As complex ecosystems, forests feature worldwide among the most significant biodiversity hotspots and fulfill numerous functions. They offer habitats for plant and animal species, produce wood – the most important renewable resource in terms of surface area and quantity – and make a fundamental contribution to the common good of society. Forest ecosystems must therefore satisfy numerous demands and, as such, are increasingly in the focus of sociopolitical discourse.
In order to balance these diverse and, in part, conflicting interests, careful, long-term and calculated planning is essential. In addition to well-founded knowledge of the forest ecosystem, this demands a comprehensive understanding of systems and far-reaching methodological competence. To this end, the master's program "Forestry and Wood Science" offers the required specialization. The program's goal is to convey the scientific basis for sustainably managing the forest ecosystem and, in the process, to cover the entire value-added chain, from production in the forest to finished wood products.
As such, the focus is equally on the scientific foundations of forestry as well as the technical aspects of exploiting and marketing raw materials produced in the forest. The four supporting pillars of the program – "Environment", "Production", "Society" and "Wood" – are reflected too in six available specialist areas: "Wood as raw/building material", "Mountain forestry", "Forest management", "International forestry", "Site assessment and use", as well as "Landscape development and nature conservation". The course content can be combined and therefore offers, together with an extensive catalog of elective modules, a high level of flexibility in creating one's own individual study profile.
For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:
- Degree program documentation for the master's program in Forestry and Wood Science (PDF, German)