Climate Change Ecology
Climate Change Ecology studies the impact of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems at local, regional and global scales. Both the meteorological and climatological causes of anthropogenic climate change and the impact on biogeochemical cycles are critically analyzed. Hands-on laboratory and field-based approaches are used to quantify stress-induced changes in plants and ecosystems.
The aim is to gain in-depth knowledge on alterations of important ecosystem processes, such as carbon or water cycles. Finally, an introduction to earth system modeling approaches addresses these processes at larger scales.
In summary, this major aims at developing a process-based understanding of climate change induced alterations in terrestrial ecosystems and potential adaptation strategies.
“In the context of global climate change, extreme heatwaves and droughts are becoming more frequent and severe. It is therefore crucial to intensify research into tackling environmental challenges, such as improving the resilience of forests worldwide to climate change, in order to preserve our largest carbon sinks.”
Prof. Dr. Christiane Werner
Head of major, Chair of Ecosystem Physiology
Curriculum
Short description of the study content
First Semester (Winter)
In the first winter semester, which begins Mid October, the modules are offered in a weekly course format. It consists of core and major modules.
Core modules
- Research Skills: Basic skills and concepts to conduct and communicate scientific reserach
- Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives on Environmental Sciences: Different scientific fields, methods, ethics and philosophies in Env. Sciences
Major modules
- Lab-Analysis of Climate Change Impact: Impacts of environmental stress, tree growth analysis, lab methods and data analysis
- Environmental Statistics: Extends statistics knowledge and application, multiple regression, R/Python, advanced use of R
- Ecosystem Functioning: Important processes in ecosystems, overview of ecological approaches and systems
- Climate Impact Research: Current research approaches, excursion to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, own research project proposal
Second Semester (Summer)
During the summer semester, courses are taught in a 3-week block format and may include field trips.
Core modules
There are no core modules offered in the second semester.
Major modules
- Land-Atmosphere Interactions: Exchange processes between biosphere and atmosphere, micrometeorological and other methods
- Land Use Adaption: Climate change and land-use change problems, applied work, critical view on current land use strategies
- Experimental Climate Stress Physiology: Stress impact on plants, greenhouse/climate chamber experiments, data analysis and interpretation
- Methods in Ecosystem Research: Field research, design, conductance and analysis of field experiments, presentation of results
Third semester (Winter)
In the third semester, the modules are offered in a weekly course format. It consists of a core module, several major modules and free space to take elective courses.
Core modules
- Research in Environmental Sciences; Strategic advices, approaches, tools and management for Master thesis
Major module
- Environmental Monitoring, Data Analysis and Visualization: Data collection, storage, analysis and visualisation, Upscaling of information
- Earth System Modelling: Formulating processes as ODEs, simulating DEs, programming a simple ecosystem model
Electives
During the program you take three electives amounting to 15 ECTS credits.
You can choose from a wide selection of modules offered to the students of MSc Environmental Sciences. The language of instruction is mainly English, although German taught modules are also available.
In addition, modules from other master programmes within the faculty, the university, or even outside the university may be taken, provided they are academically relevant. Eligibility is decided by the examination board in accordance with the specific focus of the study programme.
Language courses are not recognised as suitable teaching units.
Internship
The internship should provide an insight into possible career fields and enables to gain hands-on and real-life work experience, connect to organisations and develop personal and professional competences. It serves as an excellent opportunity to explore possible professional fields and career paths.
The mandatory internship (10 ECTS) lasts at least 7 weeks (275 full‑time working hours). It is recommended to place it in the semester break between the 2nd and 3rd semester, but it can also be scheduled flexibly at any time thats suitable. It may be completed either in one company or can be also split into two phases and two different companies of at least three weeks each. Students are free to do it either in Germany or abroad.
Internships are organised by the students themselves. They will be supported with advice and contacts on request.
Master thesis with Colloquium
The Master thesis is worth 30 ECTS credits (27 ECTS master thesis and 3 ECTS colloquium). The written part is an individual examination paper. This thesis must be completed within 6 months and the topic must be chosen from the area of the chosen major. The Master’s colloquium consists of an approximately 20-minute presentation by the student on the topic, methods and results of the Master’s thesis, followed by a discussion.
The purpose is to enable each student to work intensively on a subject within their field of study using scientific methods, meet the stipulated deadline, and present the results in an appropriate scientific research format. Both the thesis topic and the supervising faculty members are arranged and agreed upon by the student themselves. Registration of the thesis is permitted once the student has accumulated at least 60 ECTS on their transcript of records.
Semester Abroad / Erasmus
Upon request, it is also possible to study abroad for one semester. Although the master’s programme does not include a dedicated Erasmus semester, it still offers many possibilities for international experience. These include a semester abroad with individual modules that can be taken, a professional or research internship, and the option to write the master’s thesis overseas. If you are interested, our team is happy to advise you and help organise the appropriate stay abroad.
Career Opportunities
- Local and regional authorities in sustainability and environmental impacts
- Governmental and NGOs focused on mitigating climate change impacts
- Academic and research facilities
- Environmental education
Admission requirements
Requirements for a successful application to the MSc Environmental Sciences/Climate Change Ecology:
- BSc Degree with grade point average of at least 2.5
- English C1 level (accepted certificates)
- 70 ECTS in natural sciences and ecology
-> min. 25 ECTS in ecology - 10 ECTS in statistics and geomatics
-> basic knowledge in “R” is assumed
Apply from March 1st to May 15th for the following winter semester