MSc Programme in Forests and Livelihoods

Erasmus Mundus Master Course SUTROFOR - Sustainable Tropical Forestry

Master of Science (MSc) in Forests and Livelihoods

SUTROFOR – Sustainable Tropical Forestry (hereinafter referred to as SUTROFOR) is part of the Erasmus Mundus (EMMC) programme (2006-13) initiated and funded by the European Commission in the field of higher education. The programme aims to enhance the quality of European higher education and to promote dialogue and understanding between people and cultures through cooperation with third countries.

The SUTROFOR MSc is offered by a consortium of five European universities. The University of Copenhagen, Bangor University, Dresden University of Technology, AgroParisTech-ENGREF (Montpellier), and University of Padova. The SUTROFOR course has been approved for EU funding for the time period 2006-2017.

The programme is organised in accordance with Executive Order no. 815 of 29 June 2010. The programme belongs under the Natural Science Study Board.

The programme leads to a double or joint degree dependent on mobility track. Graduation at University of Copenhagen confers the degree Master of Science in Forests and Livelihoods.

 

Chapter 1. The programme’s objective and competence profile

1.1 The programme’s objective

The main objective of the programme is to educate graduates that are able to deal with the huge challenges of contemporary tropical forestry. The aim is to provide the graduates with a firm theoretical foundation and understanding of principles and processes that underpin sustainable tropical forestry development, including the social and environmental context, ability to apply theory of the sustainable management of forests and other natural resources in the tropics to real life situations, ability to function on the international scene, and openness to foreign cultures. During their studies, the students are extensively exposed to realities of the tropics – both during the compulsory Joint Summer Module in a tropical country and in relation to thesis work on tropical forestry issues.

 

1.2 The programme’s general profile

The SUTROFOR programme is a highly integrated international MSc programme developed and implemented jointly by the five partner institutions. SUTROFOR has an interdisciplinary approach combining the traditional aspects of biology/ecology (silviculture) and economics with livelihood concerns. During the two-year programme, all students must study at two of the consortium partner institutions. The first study year has common learning outcomes, whereas the second year comprises of the following specialisations:

· forest and livelihoods in developing countries (Copenhagen)

· agroforestry systems (Bangor)

· tropical forest management (Dresden)

· environmental management and politics for tropical forests (Montpellier)

· social and environmental responsibility in tropical forestry (Padova)

 

1.3. The programme’s employment prospects

The SUTROFOR programme qualifies the graduate to apply to PhD programmes or pursue a career in practice. The programme provides access to a diverse national and international sector that holds many opportunities for professional jobs within development and sustainable management of forest and other natural resources in developing countries. Sectors of particular relevance are 1) universities and research institutions, 2) development agencies with national and international scope, e.g. Danida, FAO or UNEP, 3) government bodies where graduates are involved in policy related activities, and 4) private companies, consultancies and industries dealing with developing country issues or products.

 

1.4. The programme’s competence profile

During the SUTROFOR programme students must obtain the knowledge, skills, and competences described below. These qualifications are obtained partly through participation in course work, fieldwork, and the preparation of a master’s thesis.

 

Common first year learning outcomes

Based on the European Qualifications Framework and the Dublin Descriptors, with focus on level 7 learning outcomes and second cycle qualifications, the first year programme provides opportunities for students to achieve and demonstrate the following specific learning outcomes:

1.4.1 Knowledge (theoretical/factual)

• Forest ecosystems. World forests, forest ecology
• Interactions between physical and biological environments of forests
• Deforestation processes
• Functions and impacts of tropical forests.
• Multiple benefits of forests; forest reliance; social and environmental implications of forestry
• Forest policy and economics
• Sustainable forest management. Forest management planning; forestry practice

1.4.2 Skills (Cognitive/practical)

• Develop independent learning skills necessary for the foundation of lifelong learning
• Assess the possibilities and limitations of theories and methodologies
• Tackle problems by collecting, analysing and evaluating and interpreting appropriate qualitative and quantitative information and using it creatively and effectively
• Plan and execute research or development work, evaluate the outcomes and draw valid conclusions

1.4.3 Competences

• Display the competence, key skills, behaviour and attitudes required in an intercultural professional working life
• Communicate clearly, concisely and confidently in spoken and written format
• Understand the principles and processes that underpin purposeful sustainable tropical forestry development
• Write field based reports to meet the objectives of multitudinous stakeholders

Common second year learning outcomes

The SUTROFOR students spend their second study year at one of the five consortium institutions. The educational objectives in terms of subject specific knowledge, skills and competences of the five possible specialisations are listed below. In terms of skills and competences, the five study tracks have common learning outcomes:

§ Critically apply relevant qualitative and quantitative data collection methods

§ Appropriate use of standard analyses to address sustainable tropical forestry development problems

§ Fieldwork design, empirical data collection, preparation of guidelines for sustainable tropical forest management

§ Participate in academic discussions of issues related to tropical forestry and development

§ Display the competences, key skills, behaviour and attitudes required in an interdisciplinary and intercultural professional working life

§ Communicate clearly, concisely and confidently in spoken and written formats with both academic audiences and in public discussions with non-specialists

§ Manage research, advisory and management activities in relation to sustainable tropical forestry

§ Carry out research, advisor and/or policy related activities related to sustainable tropical forestry, in international development organisations, government bodies, non-governmental organisations, development agencies, industry bodies and research institutions

 

1.5 Study track Copenhagen: Forests and Livelihoods in Developing Countries

1.5.1 Specific educational objectives

To provide graduates with a thorough understanding of the conditions of rural livelihoods in a micro economic context, and ability to apply theory to the sustainable management of forests and other natural resources in the tropics. Emphasis is on natural forests and decentralised (participatory) management.

1.5.2 Knowledge

§ The general role of forests and trees in rural livelihoods and development, including poverty prevention and reduction

§ The role of forest products in household current consumption, as safety nets, and in providing pathways out of poverty

§ Account for and critically evaluate research and theories in relation to forests and livelihoods in developing countries

§ Familiarity and understanding of interdisciplinary and intercultural work

1.5.3 Skills

§ Critically apply relevant qualitative and quantitative data collection instruments

§ Appropriate use of standard economic analyses to address sustainable tropical forestry development problems in relation to livelihoods

§ Fieldwork design, empirical data collection, preparation of guidelines for livelihood related sustainable tropical forest management

§ Participate in academic discussions of issues related to forests, livelihoods and development

1.5.4 Competences

§ Display the competences, key skills, behaviour and attitudes required in an interdisciplinary and intercultural professional working life

§ Communicate clearly, concisely and confidently in spoken and written formats with both academic audiences and in public discussions with non-specialists

§ Manage research, advisory and management activities in relation to tropical forestry in general, and forests and livelihoods in particular

§ Carry out research, advisor and/or policy related activities related to tropical forestry, and in particular forests and livelihoods, in international development organisations, government bodies, non-governmental organisations, development agencies, industry bodies and research institutions

 

1.6 Study track Bangor: Agroforestry Systems

1.6.1 Specific educational objectives

To provide graduates with a thorough integrated education in natural resource management, combining ecological, economic and social dimensions of agricultural and forest sciences, focused on application to real world tropical systems where trees interact with agriculture at a range from micro to macro scale.

1.6.2 Knowledge

§ Key aspects of the contributing disciplines of economics, social science, and animal and plant ecology as they are applied in agricultural and forest management

§ The integration of knowledge across disciplines in natural resource management, with emphasis on agro-ecosystem services and properties

§ Agroforestry practices and their role in farming and forest systems

§ The biology, domestication and management of multipurpose trees

1.6.3 Skills

§ Critically apply relevant qualitative and quantitative data collection methods

§ Appropriate use of standard analyses to address sustainable tropical forestry development problems in relation to agroforestry

§ Fieldwork design, empirical data collection, preparation of guidelines for agroforestry related sustainable tropical forest management

§ Participate in academic discussions of issues related to agroforestry and development

1.6.4 Competences

§ Display the competences, key skills, behaviour and attitudes required in an interdisciplinary and intercultural professional working life

§ Communicate clearly, concisely and confidently in spoken and written formats with both academic audiences and in public discussions with non-specialists

§ Manage research, advisory and management activities in relation to tropical forestry in general, and agroforestry in particular

§ Carry out research, advisor and/or policy related activities related to tropical forestry, and in particular agroforestry, in international development organisations, government bodies, non-governmental organisations, development agencies, industry bodies and research institutions.

 

1.7 Study track Dresden: Tropical Forest Management

1.7.1 Specific educational objectives

To provide graduates with a thorough understanding of forest management practices, ability to apply the theory to the sustainable management of natural forests, forest plantations and urban forestry. Emphasis is on natural forests and participatory management.

1.7.2 Knowledge

§ A holistic diagnosis of the state of tropical natural forests, forest plantations, and urban trees and parks

§ The role of natural forests, forest plantations, and urban trees and parks for development in the tropics, considering property situation, organisational system and actor constellation

§ Account for and critically evaluate research and theories in relation to forest management in the tropics

§ Familiarity and understanding of models for the implementation of management planning under different framework conditions

1.7.3 Skills

§ Critically apply relevant qualitative and quantitative data collection methods

§ Appropriate use of standard analyses to address sustainable tropical forestry development problems in long and short term management systems

§ Fieldwork design, empirical data collection, preparation of guidelines for sustainable tropical forest management

§ Participate in academic discussions of issues related to forest management and development

1.7.4 Competencies

§ Display the competences, key skills, behaviour and attitudes required in an interdisciplinary and intercultural professional working life

§ Communicate clearly, concisely and confidently in spoken and written formats with both academic audiences and in public discussions with non-specialists

§ Manage research, advisory and management activities in relation to tropical forestry, including natural forests, forest plantations, and urban trees and parks

§ Carry out research, advisor and/or policy related activities related to a wide range of tropical forest systems, in international development organisations, government bodies, non-governmental organisations, development agencies, industry bodies and research institutions

 

1.8 Study track Montpellier: Environmental Management and Policies for Tropical Forests

1.8.1 Specific educational objectives

To graduate individuals who have a thorough understanding of the interactions between human and biological processes that drive structure and functioning of tropical forests from the local to global scales, and who are able to implement or appraise environmental actions targeted at tropical forest ecosystems.

1.8.2 Knowledge

§ Tropical forest ecosystems as a result of human and other ecological interactions: ecological processes underpinning structure and functioning of tropical forests

§ Theoretical and methodological frameworks for environmental management and policies applied to tropical forests

§ Account for and critically evaluate research and theories in relation to environmental management of tropical forests

§ Familiarity and understanding of models for the implementation of environmental management of tropical forests

1.8.3 Skills

§ Critically apply relevant qualitative and quantitative data collection methods

§ Appropriate use of standard ecosystem and social science analyses to address sustainable tropical forestry development problems

§ Fieldwork design, empirical data collection, preparation of guidelines for sustainable tropical forest management

§ Participate in academic discussions of issues related to forest management and development

1.8.4 Competences

§ Display the competences, key skills, behaviour and attitudes required in an interdisciplinary and intercultural professional working life

§ Communicate clearly, concisely and confidently in spoken and written formats with both academic audiences and in public discussions with non-specialists

§ Manage research, advisory and management activities in relation to tropical forest ecosystems and evaluate options for their environmental benefits

§ Carry out research, advisor and/or policy related activities related to environmental aspects of tropical forest systems, in international development organisations, government bodies, non-governmental organisations, development agencies, industry bodies and research institutions.

 

1.9 Study track Padova: Social and Environmental Responsibility in Tropical Forestry

1.9.1 Specific educational objectives

To graduate individuals with a thorough understanding of the main theoretical concepts, international framework and practical tools related to Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) in forestry, ability to apply them to production and marketing of forest products and services, and who understand the potentialities and consequences of promoting a responsible use of forest resources worldwide.

1.9.2 Knowledge

§ Fundamentals of business and governmental ethics; international initiatives in promoting a responsible use of forest resources

§ Forestry in a global economy; responsible trade of tropical products and services

§ Fundamentals of societal marketing, initiatives and instruments for environmental and social responsibility; processes and procedures of forest certification

§ The global forest policy debate; new models of governance; conflict management in tropical forestry

1.9.3 Skills

§ Critically apply relevant qualitative and quantitative data collection methods

§ Appropriate use of standard instruments for social and environmental responsibility in forest management as well as in timber and other forest products and services supply

§ Fieldwork design, empirical data collection, preparation of guidelines for sustainable tropical forest management

§ Participate in academic discussions of issues related to ethics in forest management and development

1.9.4 Competencies

§ Display the competences, key skills, behaviour and attitudes required in an interdisciplinary and intercultural professional working life

§ Communicate clearly, concisely and confidently in spoken and written formats with both academic audiences and in public discussions with non-specialists

§ Manage research, advisory and management activities in relation to social and environmental responsibility in tropical forestry

§ Carry out research, advisor and/or policy related activities related to social and environmental responsibility in tropical forestry, in international development organisations, government bodies, non-governmental organisations, development agencies, industry bodies and research institutions

Chapter 2. Degree programme content

2.1 Content

All SUTROFOR students must study at two Consortium institutions – 60 ECTS at each. The first year of study must take place in one of three institutions: Copenhagen, Bangor or Dresden.

In the first study year, three modules are joint and compulsory, regardless of first year institution:

Climate Change and Tropical Forestry: Monitoring and Policies (5 ECTS)

This module deals with a current hot topic in tropical forestry (i.e. the topic may change over the years). The module is entirely online. It is offered to all SUTROFOR students by the University of Padova. Teaching lasts from around 1 Nov to end of March.

Preparing Field Work in the Tropics (7.5 ECTS)

This module is essentially designed to allow for in-depth preparation for fieldwork during the Sustainable tropical forestry summer school, see below. The module is delivered through joint e-learning. Responsibility for the course circulates among the SUTROFOR partner institutions.

Sustainable Tropical Forestry Summer School (7.5 ECTS)

The Sustainable tropical forestry summer school is developed and implemented jointly, gathering students and teaching staff from all of the consortium institutions. The responsibility for overall theme, location and implementation will rotate among the partner institutions.

The five second year specialisation options are: forest and livelihoods in developing countries (Copenhagen), agroforestry systems (Bangor), tropical forest management (Dresden), environmental management and politics for tropical forests (Montpellier), or social and environmental responsibility in tropical forestry (Padova). The study is completed with a 30 ECTS thesis.

In the second year course Research planning, 5 ECTS are common to all second year institutions:

Research Planning (5 ECTS)

Due to differences in academic calendars, it is not possible to implement one single joint Research Planning module – instead, all second year courses have the same core component worth 5 ECTS.

 

2.1.1 First year

N.B. Students admitted in 2010 - please see curricula for 2010/11.

In the following, the first year modules of the three first year institutions (Copenhagen, Bangor, Dresden) are described.

At University of Copenhagen, First year

Year 1	Block 1	Climate Change and Tropical Forestry	Natural Resource Sampling and Modelling	Tropical Forests, People and Policies
	Block 2		Applied Forest and Natural Resource Economics	Optional
	Block 3		Interdisciplinary Land Use and Natural Resource Management
	Block 4		Preparing Field Work in the Tropics	Sustainable Tropical Forestry Summer School

To fulfil the objectives of the course at LIFE, the student must complete the following courses:

 

LTEK10157	Natural Resource Sampling and Modelling	7.5 ECTS
LNAA10093	Tropical Forests, People and Policies	7.5 ECTS
LOJK10208	Applied Forest and Natural Resource Economics	7.5 ECTS
LFKK10246	Interdisciplinary Land Use and Natural Resource Management	15 ECTS
310096	Preparing Field Work in the Tropics	7.5 ECTS
LNAA10094	Sustainable Tropical Forestry Summer School	7.5 ECTS
	Optional	2.5 ECTS
	Climate change and Tropical Forestry: Monitoring and Policies	5 ECTS

 

At Bangor University, First year

 

To fulfil the objectives of the first year at Bangor University, the student must complete the following courses:

 

Forest Resources and Assessment	10 ECTS
Tropical Silviculture	10 ECTS
Ecosystem Function and Services	10 ECTS
Research Methods	10 ECTS
Preparing Field Work in the Tropics	7.5 ECTS
Sustainable Tropical Forestry Summer School	7.5 ECTS
Climate change and Tropical Forestry: Monitoring and Policies	5 ECTS

 

At Dresden University of Technology, First year

 

To fulfil the objectives of the first year at Dresden University of Technology, the student must complete the following courses:

 

Forest Ecology	5 ECTS
Forest Related Development and Land Use Policy	5 ECTS
Inventory and Assessment of Forest Resources	5 ECTS
Forest Plantations and Agroforestry	5 ECTS
Forest Utilization	5 ECTS
Forest Ecosystems, Silviculture and Forest Protection	5 ECTS
Economics and Management of Forest Resources	5 ECTS
Organisation and Management Systems	5 ECTS
Preparing Field Work in the Tropics	7.5 ECTS
Sustainable Tropical Forestry Summer School	5 ECTS
Climate Change and Tropical Forestry: Monitoring and Policies	5 ECTS

 

2.1.2 Second year

At all SUTROFOR institutions, the second study year consists of 30 ECTS of coursework and a 30 ECTS thesis within the subject area. The thesis can be purely theoretical, based on fieldwork in a developing country, or combined with an internship at international organisations, NGOs, universities or similar.

 

University of Copenhagen: The study track in Forests and Livelihoods in Developing Countries

 

At University of Copenhagen, Second year modules:

 

Year 2	Block 1	Qualitative Methods in Agricultural Development	Research Planning
	Block 2	Participatory Forest Management	Rural Livelihoods and Natural Resources Governance
	Block 3	Thesis (incl. Field Data Collection)
	Block 4

 

To fulfil the objectives of the programme at Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, the student must complete the following compulsory courses:

 

LFKK10258	Qualitative Methods in Agricultural Development	7.5 ECTS
LFKK10270	Research Planning	7.5 ECTS
LNAK10017	Participatory Forest Management	7.5 ECTS
LNAK10083	Rural Livelihoods and Natural Resources Governance	7.5 ECTS

 

The thesis must be based on at least three months of field work in a developing country. Subject to available funding, students will obtain financial support in connection with thesis field work if all compulsory courses have been successfully completed.

 

Bangor University: The study track in Agroforestry Systems

To fulfil the objectives of the programme at Bangor University, the student must complete the following compulsory courses (and the 30 ECTS thesis):

 

Agroforestry Systems	10 ECTS
Silviculture for Agroforestry	10 ECTS
Research Planning	10 ECTS

 

University of Dresden: The study track in Tropical Forest Management

To fulfil the objectives of the programme at Dresden University of Technology, the student must complete the following compulsory courses (and the 30 ECTS thesis):

 

Management Systems in Natural Forest of the Tropics	5 ECTS
Management Systems in Forest Plantations of the Tropics	5 ECTS
Urban Tree Management in the Tropics	5 ECTS
Integrated Land Use Management at Landscape Scale	5 ECTS
Scientific Working Methods and Research Plan	10 ECTS

 

AgroParisTech: The study track in Environmental Management and Politics for Tropical Forests

To fulfil the objectives of the programme at AgroParisTech-ENGREF, Montpellier, the student must complete 30 ECTS from the below courses (and the 30 ECTS thesis); the ECTS weight of each course is determined by faculty on the basis of the profile of each individual student (typically from 3-7 ECTS per course):

 

Tropical Forest Ecology, Biodiversity and Global Change

Silviculture, Agroforestry and Forest Management

Human Sciences for the Management of Forests and Environment in International Context

Economics, Forest Policies and Environment in Developing Countries

Methodological Tools

 

University of Padova: The study track in Social and Environmental Responsibility in Tropical Forestry

To fulfil the objectives of the programme at University of Padova, the student must complete the following compulsory courses (and the 30 ECTS thesis):

 

Social Responsibility by Public and Private Organisations	6 ECTS
Environmental Economics for Tropical Forest Resources	6 ECTS
Societal Marketing: Forest Certification and Other Tools	6 ECTS
Forest Policies and Conflict Management in Tropical Forest	6 ECTS
Research Planning	6 ECTS

 

Chapter 3. Admission requirements and admission

3.1 Admission requirements

In accordance with the Erasmus Mundus programme requirements, the SUTROFOR Consortium has developed joint admission requirements and procedures in respect of national legislations.

Admission requirements:

A good first university degree in a relevant area, e.g. forestry, agriculture, biology, geography, economics.

High proficiency in English (IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: IBT 83, or equivalent)

 

3.2 Admission

Students are admitted to the Erasmus Mundus master’s programme in Sustainable Tropical Forestry once a year (1 September).