A two year double degree Master’s Programme · ACADEMIC STUDY GUIDE 2016–2018 University of Eastern Finland AgroParisTech, France University of Lleida, Spain University of Freiburg,

ACADEMIC STUDY GUIDE 2016–2018

University of Eastern Finland AgroParisTech, France

University of Lleida, Spain University of Freiburg, Germany

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria

A two-year double degree Master’s

Programme

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MSc EF Study Guide 2016-2018: Version 3 May 2016 Copyright: MSc European Forestry secretariat All photographs have been provided by the students and staff of MSc European Forestry partner universities. The consortium reserves the right to revise modules and amend regulations and procedures at any time.

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FOREWORD

___________________________

Welcome to our MSc European Forestry programme!

MSc European Forestry is a unique, multicultural master’s degree programme in

Europe. It aims at providing you an insight to the various practices,

administrative characteristics and state-of-the-art technologies of the

contemporary forest cluster.

Forestry is a multidisciplinary field of science where MSc European Forestry

programme takes you to an exciting journey throughout Europe. It highlights the

importance of urban forestry, introduces you to the applications of multiple-use

of forests, and teaches you the practices in mountain forestry as well as in

technologies used in production oriented forest industry. The variety of subjects

within European Forestry allows you to choose the selection of studies that best

suit your ambitions. Throughout the studies, our professional teaching personnel

are committed to support your learning process towards a scientific way of

thinking.

I am proud to act on behalf of our consortium of universities that jointly provide

the best knowledge in European Forestry today! On the behalf of all the partners,

I congratulate you and wish you all the best for your two-year studies!

Professor Timo Tokola,

Coordinator of the MSc European Forestry programme

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TABLE OF CONTENTS ___________________________ ERASMUS MUNDUS AND EUROPEAN UNION ....................................................................... 5

MSc EUROPEAN FORESTRY ........................................................................................................ 7

MSc EF UNIVERSITIES ................................................................................................................. 9

CONTACT INFORMATION .......................................................................................................... 11

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PARTNER UNIVERSITIES ............................................................ 18

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATE PARTNER UNIVERSITIES .................................... 23

MSc EF STUDIES ......................................................................................................................... 26

COURSE SCHEDULE 2016-2018 ............................................................................................. 27

COURSE LIST 2016-2017 (First academic year).............................................................. 29

Module 1: Trends in European forestry............................................................................ 29

Module 2: Sustainable forest management in Europe ................................................ 30

Academic skills in forest sciences ................................................................................ 30

Current issues in forest conservation and biodiversity ......................................... 31

Economics of multiple-use forestry ............................................................................. 32

Forest information systems ............................................................................................ 33

Research methodology in forest sciences ................................................................ 34

Silvicultural management of forests for timber production and other

ecosystem services .......................................................................................................... 35

Module 3: Elective courses .................................................................................................. 36

Module 4: Applied period in forest institutions .............................................................. 37

Module 5: European forestry field course ....................................................................... 39

COURSE LIST 2017-2018 (Second academic year) ......................................................... 40

Module 6: Obligatory and elective courses (at partners universities) .................... 41

Module 7: Master’s thesis and online thesis seminar .................................................. 42

COURSES AT ASSOCIATE PARTNER UNIVERSITIES IN CHINA AND BRAZIL ........... 45

COUNCELLING .............................................................................................................................. 46

ALUMNI ........................................................................................................................................... 47

5

ERASMUS MUNDUS AND

EUROPEAN UNION

___________________________

The Erasmus Mundus programme

Erasmus Mundus (EM) is a co-operation and mobility programme in the

field of higher education, which promotes the European Union as a centre

of excellence in higher education. It supports European top-quality

Master’s courses (EMMC) and Doctorate programmes (EMJD) and

enhances the visibility and attractiveness of European universities. MSc

European Forestry participated in Erasmus Mundus programmes 2004-

2008 and 2009-2013.

The first cohort of the Erasmus Mundus students started in 2004. Since

then, over 12 000 students have been selected to the 103 different

Master’s courses that are currently offered. The EM disciplines vary from

humanities to space science and technology, and among them, the MSc

European Forestry stood as one of only four study programmes in the field

of forest sciences.

The European Union

As stated in the European Union website (http://www.europa.eu), the

European Union (EU) is a family of 28 democratic European countries,

committed to work together for peace and prosperity. The member states

have set up common institutions to which they delegate some of their

sovereignty so that decisions on specific matters of joint interest can be

made democratically at European level.

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Initially, the EU consisted of just six countries: Belgium, Germany, France,

Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Denmark, Ireland and the United

Kingdom joined in 1973, Greece in 1981, Spain and Portugal in 1986,

Austria, Finland and Sweden in 1995. In 2004 the biggest ever

enlargement took place with 10 new countries joining: Estonia, Latvia,

Lithuania, Malta, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Slovenia, Hungary and

Cyprus. In 2007, Romania and Bulgaria joined the Union. Croatia became

the 28th EU member country on 1 July 2013.

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MSc EUROPEAN FORESTRY

_________________________

Nowadays the Master of Science in European Forestry (MSc EF) is a

Master’s degree programme provided by a consortium of five well known

European universities. The MSc EF is an international double-degree

programme, which was acknowledged as a top quality European MSc

under the Erasmus Mundus programme by the European Commission.

The consortium universities are: University of Eastern Finland as the

coordinator, University of Freiburg (Germany), University of Natural

Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (Austria), University of Lleida (Spain)

and AgroParisTech (France). The MSc EF associate partner universities

include Northwest A&F University in China and Federal University of

Paraná, Brazil.

The MSc EF provides academic education in forestry focusing on the

international dimension of sustainable forest management issues. The

programme is an extra dimension to the already existing educational

markets in forestry and nature management in Europe. In the MSc EF the

consortium universities collaborate intensively to offer high-level courses

based on their knowledge and experience of forest management.

The MSc EF programme consists of 120 ECTS of obligatory and elective

studies provided at the different partner universities. The structure of the

programme is designed so that the students deepen their understanding in

the diverse aspects of forestry with regards to forest policy,

administration, silviculture, industry, environment and society.

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MSc EF PROGRAMME STRUCTURE 2016-2018

1. YEAR 60 ECTS

Academic year 2016/2017: Obligatory and elective studies

Credits (ECTS)

Location

Aug-Feb

Module 1: Trends in European forestry 6 Joensuu, Finland

Module 2: Sustainable forest management in Europe

19 Joensuu, Finland

Module 3: Elective courses 12 Joensuu, Finland

March-June

Module 4: Applied Period in forest institutions

15 Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Spain, Brazil or China

Module 5: European forestry field course 8 Spain, France, Germany, and Austria

2. YEAR 60 ECTS

Academic year 2017/2018: Obligatory and elective studies, Master thesis

Credits (ECTS)

Location

Autumn & spring semester

Module 6: Obligatory and elective cours-es

30 MSc EF partner university/ies, according to the student's individual study track

Module 7: Master’s thesis and 30

Thesis seminar - Online

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MSc EF UNIVERSITIES

_________________________

Today MSc EF Consortium contains five well-established, highly

recognised European universities providing forestry curricula: the

University of Eastern Finland, AgroParisTech, BOKU, University of Freiburg

and University of Lleida.

The partner universities together form a consortium with a high level of

expertise in the core subjects in sustainable forestry, providing leadership

for the development of a global forest education. The consortium co-

University of Lleida, Spain

BOKU, Austria

University of Eastern Finland

University of Freiburg Germany

MSc European Forestry Consortium

AgroParisTech, France

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operates with other European Master’s programmes and through

partnership and exchange programmes with other universities all over the

world, eg. Federal University of Paraná, Brazil and Northwest A&F

University in China are included in MSc EF consortium as associate partner

universities.

The University of Eastern Finland is the coordinator of MSc EF, but all the

consortium universities are providing study courses and modules in

English and in national languages, and fully recognise the studies provided

by the other partners within this study programme. Each student is

awarded, upon completion of the MSc programme, a double degree

certificate and diploma supplements by two of the MSc EF partner

universities: the two degree-awarding universities are the University of

Eastern Finland, and the MSc EF partner university where the student

carries out the Modules 6 and 7 during the second academic year. The

double degrees awarded by the MSc EF consortium are:

University Degree


(the coordinating institution)

MSc (Agriculture and Forestry) with

major in European Forestry

University of Lleida, Spain Master’s Degree in Forest Engineering

University of Freiburg, Germany MSc Forest Sciences

University of Natural Resources and Life

Sciences, Vienna, Austria

MSc European Forestry


MSc of AgroParisTech in Sciences and

Technologies for Life and the Environ-

ment

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CONTACT INFORMATION

_________________________ University of Eastern Finland (the coordinating institution)

Prof. Dr. Timo Tokola Tel. +358 50 401 5835

E-mail: timo.tokola(at)uef.fi

Dr. Marjoriitta Möttönen

Tel. +358 50 442 3031

E-mail: marjoriitta.mottonen(at)uef.fi

Student and learning Services of the University of Eastern Finland

Tel. +358 50 598 4812, +358 50 405 8088

E-mail: opiskelu(at)uef.fi

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University of Lleida, SPAIN

Prof. Dr. Cristina Vega

Tel. +34 973 702 546 E-mail: cvega(at)eagrof.udl.cat

Prof. Dr. Carlos Colinas

Tel. +34 973 702 845 E-mail: carlos.colinas(at)pvcf.udl.cat

Prof. Dr. Rosario Fanlo

Tel. +34 973 702 564

E-mail: fanlo(at)pvcf.udl.cat

International Relations Office

Teresa López (Ms) Phone: +34 973 70 25 14

Fax: +34 973 70 25 15

E-mail: relex(at)ugc-etsea.udl.es

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University of Freiburg, GERMANY

Prof. Dr. Heinrich Spiecker Tel. +49 761 203 3736

E-mail: instww(at)iww.uni-freiburg.de

Esther Muschelknautz International study programmes

Tel. +49 761 203 3607

E-mail: esther.muschelknautz(at)ffu.uni-

freiburg.de

Marianne Stadler

Practical matters for foreign students Tel. +49 761 203 8562

E-mail: marianne.stadler(at)iww.uni-

freiburg.de

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University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), AUSTRIA

Prof. Dr. Hubert Hasenauer Tel. +43 1 47 654 4051

E-mail: hubert.hasenauer(at)boku.ac.at

Associate Prof. Dr. Harald Vacik Tel. + 43 1 47 654 4052

E-mail: harald.vacik(at)boku.ac.at

DI Eva Lanz

Tel. +43 1 47 654 4050 E-mail: eva.lanz(at)boku.ac.at

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AgroParisTech, FRANCE

Prof. Dr. Meriem Fournier

Tel: + 33 3 83 39 4000 E-mail: meriem.fournier(at)agroparistech.fr

Associate Prof. D. Mathieu Fortin Tel. +33 3 83 39 6871

E-mail: mathieu.fortin(at)agroparistech.fr

Yves Ehrhart

Tel: +33 3 83 39 6872

E-mail: yves.ehrhart(at)agroparistech.fr

Isabelle Greiber

Tel: +33 3 83 39 6850

E-mail: isabelle.greiber(at)agroparistech.fr

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Paraná Federal University and Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, São Paulo State University, BRAZIL

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Antonio Rioyei Higa Paraná Federal University

tel: +55-41-99894985

E-mail: [email protected]

Prof. Dr. Luciana Duque Silva São Paulo State University

tel: +55-19-982304354


mailto:[email protected]

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Northwest A&F University, CHINA

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Guangzhe Liu

tel: +86-29-87082110

Mobile: + 86-13509182980


Prof. Dr. Junhua Zhang tel: +86-29-87082213


International Office :

Wenjun Qiao

tel: +86-29-87080181


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DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PARTNER

UNIVERSITIES

_________________________


The Universities of Joensuu and Kuopio merged on 1 January 2010 to

constitute the University of Eastern Finland. With approximately 15 000

students and 2800 members of staff, the University of Eastern Finland is

one of the largest universities in Finland. The university has campuses in

Joensuu, Kuopio and Savonlinna. The four faculties of the University of

Eastern Finland, i.e. the Philosophical Faculty, the Faculty of Science and

Forestry, the Faculty of Health Sciences, and the Faculty of Social Sciences

and Business Studies, offer teaching in more than 100 major subjects.

School of Forest Sciences situating in Joensuu campus belongs to the

Faculty of Science and Forestry. It is one of the university’s flag ships as a

centre for international education and research. More than 100

international students study at the school annually, which is a significant

number for a school with an annual intake of about 70 degree-students.

The School coordinates the MSc EF programme, MSc in Forestry

programme of the Finnish-Russian Cross-Border University (CBU) and MSc

in Wood Materials Science, and participates in EU-Canada programme:

Transatlantic Forestry Master (TransFor-M) and offers a non-degree

programme International Study Programme in Environmental Sciences

and Forestry.

For more information:

www.uef.fi/uef/english, www.uef.fi/metsa

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AgroParisTech was founded in 2007 by the merger of three existing French

engineer schools: INA P-G, ENSIA and ENGREF. It has activities in the

fields of agronomy, forestry, environment, life sciences and food

technology. It has the following three main missions: (I) to train master of

engineering, master of science and doctoral students, (II) to contribute to

the advancement of scientific knowledge through fundamental and applied

research, and (iii) to develop international relations to enhance the career

prospects of the graduates. AgroParisTech has 300 scientists in 33

laboratories and 450 PhD students.

Within AgroParisTech, the centre in Nancy is in charge of the education in

forestry at the master/engineer and doctoral levels, and of the post-

master programme for the training of high level managers for the public

and private sectors. Forestry training and research mainly take place on

the Nancy campus, with contributions from two other AgroParisTech

campuses in Montpellier (southern France) and Kourou (French Guyana).

The Nancy campus is a host to 36 scientists and receives presently

circa 200 students per year. AgroParisTech's close partners in

Nancy, INRA (French National Institute for Agricultural Research) and

University of Lorraine participate in the Erasmus mundus master in

forestry. With its local partners in higher education in

Nancy, AgroParisTech runs the Nancy doctoral school called "Resources,

Products, Processes, Environment" in the frame of which PhD in forestry

can be prepared.


www.agroparistech.fr

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University of Freiburg, Germany

The Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources is located in Freiburg, a

traditional and at the same time dynamic University town of 200.00

inhabitants. The main focus of the Faculty is on the interaction between

environment and society. Natural sciences, social sciences, and technical

competences serve as a foundation for a wide-ranged, interdisciplinary

approach to research and education. The faculty -which has 1500 students

- offers 4 Bachelor and 8 Master programmes in the field of forest and

environmental sciences. There are also 250 PhD students.

The MSc European Forestry students can choose studies from the MSc

Forest Sciences/Forstwissenschaften programme. This specialization

focuses on the sustainable management of natural resources, with a

particular focus on forested landscapes.

Courses generally yield for 5 ECTS credits each, with a duration of three

weeks. A course usually comprises lectures, practicals, tutorials,

preparation, reading, independent learning and assessment.

The Faculty has a strong network with other academic institutions within

Europe and overseas, such as the EU-Canada programme Transatlantic

Forestry Master (Transfor-M) or the NFZforestnet, a cooperation between

Nancy, Zürich and Freiburg.


www.msc-forst.uni-freiburg.de

www.iww.uni-freiburg.de/teaching/international-teaching-networks

www.uni-freiburg.de

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University of Lleida, Spain

The University of Lleida is a public institution with an approximate number

of 9,650 students and 750 faculty members. The 44 highly competitive

research groups receive resources both from national research financing

agencies and from the European Union. The UdL has long been involved

with other Universities and institutions through international networks

(ASEFOREP, NATURA, SILVA, ICA, IROICA, ECHAE) and in the framework

of international EU student and teaching staff mobility programs

(ERASMUS). Looking to the future, the UdL accepts the challenging task of

training competent open-minded citizens who are sensitive to other

cultures and to the peculiarities that these cultures involve.

The UdL is made up of seven faculties and schools, including the Higher

Technical School of Agrarian Engineering (ETSEA). The ETSEA is a Spanish

leader for teaching and research in the Agronomy, Food Technology and

Forestry areas and regarding the last is specialised in Mediterranean

forestry, forest protection and non-wood forest products. Forest Science

studies are taught in the ETSEA campus, where a complete infrastructure

for study and personal work is provided (libraries, study and computer

rooms open all day, laboratories, greenhouses, practice fields, virtual

campus and access to teaching resources for the courses). All courses and

programs are designed according to the European Higher Education Area

(EHEA) project, and many courses in English are available (and

increasing) for the MSc EF students.


www.mscef.udl.cat/en/

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University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences,

Vienna (BOKU), Austria

The University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, known too

by its acronym "BOKU", comprises of 15 departments including Forest and

Soil Sciences and four service centres in Vienna. The university has

approximately 12,000 students (of which 20 per cent are international),

provides courses at the bachelor, master’s and doctoral levels, has

approximately 700 scientists employed on a project basis, about 74 full

professors and about 130 associate professors.

The university sees itself as a teaching and research institution that

focuses on renewable resources that are a prerequisite for human

existence. The relationships between man, society and the environment

form the basis of all activities, and its foremost aim is to make decisive

contributions to securing the well-being of future generations. In this

endeavour, it will seek ways of ensuring a sustainable and environmentally

sound management of natural resources by allying the competences of the

natural, engineering, economic and social sciences. BOKU has successfully

established the Master of Mountain Forestry, which is attracting students

around the world. Altogether, BOKU offers 26 master courses (11 of which

entirely taught in English) and is actively involved in a wide range of int.

educational projects (EM, EM ECW, TEMPUS…).


www.boku.ac.at

www.boku.ac.at/mf.html (Mountain Forestry programme)

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DESCRIPTIONS OF THE

ASSOCIATE PARTNER

UNIVERSITIES

_________________________

Paraná Federal University, Brazil

Paraná Federal University (UFPR) was established in 1912. Currently UFPR

has 101 undergraduate and 90 postgraduate courses in almost all areas of

knowledge. The university enrollment is around 30 thousand students,

with 2200 faculty member. UFPR is a public university with eight campi in

the city of Curitiba and other municipalities of the State of Parana. During

more than 100 years UFPR has been committed to promote the self-

sustained development of society through the generation of knowledge,

forming qualified human resources and in commitment with the

development of citizenship.

Currently the University has close cooperative relations with about 110

universities of different countries. The internationalization plan takes on

account the policy to integrate the university to the various existing

international research networks as well as establishing and strengthening

international research network in interdisciplinary research areas, where

there are substantial needs from the viewpoint of human society in

globalized world. Forest engineering course offered by UFPR is a hybrid of

engineering, forestry, and management. Forest engineers are unique

professionals who can combine skills to produce ecosystems services

(supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural), with a focus on the

forested landscape.

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The Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (USP/ESALQ), located in

Piracicaba, São Paulo, is one of the 42 academic units of the University of

São Paulo (USP). This College, with 250 faculty members, offers seven

undergraduate programs and 13 graduate programs, in addition to one

international, one inter-institutional and two inter-unit programs. It

contributes to undergraduate and graduate areas of Agricultural, Applied

Social and Environmental Sciences. Forest Sciences Department develops

activities in the areas of Forestry; Forest Management; Applied Ecology

and Technology of Forest Products, in order to assess, plan and manage a

sustainable use and conservation of forest resources, taking into account

environmental, social and economical aspects. It is responsible for the

undergraduate and post graduates programs in Forest Resources, and

provides undergraduate disciplines for Agriculture, Environmental

Management and Biological Sciences courses. The research projects are

developed in partnership with the main Brazilian private forest companies

and in its two own experimental stations with 2,910 ha (Itatinga and

Anhembi Forest Research Stations).


www.ufpr.br/portalufpr

www.en.esalq.usp.br

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Northwest A&F University, China

Northwest A&F University (NWAFU) is a national key comprehensive

university directly under the jurisdiction of Chinese Ministry of Education

(MOE), supported by Ministry of Education's "Project 985", whose purpose

is to build world-class universities in China and is also a member of the

"Project 211" aimed at strengthening 100 institutions of higher education

for the 21st century. The University is characterized by its integration of

education, research and social services together. There are 1,478 full time

teachers among the 4689 staff members. A complete range of study

programs is now available for undergraduates, masters, Ph.D. and post-

doctoral studies. There are currently over 20,000 full-time undergraduate

students, 7100 postgraduates including 5573 postgraduate students for

academic degrees, and about 8000 adult education students. In 2006, the

university received approval to recruit international students who are

funded by scholarships from Chinese government.

The College of Forestry was reformed on the basis of the amalgamation of

relevant disciplines of former separate institutes and offers for students

four undergraduate programs---forestry, forest protection, chemical

engineering of forest product, wood sciences and engineering; eight

master programs, namely, ecology, silviculture, forest protection, tree

genetics and breeding, forest management, protection and utilization of

wild animals and plants, chemical engineering of forest products, and

wood sciences and technology; and similar Ph.D programs offered except

chemical engineering of forest products, and wood sciences and

technology. There are 188 teaching and research staff currently. The

College owns 12 sci-tech innovation platforms at ministerial or provincial

level support, 8 experimental stations (bases) and 2 nurseries for

experiments and teaching.

For more information: http://en.nwsuaf.edu.cn/

http://en.nwsuaf.edu.cn/

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MSc EF STUDIES

_________________________

The first year provides the students with a complete background in

European forestry while familiarising them with the consortium universities

and with other forest organisations. During the first year of the

programme, the students attend most of the compulsory courses of the

MSc EF, which are organised at different partner universities. Additionally,

during the first year the students are required to carry out the applied

period (practical training) at a forest institution.

During the second year, the students specialise in their fields of interest

by taking obligatory and elective courses and carrying out the Master’s

thesis at one of the partner universities according to an individual study

plan agreed by the study advisors. For the second year, each partner

university offers an equal number of study places aiming at the even

student distribution among the partner universities. Although, students’

preferences for their second year host university are taken into account,

the coordinators of the consortium will make the final student selection

among the consortium universities. Also there might be restrictions or

additional supplementary studies required for some students.

The work-load of each course is calculated according to ECTS (European

Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), which is the pan-European

credit system. Generally one ECTS credit corresponds to 27 hours of

student’s work. Find out more on ECTS at http://ec.europa.eu/education/

index_en.htm

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COURSE SCHEDULE 2016-2018

________________________

First Academic Year (2016/2017), 60 ECTS

2016

2017

*During the period September-February, students must complete 12 ECTS in elective courses (the list of courses is provided separately on p. 36).

** The starting and ending dates not yet confirmed and may vary.

Aug

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Introduc-

tion Module 1:

Trends in European Forestry (6 ECTS)

Sep*

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Orien-

tation

Orien-

tation Module 2: Sustainable forest management (19 ECTS) and

Oct*

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Module 3: Elective courses (min. 12 ECTS)*

Nov* 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Dec

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Christmas holiday

Jan* 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Christmas holiday

Feb* 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Mar

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Module 3: Applied period (15 ECTS)

Apr

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Easter holiday

May

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Jun**

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Module 4: European forestry field course (8 ECTS) (Spain, France, Germany, Austria)**

Jul

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Summer holiday

28

Second Academic Year (2017/2018), 60 ECTS 2017

*Starting dates vary from the end of August to the beginning of October, depending on the partner university. Also the timing of the holiday seasons may vary depending on the partner university.

2018

**Graduation dates vary from June to October, depending on the partner university

Aug* 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Summer holiday*

Sep* 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Obligatory and specialised studies (incl. Master’s thesis) at the partner university*

Oct* 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Nov 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Dec* 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Christmas holiday*

Jan* 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Christmas holiday*

Feb 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Mar 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Apr

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Easter

holi-day*

May 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Jun**

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Thesis seminar (Online), dates to be arranged individually, after submission of thesis

Jul** 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

GRADUATION**

29

COURSE LIST 2016-2017

(First academic year)

_________________________

Module 1: Trends in European forestry, 6 ECTS

Organiser: University of Eastern Finland

Contact person: Ms Marjoriitta Möttönen, tel. +358 50 442 3031, e-mail:

marjoriitta.mottonen(at)uef.fi

Learning outcomes: After successful completion of this course the students

should be able to describe the essential features regarding history of

forests and land use in Europe; account for the basic conditions for

forestry as well as the present state of the forests and forestry in different

parts of Europe; identify various production goals that can be found in

European forestry, contrast them with objectives regarding e.g.

environmental conservation, and discuss ways to handle possible conflicts,

and discuss how trends in society and environment (climate) affect

European forests and forestry, the ecosystems, the use of forests, as well

as the forest industries and their markets.

Content: Forestry in different parts of Europe, the various objectives

within forestry, as well as the trends affecting forest ecosystems, forestry,

forest production, forest conservation and forest industry, special topics

eg. within forest management and forest policy.

Modes of study: Lectures (approx. 55 h), project and group work (approx.

20 h), excursions (approx. 20 h), examination (approx. 5 h) and

literature (approx. 50 h).

Further information: https://wiola.uef.fi/weboodi (>study units> search;

course code 3513066)

30

Module 2: Sustainable forest management in Europe (19 ECTS) Organiser: University of Eastern Finland (UEF)

Academic skills in forest sciences (1.5 ECTS)

Contact persons: Professor of forest information systems, Dr. Timo

Tokola: timo.tokola(at)uef.fi and senior researcher in bioenergy, Dr. Blas

Mola: blas.mola(at)uef.fi

Learning outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course the

students will be able to effectively communicate scientific knowledge when

interacting with different audiences and using a variety of communication

tools including traditional and ICT-based tools (e.g. blogs); and have solid

grounding for thesis and academic paper writing, as well as for presenting

scientific findings orally.

Content: Academic skills and competencies related to oral presentations

(using Power Point, Prezi, posters, etc.) and other forms of communication

(academic writing, using ICT-based tools), as well as for MSc thesis

writing.

Modes of study: Lectures and interactive sessions on communication and

presentation techniques and on project management (20 h); Practicals -

individual oral presentation, and group work on other communication

methods (wiki, blog, or others). The themes of the practicals’ will be

selected from recent literature on European forestry, forest ecology, forest

economy, forest policy or other relevant forestry fields (20 h).



31

Current issues in forest conservation and biodiversity

(3 ECTS)

Contact person: Senior researcher in forest ecology, Dr. Matti Koivula:

matti.koivula(at)uef.fi

Learning outcomes: Students will familiarize themselves with current

issues in forest biodiversity and conservation, and critically examine

recent scientific literature on these topics. The course themes will vary

between years, and will focus on, e.g., reserve planning, recent

modifications of forest management, restoration of forests, maintenance

of ecosystem services, forest conservation, and carbon-storing issues.

Additionally, the students will evaluate and discuss current conservation

issues in different countries. An essay and a seminar series will provide

students an in-depth view on differences and similarities between

countries in forest environments, management and recent applied

research.

Content: The course consists of three elements. (1) The lectures and

discussions will handle current topics on forest biodiversity and

conservation based on scientific literature. (2) Each student will write an

essay about the forests, forest management, and current forest-

conservation research of a selected country. (3) The results essay topics

will be presented and discussed in a seminar series that ends the course.

Modes of study: Lectures and discussions 20 h; written essay (ca. 2,000

words) 35 h; preparation of a seminar talk 18 h; seminar series 8 h.



32

Economics of multiple-use forestry (3 ECTS)

Contact person: Professor of forest economics and policy, Dr. Jouni

Pykäläinen: jouni.pykalainen(at)uef.fi

Learning outcomes: Understanding basic economics of multiple-use

forestry and ability to use monetary and multi-criteria methods for

evaluating forest management options.

Content: Technical, allocative and dynamic efficiency. Demand and supply

curves. Consumer and producer surplus, and externalities in multiple use-

forestry. Monetary evaluation of non-market benefits of forests.

Ecosystem services and payments for them. Cost-benefit analysis and

multi-criteria decision analysis in multiple-use forestry.

Modes of study: Lectures (20 h), exercises (6 h), literature, exam



33

Forest information systems (5 ECTS)

Contact person: Professor of forest information systems, Dr. Timo Tokola:

timo.tokola(at)uef.fi

Learning outcomes: Student understands the idea of modern Web based

information systems and databases, as well as the special features of

forest information systems, to the level to act as a forestry specialist in an

information system project. Student will understand applicability and use

of mobile IT-systems.

Content: Planning, creating, and exploiting databases for managing forest

and environmental data. (I) Planning an information system: designing

data model and data flow; (II) Database planning and management:

relational databases, data input and data management; and (III)

Environmental and forest data management in Web based GIS systems.

Modes of study: Lectures (30 hours), exercises (30 hours), a practical

project, specified literature, and a final examination. Evaluation is based

on the examination (50%) and the practical project (50%).



34

Silvicultural management of forests for timber

production and other ecosystem services (3 ECTS)

Contact person: Professor in silvicultural sciences Dr. Heli Peltola:

heli.peltola(at)uef.fi

Learning outcomes: The student will understand how the management

and use of forests affect production of different ecosystem services under

changing operative environment (climate change, forestry and

bioeconomy). Furthermore, the student will understand the need to

develop adaptive forest management (and utilization) strategies and

possibilities offered by forestry and bioeconomy to mitigate climate

change (main emphasis on boreal forests).

Content: Essentials: Effects of management and use of forests under

changing operative environment on carbon dynamics and structure of

boreal forests and production of different ecosystem services, including

forest biomass production (timber, energy biomass), carbon

sequestration, forest biodiversity and recreation; Adaptive forest

management (and utilization) strategies under changing operative

environment; Foreseen climate change and uncertainties related to it and

silvicultural risks (e.g. wind and snow damages, droughts); Possibilities

offered by forestry and bioeconomy to mitigate climate change.

Complementary knowledge: Use of forest ecosystem modeling, multi-

functional forest management planning, mechanistic risk modeling and

life cycle assessment for the evaluation of sustainable management of

boreal forests under changing operative conditions.

Modes of study: Lectures (16 hours), final examination for lecture material

and required literature.

35

Research methodology in forest sciences (3.5 ECTS)

Contact person: Professor of forest information systems, Dr. Timo Tokola:

timo.tokola(at)uef.fi, senior researcher in bioenergy Dr. Blas Mola:

blas.mola(at)uef.fi and Dr. Sanna Härkönen: sanna.harkonen(at)helsinki.fi

Learning outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course students

are expected to be able to understand the principles of research

methodology in forestry, taking into account the research issue and

objective formulation as well as choosing an appropriate research

approach, experinmental set-up and sampling technique. Students will be

able to understand basic biometric and ecosystem modeling consepts and

to apply basic commands of R statistics to model and analyse the collected

data. In addition, students will be able to critically evaluate accuracy, error

types and reproducibility of research results. Finally, students will

understand basic concepts in Geographic Information Systems and remote

sensing techniques, and the use the basic GIS software to solve spatial

problems and perceive the potentials for forestry related research.

Content: Applied statistics, research methodology, biometric and

ecosystem modeling concepts, R statistics, GIS and remote sensing

techniques.

Modes of study: Lectures on research, data analysis, statistical concepts

and methods (28 h), practical exercises with R statistics and GIS software

(14 h). Modeling group work and learning diary.



36

Module 3: Elective courses

Elective courses

A minimum of 12 ECTS credits of elective courses must be completed

during the first academic year. A tentative list of the elective courses

available:

Code Course Name

3513144 Analysis of forest economics and policy (6 ECTS)

3513142 Basics of wood material science (4 ECTS)

3513019 Bioenergy markets and policies (6 ECTS)

3513125B Carbon dynamics of forest soils (literature exam) (4 ECTS)

3513152 Forest ecosystem modelling, concepts and applications (4

ECTS)

3513069 Forest health and diseases (5 ECTS) (partly online course)

3513089 Forest inventory and modeling (8 ECTS)

3513057 Forest products mechanics (6 ECTS)

8020270 Information skills and sources in science and forestry for

international students (1 ECTS)

3513147 Perspectives to bioeconomy (6 ECTS)

3513155 Spatial optimization and utilization of new data sources in

forest planning (3 ECTS)

3513056 Structure and properties of wood-based materials (8 ECTS) 3513129 Supply and energy use of lignocellulosic biomass (6 ECTS)

8031003 University study skills (1 ECTS)

Other courses* 1131003 Orientation for international students (1 ECTS) (compulsory)

8031004/5 University computing skills lectures/practices (1+1 ECTS)

(recommended for those with limited computing skills)

8014300 Survival Finnish (2 ECTS) (recommended)

8014301 Finnish 1 (4 ECTS)

1130007 Career planning - international students seeking a job or a

traineeship in Finland (2 ECTS)

*These courses are not counted to 12 ECTS of elective courses. Further information:

https://wiola.uef.fi/weboodi/ (>study units, search by the course code)

37

Module 4: Applied period in forest institutions

(15 ECTS)

Organiser: The MSc EF partner universities and MSc EF associate partner

universities (Northwest A&F University in China and Federal University of

Paraná, Brazil) in cooperation with various research institutes, forest

organisations and companies such as Arbonaut Ltd., IUFRO, IIASA, EFI,

Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya, Forstamt Johanniskreuz etc.

Contact persons: The coordinators at the partner universities and

Professor of forest information systems, Dr. Timo Tokola: timo.tokola(at)

uef.fi and Dr. Marjoriitta Möttönen: marjoriitta.mottonen(at)uef.fi.

Duration: 3 months


are able to know through working as a part of a team how the

organisation is operating in European/international levels; apply their skills

and knowledge in practice; have knowledge and understanding of

European/international business culture and values, team work practices

as well as project management and how a research project starts and how

it is managed, funded and reported.

Content: The course consists of a work assignment in a national or

international forestry-related institution. The course is project oriented,

and the topic of the work assignment is agreed upon in cooperation with

the hosting organisation, the supervisor and the student. The course is

supervised by a lecturer from one of the MSc European Forestry partner or

associate partner universities. An essential part of the course is a final

report that the students write on the basis of the training period.

Modes of study: Participating in a project, final report on the findings

during the course and a seminar presentation based on the report.



38

Applied period: students’ experiences

“The 2012 Applied Period in the Forstamt Johanniskreuz has provided

opportunities for independent silvicultural research, harvest operation planning

and analysis, and the variety of tasks and responsibilities that day-to-day forestry

entails. Throughout the Applied Period, work was carried out with the guidance

and support of the highest caliber foresters and administrative leaders, whose

insights, experience and willingness to mentor contributed substantially to the

educational and professional value of the time spent here.”

-John Foppert, MSc EF 2011-2013, AP in Forstamt Johanniskreuz (Germany)-

“The applied period in Brazil was organized as a partnership with Federal

University of Paraná cooperating with two other Brazilian state universities:

State University of São Paulo and Federal University of the Amazon. The

challenging objective of this applied period was to organize and conduct

excursions, cultural visits and practical work within three regions of the country,

representing three of Brazil’s major and most important biomes: the Atlantic

forest -mata Atlântica- in the southern state of Paraná, the Tropical rain forest -

floresta tropical- in the region of Amazonia- Para state and finally in the Savanna

region- Cerrado- in the country’s central part- states of São Paulo and Mato

Grosso du Sul. The practical placement gave us the unique opportunity to see

various, very diverse (environmentally and culturally) regions, do challenging

work and never the less gave us a better understanding and a broader picture of

Brazil’s importance on an international level as an impressively diverse country

and a land of opportunity in which there are still so many things to be done,

discovered and understood.”

-Alexandru Giurca, MSc EF 2011-2013, AP in Federal University of Paraná, Brazil-

“The Applied period I have done from February to April 2011, was in a private

company located in Joensuu, Finland. The company, Arbonaut Oy Ltd, provides

the customers with information systems and GIS solutions for forest resource

assessment and forest planning. The company is composed of different teams,

including: IT team, Powerline Team, REDD Team and Inventory Team. During the

Applied Period the work was concerned mainly about Forest Inventories, but it

also included some tasks regarding the REDD Team. This applied period has been

very useful to practically apply the theoretical knowledge acquired in the previous

months during the studies at the University of Eastern Finland.”

-Stefano Puliti, MSc EF 2010-2012, AP in Arbonaut Oy Ltd (Finland)-

39

Module 5: European forestry field course

(8 ECTS)

Organiser: The University of Eastern Finland as the coordinator, University

of Lleida (Spain), AgroParisTech-NANCY (France), the University of

Freiburg, and BOKU (Austria).

Place: European countries

Contact persons: Professor of forest information systems, Dr. Timo

Tokola: timo.tokola(at)uef.fi and Dr. Marjoriitta Möttönen:

marjoriitta.mottonen(at)uef.fi.


are able to have deep understanding of contemporary forest management

in different regions of Europe. In addition, they are able to comprehend

the influence of historical, cultural and geographical factors in European

forestry.

Content: An intensive field course where the students will familiarize

themselves with topical forestry issues in Europe.

Modes of study: Intensive field course including forest and cultural visits,

lectures, seminars and presentations. The students are required to carry

out group work, discuss given topics and to prepare individual reports.



40

COURSE LIST 2017-2018

(Second academic year)

_________________________

For the second academic year of studies at the MSc EF, the

coordinators of the consortium universities will distribute the students

equally among the second year study tracks available. The preferences

of the students are taken into account as much as possible.

The offered study tracks for the second academic year are:

Full academic year at BOKU University (Austria)

Full academic year at University of Freiburg (Germany)

Full academic year at University of Lleida (Spain)

Full academic year at AgroParisTech-NANCY (France)

Each university offers an equal number of study places to the students.

The individual study tracks are discussed and decided during the spring

of the first academic year (approx. February-March). The details on the

second year studies are agreed individually with the co-ordinator at the

partner university to form an interesting and relevant study plan for the

student, fitting the topic of the thesis and providing the required skills

and competences.

41

Module 6: Obligatory and elective courses (at partner universities)

Organiser and contact person: The coordinators of MSc EF partner

universities.

ECTS: 30 ECTS (the credit load may differ among partner universities)

Time: Academic year 2017/2018 (second academic year).

Further information: in the box below, and at the webpage

www.uef.fi/europeanforestry/second-year-studies1

Courses/Study programmes offered for the second year of studies:

Each partner university provides a different offer of courses or specialisation

within a given study programme:

University of Natural Resources and Applied Sciences, Vienna (Austria)

Mountain Forestry programme www.boku.ac.at/mf.html

University of Freiburg (Germany) M.Sc. Forest Sciences/Forstwissenschaften www.msc-forst.uni-freiburg.de/forestsciences?set_language=en

AgroParisTech-ENGREF (Nancy) (France)

www.agroparistech.fr/Forests-and-their-environment-FEN,2890.html sites.google.com/site/forestsandtheirenvironment

University of Lleida (Spain) European Forestry programme www.mscef.udl.cat/en/pla.html

http://www.agroparistech.fr/Forests-and-their-environment-FEN,2890.html

http://sites.google.com/site/forestsandtheirenvironment

42

Module 7: Master’s thesis and online thesis seminar

Organiser: The University of Eastern Finland, the University of Natural

Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, the University of Lleida,

AgroParisTech, and the University of Freiburg.

ECTS: 30 ECTS

Duration: ~6 months (estimated)

Time: Generally in the spring semester of the second academic year

(2017/2018)

Place: One of the MSc EF partner universities (AgroParisTech, BOKU,

Freiburg or Lleida).

Contact person: The coordinators at the partner universities.

Study mode: Individual research in forestry. The general idea is to

learn how to independently identify and carry out research in forestry.

The goal is to produce such an internationally acceptable piece of

research work with European or wider dimension included that can be

published in an international scientific journal.

43

Thesis of former participants

Examples of Master’s thesis topics of the previous MSc EF students:

Quantifying deforestation and its driving forces in the context of REDD+ in Lao PDR

using geographically weighted regression. Mariah Juliane Pereira Vargas (from

Brazil, thesis at Albert-Ludwigs University, Freiburg, Germany)

Soil organic carbon dynamics after grassland abandonment in alpine and

Mediterranean mountains in North-Eastern Spain. Zhijin Yang (from China, thesis

at University of Lleida, Spain)

The perception of decision-makers to climate change adaptation in urban and peri-

urban forests in Belgrad. Ivana Guduric (from Serbia, thesis at University of

Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria)

Comparison of GIS-based models and remote sensing images to estimate water

stress in plants. Jaime Sebastián Azcona (from Spain thesis at AgroParisTech,

France)

Decay fungi related to "Roig" red stain of Castanea sativa in Catalonia - A qualitative

assessment of the fungi associated with the notorious Roig. Jewel Yurkewich (from

Canada, thesis at University of Lleida, Spain)

Comparison of carbon calculation methods. Thomas Gerritzen (from Germany,

thesis at University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Austria)

Evaluating the potential of airborne laser scanning (ALS) sensors for developing

indicators applied in sustainability impact assessments with ToSIA. Marc Caufapé

Poca (from Spain, thesis at AgroParisTech, France)

All thesis titles can be found at the MSc EF Thesis database:

http://www.uef.fi/en/web/mdp-europeanforestry/thesis

44

Online thesis seminar

Organiser: The University of Eastern Finland

ECTS: 0 ECTS*

Time: Arranged individually, after submission of the student’s thesis

(June – October 2018)

Place: Virtual seminar through an internet platform

Contact persons: Professor of forest information systems Timo Tokola:

timo.tokola(at)uef.fi and Dr. Marjoriitta Möttönen: marjoriitta.mottonen

(at)uef.fi

Study mode: A seminar consisting on the individual online presentation

and discussion of each student’s Master’s thesis in Moodle course site.

Further information: At the webpage of the programme,

http://www.uef.fi/en/web/mdp-europeanforestry/thesis-seminar

*Thesis seminar, although does not have credit load, is obligatory in order to

graduate.

http://www.uef.fi/en/web/mdp-europeanforestry/thesis-seminar

45

COURSES AT ASSOCIATE PARTNER UNIVERSITIES IN

CHINA AND BRAZIL

_________________________

Organisers: Northwest A&F University (China) and Federal University of

Paraná, Brazil

Time: Arranged individually (Feb-April 2017, summer 2017)

Contact person: Professor of forest information systems Timo Tokola:

timo.tokola(at)uef.fi or Dr. Marjoriitta Möttönen: marjoriitta.mottonen

(at)uef.fi

A preliminary list of available courses:

Northwest A&F University, China

Forest resources and the way of vegetation restoration in China

The new role of nature conservation in Chinese forestry

Forest products and utilization of non-timber-oriented plants

Chinese forestry policy and practice

Federal University of Paraná, Brazil

Plantation forestry

Natural forests in Amazonian region

Tree improvement in fast growing plantations

For more information about the course contents and timetables, contact Marjoriitta Möttönen: marjoriitta.mottonen(at)uef.fi

46

COUNCELLING

_________________________

MSc European Forestry Secretariat will offer confidential informal and

formal conflict resolution services to resolve students’ possible

problems and concerns related to MSc European Forestry studies. If the

problems and concerns are related to the studies of the second

academic year, students can also contact the local coordinator of the

MSc EF consortium university in question.

The possible conflicts and problems that cannot be managed by the

local coordinator or by MSc European Forestry Secretariat are dealt at

the MSc EF Consortium level and/or at the MSc EF university in

question according to the rules of the university in question.

47

ALUMNI

________________________

MSc European Forestry Network of Students

The MSc EF Secretariat of the MSc EF study programme promotes the

networking of former and present MSc EF students.

Between 2002 until 2004, 35 students have studied the former one-year-

version MSc EF. In addition, 10 students enrolled in the first class of the

new two-year MSc EF Erasmus Mundus programme 2004–2006, whereas

27 students did it in the group 2005–2007, 26 more in 2006–2008, 25 in

2007– 2009, 21 in 2008–2010, and 17 in 2009–2011 and in 2010-2012,

15 in 2011-2013, 12 in 2012-2014, 13 in 2013-2015 and in 2014-2016

under Erasmus Mundus 2009-2013. In the course 2015-2017 there are

currently 6 more students. Altogether, between 2002 and 2015, 238

students more than 60 countries have taken part in the MSc EF.

48

Master’s degree programme in European Forestry is organised by:

in cooperation with

Documents

A two year double degree Master’s Programme · ACADEMIC STUDY GUIDE 2016–2018 University of Eastern Finland AgroParisTech, France University of Lleida, Spain University of Freiburg,