Landscape Sciences
(Master of Science)

Students work on computers while looking at something on a screen. © Institut für Physische Geographie und Landschaftsökologie Hannover
© Institut für Physische Geographie und Landschaftsökologie Hannover

Profile

Course type
Postgraduate studies (Master)
Standard Course Duration
4 semesters
Course Start
Winter semester
Language of Instruction
German
Language Requirements

German HZB: none
International application: German B2
Find out more

Admission
Restricted admission
International

Stay abroad possible, but not obligatory.

Short Description

The Master’s degree programme in Landscape Sciences uses a wide range of content and systems to teach students to analyse and predict landscape processes and to apply sound scientific methods and models in research, environmental protection, resource management and land use management. The programme focuses on interactions between the atmosphere, vegetation, soil and humans, the processes that occur in the context of these interactions, and the options available to humans to manage these processes.

Equipped with a solid grounding in methodology and content, students learn how to determine, analyse and model processes in the landscape in a bid to resolve current environmental and land use problems and to develop concepts for future sustainable management strategies.

Since the structure of the degree programme is interdisciplinary and interfaculty in nature, students not only receive a broad education but are also able to specialise and create their own distinct profiles.

Course Content

  • Environmental planning
  • Environmental sciences
  • Geobotany
  • Geoinformatics
  • Meteorology
  • Physical geography and landscape ecology
  • Soil science
  • Water resources management
Course Structure

The basis of the degree programme is the compulsory module in Systems Theory and System Analysis, which students take at the beginning of the course. In this module, students take a systems theoretical approach to learn about the functioning of landscape ecosystems and the intrasystem and intersystem connections involved. These are developed, modelled and visualised during practical exercise classes.

In view of such broad theoretical knowledge, the subsequent compulsory elective modules prove to be specialist explications of a common, overarching understanding of systems.

During specialist field trips and projects, a bridge is built between theoretical, modelled representations and detections of landscape reality, that is consolidated and sustained by independent work in the course of a project study.

The Master’s thesis, which is connected to a research-based project or ideally practical training, completes the programme.

Semester Pflichtmodule Wahlpflichtmodul:
Ökosystemare Prozesse und Umwelt
Wahlpflichtmodul:
Landschaftsprozessanalyse und -modellierung
1 Systemtheorie, -analyse und -modellierung
  • Studienprojekt
  • 15 Tage Exkursion
  • 9 Wochen Berufspraktikum

3 Module mit Themen aus

  • Geobotanik
  • Umweltplanung
  • Wasserwirtschaft
  • Meteorologie
  • Geographie
  • Bodenkunde

3 Module mit Themen aus

  • Geobotanik
  • Umweltplanung
  • Wasserwirtschaft
  • Meteorologie
  • Geographie
  • Bodenkunde
2  
3 Forschungsorientiertes Projekt
4 Masterarbeit
Recommended Abilities

Applicants’ past studies should demonstrate a focus on the content and methodology involved in landscape sciences. In addition to possessing a solid grounding in science, applicants should also possess the following interests and abilities to ensure the successful completion of the degree programme:

  • Willingness to familiarise themselves with a wide range of specialist fields
  • enjoyment of connected thinking
  • a good sense of observation
  • enjoyment of field and laboratory work
  • good communication skills
  • IT skills
  • English skills
Career Opportunities
  • Environmental protection and nature conservation
  • Research
  • Resource and land use management
  • Risk assessment
  • Environment consultancy and planning
  • Landscape planning
  • GIS consulting
  • Disaster risk reduction

Potential employers:

  • Federal and regional authorities
  • Local authorities
  • Engineering firms and planning offices
  • Science and research
  • Development cooperation
  • Industry
  • Insurers and reinsurers
Admission requirements and application

Admission Requirements

An undergraduate degree in a related field of study, such as

For master''s degree programmes with restricted admission, places shall be allocated according to the university’s own selection procedure, if there are more applicants fulfilling the admission requirements than there are places available. The exact admission requirements can be found in the admission regulations: 

There is no minimum grade / entry grade for the Master''s application. Notwithstanding the currently valid admission regulations for Master''s programmes, the minimum grade of 3.0 is no longer applied. The admission regulations will be revised in this regard.

Application Deadlines

First-year students

  • June 1st – July 15th of the year for the winter semester

Students resuming their studies and transfer students (application in a higher semester)

  • June 1st – July 15th of the year for the winter semester
  • December 1st – January 15th of the year for the summer semester

 

You want to apply?

  • Double Degree Programme in cooperation with Yamagata University in Tsuruoka, Japan

    Starting in winter semester 2019/2020, the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Leibniz University Hannover offers a double-degree programme with the Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences at the Yamagata University in Tsuruoka, Japan.

    In four semesters a maximum of five students per year have the opportunity to obtain the degree "M.Sc. in Landscape Sciences" at the University of Hannover and additionally the degree "M.Ag. in Bioenvironment, Bioresources Engineering or Bioproduction" at the Yamagata University.

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Zentrale Studienberatung
Address
Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover
Building
Zentrale Studienberatung
Address
Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover
Building