Ecology and Environmental Change (M.Sc.)

The combination of basic and applied concepts of ecology as well as the numerous methods and tools convey qualifications for both scientific and more applied areas of the job market.

Graduates interested in research may pursue a scientific career by working on a PhD, in order to qualify for research positions in universities, research institutes or industry.

Graduates focused on applied aspects are qualified for a broad spectrum of job opportunities such as in communal, national and European government agencies, in economy and in nature conservation. They are furthermore qualified for working in the areas of outreach, including scientific publishing, scientific journalism and museum education.

In the first year, students take classes including Ecosystem Wadden Sea (with excursion), Environmental change and chemical communication, Models in conservation biology, Animal Ecology in a changing world, Effects of environmental change on plant chemistry, Plant ecology in a changing environment, Nature conservation and environmental protection (with excursion). The second year consists of individual research modules and the Master thesis

Teaching combines theoretical and practical work which are closely linked. Working in small groups prepares students for scientific work in research groups. The courses teach the necessary knowledge, skills, and methods enabling the students to perform scientific work, present scientific data, critically assess scientific findings, and act in a responsible manner.

Around 25,000 people from all over the world study at the university's 14 faculties, which cover a diverse range of subjects in the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, engineering and medicine.

Studying at the university opens doors for young people on the national and international job market. Here they learn how to deal with the challenges of the professional world. With a variety of over 1,000 subject combinations and a broad range of individual supplementary subjects, students can look beyond the boundaries of one subject. Students benefit from flat hierarchies: lecturers are always ready to listen as contact persons.

With more than 330,000 inhabitants, Bielefeld is one of the 20 largest cities in Germany. Bielefeld is greener than almost any other major city - thanks to its location in the Teutoburg Forest and numerous parks and green corridors with kilometres of hiking trails running through the city. Exciting life with pubs, clubs and culture pulsates on the “Siegfriedplatz” – also known as ‘Siggi’ - in the west of Bielefeld, on the Kesselbrink and on the boulevard.

The mixture of urban flair and almost village-like togetherness makes Bielefeld what it is: a particularly liveable city.