University of Rostock | Faculty for Agricultural and Environmental Sciences | Land Management and Environmental Protection

Course of studies on Land Management and Environmental Protection

No previous epoch brought so many developments and changes as the 20th century. Construction, engineering, chemistry, electrical engineering and electronics have fundamentally changed life and quality of life. These development have required as never before the use of natural resources and permanently altered the face of the planet. Therefore, many people are today asking whether development and nature are mutually exclusive. Is it not possible to combine economic growth and improved commerce together with natural resources in one degree course, and then shape a worthwhile professional future with the qualification?

BSc Land Management and Environmental Protection

1. Subject of the course

Land Management concerns planning and implementation with the aim of rationally and optimally shaping the potential of natural areas. This potential should be secured for the general public with the best possible quality as the basis on which life depends. Rural areas and their sustainable use by mankind are the fundamental purpose of work in land management and environmental protection. Competence in the natural sciences combined with civil engineering and planning know-how give the graduates of this degree course the ability to recognise and manage the complex interplay between human actions and the reactions of the environment in order to preserve the cultivated landscape, soil, water and air. The students will be taught techniques which, through the use of modern methods such as remote sensing, geoinformatics and modelling, allow them to:

carry out geoscientific studies and landscape- and settlement-analysis experiments,
derive solutions for landscape-, town- and project- planning,
plan and conduct civil engineering for cultivation and landscape- and road-building in rural areas,
handle tasks in waste-water and domestic water services,
judge the ecological and economic effects of cultivation.

The future graduates will be prepared in the best possible way by this thorough training to pursue careers in all the fields covered.

2. Structure and content of the course

The internationalisation of degrees means that the Bachelor of Science in Land Management and Environmental Protection is now being offered from the winter semester 2004/2005. After an initial study period of 3 years, it is possible to continue the studies with a further 2 years working towards a Master of Science degree at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

The BSc allows the possibility to start a career and start gaining professional experience earlier than was previously possible. Through the international harmonisation of the form of such degrees, agreed through the EU Conference of Education Ministers, the doors of MSc courses at foreign universities are also open. The teaching of the BSc in Land Management and Environmental Protection is formed in two parts

Based on school knowledge, the mathematical, natural-science and civil-engineering basics are taught, in order to enable the entry into the specialist subjects.
The basic knowledge will be applied in individual specialities in order to build the knowledge-base required for a Bachelor of Land Management and Environmental Protection. The abilities of engineers and planners are combined with the knowledge of the interactions with the natural environment. The aim is to develop and advance the networked thinking and actions of the students.

The development of general ground-knowledge is followed by focussing on chosen specific subjects. The future graduate decides their own major field of study based on their interests, potential professional career or planned Masters degree.

3. Career choices

In which fields can a Bachelor of Land Management and Environmental Protection be employed?
Depending on the chosen major field of study, alumni may be qualified to work in the following fields:

in the study of landscape ecology and environmental analyses for the estimation of landscape potential in its behaviour in landuse and regeneration,
formulation of environmental impact studies for large investment projects,
planning and realisation as well as redevelopment of
- land management and use for the protection of a sustainable development of ecosystems and landscapes
- facilities for protection, regulation and utilisation for water over- and underground, facilities of water supply and waste water treatment and facilities for waste management
- special facilities for nature conservation as well as for protection of climate, soil and water for regeneration or preservation of a high environmental quality
exploration of contaminated land and its decontamination
elaboration of strategies for cultivation and use of protected species, historical cultural landscapes of rural areas
landscaping and landscape conservation as well as shaping of settlements and open areas
formulation of programmes for regional planning, land utilisation plans and urban land use plans
formulation of landscape plans and plans for green spaces as well as other subjects of planning such as water management, transport planning and accompanying landscape conservation plans.

Based on the broad scope of their education and the many possibilities for focussing their studies, alumni of the Bachelor for Land Management and Environmental Protection may be employed in regional, national or international offices for planning and consulting engineers and public authorities. Other potential employees include:

consulting engineers and planning offices for soil protection and contaminated sites, for geotechnics, waste, energy and water, for earth-moving, foundation work and civil enineering, for landscape planning and design, for surveying and environmental technology, for structural engineering and urban development, in companies for landscaping, road construction and hydraulic engineering,
in offices, agencies, civil service and public authorities for water- and waste management, for soil and contaminated sites, for land consolidation, land use- and regional planning as well as nature conservation and environmental protection,
in associations in several areas such as waste water and waste, soil and water, tourism, municipal supply- and waste management,
as consultant or advisor on environmental protection in various industries, companies, etc.,
in tertiary industries or the service sector and scientific/educational establishments.

4. Development

The course on Land Management and Environmental Protection was started in the winter semester 1990/1991. It based on the traditions of the degree in "Land Improvement and Plant Production". This diploma course in drainage, irrigation and soil improvement was established in 1962.

Until the winter semester 2003/2004 the "Diplom-Ingenieur für Landeskultur und Umweltschutz" ("graduate engineer for Land Management and Environmental Protection") was offered. At the current time there are 450 students in this course of studies. After several years with an internal restriction on admission the annual number of new students varies between 40 and 60. There is currently no restriction on admission to this degree course.
The BSc Land Management and Environmental Protection has been offered since the winter semester 2004/2005 .

5. Further informations

office of studies

As adviser for the studies you can contact Prof. Dr. agr. habil Otto Stüdemann.

e-mail: otto.stuedemann@uni-rostock.de

information for applicants

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