Master's Programme in Ecosystems, Governance and Globalisation, 120 ECTS

The aim of the programme is to give students insights into problem-driven transdisciplinary environmental research. The Stockholm Resilience Centre has developed, in collaboration with several departments at Stockholm University, six unique courses for this purpose. We are inspired by The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (maweb.org) which emphasises the dependence of human welfare on well-functioning ecosystem services. To enable an in-depth understanding of complex social-ecological systems we focus on case studies. Globalisation means that ecosystem management at a local or national scale is affected by drivers (social, economic, ecological) at various scales (local to global). Adaptation and governance at different scales are, therefore, crucial for our understanding of resilience in social-ecological systems. The programme aims to enhance the student’s knowledge of the complex interactions between ecosystem dynamics and human activities at different scales; focusing on ecosystem management in the context of change and uncertainty. Students are introduced to different research approaches and methods for studying coupled social and ecological systems.

Programme Layout The first year consists of six compulsory courses (7.5 hp each), and 15hp-worth of elective courses. The compulsory courses are (see below for a description): • Philosophy of science for interdisciplinary environmental research, • Resilience, vulnerability and adaptability, • Ecosystem management • Adaptive governance of social-ecological systems, • Social-ecological resilience: applications, • International governance of ecosystems. The second year is mainly spent writing a Master’s thesis (52.5 – 60 hp). Students can spend most of this year abroad doing fieldwork and may have an assistant supervisor at another university. The entire programme is held in English.

Entrance requirements • A Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, from a university recognised by the Ministry of Education of the country in which the degree has been awarded; • A very good command of English, documented by an internationally recognised proficiency test. • ALL applicants must complete their application with the following: 1) Statement of Purpose – where you explain why you have selected this programme and what you have to offer the programme (max 250 words); and 2) Research Ideas – for your Master’s thesis (max 250 words).