Program Overview

University of Fribourg Program Details

Introduction to the Master Programme in Environmental Sciences and Humanities

The master programme in Environmental Sciences and Humanities educates a new generation of environmental scientists with a special competence in environmental humanities and ethics for resolving governance challenges in the fields of the environment, sustainability, and climate change. The unique competences acquired in this master are integrative and comprehensive knowledge on how to analyse environmental conflicts and to propose ethically sound solutions to environmental challenges.

Profile of the Study Programme

The master programme Environmental Sciences and Humanities educates generalists in environmental sciences with a special competence in the environmental humanities and ethics. All modules consist of course units providing more general overviews or introductions to the fields of studies and allow for specialisations in specific fields of environmental sciences and humanities. The programme is based on an interfaculty and a humanistic approach. Within this highly interdisciplinary setting, students achieve key competences in all fields of the environmental sciences ranging from biology, geosciences to environmental economy and law to a key focus on the environmental humanities with a special emphasis on ethical decision-making in environmental practice.

Structure of Classes and Lectures

• The programme is divided into six modules and the master thesis:
  • The environmental humanities module, the speciality of this master programme, consists of courses in the fields of the environmental humanities and in ethics.
  • The module deepens knowledge in methods and theory of earth sciences, human and physical geography.
  • The environmental biology module extends knowledge in ecology and biological evolution.
  • The sustainable economy module provides the necessary background in economic thinking in the context of sustainability.
  • The environmental law module focuses on public law at national, European and international levels.
  • The humanities and theology module extends humanist background to environmental challenges.
• The master thesis is interdisciplinary, focusing on ethical or humanist aspects of environmental governance and practice.

Skills Acquired and Career Opportunities

Students of this master programme develop and strengthen their capacities of analytical thinking, precise reasoning, and detecting the ethical implications of environmental practice. In addition, they acquire general scientific, economic, and legal knowledge concerning the environmental challenges of today and specialise in the context of their master thesis. Studying at the multi-lingual University of Fribourg allows gaining language competences in English, French, and German. However, most of the courses are taught in English. The master programme Environmental Sciences and Humanities qualifies for further research in the fields of environmental sciences and humanities, especially applied ethics and philosophy. Job opportunities include the fields of environmental administration and public institutions (local, national, regional, and international), urban and regional planning, environmental consulting, sustainable development, and NGOs with a focus on the environment.

Studies Organisation

Structure of Studies

• 120 ECTS credits, 4 semesters

Admission

• Master's degree programmes are built on the knowledge and abilities that were acquired when obtaining a bachelor's degree.
• Holders of a bachelor's degree awarded by a Swiss university are admitted to a master's degree programme without any preconditions if they have earned 60 or 90 ECTS credits – depending on the chosen master's degree programme – within the corresponding discipline.
• Holders of a bachelor's degree awarded by a foreign university, provided that the bachelor's degree is recognised and considered equivalent by the University of Fribourg, who do not fulfil this condition can be admitted to a master's degree programme with preconditions (which must be successfully completed before starting the master's degree programme) and/or additional requirements (which can be completed during the master's degree programme).

Key Points

• Degree Conferred: Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Humanities
• Languages of Study: Study in English, French, and German
• Commencement of Studies: Commencement of studies in the Autumn Semester (September) or in the Spring Semester (February)
• Access to Further Studies: Ph.D.