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Assessing nature´s services for human well-being

Presentation on the English-taught master program ECOSYSTEM SERVICES © IHI Zittau

The global loss of biodiversity and ecosystem degradation are among the grand challenges of global environmental change. In this context, ecosystem services as the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems for human well-being are gaining increasing attention in science, policy and society. Identifying, mapping and assessing ecosystem services as well as capturing their values in public and private decision-making are important objectives of national, European and international biodiversity and sustainability strategies. At the global level, this demanding task is not least part of the working program of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). IPBES is an intergovernmental body which assesses the state of biodiversity and of the ecosystem services it provides to society, in response to requests from decision makers.

Against this background the international Master’s programme on Ecosystem Services provides students with the knowledge base and methods to analyze pressing environ-mental problems and to develop societally relevant solutions. A special focus lies on inter- and transdisciplinary approaches from the natural and the social sciences in order to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity as well as to secure the sustainable provision of ecosystem services for present and future generations. The program combines the natural and social sciences expertise of the International Institute (IHI) Zittau and the Faculty of Environmental Sciences at TU Dresden, the Senckenberg Museum of Natural History in Görlitz, and the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) in Dresden.

Video: Testimonials of ESS-students

Short Facts

Degree	Master of Science
Duration	4 semesters (2 years)
Language of instruction	English
Admission requirements	Bachelor (at least 6 semesters!) in life, environmental, social or economic sciences, English skills on level B2.
Study locations	Zittau (IHI Zittau), Görlitz (Senckenberg Museum for Natural History), optionally electives from focus areas at the Faculty of Environmental Sciences in Dresden or Tharandt
Semester fee	Most students only pay a Semester fee according to the fee regulations of the "Studentenwerk Dresden", including the option of a semester ticket). In some cases (2nd master degree, long-time studies etc.), study fees can be compulsory.
Accreditation	diploma

Grafik: weiße Schrift auf blauem Hintergrund "Studieninformationssystem", daneben ein Laptop mit Lupe

Further important information and conditions regarding the study program, such as the study requirements, the deadlines and the link to the application, can be found in our central Study information system / Studieninformationssystem (SINS). the program at SINS

Structure and study locations of the program

In the first two semesters, the fundamentals of the subject are taught, half of the 2nd semester as well as the entire 3rd semester then offer the opportunity to specialize in five focus areas. In the 4th semester, the master's thesis is written and defended.

The study locations of the compulsory area are Zittau (basic modules) and Görlitz (taxonomy in the collections of the Senckenberg Museum), the study locations of the focus areas are Zittau, Görlitz, Tharandt and Dresden.

Core modules

valid for: ESS, intake 2023

Unless otherwise stated, the courses take place at IHI Zittau.

1st Semester:

Ecosystem Services – Concepts and Development
Applied Ecology (Senckenberg Museum for Natural History Görlitz)
Introduction into Key Taxa (Senckenberg Museum for Natural History Görlitz)
Methods of Empirical Social Research
Intercultural Communication and Foreign Language Skills

2nd Semester:

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Governance
Ecological Economics

General electives area

One of the two following modules must be chosen:

Ecosystem Services in Practise - specialization (10 ECTS)
Ecosystem Services in Practise - foundations (5 ECTS)

The courses take place at the places of internships.

Electives / focus areas

Mode of choosing the electives:

Modules totalling 45 credit points must be chosen, of which:

5 or 10 ECTS from the general elective area
at least 20 ECTS from the selected focus areas
the remaining credit points can be chosen from the selected or another area of focus.

Focus areas:

1. Environmental Social Sciences

with the modules

Nature and Ecosystem Services in the City
Resource Management and Sustainability
Ecosystem Services – Case Studies
Quantitative Methods of Empirical Research
Biodiversity Management and Sustainability
Environmental Law

Courses of this focus area take place at IHI Zittau.

2. Biotechnology

with the modules

Environmental Chemistry
Environmental and Fungal Genomics
Environmental Analysis
Applied Microbiology

Courses of this focus area take place at IHI Zittau.

3. Ecology and Collections

with the modules

Field Ecology
Museum and Collections
Collecting and Analysing Biodiversity Data
Diversity and Ecology of Fungi and Lichens
Systematics and Bioindication of Bryophytes
Zoology - Special Aspects of Collection Management

Courses of this focus area mostly take place at Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz or at the places of the internships.

4. Forestry

with the modules

Management of Vegetation and Soil in Watersheds
Forest Related Development Policy and Culture
Assessment and Evaluation of Forest Resources
Modeling
Communication and Conflict Management
Management Systems and Restoration in Natural Forests of the Tropics
Management Systems of Forest Plantations and Rehabilitation of the Landscape in the Tropics

Courses of this focus area take place at the Faculty of Environmental Sciences in Dresden and Tharandt.

5. Spatial Development and Natural Resource Management

with the modules

Introduction Into Integrated Water Resources' Management
Circular Economy
Ecological and Revitalising Urban Restructuring
Global Perspectives in Spatial Development
Environmental Development and Risk Management
Applied Landscape Ecology
Strategic Sustainability Management
Resource Management

Courses of this focus area take place at the Faculty of Environmental Sciences at Dresden.

What can I do after graduation?

Career prospects

Research (universities, non-university research institutions, industry)
Public administration (e.g. environmental and nature conservation ministries, authorities)
Companies; Economic and political consulting
International organizations (e.g. UNEP, FAO, World Bank)
Non-governmental organizations (e.g. environmental and nature conservation associations such as WWF, IUCN)
Science management

Why study Ecosystem Services at TU Dresden?

Worldwide unique interdisciplinary study profile
Absolute top topic in politics and science: This competence will be in high demand in the future!
Study in small, highly international student groups

What alumni report...

Nicole Heise

I traveled from Peru to Zittau to study. Being far away from home was sometimes difficult, but together the international ESS students learned to support each other. There are not many opportunities for social scientists to learn a profession in the environmental field - for me as a sociologist, the ESS Master's program offered this opportunity.

Laura Hoffmann

For me as a biologist, the economic and political part of the course was new and difficult to grasp at first. For me, nature was initially something that had to be preserved for its beauty and recreational value. During my studies, I quickly realized that the economic and social perspectives of nature conservation are also very important and need to be included.

Portraitbild der Studierenden Claudia Christensen Garcia

Claudia Christensen Garcia (USA)

I enjoyed exploring the “Dreiländereck”, where Germany, Poland, and Czechia meet. We biked to the lakes that dot the landscape, which were all former coal mines. My primary interest in the study program was the diversity of classes and focus areas. I especially enjoyed our classes at the Senkenberg Museum Görlitz with its large collection of plant and animal species.

Ecosystem Services - one study program, several campuses!

Your "home port" is the IHI Zittau at Markt 23, where you will find the offices of your contact persons and where most of the basic compulsory courses take place (with a few side trips to the biodiversity collections of the Senckenberg Society in Görlitz).

Depending on the selected focus area, in your 3rd semester you will predominantly study courses in Zittau, Görlitz or in courses of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences in Dresden or Tharandt - the semester ticket makes it possible to change between the campuses without additional financial effort!

IHI Zittau - your campus!