Composition of the Study Programme
Degree
Master of Science (MSc)
Duration of Studies
4 semesters – 120 credit points (cp)
Composition of the Degree Programme
The study programme is organized in modules (courses). Our modules offer a wide spectrum of different teaching methods including synchronous online teaching such as lectures, seminars and group discussion as well as asynchronous elements such as videos and individual work tasks. Each module comprises four semester hours per week and is completed with a final examination as given in the module description. The final grade of the study programme is calculated from the achieved module grades.
The programme schedule consists of 11 mandatory modules (core modules), 5 optional modules (profile modules) and the Master‘s thesis. Having completed the core modules, the students are well equipped with a solid scientific education and ready to deepen their knowledge in specific research areas. By individually choosing their profile modules from a diverse range of study areas students shape their individual competence profile.
Structure of the Master's Degree Course
The Master’s degree course consists of 16 modules (120 credits):
| Modules | ||
|---|---|---|
| Core Competence | 11 mandatory modules | 66 credits |
| Profile Competence | 5 optional modules | 30 credits |
| Master’s thesis | 24 credits | |
| Total | 16 modules | 120 credits |
Core Modules (Mandatory Courses)
- Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research (6 CP)
- Theory and Practice of Economic Development (6 CP)
- Global Food Markets (6 CP)
- International Economics (6 CP)
- Climate Change and Economic Development (6 CP)
- Sustainable Food Systems (6 CP)
- Resource Economics and Sustainable Development (6 CP)
- Natural Resources and Ecosystem Services (6 CP)
- Planetary Thinking (6 CP)
- Political Ecology (6 CP)
- Scientific Working and Writing (6 CP)
Profile Modules (6 CP each)
Students tailor their individual profile by selecting 5 modules from the profile module catalogue for digital degree programmes. Among the modules for this study programme are the following:
- The Economics of Nitrate Pollution
- Python for Environmental Scientists
- Land Use Chance Projection with QGIS
- Agriculture, Ecosystem Functioning and Climate Change
- Land Governance for Sustainable Land Use in Africa
- Special Topics of the UN Sustainable Development Goals I
- Special Topics of the UN Sustainable Development Goals II
- Concepts of Ecological Economics
- Sustainable Plant Protection
On-Site Courses during the Summer Vacation
Several profile modules are offered as block modules with physical attendance in Giessen during the summer vacation. These modules are optional and you can attend them if you wish to be physically present in Giessen during your studies. If you are interested in attending some of these modules, please contact the study coordinators of the Faculty 09 at studies for further information.
Master Thesis (24 CP)
Students dedicate the major part of the 4th semester to writing the Master's thesis. With the thesis, they prove their capability to investigate a given topic independently and scientifically within a given timeframe. The core module Scientific Working and Writing supports students in their research process.