Careful land use and a sustainable economy are the key societal challenges of the coming decades. How can we bring about change that leads to sustainable development? What strategies, methods and conditions will make this transition possible? These questions form the starting point for the inter- and transdisciplinary Master's in ENR programme.

The goal of the new consecutive MSc is to provide in-depth, disciplinary training. Simultaneously, graduates of this environmental Master's programme, which is unique among universities of applied sciences, possess strong skills in combining technical, scientific and social science disciplines.

At the beginning of the programme you choose your personal specialisation:

The majority of the research and services projects at the Institute of Natural Resource Sciences (IUNR) are carried out in cooperation with partners from industry and research. As part of your Master's thesis, you will work on research questions currently being examined by the Institute's research groups. In this way, you will have direct contact with companies, research institutes and public institutions. As part of the teaching, external lecturers ensure there is a connection with real-world practice and allow you to develop professional networks.

Along with your academic advisor, you determine your goals at the beginning of your studies and create your individual study plan from the modules on offer. Based on your educational background, interests and aptitude, you choose research topics from one of the three specialisations: Agrofood Systems, Biodiversity & Ecosystems, Ecological Engineering (Master’s Research Units). The research topics for tutorials and Master's thesis are supervised by the research groups within the Master's Research Units. Your academic advisor will support you during your studies by helping organise your timetable, providing advice on choosing the subject for your Master's thesis and answering other questions concerning the content of your studies.

The Master’s is based on close cooperation in the form of a double degree with the University of Ljubljana. This allows ZHAW students to complete a 4th semester in Slovenia, gaining a university degree (120 ECTS) and qualifying them to begin a Ph.D. programme.

There is also close cooperation with the following institutions:

• UZH University of Zurich Institute of Geography
• ZHAW Institute for Sustainable Development at the School of Engineering
• ZHAW Departement of Social Work
• ZHAW School of Management and Law
• ZHAW Institute of Applied Simulation at the School of Life Sciences and Facility Management
• ZHAW Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology at the School of Life Sciences and Facility Management
• ZHAW Institute of Food and Beverage Innovation at the School of Life Sciences and Facility Management

Working with these collaboration partners makes for a more diverse curriculum. There is also collaboration in research and teaching with the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Agroscope and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL).