Individual study contents
The degree programme consists of six semesters. You can earn 30 ECTS per semester in compulsory modules and an additional selection of elective modules. You can have further academic content such as specialisation modules credited according to the European Credit Transfer System. This results in a total of 180 ECTS for the Bachelor's degree programme IFEM.
Modules per semester
In the first and second semester, basic knowledge of natural sciences and socio-economics is taught.
You acquire basic knowledge of morphological structures, cytology, anatomy, physiological processes and systematic relationships of plants with a focus on woody plants.
You are enabled to actively participate in the discussion on current issues and concerns of sustainability, natural resource management and nature conservation. Your knowledge is based on a complex and integrative consideration and appreciation of ecosystems in which humans are embedded.
It is generally possible to obtain a hunting licence as part of the degree course. This is associated with additional costs.
During the degree programme, you will take the corresponding elective modules for the theoretical content. The practical training takes place parallel to the degree programme. Both programmes conclude with an examination.
In the first and second semester, basic knowledge of natural sciences and socio-economics is taught.
You will be able to analyse the situation of exemplary ecosystems and interpret it in a management-oriented way.
Using the example of a region in a selected transition country, you will learn to what extent socio-economic and political transformation processes can lead to changes in the ecosystem and what relevance the corresponding knowledge has in ecosystem management. This also includes the identification and application of ecosystem and socio-economic indicators to assess any changes in the system.
The third semester focuses on teaching and implementing skills for sustainable management and conservation of global forest ecosystems.
In the fourth semester, you can study a semester abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe, North or South America (limited places!). We advise that you also complete the compulsory internship of the fifth semester there to deepen your potential research. If you stay in Germany, these modules are available for selection.
They are able to understand agroecological interactions, political framework conditions and the potential of various agroforestry systems and, above all, to assess and evaluate their practical feasibility. Students understand the relevance of the parameters collected on the → agroforestry trial area and are able to plan, carry out and analyse a corresponding experimental setup.
In the practical fifth semester abroad, you will test and deepen your knowledge and skills from your studies. All full-time students with German language skills must complete their internship on forest ecosystem-related topics abroad.
Students are enabled to participate in international projects in the field of multifunctional and sustainable management of forest ecosystems. Participation in scientifically sound, practice-oriented projects with concrete reference to the forest and the study programme.
In the sixth semester you will write your Bachelor's thesis based on research projects and take further, in-depth additional modules and complex project work.
You can write a scientific paper on a subject-related topic of your own choice, formulate working hypotheses and develop methodological approaches. You analyse and present data scientifically. You can evaluate and critically discuss conclusions. You know the principles of good scientific practice.
They are able to derive and document approaches to sustainable forest cultivation based on a specific section of forest. In doing so, they rely on data from site and forest growth science as well as spatial data of the forest objects to be analysed (including forest inventory). The project centres on (silvicultural) planning at stand and operational level and its implementation with specific silvicultural measures. The competences are supplemented with tasks from the areas of recreational planning and other special planning as well as the planning of measures to adapt forests to climate change.
They will be able to assess the potential and current impact of UNESCO biosphere reserves as places of learning and model regions for ecosystem-based sustainable development and work out the current management challenges on the basis of selected examples.
Restoration of forest ecosystems Elective module
They are able to apply Forest Landcape Restoration (FLR) techniques in different disturbance contexts such as reforestation, rehabilitation of degraded areas, water management to restore basic (forest) ecosystem functions and contribute to improving the quality of life of people in different ecozones of the world.
You will be able to familiarise yourself with the currently significant alien and invasive harmful organisms and serious, complex disease phenomena. You will be familiar with national and international legal norms and standards as well as the specific monitoring, prevention and eradication measures of plant quarantine.
You will be able to apply the basics of problem solving and learn to identify framework conditions and variants and to formulate target hypotheses using case studies. You will be able to recognise assignments (financial planning, work planning, project proposal) and will be able to define the framework conditions of your research topic. You will be able to formulate research proposals in group work and present your results. You will apply the knowledge of plant ecology, dendrochronology, meteorology, statistics, inventory, database management, GIS, silviculture and financial planning that you have acquired in your previous studies and in the seminar and lecture part of the module in case studies.