Project title
Joint Master's Degree in Ecology, specialization Alpine Ecology. University of Zilina and Telemark University College
Project number
IJD2012/10359
Title of the new study programme
Joint Master in Ecology: Specialization in Alpine Ecology
Summary
The goal of this project is to develop a joint master's degree within the field of Ecology, with specialization in Alpine Ecology. The collaboration is between Telemark University College, Department of Environmental- and Health Studies (DEHS) in Norway and University of Žilina, Institute of High Mountain Biology (IHMB) in Slovakia. The project will also include a close cooperation with the Plant Production Research Center, which has several research institutions in Slovakia. An important goal of the program will be to strengthen the existing cooperation between DEHS and IHMB in the study of alpine ecosystems, which are increasingly influenced by several types of environmental impacts..
Existing study programmes and research - the basis for the new joint degree
DEHS offers bachelor programmes in Ecology and Natural Resource Management, and in Pollution and the Environment. The bachelor study in Ecology and Natural Resource Management is particularly aimed at students who wish to work with nature management, sustainable resource management or conservation biology. The bachelor of Pollution and the Environment is aimed at students who want to work in the public or private sector on issues related to pollution of soil, water and air, water supply etc. The institution also offers international one-year programmes on bachelor level in Alpine Ecology and Environmental Management and Ecotourism and Sustainability.
IHMB offers the bachelor programme «Ranger» (Nature Protection and Landscape Management) for Slovak and international students. The programme is focused on ecology and applied ecology, biology, nature conservation, renewable and non-renewable natural resources, management, information technologies, social and human sciences. These bachelor programmes will be important recruitment arenas for the planned Master’s program. External recruitment will also be given priority.
Student mobility
The plan is for the students to spend a minimum of one semester (30 ECTS) at the partner institution. The preliminary plan is for the students to spend the whole first 1st semester in Norway, and the second 2nd semester in Slovakia. The group identity of the students will be strengthened by spending the first year together as a group. Normally, the third 3rd and fourth 4th semester are spent working on the master’s thesis, and the location of the students will vary according the master’s topic.
Duration
2016 - 2018