Aim
The aim of this course of studies is the education of scientifically trained specialists who are particularly qualified for creative application of information technologies in order to describe problems and to work out solutions in the field of the environment. This aim is achieved mainly by impartation of a wide range of scientific methods and tools for collection, analysis, visualisation, and communication of environmental data. The factual basis of the education is applied mainly to the field of forest ecosystems and forest management.
Basics
Information technologies (IT) are key technologies of the 21st century. Even today, information technologies are deep-seated in many fields of research and practice. Their application can help to improve the registration of silvicultural problems as well as of problems in the field of the environment that are getting more complex and more global, and to point out solutions. By applying modern IT, it becomes possible to prepare methods for supporting the achievement of the aim, in particular, of a sustainable forest cultivation, as well as the long-term aim of ecologically compatible actions, in general.
Silvicultural and environmental objects are distinctively spatial and multidisciplinary. Local actions, because of inherently connected processes and factors, often affect regional or even global problems that have to be analysed by appropriate methods and tools. In this context, geographical information systems, methods of remote sensing, methods of multivariate data analysis and ecosystem modelling are of central importance. A special challenge is connecting the application of information technologies with the specific knowledge about forest ecosystems.
Approach of the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (Applied University)
In the international Master study programme Forest Information Technology, specialists are to be trained who are able to make accessible the steadily increasing possibilities of modern information technologies in order to solve problems of the forest ecosystem research and silvicultural practice. Through the targeted methodical course content, work opportunities in the entire field of the environment are open for the graduates.
The international Master degree course of studies Forest Information Technology offered since 2005 within a co-operative partnership with the Warsaw University of Life Sciences and is a consecutive proposal to appropriate forestry related Bachelor courses, among them the International Forest Ecosystem Management programme of the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (Applied University). But it is also directed to graduates of other Bachelor or Diploma courses of studies who possess sound knowledge in natural sciences (e.g. forestry, land use planning or landscaping, agriculture, biology, or geography). The applicants are expected to have a basic understanding of the functions of ecosystems as well as to be prepared to independently acquire specific knowledge about forest ecosystems - if inexistent. Furthermore, basic skills in handling computer science and standard software are required.
The students ought to
- get to know the relevant concepts and methods for collection, analysis, visualisation, and communication of environmental data,
- acquire practical skills in handling common software products particularly related to spatial data,
- achieve critical understanding of the processes in forest ecosystems and of forest management and be able to operate information technologies creatively to describe problems and find solutions
- develop methods for sampling environmental data and computer- and model-based assessments of the effects on forests and other ecosystems,
- acquire abilities for co-operation in interdisciplinary work groups.
The study programme Forest Information Technology is an interdisciplinary education offer with its main focus on environmental information technologies (60 – 65 %), forest ecosystem research and landscape research, forest management and related social disciplines.
Unique selling proposition and employment outlook
The application of information technologies will definitely increase, and achieve new areas of application in the fields of forestry and environment. Specialists who are able to combine substantiated knowledge of information technologies with expertise in the field of forestry, are particularly qualified to develop and introduce new IT-based solutions in the relevant areas.
At present, there are still only a few scientific practice-oriented Master degree courses of studies that are related to information technologies for a specific sector. In this respect, the course of studies Forest Information Technology is decidedly innovative and future-oriented. The orientation towards environmental information technologies and practical problems of forestry and environmental management distinguishes the course of studies from pure computer science/informatics courses of studies. The course of studies is characterised by the impartation of information technologies for solving practical problems.
The outstanding feature of the course of studies Forest Information Technology is the partnership of a German university with a renowned Polish university (Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (Applied University) – Warsaw University of Life Sciences). The course of studies will be organised by both universities in co-operation. It is supposed that applicants from Poland, Germany but also from other, for example European, Asian or South American countries will apply for this course of studies. One feature making the course particularly attractive is the possibility to achieve degrees from both universities.
The participating lecturers of the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (Applied University) represent amongst others the specific fields Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing, Environmental Information Technologies, Science of Silviculture, Forest Survey, Forest Ecosystem Research as well as Socio-economics and Communication. The participating lecturers of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences represent for example the specific subjects Forest Information Systems, Photogrammetry, Digital Image Processing, Forest Technology, and Forest Management.
The degree of a M.Sc. in Forest Information Technology is expected to provide the access to national as well as to international employment markets (for example research institutions and co-operative research projects, authorities and planning institutions, enterprises, and engineering companies). There is a real demand for trained information systems specialists in many fields of forestry, landscape and land use planning as well as in related disciplines including nature conservation management.
Contents and learning targets
1. Geomatics - geographical information systems, remote sensing, and their application to forest and environmental problems
Acquirement of scientificly substantiated understanding of spatial data concepts, geographical information systems, systems of remote sensing, and practical skills for handling relevant software.
- Conceptual basics of spatial data processing and remote sensing
- Concepts for spatial data-bases
- Acquirement of skills for handling specific GIS/RS software
- Digital image processing, photogrammetry
- Server processing, metadata
- OpenGIS and mobile GIS
- Specific applications of geographical information systems and remote sensing in forest planning, management and conservation
2. Data analysis and management
Acquirement of scientific substantiated understanding of methods and techniques for managing and analysing environmental data as well as practical skills for handling relevant software
- Planning and designing of data bases (desktop- and Client-Server-data bases, Web databases)
- Acquirement of abilities for handling specific database management systems (commercial and free software)
- Advanced statistic methods of analysis, methods of data-mining, spatial statistics
- Basics of application programming, programming languages (objectoriented programming, Internet applications)
- Acquirement of abilities for handling specific software packages (for example 3D visualization, spatial statistics)
3. Forest ecosystems
Development of abilities that are necessary for understanding and analysing of processes in forest ecosystems and of interactions of processes between ecosystems, modelling of processes in ecosystems, computerised and based on models decision making
- Vegetation analysis and silviculture
- Landscape systems analysis and landscape ecology
- Forest ecosystems and global cycles
- Modelling of ecosystems and forest ecosystems
- Forest decision support systems
- Survey methods
- Systems of data collection
4. Project-management and communication
Acquisition of founded understanding of socio-economic processes and the interaction between natural and socio-economic processes, project management and communication
- Social-scientific surveys
- Project management and communication
General structure
- Four semesters (each with about 20 hours/week course workload, 30 ECTS per semester).
- The 1st semester will take place at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (Applied University) (it will be especially characterised by impartation of basic knowledge of environmental information technologies).
- The 2nd semester will take place at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (it will be especially characterised by the impartation of continuative knowledge of environmental information technologies including specific silvicultural contents).
- Independent research project during the 3rd semester (stay at the particular university or partner institution in Germany, Poland or another country); range of elective courses (in Eberswalde in parts together with the course of studies M.Sc. Global Change Management that was established in 2006).
- Master thesis during the 4th semester; range of elective courses (in Eberswalde in parts together with the course of studies M.Sc. Global Change Management that was to be established in winter semester 2006/2007).
Start: Winter semester 2005/2006
Study places: 25
Partners: Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (Applied University), Warsaw University of Life Sciences
Contact
Postal Adress
Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde (FH)
University of Applied Sciences Eberswalde
Faculty of Forest and Environment
Alfred-Möller-Strasse 1
16225 Eberswalde, Germany
Head of study programme
Prof. Dr. Alfred Schultz
Tel.: (+49) 03334 65 431
E-Mail: Alfred.Schultz@hnee.de
Study programme coordinator
Undine Beyersdorff
Tel.: (+49) 03334 65 451
E-Mail: Undine.Beyersdorff@hnee.de
For more information visit the website.
Website >
Studienprofil-125-1387
Save Course Profile