Bachelor of Science

Ecology and environmental protection

Not for the insular: natural science and ecology meet technology and management, nature conservation and landscape planning. Uniquely interdisciplinary.

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Information: The "Ecology and Environmental Protection" degree program is being phased out

The Ecology and Environmental Protection program is no longer accepting new students. Instead, we are pleased to introduce you to our new Bachelor’s degree program in Environmental Sciences .

This program is the result of a fundamental overhaul of the Ecology and Environmental Protection program and has been adapted to meet the current demands and challenges in science, society, and the professional world. In the Environmental Sciences program, you’ll benefit from the concentrated expertise gained from 20 years of teaching in the Ecology and Environmental Protection program, complemented by cutting-edge and visionary approaches that point the way forward in environmental science.

faculty:Natural and Environmental Sciences
Location:Zittau
Degree:Bachelor of Science
Standard duration of study:7 semesters
ECTS credits:210
Language of instruction:German
Enrolment for:Winter semester
Admission restrictions:None
Accreditation status:Accredited

Energy transition and global warming, biodiversity protection, sustainability, resource efficiency and land use - are hotly debated topics that we deal with in the "Ecology and Environmental Protection" department. There is a growing need for experts with interdisciplinary training who can analyze complex issues from a wide variety of fields of knowledge and bring them together in a holistic assessment of the impact on our environment.

Our course of studies "Ecology and Environmental Protection", which has been in existence since 1994, is almost unique in the Federal Republic of Germany with its generalist and interdisciplinary natural science oriented course of studies. Depending on the field of study, you will gain specific insight into technical, management-related, nature conservation and landscape planning topics with practical relevance, in addition to scientific and ecological basics.

 

Your Coursework in the Bachelor's Program in Ecology and Environmental Protection

1st semester
  • General and Inorganic Chemistry for Life Sciences
  • Mathematics I
  • Physics I
  • Research, project work, cooperation and presentation
  • General Biology
  • Lecture series and seminar on topics relating to ecological, economic and social sustainability
2nd semester
  • Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences
  • Mathematics II
  • Environmental Management - Part 1
  • Physics II
  • Functional morphology and systematics
  • Minerals, rocks, soils
3rd semester
  • Fundamentals of physical chemistry for life sciences
  • Chemical separation of substances
  • Principles of ecology
  • Mapping and soil analysis
  • Fundamentals of process engineering
  • Environmental, energy and climate protection law
4th semester
  • Hydrobiology and Water Protection
  • Environmentally Oriented Corporate Management - Part 2
  • Landscapes and Soils
  • Microbiology with Lab
  • Elective Modules
    • Energy and Material Flow Management
    • Alternative Raw Material Sources
    • Bioeconomy—Sustainability of Process and Product Innovations

Specialization or Field of Study: Nature Conservation / Landscape Planning

  • Vegetation Science / Biotope Conservation
  • Weather, Climate, Water Balance
5th semester
  • Selected Processes in Environmental Engineering
  • Ecosystem Science
  • Production-Integrated Environmental Protection (PIUS) and Eco-Design
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Specialization or Field of Study: Nature Conservation / Landscape Planning

  • Animal Taxonomy and Species Conservation
  • Landscape Planning I

Specialization or Field of Study: Environmental and Climate Protection in Organizations

  • Project Seminar: Environmental Protection, Occupational Safety, and Energy
  • Occupational Safety Law, Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
  • Climate Protection Management in Organizations
6th semester
  • Practical semester
  • Scientific work - video course and consultation
7th semester
  • Final Module (Bachelor's Thesis and Defense)
  • Ecotoxicology/Environmental Pollutants
  • Applied Environmental Law/Environmental Ethics
  • Required Elective Modules
    • English for the Natural Sciences
    • Environmental Analysis
    • Practical Computer Science
    • Interdisciplinary Skills (Elective Modules)
    • Life Cycle Assessment and Energy Process Analysis

Specialization or Major in Nature Conservation / Landscape Planning

  • Landscape Planning II
  • Admission requirements
    • General or subject-linked university entrance qualification/university of applied sciences entrance qualification, or a relevant Meister qualification, or a passed entrance examination
    • Applicants with a degree as a technician, business administrator, master craftsman, or a similar degree from advanced vocational training pursuant to §18(3) of the Saxon Higher Education Act (SächsHSFG) must attend a counseling session regarding general university admission.
    • For international applicants, proof of a successfully completed German language proficiency exam (DSH)
  • Target group

    The course is aimed at all students who are interested in dealing with current and future issues relating to the environment, nature and landscape and who would like to contribute to improving the current environmental situation. Varied modules await you not only in the lecture hall, but also in the field, in the laboratory and in the companies.

  • Study objective

    Through a broad range of courses, we aim to provide our students in the Bachelor’s program in “Ecology and Environmental Protection” with an interdisciplinary education. This enables them to analyze complex problems from a wide variety of scientific perspectives and transform them into environmentally friendly solutions. Our students are taught the latest scientific findings in the fields of ecology, environmental law, environmental and quality management, industrial and technical environmental protection, as well as nature and species conservation and landscape and spatial planning. These are supplemented by numerous internships, field trips, and a practical semester. In addition, we have maintained vibrant international partnerships for many years, making study periods abroad (some of which are financially supported) possible.

    Ultimately, our goal is to structure our knowledge- and practice-oriented program in such a way that it meets the high demands of the job market and facilitates our graduates’ entry into the professional world through a wide range of career opportunities.

  • Contents

    Fields of Study

    • Environmental and Climate Protection in Organizations
    • Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning

    Key Areas of Focus

    • Fundamentals of the natural sciences in: mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, ecology, and earth science
    • Fundamentals of Business Administration and engineering: environmental law, business administration, environmentally oriented corporate management, process engineering, geographic information systems
    • Advanced modules depending on the field of study: vegetation science, animal systematics/species conservation, landscape planning or production-integrated environmental protection, risk management, contaminated sites/sampling/environmental engineering or mechanical process engineering
    • Analysis of data from various fields of study
    • Assessment of the environmental impacts of consumption, production, and service processes
    • Development of solutions for environmental problems
    • Energy transition: technical, social, and economic approaches to implementation
  • Study program
    • 1st–3rd semesters: Foundational studies with many shared modules within the “Life Sciences” program cluster (along with the “Molecular Biotechnology” and “Applied Natural Sciences” programs)
    • 4th–7th semesters: Additional specialization modules from one of the two tracks
    • 6th semester: Internship semester (with a final activity report)
    • 7th semester: Preparation of the Bachelor thesisthroughout the semester , followed by a defense (based on the results of the internship semester)
  • Career prospects

    As a graduate of the Bachelor’s program in “Ecology and Environmental Protection,” you’ll have a wide range of career opportunities. For example, in:

    • industrial companies,
    • engineering and planning firms,
    • research institutes, universities, and colleges,
    • government agencies and public administrations at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as associations, organizations, and foundations,
    • service companies in business, commerce, or education,
    • insurance companies and expert appraisal firms,
    • Technical inspection associations,
    • management consulting firms.

    The career prospects for our graduates are good to very good both throughout Germany and internationally.

    Want to continue your studies?

    If you’d like to pursue further academic qualifications after successfully completing your Bachelor degree, you’ll find suitable master’s programs at our university:

    • biotechnology and applied ecology
    • integrated management systems
    • integrated management

Podcast episode on the degree program

Further information
Photo: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jakob Hildebrandt
Fachstudienberater
Prof. Dr.-Ing.
Jakob Hildebrandt
Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences
02763 Zittau
Külzufer 2
Building ZVI, Room 9
+49 3583 612-4614
Allgemeine Studienberatung
Madeleine Pohl
Student Services & International Affairs
02763 Zittau
Th.-Körner-Allee 16
Building Z I, Room 0.21
First floor
+49 3583 612-3055
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