Master's Programme in Plant and Forest Biotechnology

Plant biotechnology is becoming increasingly important as a tool to solve some of the global problems related to feed, fuel and ecosystem management in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. The Master of Science Programme in Plant and Forest Biotechnology offers students a specialized competence and skills to recognize, understand and find solutions to these challenges. The programme is based upon a set of coordinated courses which together amount to 80 credits (120 ECTS credits) spread over two years. Up-to-date knowledge is provided about plant cell and molecular biology as well as plant growth and development. This is applied in the fields of plant breeding, biotechnology and functional genomics. The programme is organized by the Department of Plant Physiology (Umeå University) and the Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) which together form the Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC). The education is anchored around the various research topics of UPSC.... [-]

Master’s Program Sustainable Forest & Nature Management (Erasmus Mundus)

Are you interested in a deeper understanding of holistic forest and nature management? Would you like to work as a forester in an international environment?

The Master’s programme in Sustainable Forest and Nature Management (SUFONAMA) is a two-year world-class integrated programme aimed at enabling graduates to deal with the enormous challenges in sustainable management of natural resources, namely the challenge of management of forests and nature in an integrated landscape.

The MSc Course in Sustainable Forest and Nature Management (SUFONAMA) offers:... [-]

Master's Programme - Euroforester

Forestry faces profound changes, thus forestry education must equip students with new skills. This first class MSc programme is conducted in an international environment, preparing students for a career in the forestry sector.

The forestry profession faces profound changes. Forests are no longer regarded simply as "factories" for wood production. The perspective has widened and the wide range of outputs from forests, has become a keen concern for the whole of society - nationally, regionally and globally. Across borders, countries share environmental and social issues; likewise, forest industries and markets increasingly cross national boarders. Consequently the forester of today must have a wide perspective and be capable of working in an international environment.... [-]

Agroecology

Can agriculture support both man and the ecological systems? Is it possible to separate social and ecological systems within agriculture?

Using case studies and field experience, the Master´s Programme in Agroecology guides students through a learning process on agriculture as an open system, dependent on its global and regional surroundings, as well as people and local resources. The programme offers a head start for students who seek to work with development or research for agriculture to support small-scale farmers.

Farming and food production are ecologically, economically and socially important in all societies. Worldwide there is a need for academic experts that can deal with land use systems that are complex, multifunctional and rapidly changing. This programme investigates the social, economic and environmental barriers and opportunities for small scale and sustainable agricultural production. Some examples of subjects are: agronomy in a systems ecology perspective; farm production integrated with nature conservation and production of ecosystem services; the sociology of farming and agriculture.... [-]

Master's Programme - Rural Development and Natural Resource Management

Why is it so difficult to collectively organise sustainable fishing in lake Chilwa in Malawi? What are the basic ideas of development policies of the European Union and the World Bank?

There is a growing recognition that the challenges in the development and management of rural areas globally are due to a multitude of social, economic, political and ecological factors. Understanding and dealing with this complex and multi-layered reality therefore requires interdisciplinary analyses and innovative solutions. This programme offers students knowledge and skills from different disciplines - with a key theoretical base in the social sciences - to create appropriate ways of managing rural problems in context.... [-]