Master's Degree Programme in Biological and Environmental Science

The study content within aquatic science covers the management and sustainable use of inland waters, with specialisation possibile in lake and river ecology (including typology, pollution and conservation) or in fish biology and fisheries (including sustainable use of wild fish stocks, aquaculture, aquatic parasitology and fish diseases). The study content within ecology and evolutionary biology ranges from genes and molecular biology to ecosystem functioning. Relevant courses cover basic ecology and evolutionary biology as well as theoretical modelling and practical applications.

The aim of the programme is to produce experts in biology and environmental science. The programme contains two specialization areas (majors):

• aquatic science
• ecology and evolutionary biology

Students are assigned to one of these majors based on their application letter and academic background.

The aquatic major focusses on environmental and biological processes that determine the characteristics and ecosystem services of inland waters and ecologically, economically and socially sustainable use of natural resources. The ecology major focusses on fundamental concepts and theories of ecology, genetics, and evolutionary biology and the ability to use these at the individual, population, community and ecosystem level.

Graduates will be able to:

• apply theories and use the primary literature and empirical observations to answer scientific questions.
• use their knowledge to develop solutions to practical questions.
• obtain, evaluate and incorporate the latest knowledge of scientific problems using appropriate scientific practices and following ethical principles.