7. September 2009 bis 9. Oktober 2009 (Nachfrist bis 30. November 2009)
Sommersemester: 8. Februar 2010 bis 12. März 2010 (Nachfrist bis 30. April 2010)